Which is the best middleweight sportsbike of 2024? 

@@writestuffmedia very well said. The only problem is that the logical conclusion of this is that you and your colleagues’ views are not reliable predictors of what punters will prefer because we’re all different human beings. If the bikes being tested are all essentially equal it then just becomes random as to which prevails. What matters is the consensus. For example it’s hard to find a comparison involving the tracer 9 against its rivals where it doesn’t come out on top. In fact it’s hard to find someone to say a bad word about it other than looks and maybe wind buffeting for taller riders. It begs the question what is the point of reviewers if their conclusions don’t reliably point to the way a purchaser will also feel?

@@morri03 it's as it's always been - you find a reviewer with whom you have an alignment of opinion; whose judgement and preferences you feel you share. That's how I think when I'm watching RU-vid reviews of other things.

Thanks for taking the time to write this message, Simon. I enjoy watching your videos and hearing your opinions, especially these comparisons and "what bike next." These are fun because it's like living vicariously and imagining buying a new bike. I think when it comes to choosing a new bike, you just have to go with the one that "speaks" to you, that you enjoy looking at and sitting on, even if it didn't win a comparison test. If a bike isn't quite perfectly set up for your weight or height, you can always set up the suspension, handlebars/rear sets, and seat. I think that is part of the fun--taking something that is mass produced and making it your own (with mass produced aftermarket parts, but you get the idea 😂).

Yes you are right preference is personal. My criticism of your review is that is too focused on your memory of supersports and not what these bikes really are, sporty looking every day bikes. It is fine to ride these bikes on A and B roads, revving them out to get the toppy horse power, but what are they like to actually own and ride every day. To commute for 45 minutes at varying speeds, none of them the national limit. To cut through traffic, lane split, do a quick pass at moderate speed. Torque is more useful than HP. The Honda is flat in the low and midrange. Being a four it is sluggish for every day riding compared to the others. Roll on at any speed and gear and it will lag, you need to drop a gear or wait. The Suzuki needs to be ridden differently. At low and medium revs it pulls away at like it is a bigger bike. If you pin the throttle and hit the quick shifter every time it gets to 7,000 rpm it actually accelerates very quickly, 0-100kph in 3.5 seconds, 1/10th of second faster than the Honda and Daytona respectively. Being practical and doing the maths how often could extract he maximum HP out of the Triumph and the Honda. After first gear you are over the speed limit and up a cog or two your licence is up for instant removal. You literally can not extract that 90+ bhp without travelling very quickly. You probably can not even get the reduced maximum torque in many gears. The Suzuki's 78Nm at 6800 rpm, with 80% at 4,000 rpm is available and usable. You just have lose your habit of riding a screamer and ride the torque curve instead. And the upright Suzuki is more comfortable than the Honda for riding to work every day or on a trip. Remember the suspersport is dead because not enough folk want to buy one. They have been killed by comfortable nakeds with better usable torque. Twins and Triples. Interestingly many first ride reviewer were disappointed with the handling of the Daytona, vague front end and soft rear. These include at least one quick English reviewer who calls himself a fatty. They cranked up the preload to try and get some feel. I have not ridden the Daytona but Triumph triples are legendary for a flat torque curve. Part of the demise of the smaller four is the triples with better torque and similar top end. John was clearly biased from the start, but overall I think first, you did not do a a review of these as every day ridable bikes and secondly you are showing your age. The small screaming four is dead. A bike with torque you can access at legal speeds in more than one gear are actually better to ride every day. For me the Suzuki has the best dash and controls, you are right the Triumph dash is a joke and controls average. You are also right, the Honda looks really great. The Suzuki is the most practical bike in a city by far with a comfortable position and grunt without revving like a boy racer. The Suzuki is on par with a Street Triple up to the speed limit (I have owned a 2020 Street Triple R and GSX 8S) , both quicker than a GSX S750 four at legal speeds unless you rev the GSXS like a motogp rider and the Street Triple and GSX 8R are more punchy than the Honda by far. Remember the GSX S750 and the Street Triple make 114 peak bhp. Only accessible within the law in first. The GSX 8R has the same torque but at 6,800 rpm vs 8,500. Finally, if that 90+ bhp is not accessible at legal and arguably safe speeds in any gear other than first, what message are you sending your audience?

