Best Sport Motorcycles: Models Compared by Engine Size

The best sport motorcycle depends on how much engine you want. For track hardware, start with the BMW M 1000 RR and the Ducati Panigale V4 S. In the middle, Triumph’s Daytona Moto2 765 and the 955cc Ducati Panigale V2 make 128 to 155 hp. The KTM RC 390 suits riders who are still building confidence.

Figures below are for the model years named. I’ve left out price tags because they change every season. Where a price is current and sourced, the text says so.

Big-displacement track tools

BMW M 1000 RR (2022 model year)

This was BMW’s first motorcycle to carry the M-Division name. It is based on the S 1000 RR, which BMW drew from its World Superbike machinery, with the changes needed to make it street legal. The spec list is long: carbon fibre fairings and aero winglets, M carbon wheels, a milled monoblock aluminum swingarm, M carbon brakes, a titanium exhaust made with Akrapovič, and an M-Division ECU and IMU with several ride modes.

One detail shows the intended use. In the Race and Race Pro 1 to 3 modes, a pit-lane speed limiter button sits on the throttle-side switch cluster. That is a track-day feature. BMW’s range now lists the M 1000 RR alongside the M 1000 R and M 1000 XR.

Suzuki GSX-R1000R

The GSX-R1000R uses a 999cc inline-four that makes close to 200 hp. The riding position is a low, aggressive tuck. It has a reputation for being unforgiving when a rider pushes beyond what feels comfortable, so treat it as a race-derived bike with turn signals. Suzuki’s sport range also lists the GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000RS (with a 40th Anniversary edition for 2027), the GSX-R750, the GSX-R600 and the Hayabusa.

Kawasaki ZX-10R and ZX-10RR

The 2021 ZX-10R added LED headlights, revised front brakes, cruise control and a new TFT instrument panel. The ZX-10RR is the racing-focused version. Only 500 were planned for the whole world. It revs 400 rpm higher, has lighter engine internals, stickier tyres and forged wheels.

At the extreme end of Kawasaki’s range, our look at the Ninja H2’s 183 mph listed top speed and the track-only H2R’s timed 212 mph covers the supercharged models. On the 600 side, the ZX-6R 636 gave Kawasaki its first WorldSPB manufacturers’ title.

Ducati Panigale V4 S (2022 model year)

Ducati described the 2022 V4 S as the final stage in the journey of its Borgo Panigale sport bikes. The biggest changes are in the gearbox and suspension. The “New SBK” gearbox has longer first, second and sixth gears than the 2021 bike, for stronger acceleration and top speed. The front fork gets a new Öhlins NPX 25/30 electronically controlled pressurized cartridge system. The aero winglets were redesigned too.

It is a bike for canyon roads and tracks, though it does little that is new for the class. Ducati’s Panigale family now also includes the V4, V4 R, a V4 SP for 2027 and a V4 Lamborghini.

Aprilia RSV4 Factory

The Factory version comes with an Akrapovič exhaust, carbon fibre bodywork, forged aluminum wheels and a tail cowl. The electronics package covers adjustable traction control, launch control, wheelie control and a quickshifter, with a racing-style display. Aprilia’s current range lists the RSV4 and RSV4 Factory, along with the Tuono V4 naked versions.

Middleweight and twin-cylinder sport bikes

Ducati Panigale V2

The earlier Panigale V2 used a 955cc Superquadro V-twin rated at 155 hp. It is slimmer, more tucked-in and lighter than the V4, and friendlier to ride. Our current Ducati model list shows only V4 variants under the Panigale name. Ask a Ducati dealer whether a V2 is on sale in your market before you plan around one.

Yamaha YZF-R7

The R7 uses Yamaha’s CP2 crossplane parallel-twin and was built to meet the homologation standard for MotoAmerica’s SuperTwins class. MotoAmerica created that class because top-level twin-cylinder racing was thin elsewhere. Yamaha’s road-going YZF-R6 ended after 2020, with a track-only R6 Race offered afterwards in Europe. The R-series also includes the R9, R3, R1 and R1M.

MV Agusta Superveloce 800

The Superveloce 800 makes 147 hp and reaches 149 mph. It is built on the F3 800 platform, with a trellis frame, single-sided swingarm and a retro GP look. MV Agusta’s Superveloce line now also runs to the S, the 98 and the Superveloce 1000 Serie Oro and AGO.

Triumph Daytona Moto2 765

This was Triumph’s road version of its Moto2 racer: a 765cc three-cylinder making 128 hp and weighing 363 lb. Triumph’s current list shows the Daytona 660 and a Street Triple 765 Moto2 Edition instead.

The HyperRide video below, titled “Best Middleweight Sport Bike 2026 | Ultimate Performance Review”, is the one to watch if you are choosing in this class.

