Top 10 Best Sportbikes of 2009

Tue, 23 Jun 2009

Since it’s inception Motorcycle.com Specs has been the best place for bikers and enthusiasts (like you) to voice their opinions; there has been a lot to spout-off about too! Over 528 Motorcycle models have been updated for you to review in 2009 alone. It’s great to see what the Motorcycle Community has to say about the bikes they ride. We’ve taken all your reviews and ratings (good and bad) to figure out which sport bikes our viewers ultimately chose as the best SportBike of 2009.

But… Reviews are still rolling in (so go review your bike if you haven’t already!) you never know which machine may be the victor before years end. Without any further adieu and with no spoilers.. drum-roll please.. The Top 10 Sportbikes of 2009 by Viewers Choice..

(or click here for the best of 2009 list from the editors at Motorcycle.com)

#10 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 User Reviews: “Beast from the East!” – Mike(Owner), Jan. 8, 2009 “Everything about the GSXR 100 is outstanding!!!” – Jacob Mata(Enthusiast), Nov. 21, 2008 Motorcycle.com Review: 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Review – Getting better with age: An all-new Gixxer Thousand Specs: MSRP: $12,899.0 Cylinders: 4 Engine Stroke: 4-Stroke Displacement (cc/ci): 999 / 60.9 Compression Ratio: 12.8:1 #9 BMW F 800 ST User Reviews:

