The sportiest motorcycles are an opportunity for brands to show the world their creative abilities. How do they differ from other bikes and what are their characteristics?
With power outputs of 200 hp or more, manufacturers use all their know-how to develop the most powerful motorcycles on the planet, many of them acquired in high-level competitions. The evolution of the power of these bikes in recent years has been impressive, sometimes allowing them to exceed 300 km/h top speed with standard models.
To give you an example, the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade puts out 218 hp at 14,500 rpm, a very high output considering its advertised weight of just 201 kg. However, it’s not the most powerful of the bikes available, as the Kawasaki Ninja H2 R delivers 310 hp at 14,000 rpm, although it’s a model intended for track use only and can’t be registered.
Sports bikes are motorcycles designed specifically for use on asphalt, especially for track use. They are road bikes – with a few exceptions – with power and a design that allows you to lean like a MotoGP rider.
When we talk about sports bikes, we are referring to a type of motorcycle that is fully equipped and aerodynamically designed for speed. The suspensions are usually inverted forks, accompanied by a powerful double-disc brake system and sports tires.
The first notable difference between a sports bike and other motorcycles on the market is the riding position the rider must adopt. Most sports models have two half handlebars (unlike other bikes, which have one) slightly lower than the seat, which means that the rider’s weight is placed on his wrists and the bike’s turning radius is considerably reduced.
Seat height
Another element to take into account when getting on a sports bike for the first time is the height of the seat, which is higher on a sports bike than on a naked bike.
Foot position
The position of the feet is also different: the feet are placed further back and higher for a more aerodynamic position.
In other words, sports bikes force the rider to be more stretched out on the frame, which results in fatigue and discomfort over the hours of riding, something much more bearable on other types of bikes, such as naked bikes or adventure bikes.
What types of sports bikes are there?
Within sports bikes, we can distinguish different types of bikes: light sports bikes, medium-sized sports bikes and supersport bikes. Manufacturers have developed a complete range to cover all audiences, from the most experienced to beginners who want to get started in this exciting world, and we can find the mythical “R”, with engines starting at 125 cc.
Is it difficult to ride a sports bike?
These are motorcycles where comfort is not a priority, but driving efficiency is. The “R” bikes offer the best performance in terms of sporty riding, as they aim to be the fastest and most efficient in corners and have less wind resistance on long straights, thanks to the existence of the fairing. However, the safest thing to do is to start progressively with bikes with less to more power, learn how to control them and, once you have enough experience, move on to the world of sports riding. In addition, there is a wide range of driving courses, both for beginners and for more experienced riders who want to improve their driving technique.
Where should we pack our luggage if we want to travel on a sports bike?
Traveling on a sports bike is not very practical. Not only because of the physical wear and tear that can develop over the hours, but also because of the limited space available to store luggage. In fact, unlike scooters, no sports bike has a section under the driver’s seat for storing helmets or other luggage.
So hammocks, backpacks attached to the tank or panniers are the best options for storing everything needed for a medium- to long-distance trip on an “R” bike.
History of super sports bikes
The boom in sports bikes, popularly known as “R’s” – since they usually have at least one R in their nomenclature – occurred at the end of the 1980s and continued into the 21st century. They abounded on our streets and roads, and were the dream of many of us, who waited for the paper magazines to arrive on the newsstands to see what was new every week. The arrival of a new sports bike was almost always accompanied by headlines such as “More powerful, lighter and more efficient than its predecessor”. These bikes make it clear that performance is all about the power-to-weight ratio.
Things have changed and sales of sports bikes are much lower than in the “golden age”, but there are a large number of models on the market, increasingly powerful and sophisticated, which are very close to those that compete on the racetrack and are capable of satisfying the most demanding tastes. What’s more, as there are no regulations limiting the engine capacity for use on public roads, some brands are developing “urban” sports cars with more than 1,000 cc in order to obtain more power and more throttle response, without affecting reliability.
What are the most powerful sports bikes in 2023?
In alphabetical order of the brands, we present the most powerful supersport motorcycles you can buy today:
Model | Displacement | Declared maximum power | Declared weight | Power-to-weight ratio |
Aprilia RSV4 Factory | 1.099 c. c. | 217 CV (160 kW) a 13 000 rpm | 202 kg | 0,93 kg/CV |
BMW M 1000 RR | 999 c. c. | 212 CV (156 kW) a 14 500 rpm | 193 kg | 0,91 kg/CV |
Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 | 1.103 c. c. | 214 CV (157 kW) a 13 000 rpm | 195 kg | 0,91 kg/CV |
Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP | 999 c. c. | 218 CV (160 kW) a 14 500 rpm | 201 kg | 0,92 kg/CV |
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10 RR | 998 c. c. | 204 CV (150 kW) a 14 000 rpm | 206 kg | 1,01 kg/CV |
Kawasaki Ninja H2 R | 998 c. c. | 310 CV (228 kW) a 14 000 rpm | 216 kg | 0,70 kg/CV |
Suzuki Hayabusa 1300 | 1.340 c. c. | 190 CV (140 kW) a 9700 rpm | 264 kg | 1,39 kg/CV |
Yamaha R1M | 998 c. c. | 200 CV (147 kW) a 13 500 rpm | 202 kg | 1,01 kg/CV |