Having an A2 licence doesn’t mean you need to give up on sportbike looks, sharp handling, or that racey feel. And this blog shows you exactly why, we’ve made you a top 10 list of A2-compliant sportsbikes…you’re welcome!

At number ten is the Zontes ZT703-RR, with a striking design, great tech, and equipment. The aluminium central frame and components make for an agile and stable ride, whilst its three-cylinder engine provides 47hp for the restricted version. 

It features some premium suspension with inverted adjustable forks and a rear monoshock. Aswell as this, it has ABS and traction control, with other trusty features such as slipper clutch and quick shifter. In terms of specs, the ZT703-RR comes with a TFT screen, allowing you to connect your phone for a more enjoyable experience.

For £6,799, it's not the cheapest option on this list, but with its stylish, aggressive looks and its tech and spec its hard to miss. 

 

Next is the CFMOTO 450 SR-S with an aerodynamic design, making those rides nice and precise. In terms of power, its twin-cylinder engine provides 46hp and 39Nm of torque for a snappy ride, getting you to 62mph in just 4.8 seconds! 

It comes equipped with ABS, traction control and tyre pressure monitoring for some nice safety touches. Let’s not forget the 5-inch TFT display and CFMOTO RIDE app to help keep everything paired up for convenience.

 You’re in for a comfy ride as it has an adjustable and narrow cushioned seat, and a large windshield, which will reduce wind pressure when you’re speeding down those streets, helping keep you stable. 
In 2026, you can get your hands on this for £6,499, again, another slightly pricy option but I would say it's well worth it. 

 

At eight, we have the Yamaha R3, which is a super lightweight, compact and agile offering - and obviously not forgetting the fact it's a stunning model, inspired by its older siblings (R7 & R9) for that big sportsbike feel. Its 2-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine provides 41hp and 29.5Nm of torque. 

The R3 has a new ergonomic profile and assist and slipper clutch, making for a more controlled ride. And to make things even more fun, there is a multi-function LCD, offering smartphone connectivity through the MyRide app while also displaying all information about the bike. 

In 2026, the R3 comes in the 70th anniversary white, racing colours inspired by the 90’s, aswell as the classic icon blue that we all know and love, and ofcourse midnight black for £6,652.

 

Moving through our list, we have the Aprilia RS 457, with a true racy feel thanks to its fairing and bold graphics. The parallel twin cylinder engine is capable of 47hp with 43.5nm of torque.

The suspension setup includes preload-adjustable front forks and a rear monoshock delivering 130mm of wheel travel. The RS 457 is equipped with dual-channel ABS, three riding modes, adjustable traction control, and a quick shifter that ensures seamless gear changes and strong acceleration off the line.

With a 5-inch TFT dash and three striking colourways, it’s a great-looking option and at £6,599, it sits right in line with the rest of the list at a fairly reasonable price point. 

 

Now in number six, we have a great contender for the 2026 list, the CBR500R in true Fireblade styling. This one does not disappoint. With aerodynamic winglets and a twin cylinder engine producing 47hp and 43nm of torque.

A standout feature on the CBR 500 R is its E clutch, making for free shifting for top performance. You’ll be leaving everyone in the dust on this one! It comes with a 5-inch TFT display and smartphone connectivity through Honda Roadsync. 

It is also equipped with premium suspension with Showa USD front forks, and selectable torque control for a well-managed ride in all weather conditions. 

For 2026, the price is yet to be confirmed, so keep your eyes peeled. However, the 2024 model is priced at £6,799, so that gives you a rough idea. 

 

 

Sitting pretty in the middle of our top 10 is the Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE, ideal for those looking for an A2 with sporty performance and the ease of everyday use.

Packing a 451 cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin, the 500 produces a rather healthy 45hp and 42.6 Nm of torque. Stats such as these allow the bike to provide lively acceleration and smooth power performance during rides.

Compared to the base model of the 500, the new SE comes equipped with Keyless Kawasaki Intelligent Proximity Activation Start System (KIPASS), an upgraded TFT display, Assist & slipper clutch, larger windscreen, LED idicators, as well as ABS - all in favour of making for a far more enjoyable (and accessible) ride.

For 2026, the Special Edition of the Ninja 500 comes in two colourway options, including the iconic Lime Green, as well as a lovely little Matte Twilight Blue/Candy Persimmon Red version - which looks a dream!

 

Up next and in our fourth spot today is the Triumph Daytona 660, a bike with all the aggressive big bike feels.

We'll discuss the styling first, and if I’m honest, this is one of the best-looking bikes to date. Coming in three colourway options (the Snowdonia White being a personal favourite), the Daytona sports clean lines, a blended fuel tank and distinctive twin LED headlights to create a polished little mean machine.

