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BIKES: 2012 Superbike Smackdown IX Street
The BMW S1000RR is a two time champ in the Superbike Smackdown. Find out if can can do it again in the 2012 BMW S1000RR Street Comparison…
For the ninth iteration of our annual Superbike Smackdown we gathered the top offerings from eight manufactures, one of our biggest fields tested to date. (Photo: MotorcycleUSA.com)
Superbikes are the absolute pinnacle of the motorcycling world – the tip of the spear. These open class sportbikes have all the latest technology showered upon them by the manufacturers with the goal of delivering the most impressive performance possible from a two-wheeled machine.Horsepower to weight levels verge on lunacy while the handling capacities are beyond 99% of the users’ skills that are buying these beasts. Yet somehow it is not ever enough for any us, and the manufactures are hell-bent on giving us what we want. While development cycles vary from brand to brand, the quest for the ultimate sport motorcycle marches on, and what was hot last year may not be anymore.
That is where your loyal servants at Motorcycle USA step in. For you the reader we toil away behind the bars and windscreens of these race-bred rockets to bring you the answers. After the riding and performance testing is done, we discuss the details and obsess over the finest of points. All in an effort to find out which Superbike is the best.
For the ninth iteration of our annual Superbike Smackdown we gathered the top offerings from eight manufactures, one of our biggest fields tested to date. As we have for the last several years, we split the testing into reviews from both the track and street. This year we begin with the Superbike Smackdown IX Street with the track results to follow in a few weeks time.
For 2012 we have a new model from Ducati, some quasi-new bikes from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and BMW, a slightly updated KTM and a carry-over model from Kawasaki. Aprilia has also rejoined the fray with its updated repli-racer. As for the last two players in the Superbike scene, the Eric Buell Racing 1190RS and the MV Agusta F4R, neither bike was available for street testing, but one of the two will be making an appearance for the Superbike Smackdown IX Track.
Last year BMW notched it’s second victory in the Superbike Smackdown in as many years. With a record like that, Bavarian Motor Works could have just left well enough alone and still fared well this year. While the S1000RR didn’t get a complete facelift or redesign, it received a slew of revisions to the fuel injection settings and some chassis changes intended to make it easier to ride. When you are the champ it’s best not to rest on your laurels.
Certainly the most talked about and most anticipated superbike in this contest is the 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale S. With an all-new oversquare engine and monocoque aluminum frame the Panigale is sure to shake up the class of 2012. Last year the 1198 didn’t fare well on the street test, but we expect that the same won’t happen this time around.
Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 has been one of the most successful superbikes on and off the racetrack. It finished well in our 2011 shootout despite being unchanged for three years. This year Suzuki gave the big Gixxer a going over with new pistons, camshafts and ECU settings. Surprisingly, Suzuki still forgoes traction control on its flagship sportbike.
Honda’s CBR1000RR is another strong performer that has finally got an update although it did well in its previous trim. For 2012 Big Red just tweaked the ECU settings of the CBR’s strong running mill, wrapped it in more aerodynamic bodywork and updated the chassis with new suspension and trick-looking wheels. Just like the GSX-R the CBR comes without TC. Will the lack of electronic wizardry hurt the Honda? It hasn’t thus far.
For the Rest of This Article Visit MotorcycleUSA.com
That is where your loyal servants at Motorcycle USA step in. For you the reader we toil away behind the bars and windscreens of these race-bred rockets to bring you the answers. After the riding and performance testing is done, we discuss the details and obsess over the finest of points. All in an effort to find out which Superbike is the best.
For the ninth iteration of our annual Superbike Smackdown we gathered the top offerings from eight manufactures, one of our biggest fields tested to date. As we have for the last several years, we split the testing into reviews from both the track and street. This year we begin with the Superbike Smackdown IX Street with the track results to follow in a few weeks time.
For 2012 we have a new model from Ducati, some quasi-new bikes from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and BMW, a slightly updated KTM and a carry-over model from Kawasaki. Aprilia has also rejoined the fray with its updated repli-racer. As for the last two players in the Superbike scene, the Eric Buell Racing 1190RS and the MV Agusta F4R, neither bike was available for street testing, but one of the two will be making an appearance for the Superbike Smackdown IX Track.
Last year BMW notched it’s second victory in the Superbike Smackdown in as many years. With a record like that, Bavarian Motor Works could have just left well enough alone and still fared well this year. While the S1000RR didn’t get a complete facelift or redesign, it received a slew of revisions to the fuel injection settings and some chassis changes intended to make it easier to ride. When you are the champ it’s best not to rest on your laurels.
Certainly the most talked about and most anticipated superbike in this contest is the 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale S. With an all-new oversquare engine and monocoque aluminum frame the Panigale is sure to shake up the class of 2012. Last year the 1198 didn’t fare well on the street test, but we expect that the same won’t happen this time around.
Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 has been one of the most successful superbikes on and off the racetrack. It finished well in our 2011 shootout despite being unchanged for three years. This year Suzuki gave the big Gixxer a going over with new pistons, camshafts and ECU settings. Surprisingly, Suzuki still forgoes traction control on its flagship sportbike.
Honda’s CBR1000RR is another strong performer that has finally got an update although it did well in its previous trim. For 2012 Big Red just tweaked the ECU settings of the CBR’s strong running mill, wrapped it in more aerodynamic bodywork and updated the chassis with new suspension and trick-looking wheels. Just like the GSX-R the CBR comes without TC. Will the lack of electronic wizardry hurt the Honda? It hasn’t thus far.
For the Rest of This Article Visit MotorcycleUSA.com
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