2017 Superbike Shootout Vanquisher

Tom Roderick
by Tom Roderick

Aprilia RSV4 RR v. BMW S1000RR v. EBR 1190RX v. Honda CBR1000RR v. Kawasaki ZX-10R v. Suzuki GSX-R1000 v. Yamaha YZF-R1

For those who’ve lapped up every word, expression, and metaphor of the performance novel that was our 2017 Superbike Track Shootout and Superbike Street Shootout, the heir apparent is as obvious as the bike coming in last place. For those still wallowing in anticipation, unable to decipher our MOrse code, you can take a breath because, without further ado, we give you…

An interesting breakdown of how we came to our conclusion.

With seven bikes demanding seven riders (eight considering there was a separate guest tester for the street test vs. the track test) over the course of multiple days on public roads and multiple trackdays, scales, dyno runs, tire changes, suspension settings, electronics variables, photos, videos – it’s an exhausting undertaking. A labor of love, but also of critical evaluation, analysis, and, yes, math.

Objective Scores

EBR 1190RX97.48%
Suzuki GSX-R100094.08%
Yamaha YZF-R191.16%
Honda CBR1000RR91.13%
Kawasaki ZX-10R90.50%
Aprilia RSV4 RR89.03%
BMW S1000RR87.81%

The MO Scorecard is divided into Objective and Subjective scoring sections. The Objective section has four fact-based categories (Price, Weight, Pounds per HP, Pounds per lb-ft of torque), worth a grand total of 210 points (total points determined by the amount of bikes in the test). Looking at only the Objective scores reveals an outcome of another nature, and spotlights why it’s important to ride and subjectively score the bikes, because numbers on paper do not determine a superbike shootout winner.

With an MSRP of $13,995 the EBR 1190RX handily won the Price category, and by virtue of its relatively light weight and largest displacement engine took all the points in the Pounds per lb-ft of torque category. The EBR was the only bike to win two Objective categories. The two most powerful bikes, Aprilia and BMW, found themselves at the bottom of the Objective category largely because of price and weight, even though the two shared top honors in the Pounds per HP category.

Ridden in a vacuum the EBR is a ferociously fun, high-performing superbike. It’s only when measured against its contemporaries that it falls short. “Sad they lost a few years of development fighting financial problems instead,” says John Burns.

If the EBR was so dominant in the Objective category, why didn’t it place better overall? Because Objective scoring in a shootout consisting of seven bikes carries a total of 210 points, whereas Subjective scoring among seven testers totals 840 points, imposing a more significant judgement. This is where a bike’s nuances really come into play, but even then the separation between machines is oftentimes microscopically minimal. A perfect example is the 0.03% difference between the Kawasaki and Yamaha in the final combined scores. Hypothetically, a small price change between the Kawasaki and Yamaha could rearrange the two bikes’ finishing positions.

“The top two bikes for me (Aprilia and Honda) were pretty clear and took few thought units,” says guest tester Thai Long Ly. “The third step of the podium is where things get crowded. “Here, something as trivial as cruise control (on a sportbike, that is) could put one bike ahead of another – they’re all that evenly matched.”

Subjective Scores

StreetTrackCombined
1Aprilia RSV4 RR 94.97%Aprilia RSV4 RR 95.03%Aprilia RSV4 RR 95.00%
2BMW S1000RR 93.13%BMW S1000RR 92.86%BMW S1000RR 92.99%
3Honda CBR1000RR 92.02%Honda CBR1000RR 92.14%Honda CBR1000RR 92.14%
4Kawasaki ZX-10R 88.90%Yamaha YZF-R1 90.21%Kawasaki ZX-10R 89.21%
5Suzuki GSX-R1000 88.87%Kawasaki ZX-10R 89.52%Suzuki GSX-R1000 89.08%
6Yamaha YZF-R1 87.83Suzuki GSX-R1000 89.29%Yamaha YZF-R1 89.02%
7EBR 1190RX 83.48%EBR 1190RX 81.76%EBR 1190RX 82.62%

Unlike Subjective scores, Objective scores remain the same regardless of venue; street or track. For the testers involved in both the street and track shootouts, it was painfully obvious the Yamaha was a much better track bike than it is street bike – mainly because of ergonomics – and the Subjective scores reflect that sentiment with the Yamaha moving from sixth place in the street Scorecard to fourth place in the track Scorecard.

