Focus on Price per cc | Value-Priced Parallel 4-Cylinder Models「3-Selections」

There may be many riders, especially veterans, who feel that models equipped with parallel four-cylinder engines are the best motorcycles. On the other hand, the number of 4-cylinder models, especially in the small- and mid-engine displacement range, has decreased significantly compared to the past. Prices have also skyrocketed.
What is the most affordable 4-cylinder model in this day and age?

The cheapest 4-cylinder you can buy new is the Ninja ZX-25R...But

Due to a complex intertwining of various factors, such as the repeated tightening of environmental regulations, the accompanying increase in production costs, and the globalization of motorcycle production, the number of motorcycles equipped with 4-cylinder engines, especially in the middle class and below, has decreased dramatically compared to the past. In the past, many riders considered the parallel 4-cylinder engine to be the symbolic engine of motorcycles, but the selection of 4-cylinder engines for new current-model motorcycles has become a difficult trend due to the limited variation and price. The first time I went to the airport, I saw a lot of people.

Among new motorcycles generally sold in Japan today, Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-25R is the cheapest 4-cylinder engine motorcycle. However, its price tag of (approx.) 5865 USD and up is high for the 250cc class, and moreover, the SE specification, which comes standard with a two-way up-and-down quick shifter and frame sliders, costs (approx.) 6475 USD, making the advanced version chosen by many riders quite close to the (approx.) 6930 USD line.

If we simply compare them by price, the ZX-25R is the cheapest, but when considering displacement, the sentiment is somewhat subtle. Therefore, focusing on the price per cc of displacement, we have considered the value-priced parallel 4-cylinder models that can be purchased now as new motorcycles.

The affordability of the Z1000 is considerably higher

※ Selected Major 4-cylinder models from various Japanese manufacturers are featured. The selected models are:  Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R, Honda CB400 Super Four, Honda CB650R, Suzuki GSX-S750 ABS, Honda CB400 Super Boldor, Honda CBR650R, Kawasaki Z900, Kawasaki Z1000, Suzuki GSX-S 1000, Yamaha FJR1300A, Honda CB1300 Super Four.
Graphs were prepared by the editorial staff based on manufacturer information as of September 2022. Prices are the manufacturer's suggested retail prices including sales tax as listed on the manufacturer's website. In cases where there are differences in specifications, the lowest-priced model is used as the standard. (Red figures indicate the three lowest-priced models and blue figures indicate the three highest-priced models.

The above graph is a bubble chart. The size of the bubble (circle) is the price, and the larger the circle, the higher the price.
The x-axis is the displacement and the y-axis is the price per liter. From this chart, we can see that small-displacement motorcycles tend to be more expensive per liter, while large-displacement motorcycles tend to be less expensive per liter. For example, the ZX-25R and CB400SF & SB are in the upper left corner of the table. On the other hand, the 400+ displacement motorcycles may seem less expensive at less than 2,000 yen per kilogram, although their body prices are higher.

Next to the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R, the next least expensive motorcycle with a parallel four-cylinder engine that can be purchased new in Japan today is the Honda CB400 Super Four. However, this one, too, is undeniably expensive for riders who know the old days, starting at (approx.) 6130 USD for a standard motorcycle license class. The CB400 Super Boldor, with the same chassis and half cowl, costs from (approx.) 7215 USD and up, exceeding (approx.) 6935 USD.

On the other hand, other in-line four-cylinder models priced below (approx.) 6935 USD include the Honda CB650R and Suzuki GSX-S750 ABS. The naked CB650R and the full-cowl CBR650R, which use a common chassis, are reasonably priced at a little over (approx.) 6935 USD, but the GSX-S750, which is in the same price range but has a larger displacement, is more affordable.

Further up in this displacement range, look at Kawasaki's Z1000. Although the Z1000 has been on the market for many years with no major changes, its price per cc of (approx.) 8235 USD for the 1,043 cc displacement is by far the cheapest per cc of all the models. Incidentally, the Yamaha FJR1300A is also reasonably priced per cc of displacement, approaching the Z1000. However, the price is only (approx.) 10675 USD per cc, so it depends on the person whether he or she perceives it as a value price compared to other models priced (approx.) 6930 USD.

SUZUKI GSX-S750 ABS

「750cc」Class. (6930 USD)

The GSX-S750 is a model change from its predecessor GSR750, which was introduced as a 2011 model and has been on sale since 2017. Like its predecessor, the engine is a 749cc liquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder with roots in the GSX-R750 supersport model, and has been reset to emphasize the low-mid RPM range to match the characteristics of a naked model. On the other hand, the frame is made of steel, and while seeking suppleness, production costs have been reduced, and overall balance has been achieved to enhance the sportiness of the machine.

When the GSX-S750 evolved into the GSX-S750, its merchantability was greatly enhanced with radial-mounted Nissin front brake calipers, 3-mode + off traction control, and improved design of the front and rear wheels and steel swingarms, in addition to exterior components. Even so, the vehicle price, including tax, is still under (approx.) 6930 USD, at (approx.) 6845 USD for the 2022 model. However, production of this model will end this fall in Japan due to new emission regulations. If this trend continues, it will be the last Japanese-made 4-cylinder 「750cc」.

KAWASAKI Z1000

Excellent cost performance per cc

The first generation of this sports naked series was introduced in 2003, followed by the second generation in 2007, the third generation in 2010, and the renewed fourth generation in 2014, which continues to the present day.
In Japan, it has been sold as a domestic version since 2017. Since its introduction in the 2014 model year, there have been no major changes except for the color and graphics, and moreover, it is equipped with few electronic control mechanisms including riding modes and traction control, so that even as of 2022, it is still priced at (approx.) 8235 USD, which is a liter-class 4-cylinder model.

For this price, the frame is made of lightweight and rigid aluminum, and the 1043cc liquid-cooled, parallel four-cylinder engine, which delivers a maximum output of 141 hp, is equipped with an assist and slipper clutch. It also features fully adjustable Showa SFF-BP front forks and radial-mount opposed 4-piston monoblock front brake calipers. The price per cc of displacement is the lowest among current 4-cylinder models, making it a worthwhile bike to target even though its basic design is outdated.

YAMAHA FJR1300A

Price per cc is quite cheap

A European tourer equipped with a 1297cc liquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder engine. The first generation FJR1300 was introduced in 2001, with the addition of an ABS version (FJR1300A) in 2003, a new exterior in 2006, a new electronic throttle, traction control, cruise control, and other new features in 2013, and a transmission upgrade in 2016, including a shift from a 5 to a 6-speed transmission and full LED lighting. In 2016, the transmission was upgraded from 5-speed to 6-speed, and the lights were switched to full LED, but the basic design has not changed significantly over the past 20 years. For this reason, the price of the FJR1300A in 2013, when the domestic version was newly introduced, was approx. 9360 USD (excluding tax), while the price in 2022 will still be (approx.) 9705 USD, an increase of only (approx.) 350 USD in 9 years.

The current price including tax is (approx.) 10675 USD, but due to its large displacement, it is the second cheapest after the Z1000 at about 8.23 USD per cc. It has been announced that production of the FJR1300A/AS for the Japanese market will end with the 20th-anniversary model to be released in February 2022, so if you are aiming for a reasonably priced liter-class parallel 4-cylinder sports tourer, be quick!