Video: Best Middleweight Sport Bike 2026 | Ultimate Performance Review (HyperRide)

Small-displacement and electric sport bikes

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R

The ZX-25R has a 250cc inline-four that revs to 17,000 rpm. It weighs close to 400 lb and is listed at 43.5 hp, 15.6 lb-ft of torque and a 117 mph top speed. In Kawasaki’s US Ninja range, the small bikes are the Ninja 300 and Ninja 500, so check availability in your market.

KTM RC 390

The RC 390 has a 373cc single. It is quick enough to be fun and forgiving enough for newer riders to gain confidence. The equipment list is long for a small bike: slipper clutch, quickshifter, WP APEX suspension, traction control, cornering ABS with a supermoto mode, LED lighting, a TFT display and phone connection through the KTM MY RIDE app. KTM lists a 990 RC R for 2027 above it.

Aprilia RS 125 GP Replica

The RS 125 GP Replica is a 125cc sport bike in MotoGP-style colors, with a quickshifter and a monoposto tail cowl. It makes 14.75 hp and 8.26 lb-ft of torque.

Zero SR/S

The Zero SR/S is the electric entry. It is listed at 110 hp and 140 lb-ft, with a 200-mile range and a charge time under an hour. Zero’s range also includes the SR/F.

Power and size side by side

Bike	Engine	Power	Other listed figures
Suzuki GSX-R1000R	999cc inline-four	Close to 200 hp	n/a
Ducati Panigale V2 (955cc generation)	955cc Superquadro V-twin	155 hp	n/a
MV Agusta Superveloce 800	F3 800 platform	147 hp	149 mph top speed
Triumph Daytona Moto2 765	765cc three-cylinder	128 hp	363 lb
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R	250cc inline-four	43.5 hp	15.6 lb-ft; 117 mph top speed; close to 400 lb
KTM RC 390	373cc single	n/a	Slipper clutch, quickshifter, cornering ABS
Aprilia RS 125 GP Replica	125cc	14.75 hp	8.26 lb-ft
Zero SR/S	Electric	110 hp	140 lb-ft; 200-mile range

Sport bikes by brand

These are the sport models on each maker’s range as we track it. Specs are not given for every one, and availability differs between the US and UK.

• Yamaha: YZF-R9, R7, R3, R1 and R1M.
• Honda: CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and Fireblade SP, CBR600RR, CBR650R (E-Clutch option) and CBR500R.
• Suzuki: GSX-R1000 family, GSX-R750, GSX-R600, Hayabusa and GSX-8R.
• Kawasaki: Ninja 300, Ninja 500, Ninja 650 and the ZX range covered above. Our Kawasaki models by family guide has the full list with used-bike checks.
• Ducati: Panigale V4, V4 S, V4 R, V4 SP (2027) and V4 Lamborghini.
• BMW Motorrad: S 1000 RR and M 1000 RR.
• Aprilia: RSV4, RSV4 Factory, RS 660 and RS 457.
• KTM: RC 390 and 990 RC R (2027).
• CFMOTO: 450SS and 675SS (global name 675SR-R). Who owns the brand is covered in Who Makes CFMOTO?
• Triumph: Daytona 660 and Street Triple 765 Moto2 Edition.

Common questions, answered from the numbers above

What is faster, 600cc or 1000cc?

The 1000cc class makes more power. The GSX-R1000R is rated close to 200 hp, against 128 hp for Triumph’s 765cc Moto2 bike and 155 hp for the 955cc Panigale V2. I have no sourced 600cc figure to put in the table, so check the maker’s spec sheet. Honda’s CBR600RR and Suzuki’s GSX-R600 are both on our model lists.

Is a 600cc a beginner bike?

Most of the bikes here are not aimed at beginners. The RC 390 is the clearest exception, because its mix of traction control, cornering ABS and a forgiving character suits newer riders. For more options, see our comparison of eight beginner sport bikes by spec and price.

What’s the cheapest sport motorcycle, and what is a fast but cheap bike?

I only have one current sourced price: the Moto Morini 3½ Sport at £4,299 in the UK, covered in our UK launch report. Small-capacity sport bikes such as the 125cc RS 125 GP Replica and the 250cc ZX-25R sit lower in engine size, but I won’t quote their prices without a current source. For fast, look at the power column in the table. Cheap depends on your market and the dealer’s current list.

What is the best sport motorcycle?

For the track, the BMW M 1000 RR is the most track-focused machine on this page, and the Ducati Panigale V4 S is close behind. For road riding with less intensity, the twin- and triple-cylinder bikes in the middle are easier to live with. The RC 390 and the Zero SR/S are the two I would point newer riders and commuters to.