Supersport Buyers Guide

Sure they are performance oriented, but hey, what's wrong with the fast lane - especially with so many enticing options to choose from! This month we look at the supersport market, and boy are there some gems here. The beauty of these bikes, is that they share and benefit from their manufacturer's racing activities.

Supersport machines are at the cutting edge of racing technology and enjoy the benefits of R&D used to develop race bikes. ABS brakes, traction control, electronic suspension, advanced engines delivering more from less, and a host of aerodynamic issues are being addressed and incorporated
into the latest models.

TOP SELLING SUPERSPORT JAN-MARCH 2009
Make, Model, Sold
Yamaha, YZF-R1, 296
Honda, CBR1000RR, 138
Ducati, 1098/1198, 131
Suzuki, GSX-R600, 131
Hyosung, GT650R, 129
Honda, CBR600RR, 123
Suzuki, GSX-R1000, 121
Kawasaki, ZX600, 114
Yamaha, YZF-R6, 113
Suzuki, GSX-R750, 104

TOP SELLING SUPERSPORT OF 2008
Make, Model, Sold
Honda, CBR1000RR, 1345
Yamaha, YZF-R1, 908
Suzuki, GSX-R1000, 750
Honda, CBR600RR, 712
Ducati, 1098, 634
Suzuki, GSX-R600, 598
Yamaha, YZF-R6, 587
Suzuki, GSX-R750, 564
Hyosung, GT650R, 519
Kawasaki, ZX1000, 402

APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY
You won't get much closer to a full blood superbike than this weapon! It is the road going version of Aprilia's World Superbike competitor.
Engine: Liquid cooled 65 V-four, DOHC, 4 valves, Power/torque: 132kW @ 12,500rpm/ 115Nm @ 10,000rpm. RRP: TBA

APRILIA RSV 1000R
Dramatic twin exhaust system, dynamic air intake, great styling...great bike full stop!
Engine: V60 four stroke 60 V-twin, liquid cooled, Displacement: 997.6cc, Power/torque: 105.24kW @ 10,000 rpm/101Nm @ 8,000 rpm, Gears: 6-speed,
RRP: $23,990 (Current promotion $22,490)

APRILIA RSV 1000R FACTORY
The factory version gains suspension and cosmetic upgrades over the 'standard' version. Engine: 60 V-twin, DOHC, 4 valves. Power/torque: 105.24kW @ 10,000rpm/ 101Nm @ 8,00rpm, Gears: 6-speed, Tyres: 120/70ZR17 front, 190/50ZR17 rear, Fuel capacity: 18L, RRP: $28,990

BENELLI TORNADO 1130
Better known for their Naked bikes, this is a fully faired version, with loads of power. Striking narrow windshield flanked by air intakes. Engine: Transverse triple, Displacement: 1131cc, Power/torque: 120kW @ 10,500rpm/ 1124Nm @ 8,000rpm,
Gears: 6-spd, Fuel cap:19L, RRP:$29,900

BIMOTA DB5S (DB5R)
The racer R or the more conservative S both promise great handling in a robust, lightweight package. Engine: Ducati twin, Displacement: 1078cc, Power/torque: 70kW @7,750rpm/103Nm @4,750rpm, Gears: 6-speed.
RRP: $39,900 (S), $43,900 (R)

BIMOTA DB7
Distinctive styling, billet machined sub frames and carbon fibre tail section and
titanium silencer. Engine: 1098 Testastretta Evoluzione Ducati twin, Displacement: 1099cc, Power/torque: 118kW@ 9,750 rpm/123Nm@ 8,000rpm, Gears: 6-speed, RRP: $52,900

BMW K1300 S
BMW's most powerful (and fastest) road bike gains plenty of handy updates. Electronic suspension is optional.
Engine: Transverse four, DOHC 4 valves, Displacement: 11293cc, Power/torque: 127kW @ 9,250rpm/140Nm @ 8,250rpm, Gears: 6-speed. RRP: TBA

BMW HP2 SPORT
Highly desirable! The fastest and lightest Boxer engined sport bike yet.
Engine: 4 stroke twin, Capacity: 1170cc,
Power/torque: 96kW @ 8,750 rpm/ 115Nm @ 6,000rpm, Gears: 6-speed,
Max. speed: 200 km/h.
RRP: TBA

