Supersport - 3/4 - Road Rider Magazine

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R $22,099

The Ninja ZX-14R’s ultra-powerful 1441cc in-line four-cylinder engine puts it in a class of its own. Add in Kawasaki’s most advanced electronics system, including traction control, ABS and power mode selection. And with an innovative monocoque frame, the ZX-14R is a phenomenon that you must experience to believe.

Specifications:

Engine: Liquid-cooled, inline-four
Displacement: 1441cc
Power/Torque: 155kW @ 10,000rpm/ 158Nm @ 10,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, multi-plate wet clutch, chain final drive
Tyres: F: 120/70ZR17 R: 190/50ZR17
Seat height: 800mm
Kerb weight: 269kg (wet)
Fuel capacity: 22L
Warranty: 2 years, unlimited km

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R $20,900

The Ninja ZX-10R has clearly demonstrated its circuit potential through winning results in the Superbike World Championship (WSBK). Jonathan Rea’s five consecutive World Superbike titles mean the latest ZX-10R is a very special motorcycle with incredible track performance and good road manners. Features high-performance electronics, suspension and engine output. KRT edition $23,900, SE $26,999.

Specifications:

Engine: Liquid-cooled, inline-four
Displacement: 998cc
Power/Torque: 154.4kW @ 13,000rpm/ 113.5Nm @ 11,500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, multi-plate wet clutch, chain final drive
Tyres: F: 120/70ZR17 R: 190/55ZR17
Seat height: 835mm
Kerb weight: 206kg (wet)
Fuel capacity: 17L
Warranty: 2 years, unlimited km

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R $15,199

Ninja ZX-6R’s bodywork and exhaust system puts its appearance in line with the class-leading Ninja ZX-10R, while its solid chassis and Öhlins steering damper ensure it has the responsive handling to match its bigger sibling. The highly developed 599cc powerplant provides plenty of low-end and mid-range power without sacrificing the potent top end.

Specifications:

Engine: Liquid-cooled, inline-four
Displacement: 599cc
Power/Torque: 94.1kW @ 14,000rpm/ 66.7Nm @ 11,800rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, multi-plate wet clutch, chain final drive
Tyres: F: 120/70ZR17 R: 180/55ZR17
Seat height: 815mm
Kerb weight: 191kg (wet)
Fuel capacity: 17L
Warranty: 2 years, unlimited km

Kawasaki Ninja 400 $6899

The Ninja 400 delivers great performance and confidence-inspiring handling, with the bike being a popular and successful choice for Supersport racing. Easy to ride and an excellent choice for anyone looking to learn sportsbike riding. Special edition $7149.

Specifications:

Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin
Displacement: 399cc
Power/Torque: 33.4kW @ 10,000rpm/ 38Nm @ 8,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, chain final drive
Tyres: F: 110/70R17 R: 150/60R17
Seat height: 785mm
Kerb weight: 168kg
Fuel capacity: 14L
Warranty: 2 years, unlimited km

Honda CBR500R $9449

The CBR500R’s performance will give anyone looking for their first sports bike an exhilarating ride on a twisty, winding road or even a racetrack. A motorcycle designed to be ridden, the CBR500R will work equally well in urban environments and will be thoroughly enjoyed by people of all shapes and sizes. This LAMS-approved sports machine delivers plenty of performance to all sport riders, including riders moving up from the sporting, entry-level Honda CBR300R, as well as more experienced riders who will appreciate the CBR500R’s light and nimble handling.

Specifications:

Engine: Liquid-cooled, parallel-twin
Displacement: 471cc
Power/Torque: 36.8kW @ 8500rpm/43Nm @ 7000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, chain final drive
Tyres: F: 120/70ZR17 R: 160/60ZR17
Seat height: 785mm
Kerb weight: 194kg (wet)
Fuel capacity: 17.3L
Warranty: 2 years, unlimited km

Honda CBR600RR $TBA

Honda’s 2021 CBR600RR is all new, with aeodynamics derived from MotoGP, right down to the winglets. Expect high performance from the Supersport contender with lots of high tech features designed to make the new CBR600 the fastest ever around a track.

