The motorcycles that have long shaped the sportbike category are called “The Ultimates.” Expensive liter-class superbikes—such as the Ducati Panigale V4, Aprilia RSV4, and BMW M 1000 RR—are race-bred machines whose focus is on lap times. But, although they contribute a lot to the imagination of motorcyclists, they are only a small part of the motorcycle market today. At the same time, the 600 inline-fours that were once people's favorites were declining in popularity, so there was room for a new class of sportbike to emerge.
Unlike the 600 supersports that rely on “Ultimates,” today's new sportbikes take a different approach. Usable torque is prioritized over pure horsepower, and the ergonomics are quite relaxed, lighter on the body compared to the "committed" seating positions of pure racebikes. All these motorcycles have the same engines as other models to keep costs down. There's nothing new about this formula, but in recent years, few motorcycles have really been able to use it in a compelling way. The Ducati SuperSport 950 is close, but still not quite enough to be the next big thing in sportbikes.
OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) are showing that for the new approach to succeed, they have to leave high horsepower behind. It's easy to get big horsepower, but you have to put up with a peaky powerband that's not ideal for street riding, where instant torque is the real pleasure. The decline in popularity of the 600s shows that it is no longer what consumers want. In addition, engines with long valve overlap are less eco-friendly, as fresh air leaks to the exhaust.
KTM 990 RC R ($TBA)
If there's one motorcycle that can change the way we see the 600 era, it's probably the KTM 990 RC R. KTM calls the 990 RC R "The Next Generation Supersport." It looks like it will be the next revolution in the sportbike category.
In a video from KTM, Matthew West, lead product strategy consultant, said that "We can give the customer what they need to push their limits and enjoy the supersport experience again, but those limitations of previous supersport products."
Ducati Panigale V2 (from $15,995)
The Panigale V2 is a new class of Panigale, a new type of Ducati supersport. Unlike its previous superbike-based sibling, the V2 has a focus on road-going comfort, midrange punch, and ease of use. With its new engine, the horsepower is less than the previous model, but 70% of its power is available from 3,000 rpm.
Aprilia RS 660 (from $11,549)
The Aprilia RS 660 was first presented in 2020 and immediately became a hit. It combines high-tech rider aids, a powerful motor, cool styling, and a lightweight body to deliver exciting performance. The 2025 version has an additional 5 hp of power, full Öhlins suspension, and new rider aids.
Suzuki GSX-8R ($9,669)
The Suzuki GSX-8R has street-friendly torque that makes it the perfect partner on the track. Its engine is a 776cc parallel-twin, and it has a ride-by-wire throttle, 3 ride modes, and a bidirectional quickshifter for a seamless riding experience.
Yamaha YZF-R9（$12,499）The Yamaha YZF-R9 is a new sports motorcycle equipped with an 890cc engine and a lightweight chassis, delivering high performance.
