Competition in the one liter Supersports bikes is fiercer than ever. There are dozens of great manufacturers to choose from, and each one makes a few different variations on their flagship bike, whether it be naked or fully faired. Keep in mind, this list is too short to mention even a quarter of them, but we’ve included what we feel like are the best at the moment.
Yamaha YZF-R1
The Yamaha R1 is one of the most popular choices when it comes to this category. And it isn’t really difficult to see why. It’s one of the few bikes to feature an inline four-cylinder engine with a crossplane crankshaft, and it arguably makes the most unique noise out of the bunch. Then there’s the design. It’s the classic sportsbike design. It isn’t as gorgeous as the Italians, nor is it as aggressive as some of the others, but it is undeniably the iconic sportsbike.
Suzuki GSX-R1000
The Gixxer appeals to riders who like to attack corners at full speed. The bike is relatively light at 447 lbs, but with 182 horsepower originating from its four-stroke inline four engine, it has no trouble with straight line speed too. It may be a bit behind in terms of design, but if you’re not that worried about the relatively simple design, it’s definitely a top contender in performance terms. It’s quite affordable too.
Kawasaki ZX-10R
Kawasaki’s entry in the one liter sportsbike is the ZX-10R. It’s one of the most technologically advanced bikes in the world at the moment, and it’s completely track focused even in stock form. With adjustable shocks, an Ohlins electronic steering damper, a slipper clutch, adjustable traction control and a titanium exhaust, it’s ready to hit the track as soon as you are. It’s not a stranger to everyday riding however. It’s just as easy to ride on the street as any other bike. You do have to treat it some respect, but it will more than return the favor.
Honda CBR1000RR
Every list has to have a Honda in it, doesn’t it? The Honda doesn’t have a category in which it’s best at, but rather, it excels in everything. It’s the perfect all-rounder. It’s affordable, delivers amazing power, handles great, and then there’s Honda’s immaculate reliability history. It’s got one of the best shock suspensions from the factory too. It’s perfect for road riding, but you can adjust it so that it suits the track too.
BMW HP4
The only bike in this list that isn’t Japanese. We could have included the Italians for more diversity, but we feel the Japanese outdo them by just a bit. The BMW then, where do we begin? Well, how does nearly 200 hp and just 440 lbs sound like? Exciting? It’s got Dynamic Traction, Dynamic Damping Control, ABS, Gear Shift Assist and even Launch Control. It will obliterate any track and any road, provided you know how to ride it. Surprisingly, you don’t have to be a good rider to ride it normally. You can turn the traction control up and just cruise. It’s truly the best bike at the moment.