Aside from that, the Daytona has some great tech packed in, too. Featuring ride-by-wire throttle, three riding modes (including Sport, Road & Rain), traction control, ABS and Triumph connectivity system controlled via the TFT display allows to enhance the rider's experience and safety, especially on those longer jaunts or commutes to work.

Onto performance and of course, as this is an A2 list, you will be required to fit a restrictor on your Daytona to make it A2 compliant, which at the time of writing is available from many Triumph dealerships across the UK for £137, on top of the £8,595 pricetag for the bike too.

Obviously, this isn’t going to be the most cost-effective option for many riders out there; however, it is an option well worth considering if you do have a bigger bike budget to work with!

 

Starting our top three today is the 2026 Ducati Panigale V2…

To sum the V2 up, it is quite simply a stunning looking, high performing sportsbike, that has been designed (as Ducati claims) from the ‘ground up’. Coming packed with a new chassis and engine, the 2026 V2 has sharper handling, a lighter weight and enhanced agility for both everyday riding and on the track racing.

This is going to be another bike where you will need to get a restrictor kit fitted to comply with A2 licencing legislation; however, once you pass your full A licence testing, you can just as easily pop it out and enjoy the bike's full performance.

In terms of tech, the Panigale features many of the riding features seen on its older siblings, including Bosch cornering ABS, traction control (DTC), wheelie control, engine brake control (EBC) and a quickshifter all as standard. If you were interested in looking at the V2S, the base models ‘posher sister’, then you’d also find launch control and a pit limiter amongst your host of controls.

I’d argue that if you aren’t someone who regularly finds themselves among the asphalt, or don’t necessarily have a need for speed, then the V2S might be a few too many steps in the wrong direction for you.

As you’d expect, the 2026 Ducati Panigale V2 comes with a whopping £15,395 price tag, which isn’t going to be for everyone. And, after seeing the Panigale V2 pair up close and personal at Motorcycle Live a few months back, I think if it were up to me, I’d be opting for that lovely Ducati Yellow. I love the iconic Ducati Red, but I think that the yellow edition really is a welcome change from the usual.

 

Just missing out on the top spot is another member of the Ninja Family; however, this time it is the 650.

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 is a great middleweight sportsbike, offering the perfect combination of sporty, versatility and comfort - ideal for everyday commuting.

Sporting a 649cc 4-stroke Parallel Twin, the Ninja 650 is capable of producing 67hp and 64nm of torque at 6,700rpm. Now, as this is an A2 list, you will be required to pop a restrictor on the 650 to make it A2 licence compliant. 

For 2026, the 650 has seen a few tech upgrades, including Kawasaki’s Traction Control (KTRC), an updated TFT display, twin LED headlights, as well as improved windshield and ergonomics. It is certainly a far more modern (and comfortable) edition of the Ninja 650 compared to previous models of the bike.

Onto the colourways, and this year you will find two options available, including the Kawasaki tried and tested Lime Green, as well as a Matte Grey/Metallic Black version for those who prefer the darker side.

 

Sitting at number one and taking the crown today is the Honda CBR650R, a model that has withstood the test of time within the A2 sportsbike market.

And just why is it so good? Let me tell you why. The CBR650R is geared towards riders who want a bike that is engaged on the twisty country roads, yet comfortable enough to commute from A to B. 

The Honda CBR650R is a bike that is rider-focused first, and this can be seen in the addition of the E-Clutch, Honda’s Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), as well as an assist & slipper clutch – reducing lever effort and helping to keep the bike well planted on the roads. 

From the inside out, the Honda CBR650R is a beautiful bike. The design of the CBR650R has been largely inspired by Honda’s flagship model, the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade. This can be seen in the full fairings, sculpted bodywork and clean lines, all emphasising the bike's sleek and aggressive nature.

Lastly, onto price & colourways, and for 2026, the Honda CBR650R will be available for £8,899 in two colourways, Grand Prix Red and Matte Gunpower Black. For me, the Matte Gunpower Black takes the edge, but that’s just my personal opinion…

 

 

So there you have it, I hope you have enjoyed my rundown of all the best A2 sportsbikes offerings for 2026.

In the comments below, make sure to let us know which sportbike you’d choose. Would you go for the CBR650R built on years of racing heritage, or perhaps you’d prefer something more modern like the CF Moto 450SRS?

Last but not least, if you’re thinking of purchasing your very own 2026 sportsbike, you will need to insure it - Make sure to get a motorcycle insurance quote with Lexham today!