CAGIVA MITO SP525
Substantially updated in 2008. It may be small but this featherweight can hustle!
Engine: Liquid cooled, single cylinder two stroke, Displacement: 125cc, Power/torque: 25.4 kw @ 12,000 rpm, Gears: 6-speed, Dry weight: 129kg, Fuel capacity: 14L, RRP: $8,995

DUCATI 1098 SUPERBIKE
(Troy Bayliss edition)
Only 500 were built so, they are real
collector specials. Engine: 90 L-twin, 4 valves, Displacement: 1198cc, Power/torque: 132.4kW @ 9,750 rpm/ 134Nm @ 7,750rpm, Gears: 6-speed, RRP: $54,995

DUCATI 1198 (1198S)
Incorporates much of Ducati's superbike technology, including integrated data acquisition system, and dual construction method. Engine: 90 L-twin, Power/torque: 125kW @ 9,750rpm/ 131.4Nm @8,000rpm, Gears: 6-speed, RRP: $32,495 (S)

DUCATI 848 SUPERBIKE
Impressive middleweight superbike.
Engine: Liquid cooled, 90 L-twin, 4 valves, Displacement: 849.4cc, Power/torque: 98.5kW @ 10,000 rpm/96Nm @ 8,250rpm. Gears: 6-speed, Dry weight: 168kg.
RRP: $21,495

HONDA CBR 1000RR Fireblade
Upgraded this year, with optional e-CABS electronically controlled combined ABS brake system, Engine: 4-stroke, 16-valve, DOHC inline 4, Displacement: 999cc, Power/torque: 130.7kW @ 12,000 rpm/ 113.8Nm @ 8,500 rpm, Gears: 6-speed. RRP: $17,990

HONDA CBR 600 RR
Available in Honda race team colours. Doesn't give any extra power, but looks good! Versatile and highly ridable supersport. Engine: Transverse four, DOHC, 4 valves, Displacement: 599cc, Gears: 6-speed, Dry weight: 155kg. RRP: $15,990

HYOSUNG GT650R
If cash is a problem, then the GT650R delivers plenty of bang for your buck. A fully faired sport bike with plenty of appeal. Engine: Liquid cooled four stroke V-twin, Displacement: 647cc, Power/torque: 58.5kw @ 9,000 rpm/68NM @ 7,500rpm, Gears: 6-speed. RRP: $8,790

KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-14
Power is up, to deliver Kawasaki's most powerful production engine. Engine: Liquid cooled, four stroke, inline four, Displacement: 1352cc, Compression ratio: 12.0:1, Power/ torque: 140kW @ 9,500rpm/ 154Nm @7,500rpm, Gears: 6-speed. RRP: $19,990

KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R
Sparkling mid-range and top end performance, matched with great handling and braking. Engine: Liquid cooled 4 stroke inline four, Displacement: 998cc, Power/ torque:138.3kW @ 12,500 rpm/113nm @ 8,700 rpm, Gears: 6-speed
RRP: $19,499

KAWASAKI NINJA 650R
Street performer matched with aggressive supersport styling. Engine: Liquid cooled, 4-stroke parallel twin, Displacement; 649cc, Power/torque: 53kW@ 8,500 rpm/66Nm @7,000 rpm, Compression ratio: 11.3:1, Ignition: digital, Gears: 6-speed. RRP: $10,999

KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-6R
Ride focussed, with engine and chassis enhancements.
Engine: Liquid cooled 4-stroke inline four, Displacement: 599cc, Power/torque: 94.1kW @ 14,00rpm (98.5kW with Ram Air)/66.7Nm @ 11,800 rpm, Gears: 6-speed. RRP: $15,999

KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-6R
Monster Energy
Same specs as regular ZX-6R, but with 'Monster' graphic package.
Engine: Liquid cooled 4 stroke four, DOHC, 4 valves, Displacement: 599cc, Power/torque: 94.1kW @ 14,000 rpm/66.6Nm @ 11,800rpm, Gears: 6-speed. RRP: $16,399

