Best Sport Bikes To Buy In 2023

Jun 21, 2023

The best motorcycles combine performance, style, and character into a complete riding experience, with multiple sportbikes for riders to choose from.

The title of best sport bike will always be subjective depending on the rider's personal requirements, whether a rider is looking for bang-for-the-buck value motorcycles or otherwise feels the fastest superbikes on the planet are more their cup of tea. There is an incredible amount of quality new motorbikes getting churned out by not just the Big 4 of Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki, but more and more by European brands, some lesser known than Ducati. With an American flavor added as well, this list encompasses some of the best sport bikes on the market right now. These bikes are not necessarily the best sport bikes for beginners but rather offer some of the best performance, style, and smile factor each with its own distinct style.

Manufacturer

Kawasaki

Configuration

Inline-4

Displacement

399 cc

Power

60 hp

Torque

27 lb-ft

Curb weight

415 lbs.

Much has gotten written about the 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR's best features, but it's worth saying again: the 16K RPM small-displacement inline-4 screamer engine is hands down the heart and soul of this bike.

The bike is also at heart, a throwback to the 400cc inline 4 super-sport bike era from the '80s and '90s which saw Japan release bikes like the Honda RVF400 RC30 and NC30, and Kawasaki's own ZXR400. The new for 2023 model combines that heritage with modern riding tech, such as an up/down quickshifter, traction control, and switchable power modes.

The assist and slipper clutch are a nice touch as well with the assist creating a lighter clutch pull at normal RPM, while the slipper clutch reduces back-torque when engine braking hard into corners to help keep the bike stable and reduce rear wheel hopping or skipping.

Manufacturer

Aprilia

Configuration

Parallel-twin

Displacement

659 cc

Power

100 hp

Torque

50 lb-ft

Curb weight

366 lbs.

The Aprilia RS660 debuted as a 2020 model and instantly created a buzz in the sport bike world. The 2023 Aprilia RS 660 Extrema has taken that and ran, the bike offering middleweight performance and fun-factor for days.

The RS660 engine is essentially "half of an RSV4", with the Extrema building on the same 659 cc parallel-twin platform, but adding an SC-Project exhaust. The carbon fiber silencer looks great and on top of that, the whole Extrema kit is worth 37 lbs. of weight savings over the base model, coming in at a featherweight 366 lbs wet.

RELATED: 10 Things We Like About The 2023 Aprilia RS 660 Extrema

Manufacturer

Ducati

Configuration

V-twin

Displacement

955cc

Power

155 hp

Torque

77 lb-ft

Curb weight

388 lbs.

The bike formerly known as the Panigale 959, now known solely as the Panigale V2, is the only bike in Ducati's Panigale range that still sports the famous Ducati V-twin engine.

The bike is a middleweight weapon, as Xavi Fores recently showed the MotoAmerica Supersport class, winning the first 8 races of the season straight, aboard his Ducati V2. The production bike weighs just 388 lbs and puts out close to 160 hp unleashing performance Ducati has become iconic for.

The bike comes from the factory with an up/down quickshifter, steering damper (power-wheelies anyone?), Showa forks which are fully adjustable, and a Sachs fully adjustable rear shock. Brembo front brakes provide stopping power. Opt for the new all-black livery or go for the Bayliss Edition which gets Ohlins suspension and is 6.5 lbs lighter.

Manufacturer

MV Agusta

Configuration

Inline-3

Displacement

798cc

Power

147 hp

Torque

65 lb-ft

Curb weight

421 lbs.

The MV Agusta F3 may not get as much mainstream love as other Italian and Japanese supersport bikes, but there's a good argument it's still one of the most beautiful modern European motorcycles on the market today.

The F3RR features all carbon fiber bodywork, providing a lightweight shell that also looks incredibly sexy. It also has carbon fiber winglets generating front downforce which is not often seen on middleweight class bikes.

MV Agusta offers a street-legal "Power-Up" kit with an Akropovic exhaust and ECU flash increasing power to 153 hp while simultaneously making the bike lighter. Add in the factory fully adjustable suspension and Brembo brakes and smiles are on the horizon.

Manufacturer

Yamaha

Configuration

Parallel-twin

Displacement

649 cc

Power

70 hp

Torque

50 lb-ft

Curb weight

414 lbs.

