BALANCE OF POWER

All we’ve ever wanted is more horsepower and greater lean angles. Our desire led manufacturers down a path of producing tire-scorching production literbikes, MotoGP race replicas, and homologation-special superbikes—all of which are available to anyone with a willing checkbook. But what if we maybe got it just a little bit wrong?

Sure, mass horsepower and unlimited budgets are truly awesome, but it isn’t everything when it comes to sportbikes, and the Kawasaki Ninja 400 and Yamaha YZF-R3 are proof. Performance is both exciting and educational. (Bear with me.) Relatively-low seat heights, user-friendly yet entertaining power, nimble handling, and affordable prices entice new motorcyclists. But even experienced riders will find these bikes challenging to ride fast, and their daily appeal is universal. Even better, this class of sportbike can help riders of any skill level master fundamentals and hone skills. Don’t believe me? Our group of testers included licensed professional roadracers down to daily commuters, and the smiles never stopped.

So, while 1,000cc