Sport bike classification

[Apollo626]

Seems like the FZ6R discussion got a little side-tracked in talking about sport vs supersport vs superbike, but as this is an interesting topic on its own I figured I'd split it off.

My understanding is primarily shaped by the different classes in racing rather than by how the manufacturers choose to market their own bikes. In my mind these are the 3 classifications of sport bikes (not including sport touring bikes):


Sport: A sport bike, also written as sportbike, is a motorcycle optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy in comparison to less specialized motorcycles. (wikipedia)

Examples: Kawasaki Ninja 250R/650R/ER-6N/Versys, Suzuki SV650/Gladius/GS500F, Yamaha FZ6R, Honda CBR250R

Supersport: A supersport bike is a sport bike in the 500-750cc range that is designed more for the track than the street in terms of tuning/ergos/etc.

Examples: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, Suzuki GSX-R600/GSX-R750, Honda CBR600RR, Yamaha YZF-R6

Superbike: In the same vein as the supersport bike but with a larger displacement in the 751cc and up range.

Examples: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R/ZX-14, Suzuki GSX-R1000/Hyabusa, Honda CBR1000RR, Yamaha YZF-R1, BMW SS1000R


These are by no means exhaustive listings of the different types. Please feel free to offer your own take on how these bikes should be classified. I'm curious to see how other people categorize these different bikes.

[Alex]

I think those generally make sense. Sometimes there is a split between what people describe as superbikes (1000cc race reps), and the Open Class, or GT Class, which would include the ZX-14, Hayabusa, etc (>1000cc, less track focused and more high-speed touring, or even drag bikes).

Also, sometimes people refer to both the 600 class race reps and the 1000 class race reps as both being "supersport" bikes, even though the racing classes more commonly define supersport as a middleweight class.

[alex.s]

you forgot the "super-awesome" class. it's a sport bike with lots of shiny bits.

[Apollo626]

I suppose the 'busa and ZX-14 would slot more appropriately into another class, perhaps Super-excessive?

[Jinx250]

I think that this:

Sport: A sport bike, also written as sportbike, is a motorcycle optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy in comparison to less specialized motorcycles. (wikipedia)

Examples: Kawasaki Ninja 250R/650R/ER-6N/Versys, Suzuki SV650/Gladius/GS500F, Yamaha FZ6R, Honda CBR250R


Is a tad misleading. Because the bikes have not been "optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy"

More accurately, they've been optimized for rider comfort, a tamed supersport if you will. More of a "sporty standard" type.

[blink]

Originally Posted by Jinx250

I think that this:

Sport: A sport bike, also written as sportbike, is a motorcycle optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy in comparison to less specialized motorcycles. (wikipedia)

Examples: Kawasaki Ninja 250R/650R/ER-6N/Versys, Suzuki SV650/Gladius/GS500F, Yamaha FZ6R, Honda CBR250R


Is a tad misleading. Because the bikes have not been "optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy"

More accurately, they've been optimized for rider comfort, a tamed supersport if you will. More of a "sporty standard" type.

+1

They were surely NOT done for top speed. Those...(ninja) was made to be pure fun and fuel effecient!