Etienne Psaila
For more than half a century, superbikes have stood at the cutting edge of motorcycle engineering-machines born from racing ambition, cultural momentum, and relentless technological progress. Two-Wheel Thunder: The Evolution of Superbikes traces this remarkable journey from the humble roadsters of the postwar years to today’s electronically managed, aerodynamically sculpted, and increasingly electrified performance flagships. Across continents and decades, superbikes evolved not simply through engineering breakthroughs but through a dynamic interplay of regulation, competition, market demand, and global motorcycle culture.This authoritative, fact-driven narrative follows the landmark models that set new benchmarks in power, handling, and design. It explores the rise of Japanese industrial strength, the artistry of European manufacturers, the technological leaps of electronic rider aids, and the cultural forces that pushed superbikes from back-road thrills to world championship dominance. Blending historical clarity with present-day insights, the book examines racing’s influence on consumer machines, the impact of safety advancements, and the accelerating shift toward electric and hybrid platforms.Comprehensive yet highly readable, Two-Wheel Thunder offers an unprecedented look at how superbikes became icons of modern engineering-and what their next chapter may bring. For enthusiasts, engineers, and anyone fascinated by speed, innovation, and the vehicles that shaped global motorcycling, this is the definitive chronicle of the superbike’s evolution.
