Everything about Sport Bikes
Finally, it is their turn. The kings and queens among motorcycles. Okay, we might exaggerate a bit. But it is no secret that we are huge sport bike fans at REDRIDINGBOOTS. Does that mean we are prejudiced? Not at all! We ride lots of different motorcycles. But our hearts do beat fastest for this segment.
The sport bike segment looses terrein in the world of motorcycles. At least, among street riders that is. And they aren’t designed to be ridden on roads, to be fair. So we understand the shift. Manufacturers adapt their sport bikes so you can handle them on the roads. But honestly, they just belong on track. Luckily, there are still some fanatics who ride this type of bike on the road. And we love that. Let’s dive deeper into this motorcycle segment.
SPORT BIKES
RACING AT HEART
The name says it all. A sport bike is made for sporty riding. Many of us think we ride sporty on the roads. But this type of motorcycle was made for the real deal. Think of reaching speeds like 250 km+ on straights, braking with the utmost precision, taking turns with 150 km per hour like a knife through butter and exit that corner as fast as you can. We do not make concessions for comfort. Racing, that is what it’s all about.
STREET LEGAL
SPORT BIKES
You can the sport bikes out of racing but you will never be able to take racing out of the sport bikes. And you notice that in many race bikes that are road legal. The Yamaha R1 provides a surprisingly comfortable seat and enough space for lots of motorcyclists to make longer road rides enjoyable. And the Suzuki GSX-R probably is the most forgiving sport bike on the planet.
The Honda CBR 600RR allows easy handling and also the Kawasaki Ninja provides you enough space for those legs to fold. Frankly, you are perfectly able to cruise with those bikes in stead of racing them. Of course, that sporty seating position remains present.
BUTT UP
HEAD DOWN
A sporty seating position means; butt up, head down. Your body is almost in one flat line when seated on a race bike. Not so strange, since that is what’s most favorable in terms of aerodynamics. And what was that sport bike made for, again? Yep, speed. And that’s when aerodynamics is a determining factor.
When you say you want a sport bike, no doubt someone has mentioned ‘the sore wrists’ issue. That all your body weight rests on your shoulders and wrists when riding sport bikes. But honestly, that’s not how it should be.
Does that never happen? No. That’s not what we are saying. We’re going to be tough now for a moment; lazy motorcyclists will encounter sore wrists when riding sport bikes. Do you ride with an active body and the proper form on a sport bike? Then you won’t encounter sore wrists at all. In fact, there should be as little weight as possible on your wrists and clip-ons. That’s when you have the proper riding and seating position. That means; an active core, light and subtle tension on the abs and proper, active legs.
No, not hips. Legs. Push those feet onto those pegs. Move that bum from left to right and constantly push that outer knee into the fuel tank. That is what we call sporty riding. And that’s the way you ride a sport bike. Do you keep that lazy bum in the saddle? And not sit active at all? Then those wrist will complain, naturally.
We do want to add that we understand that riding sport bikes isn’t for everyone. Do you suffer from back pain or neck issues? Then we fully understand that riding a sport bike won’t be so much fun. But is your body perfectly fine? And you still suffer from sore wrists and shoulders? Then you should really work on your riding and seating position.
RIDING SPORT BIKES
MEANS WORKING TOGETHER
Besides an active seating and riding position, sport bikes also are known for the whole ‘working together’ thing. Whereas you can demand a naked bike to go through a turn by just pushing it down, that won’t fly with sport bikes. This type of motorcycle demands you to work together. Not until you work together perfectly, your sport bike will ride smoothly. This applies to multiple types of motorcycles, but it’s most present in the sport bike segment.
This also makes it the most unforgiving type of bike. Not just because they handle differently from other bikes, but also because most sport bikes have stiff suspension. Add a pair of snappy front brakes to that and a rear break that doesn’t have that much to say and you get a totally different bike that you are used to from your motorcycle riding lessons. That is why we often say you have to learn how to ride a sport bike. You don’t learn to ride one when you go through your motorcycle riding lessons. You can only learn how to ride one by just doing so.
