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With the emphasis of a sport bike being on speed, acceleration, deceleration, and maneuverability, there are certain design elements that most motorcycles of this type will share. Sport bikes have comparatively high performance engines resting inside a lightweight frame. The combination of thse help maintain structural integrity and chassis rigidity. Braking systems combine higher performance brake padsand multi-piston calipers that clamp onto oversized vented rotors. Suspension systems are advanced in terms of adjustments and materials for increased stability and durability. Front and rear tires are larger and wider than tires foundon other types of motorcycles to accommodate higher cornering speeds and greater lean angles. Fairings may or may not be found on a sport bike. When used, the fairings are shaped to reduce aerodynamic drag as much as possible and less as wind protection for the rider. The performance of some stock sport bikes is so great they can be used on a race trackright off the showroom floor. It is commonly said of these motorcycles that you can race them on Sunday and ride them to work on Monday.

Types of Sportbikes:

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There are many different types of sportbike classificatons. Though many on the street ride the very same sportbikes as the racers do, the classifications of sportbikes comes largely from the type of racing calsses that are set up for professional sportbike racing.

Super Sport - Super sport bikes (also known as middleweight sport bikes) are sharply focused for optimal performance on a race track. They are generally built around a high revving, small displacement powerplant that is usually sized around 600 cc to 800 cc. Most super sport bikes will carry a wet weight between 375—450 lb and produce 100+ hp.

Super Bike - Super bikes are large displacement super sport bikes. They have the exact same characteristics as the smaller super sport bikes which are mainly focused on race track performance, but are powered by larger engines that are usually sized around 800 cc to 1100 cc. A typical super bike will carry a wet weight between 440—480 lb and can produce 140+ hp. Super bikes with a displacement very close to 1000 cc are sometimes referred to as liter bikes as the engine displaces approximately one liter.

Hyper Sport - Hyper sport bikes are very large displacement sport bikes with a strong emphasis on top speed and acceleration. They typically are powered by motors displacing 1100 cc to 1400 cc. Hyper sport bikes are bigger and heavier than super bikes with wet weights generally being close to 500 lb. The increased weight compromises race track capabilities in favor of stability at very high speeds that can reach 180 mph.