EARLY BARGAINS
We’re going deep here – deep into the performance bargains of the early noughties. And very naughty indeed is what you can be on one of these puppies. It’s your choice – look for a very nice, unmolested one, and pay extra, or pick up a minger for pennies and sort her out yourself, maybe making a few quid along the way. Check out these cheap thrillers for size.
USED BIKES
Kawasaki ZX-636R
Kawasaki’s old 1999 ZX-6R was down on ponies compared with the hot poop Yammy R6. Some wise guy suggested slinging a big-bore kit in there while they worked on an all-newmotor, and the 2001 636 was the result. An extra 37cc doesn’t sound much – two-thirds of a moped really – but it gave the mad Ninja a kick like a pissed mule. The capacity stuck on the all-new B1 model, and the result is still a corker.
Ducati 999S
Ducati? Bargain? Have we gone soft in the ‘ead? Well, no – the 999 was bashed with the ugly stick for many folk, and it’s often overlooked. That ignores the fact it was a corking bike to ride – and the S versions in particular offer great value exotic performance. You get a stonking great Testastretta engine putting out 140-odd bhp, in a steel-trellised, 180-odd kg frame, plus all the Brembos and Öhlins you can eat. No traction control or any of that old bollocks – just fit the latest sticky rubber and you’ll be fine. What are you waiting for?