SEAT HEIGHT OF SPORT BIKES
HIGH, WITH A REASON
When it comes to seat height, the racy roots are very present in sport bikes. On track, you don’t have traffic lights (except from the starting signal at races). You don’t have cross roads where you have to stop to let others pass and you don’t encounter incline tests. To make a long story short; you don’t need two feet on the ground. And this is noticeable in the design of sport bikes.
The seat height is often relatively high. This allows for the bike to be as narrow as possible on the lower part of the bike, and taper upwards. This way, sport bikes are able to reach bigger lean angles than a naked bike or touring bike can. Again, it all comes down to speed. For tiny riders, that means it’s often tippy toe work on this type of bike. Or not being able to reach the ground with both feet at all. So you’ve got just one foot on the ground, one butt cheek on the saddle and your other foot on the peg.
And let’s be fair; that is how you are supposed to sit on a sport bike. You don’t ride it to cruise with it. So that means you also take a sport seating position when standing still. Lowering the bike is an option. But you often gain just about 3 cm.
COMPARE SEAT HEIGHTS OF SPORT BIKES
WITH THE COMPARISON-TOOL
Do you want to know how high a certain sport bike is? In our overview below you will find all specs related to seat height, weight and power. In search of a sport bike with a low seat height? Or are you a tall motorcyclist and looking for the biggest one? Find out which one suits you best below! Or compare two sport bikes. It is up to you.
Step 1: FIND MOTORCYCLE NUMBER ONE
| Model | Seat height | Weight | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| aprilia RSV4 1100 2021 | 84,5 cm | 202 kg | 217hp (159,6kW) |
| aprilia RSV4 1100 2020 | 85,3 cm | 204 kg | 217hp (159,6kW) |
| aprilia RSV4 RF | 84,5 cm | 200 kg | 201hp (146,7kW) |
| aprilia RS 660 | 81,5 cm | 183 kg | 100hp (73,5kW) |
| aprilia RS 125 | 82 cm | 130 kg | 28,2hp (20,6kW) |
| Bimota KB4 | 81 cm | 194 kg | 142hp (104,5kW) |
| Bimota Tesi H2 | 84 cm | 220 kg | 231hp (170kW) |
| BMW M 1000 RR | 83,2 cm | 192 kg | 212hp (156kW) |
| BMW S 1000 RR | 82,4 cm | 197 kg | 207hp (152kW) |
| Buell Hammerhead 1190 | 82,6 cm | 190 kg | 185hp (135,8kW) |
| Ducati Superleggera V4 | 83,5 cm | 165 kg | 234hp (174kW) |
| Ducati Superleggera 1290 | 83 cm | 167 kg | 215hp (158,1kW) |
| Ducati Superleggera 1199 | 83 cm | 177 kg | 200hp (149kW) |
| Ducati Panigale V4 | 83,5 cm | 198 kg | 214hp (157,5kW) |
| Ducati Panigale V2 | 84 cm | 200 kg | 155hp (114kW) |
| Ducati SuperSport 950 | 81 cm | 210 kg | 110hp (81kW) |
| Energica Ego | 81 cm | 282 kg | 147hp (110kW) |
| Energica Ego+ RS | 81 cm | 260 kilo | 147hp (110kW) |
| Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade | 83,1 cm | 202 kg | 217hp (159,5kW) |
| Honda CBR650R | 81 cm | 208 kg | 95hp (70kW) |
| Honda CBR600RR | 82 cm | 186 kg | 118hp (88,1kW) |
| Honda CBR500R | 78,5 cm | 192 kg | 47hp (35kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja H2R | 83 cm | 239 kg | 200hp (147,1kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR | 83,5 cm | 207 kg | 204hp (150kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R | 83,5 cm | 207 kg | 203hp (149,3kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 78,5 cm | 168 kg | 45hp (33,4kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja 125 | 78,5 cm | 149 kg | 15hp (11kW) |
| KTM RC8R 1090 | 80,5-82,5 cm | 199 kg | 175hp (129kW) |
| KTM RC 390 | 82,4 cm | 168 kg | 43hp (32kW) |
| KTM RC 125 | 82,4 cm | 150 kg | 20hp (15kW) |
| MV Agusta F4 | 86 cm | 210 kg | 186hp (137kW) |
| MV Agusta F3 Rosso | 83 cm | 188 kg | 147hp (108kW) |
| MV Agusta F3 RR | 83 cm | 178 kg | 155hp (114kW) |
| MV Agusta F3 RC | 83 cm | 178 kg | 155hp (114kW) |
| MV Agusta Superveloce 800 | 83 cm | 188 kg | 147hp (108kW) |
| Norton V4SV | 83 cm | 208 kg | 185hp (135,83kW) |
| Suzuki GSX 1300R Hayabusa | 80 cm | 264 kg | 187,7hp (140kW) |
| Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 82,5 cm | 201 kg | 199,2hp (148,6kW) |
| Suzuki GSX-R750 | 81 cm | 190 kg | 148hp (110,3kW) |
| Suzuki GSX-R600 | 81 cm | 187 kg | 125hp (93,2kW) |
| Triumph Daytona 675 | 82 cm | 178 kg | 126hp (94kW) |
| Yamaha R1M | 86 cm | 202 kg | 200hp (147,1kW) |
| Yamaha R1 | 85,5 cm | 201 kg | 200hp (147,1kW) |
| Yamaha R7 | 83,5 cm | 188 kg | 73,4hp (54kW) |
| Yamaha YFZ-R6 | 85 cm | 190 kg | 116,7hp (87,1kW) |
| Yamaha R3 | 78 cm | 169 kg | 42hp (30,9kW) |
| Yamaha R125 | 82,5 cm | 144 kg | 15hp (11kW) |
STEP 2: FIND MOTORCYCLE NUMBER 2
| Model | Seat height | Weight | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| aprilia RSV4 1100 2021 | 84,5 cm | 202 kg | 217hp (159,6kW) |
| aprilia RSV4 1100 2020 | 85,3 cm | 204 kg | 217hp (159,6kW) |
| aprilia RSV4 RF | 84,5 cm | 200 kg | 201hp (146,7kW) |
| aprilia RS 660 | 81,5 cm | 183 kg | 100hp (73,5kW) |
| aprilia RS 125 | 82 cm | 130 kg | 28,2hp (20,6kW) |
| Bimota KB4 | 81 cm | 194 kg | 142hp (104,5kW) |
| Bimota Tesi H2 | 84 cm | 220 kg | 231hp (170kW) |
| BMW M 1000 RR | 83,2 cm | 192 kg | 212hp (156kW) |
| BMW S 1000 RR | 82,4 cm | 197 kg | 207hp (152kW) |
| Buell Hammerhead 1190 | 82,6 cm | 190 kg | 185hp (135,8kW) |
| Ducati Superleggera V4 | 83,5 cm | 165 kg | 234hp (174kW) |
| Ducati Superleggera 1290 | 83 cm | 167 kg | 215hp (158,1kW) |
| Ducati Superleggera 1199 | 83 cm | 177 kg | 200hp (149kW) |
| Ducati Panigale V4 | 83,5 cm | 198 kg | 214hp (157,5kW) |
| Ducati Panigale V2 | 84 cm | 200 kg | 155hp (114kW) |
| Ducati SuperSport 950 | 81 cm | 210 kg | 110hp (81kW) |