@@paulconnell1309 It's good to know that everything you said is your opinion and not fact.

Thanks very much, that’s the vibe we were going for: a balanced, detailed view while educating and entertaining. Cheers, Michael

Yet detailed ... great comparison

im hoping that the updated cbr600rr and 1000rr-r comes to the states soon too

Sounds ideal, well played!

I own the same year 2023 in red and love it

I'm in your age bracket and had a cbr650r but felt it underpowered and lacking some quality in materials. Like a ninja would feel compared to a ZXR . I got my arse on a gsxr750 and got bewitched. I'll have to get riser clip-on to ger closer to the Honda handlebars that I really loved. But rhe engineering of the 750 is world appart. It IS a race bike made for the streets. It's lighter but feel more dense and solid than the cbr. And the engine.....fellas.....you have to try it. It's just the right power dor torque and the hidden beast that lies beyond 10k rpm is the added bonus at the end of your learning curve on the bike, when you knownit enough to go on track and use wit the way it was made for. I wish honda had put the cbr engine at around 100/110hp and they had became perfect. Gsxr750, I really pilot the machine, it's quite raw since it's a K8 model and I'm facing many challenges I didn't thought I'd have coming from 2 years on the 650. Go try one, it'll be at least a good memory.

Probably because hes right its a boring bike

The CBR650R and the CBR500R are nothing except visually alike. The CBR500R is a piece of shit expensive bike. Weighs a ton, barely moves. The CBR650R is the fastest in the category, and the only 600cc i4 for sale.

The CBR is pretty dated. Not a great bike

Also Hondas often have a peaky inline 4 in many of their bikes. 2 personalities..

56, and just rode one a few hundred miles on motorway to Wales, round it round Wales on B-roads, and rode it home again on A-roads. Loved it. Comfy, cool, fast, fun, feisty.

62 and loving my Daytona 660! A bit wristy but I’ll live😅.

22 and love my daytona as well, my thoughts are actually mostly in line with the guys in this video.

That's what i bought myself after passing my test, it's a fantastic bike and really enjoy riding it.

I own the 21 model year. It’s an excellent bike.

Go for it as your first powerful bike. Ride around 3 years on it and then you'll see if you feel the need for something more . I really didn't like the engine and power delivery. Too tamed and assisted. I wanted to raw feeling of the machine working under me, hence why I got an old school K8 GSXR750.

@@narusawa74 I'll give it a test ride before I decide

It's a really interesting graphic, isn't it?

Oh you should try a Fireblade 1000R to compare both top line sports bike!! I just got a nice K8 750 and I'm over the moon. I need 3' riser clipons as my lower back doesn't enjoy the 3h rides much.

Please, don't encourage us!

Thanks very much. The detail, bike selection and format is all carefully considered with the aim of the game being to make the viewer aware of all the details - especially back-to-back. We really appreciate comments like this and will continue to use this format as a result! Cheers, Michael

Not me! I haven't seen that!

No I saw him play bass on neevseys suzuki live video

He looked a superstar!

They do hold the corners well though. I ahve an 8S and share your views.

Fair point - but these will bring youngsters along. They’re great for the road.

In America the Suzuki is already popping up on Marketplace for sale. The CBRs even though have been out a few years are expensive used compared to others. The R7s are very plentiful on marketplace.

Go try a gsxr 750.....😊

Yeah, would have liked to see the 660 in the mix

​@ozzyg82 on price it's almost not part of the competition.

“Can’t say if it’s better or best” - actually I think you can (dynamically at least) 😂

@@chrishart8548 on rrp ? I paid 9200 for a Tuono factory, it was 8300 for the standard version.

I know the Aprilia Tuono 660 only has half a fairing, but in my neck of the woods it's in the same price ballpark as these 4 with good power and very nice suspension and brakes.

That's what I did..I have a 2012 CBR 600rr...really enjoy the inline four...just need to adjust clip-ons for more comfort...any suggestions? Thx

@@Frank-xo7zj I haven't dug into the aftermarket in years but some folks fabricate stuff on the rider forums

Totally agree, lovely sight

It's the B660 between Great Gidding and Winwick - and I agree, it looks great from the drone shot! Cheers, Michael

@@bennettsbikesocial thanks Michael I'm going to now Google search and see how far it is from me

@@kickboxuk7284 good to hear from you, and thanks for letting us know. Safe riding!

