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MCN's top sports bikes of the year 2009

Published: 29 May 2009 Updated: 19 November 2014
  • The Triumph Daytona 675 charms MCN's road testers on the Isle of Man
    The Triumph Daytona 675 charms MCN's road testers on the Isle of Man
  • Yamaha R1
    Yamaha R1
  • Aprilia RSV4
    Aprilia RSV4
  • KTM RC8R
    KTM RC8R
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In the May 27 issue of MCN the sporty group test winners go head to head to see which sports bike is the best of the best in 2009.   

The KTM RC8R, Yamaha R1, Aprilia RSV4 and Triumph Daytona 675 were taken to the Isle of Man for 2000 miles of distance riding, 5 laps of the TT circuit and a thrashing by road racer Connor Cummins.

You may be surprised to hear that it’s the Triumph Daytona 675 that came out on top. As MCN road tester Adam Child says: “The R1 came so close to winning this test, but it didn’t.

“While the litre bikes were bludgeoning our brains out with their ludicrous power, the Triumph Daytona 675 charmed us with its mix of real-world ability, brilliant chassis, characterful engine and slick looks.”

Here’s the top sports bikes of 2009. Test ride one or all, as soon as possible:

Triumph 675

1. Triumph Daytona 675 (2009-current)
“You’d be hard pushed to tell the difference between the old and new Triumph Daytona 675. But stand closer and the differences jump out at you i.e. the new angular top fairing, Nissin monoblock calipers, revised suspension and so on. The Triumph Daytona 675 is a very viable alternative to the Japanese supersport mass.”

 

Yamaha R1

=2. Yamaha R1 (2009-current)
“This is like no in-line-four cylinder sportsbike ever produced. It’s simply sensational.  The Yamaha R1’s engine has a cross-plane crankshaft – tech lifted from Rossi’s YZR-M1. It grunts off corners like a V-twin and howls along straights like the mad, bad in-line-four it really is. Best of all it sounds like Rossi’s M1.”

 

Aprilia RSV4

=2. Aprilia RSV4 (2009-current)
“Aprilia built the RSV4 as a race bike first, road bike second. You won’t even scratch the surface of what it’s capable of on the road in terms of power and handling. It has more grip and poise than you know what to do with, it goes like stink and its barely legal exhaust sounds like the Devil clearing its throat. The Aprilia is an incredible sports bike.”

 

KTM RC8R

4. KTM RC8R (2009-current)
“Unashamedly a circuit-based blaster. From the competition-biased WP suspension to the 170bhp engine and the lightweight Marchesini wheels, the KTM RC8R cries out for corners to be taken at speed. It doesn’t need to be ridden hard to appreciate it, but when it is…”

 

If you’re thinking of buying one of the above models from MCN Bikes For Sale, get insurance quotes from a number of motorcycle insurance providers in one place with MCN Compare. 

James Keen

By James Keen