KTM 1190 RC8 (R)
Classy superbike, that proves KTM doesn't just make great dirt bikes! Dramatic fairing.
Engine: Liquid cooled 75 V-twin, DOHC, 4 valves. Displacement: 1195cc, Power/torque: 125kW @ 10,250/123Nm @ 8,000rpm, Gears: 6-gears, Fuel capacity: 16.5L. RRP: $26,995

MV AGUSTA 4 R312
Basically a race bike that is street legal.
More grunt than the F4 1000S & F4 1000R!
Engine: Four cylinder 4 stroke, 16 valve, Displacement: 998cc, Power/torque: 134kW @12,400 rpm/115Nm @ 10,000 rpm, Gears: 6-speed. RRP: $31,300

MV AGUSTA F4 1078 312RR
Designed as the 'ultimate cocktail of power and controlled aggression', the RR has a top speed of 312km/h. Engine: Four cylinder, 4 stroke, 16 valve, Displacement: 1078cc, Power/torque: 140kW @ 12,200rpm/124Nm @ 8,200rpm,
Gears: 6-speed. RRP: $35,900

SUZUKI GSX-1300 R HAYABUSA
Funny name, but means the "Japanese Falcon", the fastest Suzuki yet! Engine: Transverse four, DOHC, Displacement: 1340cc, Power/torque: N/a, Gears: 6-speed. RRP: $18,790. (A limited edition white Hayabusa was released in May 2008)

SUZUKI GSX-R1000
This bike just keeps on winning awards, and hascompletely redesigned engine & chassis for 2009. Engine: Transverse four, DOHC, Displacement: 999cc, Compression ratio: 12.8:1, Power/torque: N/A, Gears: 6-speed.
RRP: $18,990

SUZUKI GSX-R750
Suzuki keep the 750cc class alive with this street/race combination.
Engine: Liquid cooled transverse four, DOHC, Displacement: 750cc, Power/torque: N/A, Gears: 6-speed, Tyres: 120/70 ZR17 front, 180/55 ZR17 rear, RRP: $ 16,890

SUZUKI GSX-R600
Great road bike, with excellent throttle response, & decent suspension.
Engine: Liquid cooled transverse four, DOHC, Displacement: 599cc, power/torque: n/a, Gears: 6-speed, Tyres: 1120/70 ZR17 front, 180/55 ZR17 rear, Fuel capacity: 17L. RRP: $15,390

SUZUKI GSX-650F
Sportbike looks and versatile performance. Good entry to the world of superbikes, albeit a little tame!
Engine: Four stroke, 4-cylinder, DOHC 16 valve, Displacement: 656cc, Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Power/torque: N/A, Gears: 6-speed.
RRP: $9,990

TRIUMPH DAYTONA 675
Classic Triumph performance bike, continually upgraded, is even better in 2009. Enhanced performance and restyled race kit. Engine: 675cc transverse triple, Displacement: 675cc, Power/torque: 94kW @ 12,600rpm/74Nm @ 11,750rpm, Gears: 6-speed,
RRP: $14,890

YAMAHA FJR 1300A
The 2009 model has just been released, with a number of upgrades. (One previous page)
Engine: Liquid cooled 4-stroke, DOHC, 4 valve inline four, Displacement: 1298cc, Power: 108kW @ 8,000rpm,
Gears: 5-speed. RRP: TBA

YAMAHA YZF-R1
Looks can be deceiving, but Yamaha claim major changes for the current model. There is a new motor, frame and running gear. That's pretty substantial!
Engine: 988cc, transverse four, DOHC, Power/torque: 134 kW @ 12,500 rpm/115.5Nm @ 10,000rpm, Gears: 6-speed. RRP: $19,999

YAMAHA YZF-R6
Engine modifications deliver more torque and higher rpm performance.
Engine: Liquid cooled transverse four, DOHC, 4 valves, Displacement: 599cc, Power/torque: 100 kW @ 14,500 rpm/69Nm @ 11,000rpm, Gears: 6-speed, Dry weight: 166kg.
RRP: $16,299

Source: JUST BIKES, July 2009, Issue #241