SHOOTOUT
P74
2013 MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTBIKE SHOOTOUT PART II
N
ot too long ago 600 Supersports were the rage,
introducing riders to the
thrilling world of sportbikes. With
peaky, frantic revving engines
hidden within bold racy-looking
plastics these bikes are the
most affordable ways for riders
to mimic racing heroes on TV.
While popularity has waned due
to buyers wanting more than just
a punchy top-end and turn-on-adime handling, considering how
much performance bang you get
for your dollar a modern middleweight certainly fits the bill.
This year the buying decision
becomes tougher due to an influx
of machines that ignore Japan's
classic 600cc inline four recipes.
In addition to the three 600cc
stalwarts, Honda's CBR600RR,
Suzuki 's GSX-R600 and Yamaha's R6, there is the return of the
636-powered Kawasaki Ninja,
two 675cc triples from Triumph
and MV Agusta and Ducati's topshelf and V-twin powered 848
STORY BY BART MADSON AND ADAM WAH
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREA WILSON