Often called the “middleweight” class, 600cc motorcycles became very popular during the 90s, especially the sport bikes, because they provided a balance between light weight and power that was manageable for beginners and fun for experts.
Lately, though, many manufacturers have been discontinuing many of the classic 600cc sport bikes due to new regulations and market preferences. That said, there are still a few middleweight sport bikes out there, and the class has expanded with regard to naked bikes and cruisers.
So whether you want a nimble sport bike for city streets or a lightweight cruiser to learn on, these are the 10 best 600cc motorcycles you can buy on the 2023 market.
Honda CBR600RR
- Engine: 599cc, inline, four-cylinder
- Max power: 120 hp
- Max torque: 45 lb-ft
- Seat height: 32.3 inches
- Curb weight: 417 pounds
- MSRP: $12,099 ($13,099 with ABS)
For a long time, especially during the 2000s, the Honda CBR600RR was the middleweight sport bike. Not only did it win a long list of awards, including Best Sportbike from Motorcyclist in 2003, the year of its inception, but it won the Supersport World Championship from 2003–2008, as well as in 2010 and 2014.
The power-to-weight ratio was cutting-edge, and many critics and riders considered it superior to rivals like the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R and even the Ducati 749.
However, due to competition catching up, or a shift in market preferences, Honda will soon be discontinuing the CBR600RR. You can still get an updated 2023 model capable of hitting 160 mph in its recognizable red, white, and blue trim, but it might be your last chance.
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
- Engine: 636cc, inline, four-cylinder
- Max power: 127 hp
- Max torque: 52 lb-ft
- Seat height: 32.7 inches
- Curb weight: 430 pounds
- MSRP: $11,299 ($12,299 with ABS)
The Ninja series has been one of the most successful lines of sport bikes of all time. Just consider that Kawasaki has been producing it since 1984 with few alterations.
The ZX-6R specifically was introduced in 1995 when it replaced the ZX-6. As many sport bike manufacturers do, Kawasaki originally sold the ZX-6R as a racing version but ultimately brought it into mass production.
The 2024 model of the ZX-6R has already been announced, and it still maintains the tradition of the original bike, just with plenty of technological upgrades. Since 1995, Kawasaki has increased the engine size from 599cc to 636cc, added a slipper clutch, and improved fuel economy.
Today the ZX-6R remains the choice for sport-bike enthusiasts who want power and handling without draining their bank account. It’s great for both city streets and the track and looks good in either place.
Triumph Trident 660
- Engine: 660cc, inline, four-cylinder
- Max power: 81 hp
- Max torque: 47 lb-ft
- Seat height: 31.7 inches
- Curb weight: 417 pounds
- MSRP: $8,595
The Triumph Trident 660 is an excellent starter bike if you want to skip the 250cc level and get straight to the middleweights.
It’s much more affordable than other motorcycles of its class and has a versatile naked design that’s easier to learn on. Plus, as a new model introduced in 2020, it has a lot of nifty tech features, like Bluetooth connectivity via the My Triumph app that lets you connect your phone or GoPro.
It is true that despite having a larger and heavier engine, the Trident 660 has lower power than the 600cc sport bikes. As a result, it’s not going to be as comfortable at highway speeds. It does have pretty good torque, though, so it’s a quick and agile bike that’s still fun while being manageable for beginners.
Suzuki GSX-R600
- Engine: 599cc, inline, four-cylinder
- Max power: 125 hp
- Max torque: 50 lb-ft
- Seat height: 32 inches
- Curb weight: 412 pounds
- MSRP: $11,699
Like the Ninja ZX-6R, the Suzuki GSX-R600 has maintained an enthusiastic customer base since the 90s. If you notice, the specs and features are also quite similar as well. For the time being, in a market with lowering demand for the class, it seems like these are the only two sport bikes in the 600cc range receiving consistent engineering and technological upgrades.
While I tend to lean towards the Ninja, the GSX does win out in a couple of respects, namely weight. These 600cc sport bikes mainly shine when it comes to city riding. They hop back and forth from high to low speeds easily and are comfortable at both. The lighter weight of the GSX gives it marginally better handling when weaving through traffic.
I’d also recommend the GSX over the Ninja for younger riders. It has lower handlebars and adjustable footpegs that let you really get into the forward lean — if you’re still young and flexible, that is.
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
- Engine: 648cc, parallel twin
- Max power: 47 hp
- Max torque: 38 lb-ft
- Seat height: 31.7 inches
- Curb weight: 445 pounds
- MSRP: $6,149
In an age when sport-bike manufacturers are aging out their 600cc bikes, Royal Enfield has decided to introduce not just one but two new ones. The Interceptor 650 is a throwback to the old Interceptor cruiser from the 60s, and it has a brother, the Continental GT 650, a cafe racer that I would also highly recommend.