| Energica Ego | 81 cm | 282 kg | 147hp (110kW) |
| Energica Ego+ RS | 81 cm | 260 kilo | 147hp (110kW) |
| Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade | 83,1 cm | 202 kg | 217hp (159,5kW) |
| Honda CBR650R | 81 cm | 208 kg | 95hp (70kW) |
| Honda CBR600RR | 82 cm | 186 kg | 118hp (88,1kW) |
| Honda CBR500R | 78,5 cm | 192 kg | 47hp (35kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja H2R | 83 cm | 239 kg | 200hp (147,1kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR | 83,5 cm | 207 kg | 204hp (150kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R | 83,5 cm | 207 kg | 203hp (149,3kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 78,5 cm | 168 kg | 45hp (33,4kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja 125 | 78,5 cm | 149 kg | 15hp (11kW) |
| KTM RC8R 1090 | 80,5-82,5 cm | 199 kg | 175hp (129kW) |
| KTM RC 390 | 82,4 cm | 168 kg | 43hp (32kW) |
| KTM RC 125 | 82,4 cm | 150 kg | 20hp (15kW) |
| MV Agusta F4 | 86 cm | 210 kg | 186hp (137kW) |
| MV Agusta F3 Rosso | 83 cm | 188 kg | 147hp (108kW) |
| MV Agusta F3 RR | 83 cm | 178 kg | 155hp (114kW) |
| MV Agusta F3 RC | 83 cm | 178 kg | 155hp (114kW) |
| MV Agusta Superveloce 800 | 83 cm | 188 kg | 147hp (108kW) |
| Norton V4SV | 83 cm | 208 kg | 185hp (135,83kW) |
| Suzuki GSX 1300R Hayabusa | 80 cm | 264 kg | 187,7hp (140kW) |
| Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 82,5 cm | 201 kg | 199,2hp (148,6kW) |
| Suzuki GSX-R750 | 81 cm | 190 kg | 148hp (110,3kW) |
| Suzuki GSX-R600 | 81 cm | 187 kg | 125hp (93,2kW) |
| Triumph Daytona 675 | 82 cm | 178 kg | 126hp (94kW) |
| Yamaha R1M | 86 cm | 202 kg | 200hp (147,1kW) |
| Yamaha R1 | 85,5 cm | 201 kg | 200hp (147,1kW) |
| Yamaha R7 | 83,5 cm | 188 kg | 73,4hp (54kW) |
| Yamaha YFZ-R6 | 85 cm | 190 kg | 116,7hp (87,1kW) |
| Yamaha R3 | 78 cm | 169 kg | 42hp (30,9kW) |
| Yamaha R125 | 82,5 cm | 144 kg | 15hp (11kW) |
STEP 1: FIND MOTORCYCLE NUMBER ONE
| Model | Seat height | Weight | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| aprilia RSV4 1100 2021 | 84,5 cm | 202 kg | 217hp (159,6kW) |
| aprilia RSV4 1100 2020 | 85,3 cm | 204 kg | 217hp (159,6kW) |
| aprilia RSV4 RF | 84,5 cm | 200 kg | 201hp (146,7kW) |
| aprilia RS 660 | 81,5 cm | 183 kg | 100hp (73,5kW) |
| aprilia RS 125 | 82 cm | 130 kg | 28,2hp (20,6kW) |
| Bimota KB4 | 81 cm | 194 kg | 142hp (104,5kW) |
| Bimota Tesi H2 | 84 cm | 220 kg | 231hp (170kW) |
| BMW M 1000 RR | 83,2 cm | 192 kg | 212hp (156kW) |
| BMW S 1000 RR | 82,4 cm | 197 kg | 207hp (152kW) |
| Buell Hammerhead 1190 | 82,6 cm | 190 kg | 185hp (135,8kW) |
| Ducati Superleggera V4 | 83,5 cm | 165 kg | 234hp (174kW) |
| Ducati Superleggera 1290 | 83 cm | 167 kg | 215hp (158,1kW) |
| Ducati Superleggera 1199 | 83 cm | 177 kg | 200hp (149kW) |