“F800ST Absolutely Awesome!” – Chris(Owner), May. 15, 2009

Motorcycle.com Shootout: 2008 Middleweight Sport-Touring Shootout: BMW F800ST vs. Honda VFR800 Interceptor – Two 800s to the 800s Specs: MSRP: $10,600.00 Engine Type: Parallel Twin Cylinders: 2 Engine Stroke: 4-Stroke Valves: 8 Valves Per Cylinder: 4 Compression Ratio: 12.0:1 Displacement (cc/ci): 798 / 48.7 #8 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 User Reviews: “by far the best bike I have ever owned” – Mike McSween(Owner), Dec. 26, 2008 “Incredible is all I can say.” – Chase(Owner), Jun. 11, 2009 Specs: MSRP: $12,099.00 Engine Type: Horizontal In-line Cylinders: 4 Engine Stroke: 4-Stroke Valves: 16 Valves Per Cylinder: 4 Displacement (cc/ci): 1352 / 82.5 Compression Ratio: 12.0:1 #7 Kawasaki Ninja 650R User Reviews: “Perfect balance of performance and comfort” – Erik Tyler(Owner), May. 16, 2009 “I love this bike!!” – Larry L.(Owner), May. 6, 2009 Specs: MSRP: $6,799.00 Engine Type: Parallel Twin Cylinders: 2 Engine Stroke: 4-Stroke Valves: 8 Valves Per Cylinder: 4 Valve Configuration: DOHC Displacement (cc/ci): 649 / 39.6 Compression Ratio: 11.3:1 #6 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 Monster Energy User Reviews: “What a bike!” – Jeff(Owner), Apr. 10, 2009 “I recommend everyone to get the bike. Smooth RIDE. Sick looking bike!!!!!!” – Nick(Owner), May. 25, 2009 Specs: MSRP: $12,399.00 Engine Type: Horizontal In-line Cylinders: 4 Engine Stroke: 4-Stroke Valves: 16 Valves Per Cylinder: 4 Valve Configuration: DOHC Displacement (cc/ci): 1352 / 82.5 Compression Ratio: 12.0:1 #5 Harley-Davidson VRSC V-Rod Muscle User Reviews: “AWESOME!!! V-R0DI traded in my ’05 vrscb for a new Muscle WOW what a change!! I love the new rod! every thing is sweet the only thing needs work is the license plate mount! Other then that Great investment!!! “- Samuel (Owner), Oct. 12, 2008 “Totally Satisfied!I’ve owned my new Muscle now for over 6 weeks, and I must say…WOW. Everything about this bike is amazing, performance is out of this world, coupled with the ins and outs you’d hope to find on a HD. I can’t even ride any other bikes anymore, I totally recommend this ride…you won’t regret it.”- Bryan (Owner), Jan. 3, 2009 “AWESOMEMy first Harley and LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Was concerned that my 5’6, 125 (female) body could handle it but after 300 miles I am in love. Handles great, looks great, highly recommended for anyone who wants something right in between a crotch rocket and a contemporary HD. AWESOME! (License plate suggesti…on: tilt it vertically, looks way better)”- Sabrina (Owner), Jun. 3, 2009 Motorcycle.com Review: 2009 Harley-Davidson VRSCF V-Rod Muscle Review – Harley gets some Muscle Specs: MSRP: $17,199.00 Engine Type: V Twin Cylinders: 2 Engine Stroke: 4-Stroke Valves: 8 Valves Per Cylinder: 4 Valve Configuration: DOHC Compression Ratio: 11.5:1 #4 Buell Firebolt® XB12R User Reviews: “Very fun bike“- Joe (Owner), Nov. 3, 2008 “died and went to heaven xb12r” – John Moore (Owner), Jun. 19, 2009 Specs: MSRP: $9,995.00 Engine Type: V Twin Cylinders: 2 Engine Stroke: 4-Stroke Valves: 4 Valves Per Cylinder: 2 Valve Configuration: OHV – Pushrod Compression Ratio: 10.0:1 #3 Kawasaki Ninja 250R User Reviews: “My First Motorcycle I would recommend th…is bike for any beginning sport bike rider. It’s not a bike you’ll want to trade in after a year. I’m ready to keep mine for quite some time.- Kristi Bluhm(Owner), Jan. 12, 2009 “Don’t be fooled… this bike will kick @$$ I was the proud owner of a yamaha R6 for many years. The R6 was fast, responsive, nimble, and very uncomfortable on long rides. I sold it last year when it started to give me transmission issues (I bought it used with high mileage). As I was looking for a new bike to buy the ergonomically designe…d ninja 250r caught my eye. Sure it was only a 250 but the seating position along with the handle bars were very comfy..”- David Medeiros(Owner), Mar. 26, 2009 “2009 250 Ninja – Best Bang 4 The Buck!!! Okay, I went into the dealer the day before thanksgiving to look for an entry level bike for my petite wife, who has decided she’d rather learn to ride her own scooter, than ride on the back of mine. I got the 2009 250 Ninja for less than MSRP, due to the time of year and the economy, and was total…ly surprised when I took it home! It feels like a bicycle with an engine! This bike corners, brakes, and handles like it was formed to me, and I still haven’t broke it in yet!..”- Joe Hawes(Owner), Dec. 19, 2008 Specs: MSRP: $3,999.00 Engine Type: Parallel Twin Cylinders: 2 Engine Stroke: 4-Stroke Valves: 8 Valves Per Cylinder: 4 Valve Configuration: DOHC Compression Ratio: 11.6:1 #2 Suzuki Hayabusa™ 1340 User Reviews: “Sweet machine Just had her first service and haven’t been able to wipe the smile off my face yet. Suzuki has great quality, and the flag ship bike definately shows that. The only down side to this bike is that evryone wants to look at it and talk about it, which doesn’t seem that bad, but it cuts into riding time…”- Jun. 11, 2009 “Great Bike! Absolutely taken with the 2009 Hayabusa!” – G Hep(Enthusiast), Dec. 4, 2008 “So easy to ride!! Bought my new Busa over a month ago. After having my 04 GSXR 1000 for more than two years I thought it was time to offer my wife a bike that was easier for her sit on and easier on my body to ride, but didn’t wanna give up the horsepower. Well I definately chose the right bike. Abundant power, rides… like your sitting on a lazy boy..” – Brandon (Enthusiast), May. 9, 2009 Specs: MSRP: $13,199.00 Engine Type: Horizontal In-line Cylinders: 4 Engine Stroke: 4-Stroke Cooling: Liquid Valves: 16 Valves Per Cylinder: 4 Valve Configuration: DOHC Compression Ratio: 12.5:1 #1 Suzuki GSX-R 600 User Reviews: “Highly Satisfied Have about 500 miles on it now and loved every single mile. This bike is quick. It is comfortable, sounds great, looks great and is easy to ride. It has been years since I rode a sport bike and within hours I was right back into it. Still breaking it in but so far it has handled everything I have thrown at it…”- Steve(Owner), May. 26, 2009 “Ive had my 09 for about 600 miles and also enjoyed every mile. Took her in for the first service and wasnt to thrilled to be without her for a couple days. Easy to ride,plenty of power, turns heads “- Andrew Lewis(Owner), Jun. 1, 2009 Specs: MSRP: $10,399.00 Engine Type: Horizontal In-line Cylinders: 4 Engine Stroke: 4-Stroke Valves: 16 Valves Per Cylinder: 4 Valve Configuration: DOHC Compression Ratio: 12.8:1