Now, this is definitely not a sport bike. The power and torque are going to be a far cry from something like the Ninja due to the fact that while the engine is even larger, it’s a twin rather than the four-cylinder of most sport bikes.
However, as a parallel twin, it has a more linear torque profile, which is easy for beginners to learn on and manageable in a variety of situations, from city riding to light highway cruising.
Of course, the first thing that will catch your eye about this motorcycle is simply the price. It’s the main reason critics expect the Interceptor 650 to become the best-selling large-capacity twin-engine motorcycle in the world. While great for beginners on a budget, it’s a fun and affordable bike for just about anyone looking for a cruiser.
Aprilia RS660
- Engine: 659cc, parallel twin
- Max power: 88 hp
- Max torque: 46 lb-ft
- Seat height: 32 inches
- Curb weight: 403 pounds
- MSRP: $11,499
With Ducati having abandoned the class long ago and MV Agusta discontinuing the 675cc version of the F3, the Aprilia RS660 remains one of the only ways to get an Italian middleweight motorcycle. It’ll also save you some money compared with the other Italian brands with a price tag more similar to Japanese sport bikes.
Being a twin and not a four-cylinder, the RS660 lacks some of the power and acceleration of the Ninja and GSX. However, this does make it lighter and a bit more manageable for beginners. At the same time, it won the Twins Cup in 2021, meaning it might just be the best mid-size sport bike with a parallel twin.
Yamaha YZF-R7
- Engine: 698cc, parallel twin
- Max power: 74 hp
- Max torque: 50 lb-ft
- Seat height: 32.9 inches
- Curb weight: 414 pounds
- MSRP: $9,199
Okay, I’ll admit that this bike is getting a bit big for a list of 600cc bikes, but I had to include it because the YZF-R6 was such a great machine. I was disappointed that Yamaha discontinued it in 2020, but I consider the YZF-R7 the next best thing if you want a smooth middleweight motorcycle with a manageable twin engine.
I do want to point out that the YZF-R6 was actually an inline four, so it had a kick, 117 hp, to be exact. In that regard, the YZF-R7 isn’t as good of a race or track motorcycle and won’t reach the same top speeds, but it actually makes a better starter sport bike, which has become the niche of the 600cc class.
Honda CB650R
- Engine: 649cc, inline, four-cylinder
- Max power: 94 hp
- Max torque: 46 lb-ft
- Seat height: 32 inches
- Curb weight: 456 pounds
- MSRP: $9,399
Okay, so overall I have to say the CB650R is inferior to the CBR600RR, which is truly just an amazing machine. Despite a larger, heavier four-cylinder engine, it still doesn’t crank out the same horsepower. That said, it does save you almost $3,000, so there’s that.
The CB650R is also a naked bike, which actually makes it more versatile and a bit easier to learn on. It’s good for commuting and longer rides, and ABS comes standard.
You might also consider the CBR650R, which is basically the same motorcycle but with sport fairings. However, if you want a sport bike, I’d still go with the CBR600RR while you still can.
Read our full review of the CBR650R
Kawasaki Ninja 650
- Engine: 649cc, parallel twin
- Max power: 68 hp
- Max torque: 47 lb-ft
- Seat height: 31.1 inches
- Curb weight: 423 pounds
- MSRP: $8,299 ($8,899 with ABS)
While it doesn’t have the same performance as the ZX-6R, the Ninja 650 is the more standard motorcycle in the 600cc class of the Ninja line. If you’re a beginner, it might be the better bet since it’ll save you some money and the twin engine has a more linear power profile that’s easier to learn on than the inline four.
That’s not to say the Ninja 650 is a weak bike, though. It has a top speed pegged at around 130 mph, so it has no problem with highway speeds. As such, it can make an efficient — and fun — commuter for someone just starting out on sport bikes.
Honda XR650L
- Engine: 644cc, single-cylinder
- Max power: 44 hp
- Max torque: 38 lb-ft
- Seat height: 37 inches
- Curb weight: 346 pounds
- MSRP: $6,999
I wanted to include a 600cc dual-sport option on the list and decided to go with the Honda XR650L.
What I love is the amount of torque you get from the single cylinder for the low horsepower. With good torque at low RPMs, you can accelerate easily off-road, even in a lower gear. At the same time, the ride is smooth on-road. It’s as close to the “best of both worlds” as you can get with a dual-sport model.
As for adventure riding, the XR650L also has good suspension and braking. There are admittedly some newer models that perform a bit better off-road, but they’re lacking on the highway. The XR650L is the best at combining both.