For a while, the motorcycles on this page have been relatively overlooked by buyers and manufacturers. Middleweights are good, no doubt, but for people graduating from a beginner motorcycle, the allure of a liter-class bike is ever-present, especially for the more serious rider.

UPDATE: 2024/01/09 23:09 EST BY RAUNAK AJINKYA

Given the popularity of middleweight supersports, and just how capable they're becoming, this list has been updated to reflect a few more entries in this segment.

That said, the tide is shifting slowly and surely. Middleweight supersports are coming back into focus, spurred on by tech advancements and blurring the line between them and liter-class motorcycles in the speed stakes. This list reflects some of the best and the quickest 600cc sportbikes money can buy. Manufacturers like Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, MV Agusta, and a lot more have all tossed their hats into this ring, leaving buyers with a varied choice to filter through.

How we got our model selections: HotCars went through a number of offerings from motorcycle manufacturers to compile this list. The criteria included motorcycles in the 600cc (+/-100cc) and a competitive starting MSRP/used price range. The motorcycles also needed to be quick, and while the term itself encompasses many aspects, for the sake of this article, top speed has been used as a defining parameter. The motorcycles have been organized in increasing order of top speed values.

12 Yamaha R7

Top Speed: 134 mph

Starting MSRP: $9,199

If a true-blue budget sportbike is what you're after, it's hard to go wrong with the Yamaha R7. Featuring Yamaha's versatile CP2 parallel-twin motor, Yamaha's brilliant middleweight is an easy option to recommend to anyone.

It features sportbike ergonomics, great styling, and a thoroughly competent powerplant. Over and above that, there's also a fully adjustable suspension, so the flexibility to set it up for daily riding or track days is there, which makes this even more of a value proposition. And while the top speed sits at 134 mph, which is the lowest on this list, that number in itself is nothing to scoff about. Well worth considering the Yamaha R7.

2022 Yamaha R7 Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs; Top speed sourced from FastestLaps

11 Honda CBR650R

Top Speed: 135 mph

Starting MSRP: $9,899

The Honda 650cc platform was never designed to be a supersport machine, with more focus on the sales of the naked sport bike versions in a market that has a high demand for an exciting beginner bike.

The R version here takes it up more than a few notches. Although it might not be as track-focused as the other bikes, it is much quicker than you would expect!

2022 Honda CBR650R Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs; Top speed sourced from FastestLaps

10 Aprilia RS 660

Top Speed: 143 mph

Starting MSRP: $11,499

The Aprilia RS 660 is one of the most anticipated bikes to be released, with performance figures that are on point with all the other bikes in this class, looks to kill, and state-of-the-art tech. It is an all-new bike, which is not that common in the long-ignored middleweight sportbike division, and a big brother (RSV4) with immense pedigree.

The top speed isn't earth-shattering, but the RS 660 holds its own in many other ways and is a thoroughly engaging middleweight sportbike.

2023 Aprilia RS 660 Specs

Specs referenced from Motorcycle Specs; Top speed sourced from AccelerationTimes

9 Ducati 749

Top Speed: 149 mph

Used Price Range: $6,500-$9,000

It has unusually polarizing looks for a Ducati, but we still think it is a work of art. The fact that some people don’t see that only means it can be had relatively cheaply compared to the other more desirable machines from the Italian marque.

The twin is down a couple of cylinders on the opposition, but it is not down on performance. It will keep up with the other supersport bikes and will keep the rider grinning longer both on and off the track.

2005 Ducati 749 Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

8 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat

Top Speed: 153.3 mph

Used Price Range: $5,500-$6,000

With its now-dated styling, the Thundercat was the precursor to the famed and utterly brilliant R6. This bike laid the foundation for Yamaha; it was a long-awaited answer to the other big brands' 600cc offerings, and although they had a long way to go in terms of development, all the potential was there to be seen.

1996 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

7 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

Top Speed: 154 mph

Starting MSRP: $11,399

There are no prizes for guessing who makes one of the fastest supersports; Kawasaki always seems to find more power per dollar than any other manufacturer. The 636cc ZX-6R can produce 129 horsepower and undercuts pretty much everyone!

Why would anyone buy anything else, you might ask? Well, for one, it has looks that won’t please everyone, and even though it packs in all the latest tech, it isn’t anywhere near as refined as any of its rivals.

2018 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Specs

Specs sourced from FastestLaps

6 Suzuki GSX-R600

Top Speed: 157 mph

Starting MSRP: $11,499

With no significant updates since 2014, the future seems uncertain for the Gixxer. It has already been removed from showrooms in Europe with new emissions regulations effectively killing the outdated 600 and 750 mills.

It is still “stupid-fast" and offers a breathless ride even for experienced riders, somewhat less refined than its rivals. This raw Suzuki sport bike will bite you hard if you don’t respect it.

2020 Suzuki GSX-R600 Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

5 Honda CBR600F4

Top Speed: 160 mph

Used Price Range: $3,200-$4,900

During its production run, there was no doubt that the Honda CBR600F4 was a thoroughly capable motorcycle with great power and excitement. Added to that was the fact that it was a Honda, so reliability was rarely ever in question.

Its engine featured a good amount of power, as mentioned, but it was reportedly particularly effective in the mid-range, giving riders a very usable motorcycle overall. Beyond that, fit and finish levels were good, and it provided great value, even at current used market prices.

2000 Honda CBR600F4 Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

4 Honda CBR600RR

Top Speed: 160.1 mph

Starting MSRP: $12,099

Although it won’t be around much longer, the Honda CBR600RR goes out with a bang. It also leaves us with a capable successor in the form of the aforementioned 650 (and possibly an all-new 600 in the future).

With so much of Honda’s current resources dedicated to developing the new Fireblade, it is little wonder that they didn’t have room for an out-and-out supersport bike in their stable for the time being.

2013 Honda CBR600RR Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs; Top speed sourced from MotoStatz

3 MV Agusta 675 F3R

Top Speed: 160.3 mph

Starting MSRP: $19,398

Simply beautiful. MV Agusta takes motorcycle design to another level, but not to worry, they didn’t forget about the performance. The advanced 3-cylinder gets top-notch electronics and a balancer shaft to eliminate all the unwanted vibrations most other three bangers are prone to. 126 horses get the F3 up to 160 mph, and the special RC edition pictured will be faster with its 133 horses.

2014 MV Agusta 675 F3R Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

2 Yamaha YZF-R6

Top Speed: 165 mph

Used Price Range: $5,000-$15,000

They set the benchmark when Yamaha launched the R6 in the early '00s. It was unrivaled then, with no other factory bike able to keep up, embarrassing bigger bikes on track all day.

This has become a staple for anyone building a budget track bike. Now, the latest version adds some tech to the near-perfect handling characteristics and lightweight chassis, yet another step in its long and incredible evolution.

2019 Yamaha YZF-R6 Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs; Top speed sourced from MCN

1 Triumph Daytona 675R

Top Speed: 165 mph

Used Price Range: $10,600-$11,000

The Triumph is a more refined, elegant bike, and the 675R is also astonishingly quick. This is one of the quickest middleweight supersports you can buy now. It will also fade into the sunset pretty soon, but the future looks bright.

Triumph has been working away, and a new Daytona is well and truly on its way soon.

2014 Triumph Daytona 675R Specs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs; Top speed sourced from MCN

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• Source for features: Respective manufacturers' websites
• Sources for technical specifications: Motorcycle Specs, FastestLaps, AccelerationTimes, MCN
• Source for used prices: Cycle Trader