Classic Superbikes

Alan Dowds is a freelance motorcycling journalist based in London. He has worked for www.visordown.com, Fast Bikes Magazine, SuperBike Magazine, Motor Cycle News and RiDE magazine, as well as launching Tankin’, a specialist Scottish motorcycle magazine, in 1995. He is an experienced motorcycle technical writer and road tester, and has ridden almost every motorcycle introduced since 1994.

• Introduction An introduction to superbikes, which started in Japan where the industry really began after World War II.APRILIA An Italian superbike, the Aprilia RS125 is one of the basic starter bikes of superbikes, and one of the most successful novice 125cc machine superbikes.BIMOTA Another Italian creation, a Bimota, called a “Tesi”, was created for an engineering student’s thesis idea. Other Bimota’s featured include the SB8R.BMW BMW superbikes featured include the R1100S, the R1150GS, the K1200LT, and the K1200RS.BUELL Buell was started by a former Harley-Davidson engineer, and includes the Buell X1 Lightning bike.CAGIVA An Italian bike, the Cagiva Raptor is a design by the engineer who created the Ducati Monster, and is a high-performance bike, and includes Japanese efficiency alongside the Italian design.DUCATI The Ducati 748R is a smaller version of the 916 Superbike, and the R alongside Ducati superbikes explains the track-based variants of their range. Other Ducati bikes mentioned include the Ducati 851, the Ducati 900SS, the Ducati 916, the Ducati 996, and the Ducati 996SPS.HARLEY-DAVIDSON One of the most well-known motorcycle companies, and includes the Harley- Davidson Dyna Super Glide Sport.HONDA Made in Japan, Japanese licensing laws made it difficult for larger bikes to be engineered, and 400c (24ci) superbikes were the largest machines allowed, including the Honda VFR400R NC30. Other superbikes include the Honda CB400 Four Supersport, the Honda CBR600F, the Honda CB600F Hornet, the Honda CB600F S Hornet, the Honda NR750, Honda RVF750R RC45Honda XRV750 Africa Twin, and more.KAWASAKI Another Japanese based mortorcycle company, Kawasaki includes a smaller superbike, the Kawasaki ZXR400, the Kawasaki GPZ500S, the Kawasaki KH500, a cost-effective and novice bike, the Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja, and more.KTM An Austrian based company, KTM includes the KTM Duke 620, a bike known for its dirtbike capabilities but with superbike technology.LAVERDA One of the previously most popular superbike Italian names, Laverda includes the Laverda 750S Formula.MOTO GUZZI An Italian based motorbike company, Moto Guzzi includes the Moto Guzzi California Special, an Italian brand with custom features.SUZUKI A Japanese brand, Suzuki bikes are capable of entering in racing classes. Included is the Suzuki RGV250, one of the highest specification superbikes, the Suzuki RG500, the Suzuki GSF600 Bandit, the Suzuki GSX-R600, and more.TRIUMPH The Triumph TT600 changed how Triumph was seen on the motorbike market. Other Triumph bikes included are the Triumph Thunderbird Sport, the Triumph Daytona 955i, the Triumph Speed Triple, and more.YAMAHA A Japanese brand, Yamaha includes the Yamaha FZS600 Fazer, one of the most budget friendly motorcycles available, the Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat, Yamaha YZF-R6, Yamaha YZF-R7, and more.Index