What was the FIRST Superbike ?

1972 Kawasaki 750. One of the scaryiest bikes ever. Used to eat big block Camaros for breakfast. Stomped a sweet Camaro once and the driver only said "Where do I get one of those?"
 
Kawasaki H2 triple.jpg


 
Vincent Black Shadow was the first superbike from all I read...it was the fastest bike of it's day for many years.

 
What are we defining Super bike by ?
Power ?
Handling?
Both ?

Technically nothing any of us own is a super bike unless we raced in super bike class ;)
 
What are we defining Super bike by ?
Power ?
Handling?
Both ?

Technically nothing any of us own is a super bike unless we raced in super bike class ;)

Beats me, I went to google and typed "first superbike" I've heard the Vincent called the first superbike before.

I would say both if I were guessing (and I am). The word superbike is pretty "loosey, goosey" anyway.

 
Please note the age of thread
before making a claim like that .









:race:


#SuperHeroes ~ #RideSuperBikes ~ #TopFuelMotorcycles ~ #THEoRg *

 
According to research the first bike ever called a superbike was the 1924 Brough Superior, then the '48 Vincent Black Shadow

In modern times the '69 Honda CB750 was considered a superbike as it was far ahead of it's time.
 
According to research the first bike ever called a superbike was the 1924 Brough Superior, then the '48 Vincent Black Shadow

In modern times the '69 Honda CB750 was considered a superbike as it was far ahead of its time.

With an 852cc PowRoll piston kit, jetted carbs with baffles removed on the stock four pipe setup, I ran a 12.2 in the quarter at the Sacramento Raceway in 1974 and I weighed 220. Took my first tour to Montana on it in the same year running Dunlop TT K-81 tube type tires. :laugh: No flats thankfully.:firing:

Compared to the other ‘fastest’ bikes around, the Bonneville or the Norton 750 Dunstall, the CB750 ran rings around them. The 500 Kaw triple was a beast up to about 110 and their 750 triple came later and was a dangerous beast. Almost unrideable at speed. The bike that knocked the CB750 off the top was the four stroke inline four Z1. 903ccs of real grunt.
 
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My first thought (Whilst channeling Ron Swanson) was "The Immortal Hayabusa,everything before and after was a mistake." but after the Bourbon wore off I remembered that a true Superbike probably doesn't have options like luggage,cruise control,heated grips and so on.
 
Hi all,

Just wondering what you all thought was the first superbike. ?

Me being 60 years old I pick the kawasaki 900cc Z1 1973-1976 models. 12.1 sec 1/4 mile times.
Very first superbike I had was Kawasaki 650 extreme quality time I spent both at daily commutes and touring. I have enjoyed several solo and crowdy road trips on that. Specifically, its low seat is more attractive feature which made its riding more smooth.
 
I think it's all relative to your age and preference. I'm 50 and was late to the bike game starting my street bike life in 02'. IMO the 05' GSXR1k is when bikes became really potent.
 
The original gsxr1k in 2001 was a game changer, on the heels of the 99 Busa.
The 05/06 was, and is still impressive, and was the last of the non restricted bikes, other than the 186mph top speed limit of 2002.
Prior to the Busa we had the 1998 R1, revamped from the old yzf1000.
The 1997 cbrxx1000 super blackbird.
And the early 90's to early 2k's zx9 and zx11.
Each was a big step up from previous bikes.
So yeah, all relavent to what time you really got into bikes.
 
The original gsxr1k in 2001 was a game changer, on the heels of the 99 Busa.
The 05/06 was, and is still impressive, and was the last of the non restricted bikes, other than the 186mph top speed limit of 2002.
Prior to the Busa we had the 1998 R1, revamped from the old yzf1000.
The 1997 cbrxx1000 super blackbird.
And the early 90's to early 2k's zx9 and zx11.
Each was a big step up from previous bikes.
So yeah, all relavent to what time you really got into bikes.
The original GSXR was the game changer for Suzuki.....

The FZR for Yamaha,

The Ninja, and

The CBR/VFR...

Versions of these bikes raced in SBK, I guess that qualifies them as superbikes.
 
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