@@rsvtuono998 thank you. We try to stick to a similar format over the last few group tests and have some kind of structure with what we’re discussing but I’m pleased there’s been so many positive comments about this style. Which bikes would you like to see tested next in this style? Cheers, Michael

I think you still need to pass the test on a clutched bike. So you need to learn how to use it regardless.

@@kingkire1556 I was lucky, I learned as a kid. I like manual cars also, but I get where noobs are scared. It’s understandable.

T-max already exists for those incapable of using a clutch (or brakes 🤪).

Sounds like Honda will, they often release bikes in North America last. They'd be fools not to have competitors in this class and the middleweight naked just as the class is exploding in popularity.

Buy the Suzuki and ride it like a twin. Early upshifts. It has more torque down low and is quicker at normal revs.

Exactly.....where can you get to the 9500rpm realm nowadays? Nowhere....so the fin zone around 7k to 9k rpm which is doable is atrociously buzzy and feel like the bike is gonna fall appart. One of the reasons I got to a 750 and don't regret it.

Sounds like you got a good deal. Thanks for the comment, and happy riding on the R7 - great to hear that it has that affect on you! Cheers, Michael

When I was 23 years old (a long time ago - use it wisely, it goes quick) the top sports 600 was the CBR600 F-N - made a dyno-tested 84bhp and cost £5291 - today's equivalent of £11,318 (!). It was one of the first bikes I road-tested for Performance Bikes magazine (those were the days). Today, the Daytona 660 costs £8595 (or £4018 in 1992 money) and makes a claimed 94bhp - so call it 86bhp at the wheel, or pretty close to the 1992 CBR600. So we get roughly the same bhp at something like 25% cheaper, plus all the modern advantages of electronics, weight balance, chassis design, suspension and braking, and tyres. Hm. Which one would I like in my garage? Don't ask me, ask a 22 year-old! 😁

@@writestuffmedia thanks for your thoughtful reply, I enjoyed reading it! ☺️ (and I fully agree)

What bikes did you have before? I love the Daytona, but only have limited experience on 2 stroke dirt bikes.

Great reply, thanks for that. I had the smae issue with the mirrors... but I was only going 69mph :-) You should see if your local dealer can help fix them. Cheers, Michael

I had a 2020 R great bikes. The GSX 8 series bikes have a smoother quick shifter a lower revs and it is nice be lazy and click through the gears. Also one less thing to do going up to the lights a with a lot going on. To me it is not about speed at all but convenience.

Nice comment, thanks! Best wishes with the Suzuki. Cheers, Michael

Way too underpowered to get in the competition. CBR650R is what you need sir. Just right and not too crazy. Still buzzy at mid rpm but less that a ninja 400 or the 650.

Also, quite surprised by the jury's choice. There was no way a 10-year-old platform would come first or so I thought.

I'm the only one who ever thinks I have a good point

​@@bennettsbikesocial Great minds think alike

Yep, I noticed that as well! Ovbiously smitten with it.

Different class based on price. The RS 660 has to compete with the Street Triple R which is way better than all these bikes. Even the R.

the sound is ass compared to the Honda and the Triumph.

@@KrypteiaXi please search for the yoshimura r77 exhaust, if you still think it sounds bad that’s fair but i really like the bark it has, sc project too but that ones loud

@@nate9479 apparently you like tractor sounding vehicles? the inline-3 and the inline-4 are smooth and sound like a proper sportbike.

@@KrypteiaXi ye i enjoy low rumble more than a high revver but i like both either way, opinions different ig

Yes, but at what point on the 'impressive/intimidating' curve does it fall? That's the art of beard-keeping. It's a tightrope. A lot of interesting psychology around the use/misuse of beards. As a slightly/occasional beardy, I'm aware of the dichotomy.

You basically just said what it took us 40 mins to say 😁👍

Yeah it definitely falls off on the top end around 7,000rpm stock. I got an exhaust, intake lid, filter and tune on my 8S to fix that. It’s a blast to ride and pulls! So much grunt!

You are tripping the mt09 stock makes way more power then a modded gsx8r

@@michaelch6536 Dyno results...learn to read!

ditto, 60, Suzuki, every day of the week, every month of the year, but not that one, GSX-R1000R, true middleweight all rounder ...