Sports Bikes

A sports bike is a faired motorcycle with an aggressive riding position thanks to low-set clip-on handlebars and rear-set footpegs. These bikes are focused towards performance and handling. Popular sports bike examples are the Ducati Panigale V4, Yamaha R1, Kawasaki Ninja H2 and the KTM RC 390.

The aggressive riding posture on sport bikes is bound to take a toll on your back and wrists during long hauls. But if you intend to tour anyway, motorcycles like the TVS Apache RR 310 and the Kawasaki Ninja 400 are some of the more comfortable sportbikes out there. Sportbikes like the Yamaha R15 V3 and the KTM RC 390, on the other hand, are track weapons with very committed riding postures.

A commuter bike, as the name suggests, is for commuting, with the focus being on comfort, fuel efficiency, low cost and reliability. Sports bikes are more performance-focused with aggressive styling, a host of features and carry a premium pricing.

The aggressive riding postures seen on most sports bikes can cause pain over long durations, but this can be overcome by learning to use one's core muscles to support the upper body when riding.

Most sport bikes come with a pillion seat, but due to the nature of their design they aren't very pillion friendly. The Yamaha R15 V3, Suzuki GSX-R1000R and the KTM RC 390 are a couple of examples of this. On the flip side, you have bikes like the TVS Apache RR 310 and the Suzuki Hayabusa that offer decent pillion rider comfort.

No, as the name suggests, sports bikes are only meant to be ridden sportily and on the road. These bikes have a lot of power, aggressive riding posture and low ground clearance -- which is not exactly what you want while going off-road.

Yes, due to their high power to weight ratio, sportsbikes can accelerate very quickly and reach high top speeds. However, they also feature very strong braking hardware and top-notch suspension components, making them stable and agile at all times. Motorcycling in general is dangerous and one should wear adequate protective gear, improve riding skills and obey the rules of the road at all times.

Top-end sports bikes like the Ducati Panigale V4 S, BMW S 1000 RR and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R all have a top speed near about the 300kmph mark. Homologation special models like the Ducati Panigale V4 R and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR get special track-only hardware that allows them to break the 300kmph speed barrier. The Kawasaki Ninja H2R boasts of a top speed of 400kmph but it is not road legal.

Sports bikes come in various engine sizes. In India, we have options from 155cc to 1,103cc. Best entry-level sports bikes are the Yamaha R15 v3, TVS Apache RR 310 and the KTM RC 390. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the cream of the crop remains bikes like the Ducati Panigale V4, Aprilia RSV4, BMW S 1000 RR and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.