2011 Supersport Shootout - Street [Video]

[Administrator]

Original Article:
2011 Supersport Shootout - Street [Video]

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[Trooper86]

The yamaha's torque curve on the graph looks like a roller coaster.... lol

[Kevin_Duke]

Originally Posted by Trooper86

The yamaha's torque curve on the graph looks like a roller coaster.... lol

Feels like one, too!

[seruzawa]

Looks like the power output of the 600s, at least in raw numbers, hasn't changed substantially in a number of years.

[slags]

What about the Daytona?

[Kevin_Duke]

Originally Posted by seruzawa

Looks like the power output of the 600s, at least in raw numbers, hasn't changed substantially in a number of years.

Yeah, the EPA's sound restrictions has been interrupting the march of increasing power levels. Unfo, what that does is encourage the purchase of loud aftermarket exhaust systems - the exact opposite of what the sound regs are supposed to do.

Triumph's 675R is new this year but costs $13K, putting it in a different realm from the 600s. You'll see that in our upcoming OddBall Supersport shootout, along with the Gixxer 750 and Duc 848 EVO.

[Duken4evr]

My guess is the upcoming shootout will find that the stalwart GSXR750 will remain the everyman's best bang for the buck balanced kick butt sportbike. It has been for years.

In this test the Kawasaki really does shine. Looking at the dyno charts, the Ninja's curve looks the smoothest and it has the most top end. No doubt it is a great motor.

It is funny though. No way around it. The average young American male has gotten larger and this class of bike has gotten tiny. I see the average 220 pound dude in his baggies riding one of these little screamers (with the inevitably loud MotoGP inspired shorty can) on the freeway and can't help but think he looks and sounds utterly ridiculous - like a big monkey riding a tiny wind up toy!

On the other hand, there is a rather hot looking girl in my office with a GXR600. Judging the brief views of her leaving the lot and gingerly going up the street, she can't ride for diddly, but she is petite, has proper and stylish gear, and looks great on her motorcycle. I always glance at it so see if there is crash damage. The ongoing miracle after 1 year now is that there is none, to date. My fingers are crossed for her.

[Yamahanian]

I ride a 2009 ZX6R, both on the street and for track days at VIR with NESBA. On the track mirrors obviously do not matter. The street, however, is a different story. The only thing I want Kawasaki to change on the ZX (other than perhaps adding traction and launch control) is better mirrors so I can see behind me!!!

[Kevin_Duke]

Originally Posted by Duken4evr

My guess is the upcoming shootout will find that the stalwart GSXR750 will remain the everyman's best bang for the buck balanced kick butt sportbike. It has been for years.

Swapped the Gixxer 6 for the 750 a few days ago. The extra low-end power really makes stoplight launches much easier. For my money, the $400 extra it costs over the 600 is the deal of the century!

[Kevin_Duke]

Originally Posted by Yamahanian

I ride a 2009 ZX6R, both on the street and for track days at VIR with NESBA. On the track mirrors obviously do not matter. The street, however, is a different story. The only thing I want Kawasaki to change on the ZX (other than perhaps adding traction and launch control) is better mirrors so I can see behind me!!!

Elbows block the view from all the mirrors in this test.

Mirror extenders can greatly help: http://www.motorcycle.com/gallery/ga..._5500.jpg.html