Which 600 supersport

The middleweight sportbike is starting to make a comeback. The overwhelming demand has finally forced companies to put some money into the development pot, with all the big players launching updated versions of their previous offerings or all-new bikes albeit mostly 3-cylinder bikes aimed to take on the opposition.

The balance of power and precision a good offers is irresistible to any motorcycle enthusiast, so we're going to take a look at the best money can buy. The Thundercat, with its now-dated styling was the precursor to the famed and utterly brilliant R6.

This bike laid the foundation for Yamaha, it was a long-awaited answer to the other big brands cc offerings, and although they had a long way to go in terms of development all the potential was there to be seen. In almost bizarre fashion we go from the oldest to one of the newest bikes on this list. The cc platform was never designed to be a supersport machine, with more focus on the sales of the naked version in a market that has a high demand for an exciting beginner bike.

The R version here takes it up more than a few notches, although it might not be as track-focused as the other bikes, it is much quicker than you would expect! After years of minimal development across the class, Kawasaki introduced an updated ZX-6R technically a cc model. Then Honda baffled me by announcing a CBRRR — even though it may only be sold in the domestic Japanese market for a year or two before Japan, too, tightens its emissions standards to a Euro 5 equivalent. Is the sun finally setting on the four-cylinder s?

Kawasaki photo. But earlier today, Dorna — the organizers of the FIM Supersport World Championship — issued a press release that rang the death knell of the Supersport class. The Triumph triple will be allowed in British Supersport in , and maybe in World Supersport in Photo by Zack Courts.

Beginning next season, Dorna will work with the British Supersport Championship to test a new Supersport displacement formula. The Ducati cc V-twin will be allowed to particpate in British Supersport as a test case next year. Ducati photo. Moving beyond the venerable cc fours makes sense. The marketplace is always a dance between product planners and customers.

The larger twins and triples are easier to ride and a little more user friendly. These cool new bikes came out after development largely stopped on s after the Great Recession, which served to make the newer ones look even better by comparison.

The release is short on details about how parity would be ensured during the presumed period in which existing cc fours and cc triples would be grandfathered, but Dorna mentioned the balancing solution used in the Supersport World Championship as a possible model.

The Honda prides itself on creating a connection between rider and machine. Feeling one with your bike while expertly leaning it into corners is what a supersport motorcycle is all about. What it has going for it: It is available with C-ABS combined anti-lock braking system which distributes the braking force between the wheels. What might turn you off: Based on the latest championships, the Honda is not the fastest bike out their anymore.

The current mean green machine still carries the cc engine from the model, but with some updates. It now complies with current Euro4 emission restrictions. What it has going for it : Nimble, changes direction quickly and smoothly, has a unique ABS braking system. Engine: cc, 4-stroke, in-line four Wet weight: Transmission: return shift 6-speed Seat height: Back in the day, the R6 was the first cc 4 stroke to break the magical barrier of producing hp.

The Yamaha YZF-R6 is a repeated winner of the world supersport circuit and currently the most ridden bike in the championship. In this sense, the R6 is the best cc motorcycle out there. What might turn you off: To meet the newest emission standards, the R6 had to lose some torque and peak power.

To celebrate its years of existence, Suzuki has created a range of limited-edition anniversary models. Donned in the iconic blue and slate silver colour scheme, this anniversary edition is a wink to the past with modern conveniences, such as Suzuki Drive Mode Selector. What it has going for it: This is a totally unique bike. So, getting spare parts may become a problem. This one may be on par with the Gixxer above when it comes to being special.

Instead, you have to apply for one and hope the good people at MV Agusta select you to purchase one of the unique bikes sold each year.

What might turn you off: Due to their limited number they are expensive to buy, insure, and to get parts for. Engine: , inline 3-cylinder Wet weight: lbs Transmission: 6-speed Seat height: The cc sportsbike market has taken a hiding in recent years, with almost all major manufacturers slowing development of their middleweight three and four-cylinder screamers in favour of flagship superbike models.

With sales slowing and firms now locked in a litre-class arms race, the supersport landscape has been stripped bare. The Honda has also been updated for with more tech and a fresh face, but the Japanese firm have confirmed it will not be coming to Europe.

But, with almost all superbikes now comfortably surpassing a claimed bhp, armed to the back teeth with electronic aids and sold for some eye-wateringly high price tags, a revvy analogue cc pocket rocket may just be the perfect antidote; allowing you to get your sporting thrills without having to consider selling a kidney.

So, sit back, grab a cuppa and find your next middleweight missile with us…. Updated for , the cc four-cylinder Yamaha R6 was first introduced in to sit alongside the first generation R1 superbike , unveiled in the previous year.

In that time, the rev-tastic has undergone several iterations; gaining fuel injection, more advanced suspension and more power along the way — plus, more recently — electronic rider aids. Although looking markedly different from its year-old ancestor, the same basic recipe remains in the current R6 and whilst the sales have dropped from the dizzying a year in the UK back at its inception, it continues to dominate in short circuit racing — taking both the World and British Supersport crown in Although slightly down on peak power over the previous version, due to Euro4 emissions regs, the bhp R6 comes with traction control and ABS as standard and has continued to provide countless riders with plenty of high-revving road and trackday thrills at just over half the horsepower of some superbike alternatives.

At around half the price of a Honda Fireblade SP , it will still be plenty of bike for plenty of sportsbike fans, thanks to its credible chassis, SlimFast weight and less intimidating shove — but you won't be able to ride it home from your trackday at the end of the day. Read full Yamaha R6 review here. Like the R6 above, the ZX-6R Ninja name has been around for over 20 years, receiving its most recent major overhaul ahead of the riding season, ahead of being dropped for