Top 10 Favourite Motorcycles (Sportbikes)

There is no other bike in the world quite like a Supersport.  Comfort?  Nope.  Value?  Nah.  Luggage capacity?  Forget about it.  These bikes are all made with one sole focus in mind: to go as fast as possible.  And while that can make for a rough ride on the street - and a hefty price tag - at least you know what you're getting every time you throw a leg over one.  Some bikes can be used to go fast and carry luggage, some are fun off-road while still being street legal.  Some do all those things and more.  Not the sportbike though.  It is not two bikes in one, and it's certainly not three bikes in one.  But when you're on one, there's nothing else quite like it on the planet, either.

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10. KTM 1190 RC8 R

Engine: 1195cc V-Twin
Power: 173 hp
Torque: 93.7 ft lbs
Weight: 449 lbs (wet)
MSRP: $16,499 (US)

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9. Honda CBR1000RR

Engine: 999cc Inline Four
Power: 178 hp
Torque: 82.6 ft lbs
Weight: 465 lbs (wet)
MSRP: $15,599

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8. Aprilia RSV4 R

Engine: 999.6cc V4
Power: 182.5 hp
Torque: 84.8 ft lbs
Weight: 395 lbs (dry)
MSRP: $19,495

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7. Yamaha YZF-R6

Engine: 599.4cc Inline Four
Power: 122 hp
Torque: 47.7 ft lbs
Weight: 417 lbs (wet)
MSRP: $11,999

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6. Suzuki GX-R750

Engine: 750cc Inline Four
Power: 150 hp
Torque: 64 ft lbs
Weight: 419 lbs (wet)
MSRP: $13,199

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5. Ducati 848 Evo

Engine: 849.4cc L-Twin
Power: 140 hp
Torque: 72.3 ft lbs
Weight: 370 lbs (dry)
MSRP: $15,495

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4. MV Agusta F4

Engine: 998cc Inline Four
Power: 186 hp
Torque: 84 ft lbs
Weight: 423 lbs (dry)
MSRP: $19,995

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3. BMW S 1000 RR

Engine: 999cc Inline Four
Power: 193 hp
Torque: 83 ft lbs
Weight: 451 lbs (wet)
MSRP: $17,750

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2. Triumph Daytona 675

Engine: 675cc Inline Triple
Power: 124 hp
Torque: 53 ft lbs
Weight: 407 lbs (wet)
MSRP: $12,599

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1. Ducati 1199 Panigale

Engine: 1198cc L-Twin
Power: 195 hp
Torque: 98.1 ft lbs
Weight: 414.5 lbs (wet)
MSRP: $19,995

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Ok, let's get into it,  I know that if you went solely by magazine articles and comparison tests, Yamaha's middleweight must seem like a real pig compared to the other bikes in it's class (Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, etc…) And if that's all you'd ever seen, then you'd probably think I'm crazy for having it listed here over any of those other bikes.  But I've always been a Yamaha guy, and once again, this is a list of favourites, not of the bikes that are scientifically proven to be the very best.  Plus, those bikes are honestly all within a tiny fraction of each other.  So yes, the Yammy often comes last in shootouts and comparison tests, but really, all of the bikes in that class are so close to each other, that the magazines are pretty much just splitting hairs when it comes down to ranking them.  I think the R6 looks the best, and I was always told that on the street, you'll never actually notice the difference in performance, so really you should just get the one you think looks best.  And that's why I bought an R6 back in 2005.

In terms of the Suzuki, yes, it's not the best looking bike (in my opinion) but I still don't understand why it's not a more popular platform.  Sure, it doesn't qualify for any official racing championships, but does that really matter to the everyday rider?  I mean, for only $900 more than the 600cc, you get 21 more hp and 10 more ft lbs of torque?  That's the deal of the century.  And while 1000cc bikes are often complete overkill for almost any rider, the 750cc is damn near perfect.  Light and agile like a 600, but with that extra power you get from a 1000.  I can't believe Suzuki is the only company that still makes one.

Normally I wouldn't put such similar bikes on the same list, like I did with the Ducati 848 and 1199 here.  Normally I would pick one or the other.  And if Ducati hadn't replaced the 1198 with this year's 1199, then that would ring true here as well (since the 1198 and 848 were essentially the same bike, just with different engines).  But since the 1199 is all new, and quite frankly, all ridiculous, I couldn't help but consider them as different bikes.  The BMW has held court as the craziest bike on the track for the past two years, but Ducati certainly looks poised to usurp that crown this year.  Of course, no one has actually gotten their hands on it yet, and what looks great on paper, doesn't always translate to the street.  So time will tell.  But just looking at the thing, I would take it over the odd-looking Beemer any day of the week.