Specifications:

Engine: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 16-valve DOHC inline-four
Displacement: 599cc
Power/Torque: 89kW @ 14,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, chain final drive
Tyres: F: 120/70ZR17 R: 180/55ZR17
Seat height: 820mm
Kerb weight: 194kg (wet)
Fuel capacity: 18L
Warranty/Service interval: 2 years, unlimited km/12,000km

Honda CBR1000RR-R SP Fireblade $49,999

Honda’s homologation special, this machine is built in limited numbers, designed as the basis for racing Superbikes in 2020 and beyond. There’s a new short-stroke motor, aluminium chassis, steering geometry and swingarm. The suspension is from Öhlins, the brakes by Brembo and the rear tyre now 200-section. The electronics are cutting edge and the aerodynamics have been developed from MotoGP.

Specifications:

Engine: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 16-valve, DOHC, inline-four
Displacement: 1000cc
Power/Torque: 156.6kW @ 14,500 RPM/113Nm @ 12,500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, multi-plate wet clutch, chain final drive
Tyres: F: 120/70ZR17 R: 200/55ZR17
Seat height: 831mm
Kerb weight: 201kg (wet)
Fuel capacity: 16L
Warranty: 2 years, unlimited km

Harley-Davidson Livewire

The Harley-Davidson LiveWire is the first electric motorcycle from a Mainstream manufauter, but it won’t be the last. Priced at $49,995 (ride away), the LiveWire is for the affluent rider looing for something cutting-edge and different. With massive amounts of torque available at the twist of the throttle, the LiveWire accellerates really hard, going from 0-100 in three seconds, almost silently. It’s also really easy to ride, just twist and go – no clutch, or gearbox requiring manual control. The engine is described as an Internal Permanent Magnetic Synchronour Motor with Water Cooling Jacket. Range is very dependent on performance – ride it gently and you might see 235km, smack the throttle on and off a lot and you’ll be in turtle mode (a 10km/h restricted speed the bikes enters before completely running out of puff) around 160km. Charging at home (the bike is supplied with an adaptor plug so you can plug it into the wall) takes about 1 hour per 20km: it’s unlikely you’d ever put it on charge completely flat, so around 10 hours will charge it.

Ducati Panigale V2 $22,900 RA

The twin-cylinder Panigale has been given a thorough makeover. Renamed the Panigale V2, it takes a totally new design. It features sophisticated electronics based on a six-axis inertial platform and, thanks to a more comfortable rider seat and the suspension set-up, offers better yet safer sports performance while making road riding more enjoyable and user-friendly than ever. The name informs Ducati twin-cylinder enthusiasts that the bike is powered by the 955cm³ Superquadro.

Specifications:

Engine: Superquadro L-twin, Desmodromic timing, four valves per cylinder, liquid-cooled
Displacement: 955cc
Power/Torque: 110kW @ 10,500rpm/102Nm @ 9,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, wet multi-plate slipper clutch, chain final drive
Tyres: 120/70ZR17 R:180/60ZR17
Seat height: 830mm
Kerb weight: 200kg (wet)
Fuel capacity: 17L
Warranty: 2 years, unlimited km

Ducati Panigale V4 $31,490 RA

The 2020 version of the new Panigale V4 boosts performance even further and takes track riding to the next level for amateurs and pros alike. A series of refinements make for an easier, more user-friendly, less fatiguing ride while simultaneously making the bike faster not just on individual laps but over entire timed sessions.

Specifications:

Engine: Desmosedici Stradale 90° V4, rearward-rotating crankshaft, four Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder, liquid-cooled
Displacement: 1103cc
Power/Torque: 157.5kW @ 13,000rpm/124Nm @ 10,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, wet multi-plate slipper clutch, chain final drive
Tyres: 120/70ZR17 R: 200/60ZR17
Seat height: 830mm
Kerb weight: 198kg (wet)
Fuel capacity: 16L
Warranty: 2 years, unlimited km