What Is A Sport Bike?

History

The history of sportbikes is closely intertwined with motorbike racing. The most iconic race was the Tourist Trophy held on the Isle of Man, which began in 1906. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that sportbikes appeared in a significant volume. 

British models were gaining traction on the American market, but in 1953 Harley-Davidson released its legendary K-Model. The Harley 45 flathead has been used as a basis, retaining the displacement of 45 cubic inches. In an effort to reduce weight, aluminum cylinder heads and unitized cases were introduced.

It was succeeded in 1957 by the Harley-Davidson Sportster; an iconic bike still produced to this day. It cannot be considered a sportbike by modern standards, but when it first came out, it dominated the roads. Initially, it was powered by a four-stroke V-twin engine with a displacement of 45 cubic inches, which has been upgraded extensively throughout the production years. 

In 1959, Honda released the CB92 Benly Super Sport, a model set on creating the sensation of thrill and speed for its rider. It was powered by a straight-twin or parallel-twin, four-stroke engine with a dual-valve system.

The Honda CB750 is universally regarded as the model responsible for the revolution in the sportbike industry. The transverse straight-four, single overhead camshaft engine, and front disc brake were a novelty on a bike that cost only $10,500; a figure derived after accounting for inflation. 

Praised as one of the best bikes of its time, it could achieve a top speed of 120 miles per hour while providing an overall comfortable ride. The reintroduction of the four-cylinder engine contributed to Honda’s CB750’s title of the first superbike. Over the course of ten years, Honda sold over 400,000 units, solidifying the top position in the sportbike industry on the market.

Characteristics Of A Sportbike

Maneuverability and performance are the crucial aspects of sportbike design. Comfort takes a back seat in favor of function and aerodynamics, with the weight of the rider shifted forward and the legs positioned closer to the body. It provides the rider the required superior control and stability to handle cornering at incredible speed. 

The design philosophy revolves around creating a complete motorbike around the most powerful engine possible. The braking system consists of multi-piston calipers, ventilated discs, and very durable brake pads. The advanced suspension absorbs bumps and imperfections without throwing the bike out of balance. 

The frame design has to be as light as possible, typically made out of steel or aluminum. Higher-end models utilize titanium and carbon fiber to reduce the weight further. Tires need to endure high speeds, fast cornering, and provide grip at an angle, resulting in a distinctive design. 

Sportbikes aren’t formally divided into classes, as there is no regulating body nor agreement among manufacturers. Horsepower, engine displacement, weight, and price are most commonly used to divide sport bikes into three categories:

• Lightweight or entry-level bikes have engine displacements of up to 31 cubic inches. Despite the smaller engines, sportbikes from this class achieve impressive performance.
• Middleweight or supersport bikes have a strong presence in American, British, and World Supersport Championships. Engine displacement ranges from 37 to 46 cubic inches. 
• Hyperbikes, otherwise known as superbikes, are the pinnacle of bike engineering and technology. Their most prominent characteristics are the track-ready performance, the largest and most powerful engines, and the highest production costs.

Popular Models

Since the Honda CB750, sportbike manufacture has increased dramatically in numbers. The rise in popularity of the MotoGP championship and the increasing costs of owning an exciting car galvanized many enthusiasts into buying a sportbike. The prices start around $5,000, but can quickly escalate to over $25,000. 

The most popular manufacturers are:

• Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki from Japan
• Ducati and Aprilia from Italy
• KTM from Austria
• BMW from Germany

Ducati Panigale V4 S continues the legacy of expertly crafted, beautiful sportbikes from the Italian manufacturer. The V4 delivers 211 horsepower and can reach a top speed of 200 miles per hour. The price of $28,395 is certainly not modest, but the feeling you will get from riding the Panigale is worth every cent. 

The Aprilia RS660 is a middleweight twin with an engine displacement of 40 cubic inches producing 100 horsepower. It handles brilliantly in the corners, but also has the ergonomics for a comfortable ride. The RS660 will set you back $11,300 in its base configuration.

The Suzuki GSX-R 600 is one of the most popular sportbikes of the modern era. A four-cylinder 16-valve inline engine outputs 104 horsepower. The price tag of $11,599 is more than reasonable for a bike of this caliber.

The Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX is a two-seater with sport touring capabilities added on top of impressive performance. The massive 64 cubic-inch engine provides 142 horsepower to go as fast as 155 miles per hour. The price starts at $12,399. 

The Yamaha YZF R1 is upgraded and developed continuously, resulting in a successful production run of over 20 years. The engine displacement of 61 cubic inches and 200 horsepower creates a formidable top speed of over 180 miles per hour. Price of $17,399 makes it a premium sportbike. 

The Honda CBR250RR is proof you can have a lot of fun without deep pockets. A twin-cylinder engine with a displacement of 15 cubic inches produces 40 horsepower, which is more than enough considering the lightweight construction.