Who makes the best sport bikes?

[white_goodman]

Back when I was 18, all I wanted in the world was a 1.9 GTi and a Honda Fireblade (simple times)! I did eventually own a 205 GTi (albeit a 1.6) but I have yet to own a Fireblade (or any sports bike for that matter) but then I only got around to doing my bike test a couple of years ago! The ‘Blade seemed to be the sports bike to have back then (late 90s) but is that still the case or do Suzuki/Yamaha/Kawasaki/BMW/Ducati do it better? Am I correct in thinking that Triumph no longer make a sports bike (they used to have the Daytona) or have the Street/Speed Triple bikes fallen into that role? I love the “old” Speed Triples but they look a bit too “streetfighter” for me these days. If you could have that engine in something that looked like a Bonneville/Speed Twin, then that would be perfect for me.

I’m not sure if I actually want a sport bike any more, in the same way that a high performance “GT” car would probably suit me better than a Lamborghini, as I don’t much like being leant forward but I still think they’re cool and love the bright, “retro” liveries. Had a lime green and black Kawasaki Z400 as my first bike, which I guess is kind of a naked Ninja 400 and I loved it but it was certainly no sports bike. My current Bandit 1200 is pretty quick (although probably not sports bike quick) and more of a torque monster than a high rev screamer but it is very comfortable! Adding something to the fleet with torque and high rev power does have some appeal though.

So, which company is making the best sport bikes these days and are they still worth the compromises or has the bike market evolved to such a point where you can have the performance of a sports bike with none of the compromises?

[Mr Squarekins]

You'll (quite fairly) get a bunch of different answers. However, you sound about the same age as me, so I will put my choice in:

Gen4 BMW s1000rr. Fast, comfortable, easy to ride quick or slow, all day. Includes cruise control, sat nav and heated grips.

[Steve Bass]

Back in the 80' 2000's, sports bikes had the performance end of the market cornered. You wanted FAST? You needed a sportsbike. Nothing else was really coming close, the bikes weren't so niche focussed

Today, things are not so simple. There's big Adventure bikes with nearly superbike levels of performance, same with nakeds, sportstourers and cruisers. Think KTM 1290 Adv(soon to be 1390!) or Ducati Multistrada, Aprilia Tuono, KTM SuperDuke, S1000R, Yamaha MT10, or the Ducati Diavel if a big ass and leather chaps are your thing...

So define what you mean by "hassle"? If a superbike's riding position is no longer working with your ickky back, pick something a little less extreme, it'll still blow your socks off performance wise...

We've never had it so good

And FWIW, who makes the best sportsbike? That's simple, It's Aprilia

[white_goodman]

Steve Bass said:

Back in the 80' 2000's, sports bikes had the performance end of the market cornered. You wanted FAST? You needed a sportsbike. Nothing else was really coming close, the bikes weren't so niche focussed

Today, things are not so simple. There's big Adventure bikes with nearly superbike levels of performance, same with nakeds, sportstourers and cruisers. Think KTM 1290 Adv(soon to be 1390!) or Ducati Multistrada, Aprilia Tuono, KTM SuperDuke, S1000R, Yamaha MT10, or the Ducati Diavel if a big ass and leather chaps are your thing...

So define what you mean by "hassle"? If a superbike's riding position is no longer working with your ickky back, pick something a little less extreme, it'll still blow your socks off performance wise...

We've never had it so good

And FWIW, who makes the best sportsbike? That's simple, It's Aprilia

A fair question. The riding position on the Z400 was great but even that was a little hard on my wrist driving in traffic. I have ridden my BIL’s Vulcan S and that was the opposite problem. Too laid back and gave me backache. The Bandit is pretty perfect riding position-wise but being an older bike, the clutch is very heavy in traffic etc but unlike the Z400, I rarely need WOT, so nice and easy on my wrist. I was looking at stuff like Fazers before I got the Bandit. A bit bland-looking but they did have a good riding position and were quite revvy. I’m not really sure what the modern equivalent of them is though. I do quite a few commuting miles, it’s a 40 minute journey, so not a big deal but I do like to go out for some 3 hour weekend rides from time-to-time and not getting cramped up/numb bum is a bonus!

[trickywoo]

According to MCN the best if you have skill is a M1000RR, for less skill the Ducati V4S.

[Mr Squarekins]

trickywoo said:

According to MCN the best if you have skill is a M1000RR, for less skill the Ducati V4S.

Are either good road bikes? Track most certainly.

[trickywoo]

Mr Squarekins said:

Are either good road bikes? Track most certainly.

Are any new (ish) sport bikes good on the road?

Increasingly down to personal preference and the roads you ride on.

A lot of super nakeds have a forward biased riding position now making them closer to sport bikes than the style used to be.

[bolidemichael]

I eventually had a 309GTi and a CBR954RR Fireblade. Perhaps buying one of the bikes from when you were wanting one, would fit the bill for you.

The 954 was a great road bike.

[Donbot]

All faired sports bikes tip you over to get weight over the front wheel and have relatively high pegs, so they all compromise comfort.

People tend to recommend GSXRs as 'comfortable' bikes, so one of those might be worth a look at. Whether a certain bike is comfortable for you is impossible to say.

