Cheap speed: Superbike finance deals

Getting your hands on a brand new superbike has never been easier, or more affordable – and with the revelation this week that Suzuki’s GSX-R1000R has set the fastest quarter-mile time MCN has ever recorded on a production superbike, you’ve never had more bang for your buck, either.

The all-new GSX-R1000R blitzed its litre-bike rivals at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire last week, nailing a blistering standing quarte rmile time of just 9.98 seconds at a speed of 153.49mph, before tramping on to a genuine 180mph in just 16.20s. This is Hayabusa hyperbike-beating territory from a package that boasted a true 184.93bhp on the dyno, and tips the scales at a claimed 203kg (kerb).

But perhaps the most impressive set of figures come when you look at the affordability of these superbikes on Personal Contract Plans (PCP). There are drawbacks to this popular route to a new bike – the primary one being that you don’t own it – but if that doesn’t bother you then you could be riding away on a new GSX-R1000R for just £161.47 per month. That takes into account a £4059.75 deposit, and delivers a whopping saving of over £225 per month when compared to an identically funded straight finance deal* on the same bike.

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Clearly you’ll own the bike on the traditional finance deal and won’t have to suffer a mileage limit, but on PCP you simply roll on to another new one after two or three years, probably with no additional outlay or increase in payments – keeping you at the sharp end of the market. While the GSX-R1000R is the fastest off the line, it’s also one of the best-looking deals currently available, although it’s run close by the devastatingly effective new Honda Fireblade SP, which can be secured for £169 per month right now –albeit with a far more salty deposit than the GSX-R requires.

If the relentless march of electronics and performance has surpassed your needs, and you yearn for a brand-new superbike with a far more analogue skill set, don’t despair. There are some cracking deals on the outgoing models, too – and the Fireblade is once again at the sharp end. How about doing 4000 miles this year on the 2016 model Fireblade SP for just £129 per month? No, really. And Honda are even chucking a £500 deposit contribution into the pot.

Whichever route you choose, you’re spoilt for choice. After years in the doldrums, the superbike segment is back, and it’s never before offered such comfort, so many rider aids, or easy affordability. 2017 could well be the year of the superbike.

To find out which of these bikes is our superbike king for 2017, pick up a copy of the April 5 issue of MCN.

	Suzuki GSX-R1000R 36 monthly payments of £161.47 Cash price: £16,099 Deposit: £4059.75 Mileage: 6000 p/a  Rate: 7.9%APR Optional final payment: £8847
	Ducati 1299 Panigale S 37 monthly payments of £229 Cash price: £22,132 Deposit: £5360.77 Mileage: 5000 p/a Rate: 5%APR Optional final payment: £10,598
	Honda Fireblade SP 36 monthly payments of  £169 Cash price: £19,125 Deposit: £4399 Mileage: 4000 p/a Rate: 5.9%APR Optional final payment: £10,900.60
	Yamaha YZF-R1M 36 monthly payments of £179 Cash price: £19,539 Deposit: £4487.90 Mileage: 5000 p/a Rate: 6.4%APR  Optional final payment: £11,123
	Kawasaki ZX-10RR 36 monthly payments of £175 Cash price: £16,249 Deposit: £2881.80 Mileage: 4000 p/a Rate: 5.9%APR Optional final payment: £9061
	BMW S1000RR Sport 36 monthly payments of £199 Cash price: £14,930 Deposit: £3041.97 Mileage: 5000 p/a Rate: 9.9%APR Optional final payment: £7734.03
	Aprilia RSV4 RF 36 monthly payments of £264.38 Cash price: £19,999 Deposit: £4450 Mileage: 4000 p/a Rate: 8.9%APR Optional final payment: £9340

What is PCP?

Personal Contract Plans are a type of finance deal that allows you to get a new (or used) bike in your garage for less. The system works by making you pay for the bike’s depreciation (plus the interest), rather than the full retail price. Add in a decent deposit, and you’re only paying back a small chunk of the loan value, which is how you end up with such a low monthly outlay.

So what’s the catch?
At the end of the period, you don’t own anything, and instead have a decision to make: do you pay off the outstanding amount and keep the bike; give the bike back and walk away owing – and owning –nothing; or do you roll your deal over? Most will use the equity in the guaranteed future value (GFV) as a deposit, and roll onto a new PCP deal. But be aware that you might not have enough equity to do this, meaning you’ll need to find a new deposit.

Be aware that…
A significant proportion of the credit is deferred until the end of the contract, and it’s not the cheapest route to ownership. You need fully comp insurance, and excess mileage charges apply, while neglect will damage the GFV. It’s not perfect for everyone.

*Suzuki GSX-R1000R comparative finance example 35 monthly repayments of £390, total payable £17,556. Cash price £16,239. Deposit £3500. Rate 6.7%APR. Final payment £390

Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.