The incredibly versatile Yamaha CP2 engine is the heart of the Yamaha R7, providing a smooth, flat torque curve that is just sporty enough for some track fun but still has street sensibilities. The R7 provides undeniable value, with the bike boasting great looks and sport bike performance in a relatively rider-friendly package.

While the Yamaha R7 likes to be ridden wide-open, the wallet does not, and the R7 got built to a price point. The bike comes in at $9,199 MSRP, making it less expensive than both the Aprilia RS660 and the Honda CBR650R.

RELATED: 2023 Yamaha YZF-R7: Price, Specs And Features

Manufacturer

MV Agusta

Configuration

Inline-3

Displacement

798 cc

Power

147 hp

Torque

65 lb-ft

Curb weight

381 lbs.

With all the Italian style but a less aggressive nature than the MV Agusta F3, the Superveloce uses the same 147 hp inline-triple motor but gets tweaked for the road with a more comfortable rider triangle thanks to lower footpegs and higher/wider clip-ons. Opting for the MV Agusta Superveloce S sees a racing kit Arrow exhaust added as well.

The Superveloce is still a very sporty ride and comes with a standard up/down quickshifter, Marzochi fully adjustable forks, and a Sachs fully adjustable rear shock. Throw in cornering ABS, lean-angle-sensitive traction control, and the broad, torquey engine, and the Superveloce matches its style with great performance. ​​​​​​​

Manufacturer

Suzuki

Configuration

Inline-4

Displacement

749 cc

Power

148 hp

Torque

64 lb-ft

Curb weight

419 lbs.

It's considered a small miracle in the motorcycling universe that the Suzuki GSX-R750 is still offered as a new model in 2023 with most screamers going the way of the dinosaurs in favor of small displacement bikes. Suzuki continues to offer great motorcycles but the GSX-R750 hits the "Goldilocks" sweet spot.

It's not a heavy, bulky liter-bike, but it approaches the torque of a large-displacement superbike while also boasting handling similar to a 600 cc supersport bike. Call it a better-handling big bike, or a more torquey middleweight bike, either way, Suzuki continues to bless the American market with sport bike relics of a previous era. ​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​RELATED: Here's How The New 2023 BMW S 1000 RR Pushes The Superbike Boundary

Manufacturer

Triumph

Configuration

Inline-3

Displacement

1160 cc

Power

177 hp

Torque

92 lb-ft

Curb weight

438 lbs.

After discontinuing the Daytona model in 2021, the Speed Triple 1200 RR takes over as the top-of-the-line sportbike offering from Triumph. The Speed Triple 1200 RR has a small front fairing which differentiates it from the base Speed Triple and Street Triple.

The British manufacturer Triumph didn't skip on performance goodies with the 1200 RR offering Ohlins electronic semi-active suspension as well as Brembo Stylema brakes. The electronic suspension automatically makes adjustments on the fly based on the condition of the road surface, allowing tight suspension in the twisties to soften up when the bike hits bumps in the city.

The high-performance bike also sports high-tech to match with an integrated Bluetooth module allowing the use of handlebar mounted controls to answer calls or change the song in your helmet.

Manufacturer

BMW

Configuration

Inline-4

Displacement

999 cc

Power

205 hp

Torque

83 lb-ft

Curb weight

439 lbs.

If a rider requires the cutting edge of superbike performance and style, the 2023 BMW M1000RR may fit the bill. The full set of features on the 2023 BMW M1000RR are encompassing and incredible but some of the highlights include carbon fiber fairings and front wings - with exposed carbon fiber weave looking outstanding - which according to BMW increase top speed while also increasing downforce in braking and corners.

The 2023 model also has carbon fiber brake-cooling air ducts for the first time. Carbon fiber wheels reduce unsprung weight but forged wheels are also optional.

The "M" line got introduced in late 2020 as the German manufacturer's top-of-the-line automotive offerings and the M1000RR holds down the fort in the motorcycle range.

By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.

Eric King is a motorcycle enthusiast at heart but loves all things with a motor and wheels. From watching racing to riding and racing roadbikes as well as dirtbikes, he loves it all! He has experience writing articles for a motorcycle publication and enjoys the process of writing about one of his greatest passions. Along with a deep knowledge of bikes, he also enjoys working on, driving, and writing about cars and trucks.