Explanation Requested

[baco99]

What is the difference between a Sportbike and a Superbike?  I thought is was engine displacement, but that doesn't seem to be correct.  I've done side-by-side comparos and the components all seem the same.  SO, what makes the biggest differences?

[Alphamazing]

Sportbike = any fully fairied semi- or full race replica.

Superbike refers to a 1000cc open class sportbike.
Supersport refers to the 600cc class sportbikes (including 675 triples and 750 twins).

[3imo]

Superbike motorcycles today are generally 1000cc four-stroke machines with either two or four cylinders. 900cc triples are also permitted, but so far only Benelli and Foggy Petronas have fielded them in World Superbike competition, with limited success.

The first was the BSA Rocket 3/Triumph Trident, which was followed by the Honda CB750K.

Iit was the 1971 Kawasaki Z1 with its 900 cc DOHC engine that ushered in the modern era of superbikes.
"The King," a.k.a. the Z1 was so successful that by the end of that decade, most Japanese manufacturers were building competing machines that were in practice copying the Z1 or at the very least, it's DOHC inline-4 engine configuration.


MAn, Wikipedia Rocks!