Honda superbike and sport bike models
Honda supersport machines
The Honda superbike and sport bike models are shown here. With its racing division HRC, Honda brings the experience and knowledge of the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer (around 20 million machines a year) into its supersport models. Honda HRC is one of the most successful manufacturers in motorsport, arguably the most successful of all, having won practically every major racing series (F1, MotoGP, MXGP, Dakar and many more).
What makes a superbike a superbike
A superbike is built for one thing: lap time. Full fairing for aerodynamics, clip-on bars below the top yoke, high footpegs, a short wheelbase and an engine that makes its power at the top of the rev range. Sit on a sport bike for the first time and you feel the difference to a relaxed upright machine straight away: more weight on your wrists, more load on the front wheel, far more feedback from the road.
That is the whole point of the class. A racing bike for the road forgives less than a tourer, but it rewards clean riding with a precision no other body style reaches. At Honda Motorrad Zuerich in Volketswil the machines are ready to look at, sit on and take out for a test ride.
Superbike, sport bike, racing bike – what the terms really mean
The words get used interchangeably, but they do not mean the same thing:
- Superbike – originally the racing class for near-production machines from 1000 cc upwards. In everyday use it now means any big, fully faired sports machine.
- Supersport bike – the class below, classically 600 cc. As a general term it covers every fully faired sports machine today.
- Sport bike and sport motorcycle – the wider terms, often used for half-faired machines and sporty all-rounders as well.
- Racing bike and track bike – the distinction between a pure circuit machine and a road-legal one with a number plate.
You will find both here: the road-legal fast bike for a Sunday run over the passes, and the uncompromising track bike for a track day.
Sport bikes for the restricted licence – the way in
A superbike is not something you have to wait for until you hold the unrestricted licence. With the Swiss category A restricted – known across the EU as A2 – machines up to 35 kW are allowed, and Honda has the right models for it. A sport bike as a 35 kW motorbike gives you the same riding position, the same fairing and the same feel as its bigger sisters, only with the power capped.
Which machines those are, with which engines and which electronics, is set out on the CBR model page. If you do not hold a licence yet, the page on the Swiss motorcycle licence explains the steps. How a restricted 35 kW bike actually feels is something you are best off judging yourself – arrange a test ride with us.
E-Clutch: riding a sport bike without the clutch lever
Several of our sports models are available as an E-Clutch version. The electronically controlled clutch takes over when you pull away, change gear and come to a stop – the clutch lever is still there and can be used by hand at any time.
In city traffic that takes real work off your left hand; on a mountain pass you keep full control. Which machines are currently available with E-Clutch is shown in the vehicle list on this page, where the equipment is listed for each bike.
Used superbikes and second hand sport bikes
Not every start has to be a new machine. A used superbike is often the more sensible route – especially for a first season on a sports machine. Our stock changes constantly; the current bikes with price and mileage are shown in the list on this page.
Tell us which model you are looking for. We will get in touch as soon as a matching sport motorcycle comes in, and every machine is checked before handover. Second hand bikes can be ridden before you buy as well.
Track days in Switzerland and across the border
A track bike does not have to be a second machine. Most of our customers ride their sport bike on the road during the week and on the circuit at the weekend. For track use, crash bungs, a second set of tyres and taped-up lights are enough to begin with – nothing more is needed at the start.
If you have never been on a circuit, start with a guided course rather than an open track day. We will tell you what makes sense for your machine and what you can save your money on.
Workshop, service and running costs
Sports machines are ridden harder than others, and that shows in the maintenance. Tyres, brake pads and chain wear faster, valve clearance needs checking, and crash damage belongs in professional hands. In our motorcycle workshop in Volketswil we look after your machine through the whole season – from the inspection and the tyre change to the Swiss roadworthiness test.
Ask us about the service intervals and about what a supersport motorcycle costs to run over a year. We will do the sums with you honestly, before you buy. Financing and motorbike leasing can be arranged here as well.
Accessories, custom parts and tuning
From the seat cowl and the double-bubble screen to crash bungs and rearsets: there is more accessory choice for sport bikes than for any other body style. We order to suit your model, fit everything in our own workshop and give you an honest opinion on what makes a difference on the road and what only pays off on the circuit.
Do you have a question about accessories?
Ask about accessoriesThat includes exhaust systems – an Akrapovic is the classic upgrade for a Honda superbike – as well as HRC parts, carbon covers and quickshifter kits. Prices and availability on request, without obligation.