| Ducati Panigale V4 | 83,5 cm | 198 kg | 214hp (157,5kW) |
| Ducati Panigale V2 | 84 cm | 200 kg | 155hp (114kW) |
| Ducati SuperSport 950 | 81 cm | 210 kg | 110hp (81kW) |
| Energica Ego | 81 cm | 282 kg | 147hp (110kW) |
| Energica Ego+ RS | 81 cm | 260 kilo | 147hp (110kW) |
| Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade | 83,1 cm | 202 kg | 217hp (159,5kW) |
| Honda CBR650R | 81 cm | 208 kg | 95hp (70kW) |
| Honda CBR600RR | 82 cm | 186 kg | 118hp (88,1kW) |
| Honda CBR500R | 78,5 cm | 192 kg | 47hp (35kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja H2R | 83 cm | 239 kg | 200hp (147,1kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR | 83,5 cm | 207 kg | 204hp (150kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R | 83,5 cm | 207 kg | 203hp (149,3kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 78,5 cm | 168 kg | 45hp (33,4kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja 125 | 78,5 cm | 149 kg | 15hp (11kW) |
| KTM RC8R 1090 | 80,5-82,5 cm | 199 kg | 175hp (129kW) |
| KTM RC 390 | 82,4 cm | 168 kg | 43hp (32kW) |
| KTM RC 125 | 82,4 cm | 150 kg | 20hp (15kW) |
| MV Agusta F4 | 86 cm | 210 kg | 186hp (137kW) |
| MV Agusta F3 Rosso | 83 cm | 188 kg | 147hp (108kW) |
| MV Agusta F3 RR | 83 cm | 178 kg | 155hp (114kW) |
| MV Agusta F3 RC | 83 cm | 178 kg | 155hp (114kW) |
| MV Agusta Superveloce 800 | 83 cm | 188 kg | 147hp (108kW) |
| Norton V4SV | 83 cm | 208 kg | 185hp (135,83kW) |
| Suzuki GSX 1300R Hayabusa | 80 cm | 264 kg | 187,7hp (140kW) |
| Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 82,5 cm | 201 kg | 199,2hp (148,6kW) |
| Suzuki GSX-R750 | 81 cm | 190 kg | 148hp (110,3kW) |
| Suzuki GSX-R600 | 81 cm | 187 kg | 125hp (93,2kW) |
| Triumph Daytona 675 | 82 cm | 178 kg | 126hp (94kW) |
| Yamaha R1M | 86 cm | 202 kg | 200hp (147,1kW) |
| Yamaha R1 | 85,5 cm | 201 kg | 200hp (147,1kW) |
| Yamaha R7 | 83,5 cm | 188 kg | 73,4hp (54kW) |
| Yamaha YFZ-R6 | 85 cm | 190 kg | 116,7hp (87,1kW) |
| Yamaha R3 | 78 cm | 169 kg | 42hp (30,9kW) |
| Yamaha R125 | 82,5 cm | 144 kg | 15hp (11kW) |
STEP 2: FIND MOTORCYCLE NUMBER TWO
| Model | Seat height | Weight | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| aprilia RSV4 1100 2021 | 84,5 cm | 202 kg | 217hp (159,6kW) |
| aprilia RSV4 1100 2020 | 85,3 cm | 204 kg | 217hp (159,6kW) |
| aprilia RSV4 RF | 84,5 cm | 200 kg | 201hp (146,7kW) |
| aprilia RS 660 | 81,5 cm | 183 kg | 100hp (73,5kW) |
| aprilia RS 125 | 82 cm | 130 kg | 28,2hp (20,6kW) |
| Bimota KB4 | 81 cm | 194 kg | 142hp (104,5kW) |
| Bimota Tesi H2 | 84 cm | 220 kg | 231hp (170kW) |
| BMW M 1000 RR | 83,2 cm | 192 kg | 212hp (156kW) |
| BMW S 1000 RR | 82,4 cm | 197 kg | 207hp (152kW) |
| Buell Hammerhead 1190 | 82,6 cm | 190 kg | 185hp (135,8kW) |
| Ducati Superleggera V4 | 83,5 cm | 165 kg | 234hp (174kW) |