There is some fierce competition within the 2009 Sportbike Top 10. Kawasaki and Suzuki are the dominant manufactuers overall. Kawasaki holding more Top 10 positions but Suzuki dominating overall filling One and Two of the Top 3. Suzuki riders must really love their bikes. It’s not over yet tho’, those loyal to Kawasaki can still overthrow the current lead if they vote up their favorite 2009 Kawasaki Sportbikes. Alternative contenders in the Top 10 include; Buell, HD and BMW all of which are capable of taking the lead away from Suzuki for the ultimate numero’ uno rank.

Top 10 User Rated Sportbikes of 2009 Suzuki GSX-R 600 Suzuki Hayabusa™ 1340 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Buell Firebolt® XB12R Harley-Davidson VRSC V-Rod Muscle Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 Monster Energy Kawasaki Ninja 650R Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 BMW F 800 ST Suzuki GSX-R 1000

Although not currently included in the Viewers Choice Top 10 Sportbikes of 2009 these ‘Close Contenders’ are still within reach. Yamaha, Honda and Ducati who are not currently represented in the Top 10 could rally their loyal followings to boost rank and steal the victory. Kawasaki and Harley also have more top-ranking machines. Last but not least United Motors a loner within the Top 20 could be the under-dog who steals it all at the last moment. You never know..

Close Contenders 2009 Yamaha YZF R1 2009 Yamaha YZF R6 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 500R 2009 Harley-Davidson VRSC Night Rod Special 2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R 2009 Honda CBR® 600RR 2009 Harley-Davidson VRSC V-Rod 2009 Ducati 848 Base 2009 Honda CBR® 1000RR ABS 2009 United Motors V2S 650R The Showdown

Who knows what the ultimate outcome may be? You, the users are the ultimate judge of the Viewers Choice Top 10 Sportbikes of 2009 on Motorcycle.com Specs.

Got something to say? Disagree with this list? Don’t see ‘The Best‘ bike ranked here? Don’t complain about it, do something! Go rank the sportbike you want to win UP or if you’ve ridden a bike you really don’t like, you can give it an honest review too. It’s all up to you! So, lets see which bike takes it all for the Viewers Choice 2009 Sportbike of the Year.

Need some help comparing all the condenders? Find out what Motorcycle.com thought about some of this years 2009 Sportbikes from a variety of bike comparisons and shoot-outs.

2009 Literbike Shootout Honda CBR1000RR Kawi ZX-10R Suzuki GSX-R1000 Yamaha YZF-R1 Ducati 1198S 2009 Supersport Racetrack Shootout Yamaha YZF-R6 Honda CBR600RR Suzuki GSX-R600 Kawasaki ZX-6R 2009 Supersport Shootout Honda CBR600RR Kawi ZX-6R Suzuki GSX-R600 Yamaha YZF-R6 2009 Streetfighters Shootout Aprilia Tuono 1000 R Buell 1125CR Triumph Speed Triple

By Eric Schmidt