| Starter 125-400cc sport bikes are considered to be entry level, and are designed to look like their big brother sport bikes but are typically built with smaller efficient yet limited-performance engines. These bikes allow the entry-level rider to enjoy the sport bike design at a safer, more manageable performance level and at a lower cost. |
| Experienced Sport bikes in the 600-800cc range are known as “super-sport” bikes, and are widely accepted as the middleweights of the class. These bikes are the logical next step for advancing sport bike riders. “You can’t learn on a bike that the best guys in the world ride,” says AMA Supercross champion Jeremy McGrath. “And that’s okay! You just don’t go fom A to Z. You go from A to B to C to D (etc.), and that’s how it works!” |
| Expert Advanced sport bikes include “super bikes” (800-1100cc) and “hyper sport” bikes (1100-1400cc). They are high performance powerhouses basically designed to break speed records. “You don’t realize it,” says AMA Superbike Champion Ben Bostrom, “but every 1000cc motorcycle goes 100 mph in 1st gear…stock…right out of the showroom. And it get’s there fast.” On the streets these bikes have proven to be reliably deadly in the hands of inexperienced riders, and are not recommended for the non-expert. |