Supersport 600 shoot-out: What will be king of the track 2009?

Published: 02 February 2009 Updated: 19 November 2014

Which bike will be crowned king of the track for 2009?

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In this week’s issue of MCN, on sale Wednesday February 4th, the latest crop of middleweight supersports bikes fight it out to see which will be crowned king of the track for 2009. What do you think will win? Check out the stats below and vote in our online pole.

The Yamaha R6 won last year, but this time around it has some steep competition in the form of the new ABS Honda CBR600RR, revised Kawasaki ZX-6R and the latest incarnations of the Suzuki GSX-R600 and Triumph Daytona 675.

All of the bikes are on controlled tyres and track settings to keep things as fair as possible. The bike that puts in the quickest circuit lap takes the win.

Here’s a run down of the middleweight missiles gunning for track supremacy and your hard-earned cash this year:

Kawasaki ZX-6R
The 2009 ZX-6R is the most powerful standard 600 MCN has ever tested with a beasty 115bhp at the back wheel.

Engine Size: 599cc Power: 115bhp
Top Speed: 161.62mph Torque: 46.67ftlb
1/4 mile time: 10.97secs

Triumph Daytona 675
The new Daytona 675 has revised suspension but torque and midrange power are where the Triumph has the edge.

Engine Size: 675cc Power: 112.8bhp
Top Speed: 156mph Torque: 50.7ftlb
1/4 mile time: 11.38secs

Yamaha R6
Focused and built for the track, the R6 was last year’s winner… but has the competition closed the gap?

Engine Size: 599cc Power: 108bhp (claimed)
Top Speed: 165mph Torque: 46ftlb
1/4 mile time: 11.35secs

Honda CBR600RR ABS
ABS could give the Honda the edge in terms of rider confidence and encourage demonic late-braking antics.

Engine Size: 599cc Power: 107bhp
Top Speed: 165mph Torque: 44.6ftlb
1/4 mile time: 10.92secs

Suzuki GSX-R600
The latest GSXR600 has better midrange performance to make it more user-friendly, but will this help on track?

Engine Size: 599cc Power: 108bhp
Top Speed: 164.97mph Torque: 46ftlb
1/4 mile time: 10.95secs

What will win? Have your say – comment on this article below or vote in our online pole:

By James Keen

Which bike will be crowned king of the track for 2009?