| Ducati Superleggera 1290 | 83 cm | 167 kg | 215hp (158,1kW) |
| Ducati Superleggera 1199 | 83 cm | 177 kg | 200hp (149kW) |
| Ducati Panigale V4 | 83,5 cm | 198 kg | 214hp (157,5kW) |
| Ducati Panigale V2 | 84 cm | 200 kg | 155hp (114kW) |
| Ducati SuperSport 950 | 81 cm | 210 kg | 110hp (81kW) |
| Energica Ego | 81 cm | 282 kg | 147hp (110kW) |
| Energica Ego+ RS | 81 cm | 260 kilo | 147hp (110kW) |
| Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade | 83,1 cm | 202 kg | 217hp (159,5kW) |
| Honda CBR650R | 81 cm | 208 kg | 95hp (70kW) |
| Honda CBR600RR | 82 cm | 186 kg | 118hp (88,1kW) |
| Honda CBR500R | 78,5 cm | 192 kg | 47hp (35kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja H2R | 83 cm | 239 kg | 200hp (147,1kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR | 83,5 cm | 207 kg | 204hp (150kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R | 83,5 cm | 207 kg | 203hp (149,3kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 78,5 cm | 168 kg | 45hp (33,4kW) |
| Kawasaki Ninja 125 | 78,5 cm | 149 kg | 15hp (11kW) |
| KTM RC8R 1090 | 80,5-82,5 cm | 199 kg | 175hp (129kW) |
| KTM RC 390 | 82,4 cm | 168 kg | 43hp (32kW) |
| KTM RC 125 | 82,4 cm | 150 kg | 20hp (15kW) |
| MV Agusta F4 | 86 cm | 210 kg | 186hp (137kW) |
| MV Agusta F3 Rosso | 83 cm | 188 kg | 147hp (108kW) |
| MV Agusta F3 RR | 83 cm | 178 kg | 155hp (114kW) |
| MV Agusta F3 RC | 83 cm | 178 kg | 155hp (114kW) |
| MV Agusta Superveloce 800 | 83 cm | 188 kg | 147hp (108kW) |
| Norton V4SV | 83 cm | 208 kg | 185hp (135,83kW) |
| Suzuki GSX 1300R Hayabusa | 80 cm | 264 kg | 187,7hp (140kW) |
| Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 82,5 cm | 201 kg | 199,2hp (148,6kW) |
| Suzuki GSX-R750 | 81 cm | 190 kg | 148hp (110,3kW) |
| Suzuki GSX-R600 | 81 cm | 187 kg | 125hp (93,2kW) |
| Triumph Daytona 675 | 82 cm | 178 kg | 126hp (94kW) |
| Yamaha R1M | 86 cm | 202 kg | 200hp (147,1kW) |
| Yamaha R1 | 85,5 cm | 201 kg | 200hp (147,1kW) |
| Yamaha R7 | 83,5 cm | 188 kg | 73,4hp (54kW) |
| Yamaha YFZ-R6 | 85 cm | 190 kg | 116,7hp (87,1kW) |
| Yamaha R3 | 78 cm | 169 kg | 42hp (30,9kW) |
| Yamaha R125 | 82,5 cm | 144 kg | 15hp (11kW) |
CONCLUSION
Sport bikes are made for riding on track. For twists with speed and the fastest lap time. You can ride a sport bike on the roads. It just requires a different riding style than you are used to from your motorcycle riding lessons. But after some practice, that will come. Want to speed up that proces? Book a track day and experience the true fun a sport bike can give you. They might loose terrain in the motorcycle world on the roads, but we remain true fans of the segment. It’s just a class of its own.
Looking for similar information about other types of motorcycles? Check out our overview.
