Downfall Of Middle Weight Supersports
The supersport 600 is truly a dream machine. It’s designed as a genuine race bike, featuring aggressive ergonomics tailored for the Track, eye-catching fairings, and an inline 600 engine that delights with its melodic roar every time you twist the throttle.
The era of 600cc sports bikes began with the thunderous engines of the Kawasaki GPZ600R Ninja in the early 1980s. This powerful machine, featuring a 592cc four-cylinder engine akin to the flagship GPZ900R Ninja, motivated other manufacturers to enter the market.
Shortly after, Yamaha’s FZ600 and Honda’s CBR600F appeared, each bringing its interpretation to the sports bike segment. These motorcycles were not only stylish and sporty for daily rides and touring but also made a significant impact in national motorcycle racing. This marked the inception of the Supersport 600 class.
As the 1990s approached, 600cc sports bikes evolved, gaining more power and improved handling while moving away from the previously favored jelly mold fairings. With the rise in popularity of liter sports bikes, the 600cc models provided comparable performance and aesthetics at a more affordable price, along with lower insurance costs.
The launch of the Supersport World Series in 1997, which became a full-fledged world championship in 1999, drew the interest of major manufacturers. The ambition to dominate in the world championship spurred rapid advancements in 600cc sports bike technology.
These machines received updates every two to three years, with each new generation becoming increasingly advanced as technology from newer 1000cc superbikes was incorporated.
Mechanical shifters, including left-hand, right-hand, and grip shifters, allowed riders to fine-tune the rear shifting, rear cog, front derailleur, and chain ring for smoother gear transitions. Brake levers and shift levers were crafted for optimal grip and user-friendliness, enhancing rider comfort.
These machines remain symbols of speed and excitement, embodying the lasting legacy of sports bikes.
Most of the big Manufacturers have discontinued their Supersports 600 cc bikes, and sales of these bikes have also fallen globally. The fact is that sportbikes, with their radical ergonomics, have continually declined in sales. Sub-1,000cc models might be the most affected by this trend.
Few years ago, when we were experiencing peak sales in the super sports bike market and the bikes were still cutting-edge in terms of technology, the signs of trouble were evident. Although 600cc bikes were selling well, their profit margins were extremely low and continued to decrease with each new technological advancement.
The problem is that supersports 600s are designed from the ground up to make as much power as they can from their relatively small engines. Despite being intended as road bikes, they’re made specifically to meet World Supersports racing regulations.,with modern emission laws its getting difficult for manufacturers to produce them just like before .
In today’s market, there’s a growing interest in different types of motorcycles, particularly adventure bikes. As a result, the demand for supersport bikes has dwindled, with most buyers gravitating towards 1000cc models rather than 600cc ones. This shift reflects changing preferences among riders seeking versatility and capability in their motorcycles.
In India, if you’re looking for a supersport, your only option is the Kawasaki ZX6R. Other models have largely disappeared from the market.