[americancrx]

Well, if you're looking for something a bit faster than a Z400, how about a Honda Hornet 750?

I've always liked Suzuki GSX-Rs for their comfortable ride and easy handling, but I like ABS a lot on motorcycles and they never gained it.

Sixty horsepower in a 400 lb bike with a 200 lb rider is enough to be entertaining everywhere, but if you don't like winding the throttle the whole way open you can get a faster bike.

[Donbot]

americancrx said:

I've always liked Suzuki GSX-Rs for their comfortable ride and easy handling, but I like ABS a lot on motorcycles and they never gained it.

ABS has been mandatory on 125cc> bikes for ages now. The newer GSXRs have a full IMU controlled electronics package.

[ChocolateFrog]

It ebbs and flows with the time.

In my relatively short memory the big sportsbike to have has gone through all the Japanese manufacturers plus Ducati and BMW.

In reality I doubt it matters which one you get unless you're actually racing it.

[HairyMaclary]

Mr Squarekins said:

You'll (quite fairly) get a bunch of different answers. However, you sound about the same age as me, so I will put my choice in:

Gen4 BMW s1000rr. Fast, comfortable, easy to ride quick or slow, all day. Includes cruise control, sat nav and heated grips.

Indeed. You don't need to be hunched over on some bone crunching squid rocket to go fast these days.

BMW S1000XR with it's 165hp, Super Adventure 160 or if you've got a few quid a Multistrada with it's 170hp.

I'd you dont want full grandad you could try a 1290 Super Duke GT with it's 180hp.

Thats before you get to things like sports touring machines. The H2sx has panniers and 197hp.

Id say you are spoilt for choice for powerful bikes that don't require the power ranger look.

[snagzie]

"Sports bikes" are designed for the track primarily. Whether that be 600, 1000, or somewhere in between (or a bit over).

You'll always have that compromised position on one of these, some more than others. Older GSXRs and S1000RRs are apparently more comfy as mentioned above.

If you want a sportsbike, expect to be uncomfortable. If you want sportsbike performance (assumingly 1000cc) then there's tonnes of that available as mentioned above.

Engine type and body position will make a difference too. My old GSXS1000F had 152hp at the wheel after a remap. My current KTM 120 SAS has around 140-145 HP at the wheel apparently, and around 20kg heavier. The KTM feels SO much faster because its more upright and a VTwin.

You'll never beat the looks of a sportsbike though, unless its something more classically styled.

But again as mentioned above, we are spoiled for choice for last-gen sportsbike performance in a current gen non-sportsbike type bike currently. Just because of the power really.

[Birky_41]

Aprilia RSV4 is up there for me as a top 3 best track bike, fast engine but useable power which is a big thing I think. Great electronics, suspension and chassis. They make something like 217hp stock

I wouldn't personally ride one on the road - find any sports bike more than a couple hours too much on my body

Aprilia Tuono (as others said above on alternative bike styles). Still a good 175hp, lots of torque but more upright riding position. Not much holds with me on one upto 120-130mph and latest E5 version has a really good IMU/electronics package

I own a GSXR1000R L8 with the IMU...in comparison thats rubbish. TC nowhere near as good. The IL4 is also much more peaky and less strong coming into the power vs the V4...why did I buy it for track? Cheap and they handle well

[svracers]

Ive ridden most sports bikes but for me the gsxr1000k5 k6 was the greatest ever. Perfect balance power handling and looks

[Krikkit]

Birky_41 said:

Aprilia Tuono (as others said above on alternative bike styles). Still a good 175hp, lots of torque but more upright riding position. Not much holds with me on one upto 120-130mph and latest E5 version has a really good IMU/electronics package

...and the ridiculously brilliant soundtrack of the V4

[ccr32]

Steve Bass said:

Think KTM 1290 Adv(soon to be 1390!)

I heard this mentioned somewhere too... a nigh on 1.4 litre v-twin - wowzers! Have any other manufacturers gone that big before? (I mean, with anything sporty, so not HD's etc.)

[slopes]

It's a subjective question, what i might think is the best sports bike - Yamaha R7 - you might not and you will get no end of suggestions of what you should buy but ultimately, it will come down to your personal preference and what you find fits you best when you go and have a look at some bikes.

I'd love an R7 or a Ducati V4 but i can almost guarantee the best bike for my fat, old, broken body will be a Supermoto style bike

[KTMsm]

Steve Bass said:

Back in the 80' 2000's, sports bikes had the performance end of the market cornered. You wanted FAST? You needed a sportsbike. Nothing else was really coming close

Today, things are not so simple. There's big Adventure bikes with nearly superbike levels of performance, same with nakeds, sportstourers and cruisers. Think KTM 1290 Adv(soon to be 1390!) or Ducati Multistrada, Aprilia Tuono, KTM SuperDuke, S1000R, Yamaha MT10

^^^ This

I was chatting to a guy on a 1290 Super Adv - he was recounting a tale where he overtook a couple of lads on Sportsbikes

When they met at the cafe shortly after :

"I've never had a fat bloke with a topbox pass me before"

You no longer need to be uncomfortable to go fast

Although I admit the feel / turn in are lacking - you don't see many ADV track bikes