World's first Superbike?

I've noticed a lot of posts refer to many different motorcycles as the "first superbike". It seems it is usually one which is a favorite of whomever makes the claim. I personally like Nortons and remember reading that the first time "superbike" was used in print was in reference to a Norton Commando. I don't know if this is true, but i'd like think so.

So the question is.....Who said it first?

I had a Norton Commando (750 cc) and I don't remember the expression "superbike" being in use at that time. "TT Bike" for Tourist Trophy Racer (or in my case Tavern to Tavern) would be used; or "road racer" if it had clip-on handle bars and a very uncomfortable seat.

I think the prefix "super" became popular in the late '70s when everything was super, or claimed to be.

Kawasaki Z1. That was the first one.

z1r i reckon but round there,gs1000,cb900,xs1100

+1

1973 Z1 - happen to have one in the garage.

It is true that Norton used the term first in advertising, in fact they went a step further by using the word "superplus" .

As to the first superbike made, of course this was 50yrs before the term was first used, but without question, the Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Sports was the first .

I would definitely call a Norton Commando a superbike, and a Kawasaki H2 750, being the fastest production bike in the world in 1972. The Honda 750 would qualify, and, of course, the mighty 900cc Kawasaki Z1. My .02

What publication and what date?

Are we forgetting Vincent? Certainly a strong contender, although Brough is in the running also.

Crocker.

My opinion. It was the first bike of the modern era that was all about hp. There were earlier bikes that were strong, but the Z1 was a whole different ball game.

And I generally despise Kawasakis, so it's not a fanboy thing.

I'm curious when the term was first used by someone independent, like a journalist, in a publication. I'm sure we all have different opinions as to which qualifies, but i'd like facts today.

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The '72 Z1 wuz actually a 900 that totally dominated that era; it t'wuz the shiznit! Them others came much later.

Brough Superior.

i know,but imho that was the start of the one up man ship era

Dont know who said it first but my clear memory from back in the 70's was that a "superbike" had to 750cc or more and capable of more than 160kmh (100mph).

1973 was the first of the Z1s, I had serial # 3707. I agree the Z1 dominated that era.

This is it here, the bikes that were a big step up from just a fast bike like a Bonnie or Lightning. Really it was the BSA/Triumph triples, the Commando and the CB750, the Mach III was a nasty smelly noisy thing that would fly past any of the others in a straight line. They are the line in the sand for the serious performance bikes of the '70's.

To me there were no superbikes until there was a class of production racing introduced by the AMA called "Superbike". The first Superbike champion was Reg Pridmore and he won aboard a BMW R90 boxer in 1976. The next championship winning machine was a Ducati 750SS called the 'California Hot Rod'.

Gotta agree