Originally posted by yeem1:what does superbike actually mean? is there a definition for a bike being classified as a superbike? a specification, two/four stroke, displacemen t etc???
Originally, the term "Superbike" was used to describe race bikes with 4 stroke 750cc inline 4 engines or 1000cc v-twin engines. These class of race bikes must be production based, ie to say the bikes used as basis for the race bike must be available to the general public. But of cos, w/o the extensive race components or exotic stuff. A minimum production run of 1000 machines are needed to qualify under the Superbike rules.
Recent introduction of 1000cc inline 4 engines in the Superbike races (ie R1, CBR1k etc.) has brought new life into the 'dying' class of Superbike. Main reason for this 'dying' is the rise of the MotoGP races as the main global bike racing event to watch amongthe general public. But these 1000cc are restricted in power output, mainly to bring balance to the different performance envelopes of the 3 classes (V twins vs Inline 4 750cc vs 1000cc inline 4).
Hope this helps. Cheers!