With the popularity of V4s and parallel-twin engines at a rise, the number of inline-four bikes on the market seems to be at an all-time low. Yet, such four-pot machines continue to attract true enthusiasts and hold a decent market share. Accordingly, most of your favorite bikemakers still have attainable machines with inline-four engines. The Big Four from Japan lead this space, but you will be surprised to see a couple of European names in the mix, too. Oh, and understandably, most of these bikes are nakeds. After all, they cost less to manufacture than a full-fledged track-focused faired superbike. Let’s dive in without further ado. Honda CB650R E-Clutch Price: $8,699 HondaWhat you’re looking at is the most affordable inline-four motorcycle on offer today. Period. That is thanks to a sizable price cut by Honda, where the price has dropped from $9,399 to $8,699 for the 2026 model year. At the same time, there is no catch. You still get a really capable motorcycle with thoroughly modern equipment from head to toe. This includes Showa USD forks, a Showa monoshock, a twin-spar chassis, and a few modern features. The latter includes: 5-inch TFT instrument cluster Display modes Traction control Dual-channel ABS All-LED lights HondaThe USP, though, is its powerhouse. You get an inline-four 649cc engine, good for over 90 horsepower and 45 pound-feet. Unlike usual inline-four mills, most of the power is concentrated under 10,000 RPM for extra tractability. The engine also joins hands with Honda’s new E-Clutch technology. This omits the use of the physical clutch lever while going up/down the transmission, and even when starting off from a standstill. You can always turn it off if you want to do things the usual way. Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R Price: $9,299 KawasakiThe Ninja ZX-4R is not only the smallest inline-four motorcycle in Kawasaki’s lineup, but it is also the cheapest. That doesn’t tell the full tale, though. Back upon its debut, it cost $9,699. Then, Kawasaki slashed the prices down to $8,999 in an attempt to boost sales. Now, 2026 has brought the price back over $9,000, and it should only go higher from here. What do you get for the money, you ask? Well, the only sub-400cc inline-four engine on the market in the US. This is good for a peak output of almost 80 horsepower with RAM air, while screaming to over 15,000 RPM. You also get quality Showa suspension and a steel trellis chassis. Topping all this off is a set of modern features, such as: Two power modes Three traction control settings Ride modes Smartphone connectivity TFT instrument cluster KawasakiWant more? Then, Kawasaki has the ZX-4RR for you. The extra R brings preload adjustability for the front forks, a more premium BFRC monoshock (similar to the ZX-10R), and a quickshifter as standard. Sweetening the pot are three special liveries: Lime Green, Metallic Matte Graphenesteel, and Pearl Robotic White. All the raises the MSRP to $9,999–the same as the Kawasaki Z900! Suzuki GSX-S1000 Price: $11,989 SuzukiUnlike its Japanese contemporaries, Suzuki has somewhat neglected its middleweight inline-four range. The focus has been on its new parallel-twin lineup instead. As a result, the cheapest inline-four Suzuki today is the GSX-S1000. It costs close to $12,000 and belongs to the liter-class segment. You get a GSX-R-derived inline-four engine, retuned to produce 150 horsepower and 78 pound-feet. Much of this is present below 10,000 RPM, so there is oodles of punch for regular riding. SuzukiA recent update has also made the GSX-S1000 more modern. The basic LCD has made way for a full-color TFT resembling the GSX-S1000GT’s setup. It gives you access to three ride modes and five modes of traction control, but there is no six-axis IMU or smartphone connectivity. A two-way quickshifter and slipper clutch round things off. Yamaha MT-10 Price: $14,999 YamahaLike Suzuki, Yamaha has ditched its middleweight four-pot platform in favor of parallel-twin and inline-triple bikes. So the cheapest inline-four bike in its portfolio is the $14,999 MT-10. Yes, that’s a lot of money, but the MT-10 justifies the price quite well. Much of that is thanks to its brilliant CP4 engine. It is a 998cc, inline-four unit sourced from the YZF-R1, featuring a MotoGP-derived crossplane crankshaft. That ensures a more punchy power delivery compared to regular inline-four engines to boost overall tractability and performance. Speaking of which, you get 164 horsepower and 82 pound-feet—higher than all of its inline-four rivals. YamahaElsewhere, the MT-10 impresses with its features and underpinnings. The former comprises YZF-R1-derived electronic aids, which are segment-leading amongst Japanese makers. Power modes, engine brake control, slide control, wheelie control, traction control–you name it, and the MT has it. All of it is accessed via a 4.2-inch TFT, meanwhile. Coming to the underpinnings, these are R1-derived, too. An aluminum twin-spar chassis takes center stage, paired with fully adjustable KYB forks and a KYB monoshock. There’s an SP version that brings Ohlins electronic suspension for extra money as well. BMW S 1000 R Price: $15,385 BMWIf you want a European inline-four experience from a popular brand, the S 1000 R is where it starts. For the $15,385 MSRP, you get a premium experience from head to toe. The engine starts things off here. This is a 998cc, inline-four engine from the S 1000 RR, but without the ShiftCam technology. That means you’ll have to rev the mill to enjoy all the 170 ponies and 84 pound-feet. BMW has shortened the final drive, though, which should equate to hard acceleration and more usability. BMWElsewhere, the aluminum twin-spar chassis joins hands with an aluminum swingarm and subframe, while being suspended on beefy 45 mm USD forks and a monoshock. The suspension also offers full adjustability. These bits, along with the 17-inch aluminum wheels, limit the curb weight to just 438 pounds fully fueled. This is almost 30 pounds lighter than the Japanese rivals you see above. MV Agusta Brutale 1000RS Price: $24,098 MV AgustaLast but not least, we have some Italian representation. With Ducati and Aprilia favoring V4s, the cheapest inline-four bike from Italy is the MV Agusta Brutale 1000RS. And interestingly, the MV is actually cheaper than the Ducati Streetfighter V4. There’s a lot to like, too. For instance, the inline-four engine has a whopping 208 horsepower and 85 pound-feet. That makes it one of the most powerful naked bikes on the planet, and MV proudly claims a top speed of over 186 miles per hour. The underpinnings are top-shelf, too. The bikemaker has chosen a steel trellis frame instead of the usual aluminum twin-spar setup. This joins hands with a single-sided swingarm (something the Ducati no longer has), Marzochhi forks, and a Sachs monoshock. Brembo Stylema calipers help shed speed up front, while an Ohlins steering damper keeps tank-slappers in check. Last but not least, the electronic aids follow the same brief. You get everything you’ll ever need, along with extras like cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, app-controlled electronics setup, and Mobisat anti-theft device. Source: Various manufacturers