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REDRIDINGBOOTS

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.

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