“Ergos are fine on the racetrack, where you are too terrified to feel pain,” Burnsie poignantly states.

The combined Subjective scores of the Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha are closer than conjoined twins, a mere 0.19% separating the three. Which makes Thai’s quote all the more appropriate. “Every single bike here is worthy of ownership,” says Ly. “They’re all incredibly fast, incredibly stable, and incredibly fun. Which one you buy comes down to feel. How does it feel and how does it make you feel? So buy your favorite shape or color, set the suspension for your weight and go smash!”

Interestingly, when we published our track shootout we reported the Honda CBR1000RR as placing second, ahead of the mighty BMW S1000RR. A correct statement when looking at the combined overall scores which accounts for both Objective and Subjective scores (see chart below). What went unmentioned is that according to Subjective scores, testers still preferred the BMW over the Honda. It was the extra price of the BMW’s Prestige Package ($3,150) that cost the S1000RR second place in the track shootout. However, the BMW’s street and track scores were marginally higher than the Honda’s, awarding the BMW the overall second-place trophy. But not by much, with only 0.06% separating the two.

Overall Scores

StreetTrackCombined
1Aprilia RSV4 RR 93.78%Aprilia RSV4 RR 93.83%Aprilia RSV4 RR 93.80%
2BMW S1000RR 92.06%Honda CBR1000RR 91.94%BMW S1000RR 91.95%
3Honda CBR1000RR 91.84%BMW S1000RR 91.85%Honda CBR1000RR 91.89%
4Suzuki GSX-R1000 89.91%Yamaha YZF-R1 90.40%Suzuki GSX-R1000 90.08%
5Kawasaki ZX-10R 89.22%Suzuki GSX-R1000 90.25%Kawasaki ZX-10R 89.47%
6Yamaha YZF-R1 88.49%Kawasaki ZX-10R 89.72%Yamaha YZF-R1 89.44%
7EBR 1190RX 86.28%EBR 1190RX 84.90%EBR 1190RX 85.59%

Leaving us with the Aprilia RSV4 RR, which unequivocally won each category of the scorecard, defeating the second-place BMW in the street shootout by 1.72%, defeating the second place Honda in the track shootout by 1.89%, and winning the overall by 1.85% over the BMW. The Aprilia’s win is a veritable landslide victory considering the slim margins between other bikes in the shootout.

“Thrilling. Visceral. Exotic. Sexy. The only bike here that can satisfy Jenna Jameson,” says porn historian Thai Long Ly.

So, our 2016 Sportbike of the Year can now add 2017 Superbike Shootout Champion to its mantle of MO awards. Here’s E-i-C Kevin Duke to explain why the Aprilia is so damn good.

“It’s phenomenal that you can get a magical piece of Italian exotica like this for less than the price Honda charges for its CBR with the optional auto-blipping quickshifter,” he says. “Not only is the ’Priller far more exotic, it also boasts Cornering ABS, independent wheelie control and on-the-fly-adjustable traction control by dedicated finger/thumb toggles. Oh, and let’s not forget that mellifluous V-4 soundtrack that Honda probably wishes it could match like it could back in the glorious RC30/45 days.”

And from MO’s Editorial Director, Sean Alexander comes these wise words of wisdom. “At these prices, my opinion is that you’d be crazy not to buy the Aprilia or EBR, why be normal?” he says. “Seriously, you can get another inline-four, even one with a ton of bells and whistles, but it’ll just be a fast tool like all the rest. At least with the Aprilia and Buell, you’re getting something a bit less common.”

For those who may have missed them the first time around, below are the videos from our Street and our Track episodes.

Street:

Track:

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Hover for full superbike shootout specifications table

2017 Literbike shootout spec chart

Aprilia


RSV4 RR

BMW


S1000RR

Ducati


1299 Panigale

EBR


1190RX

Honda


CBR1000RR

Kawasaki


Ninja ZX-10R

MV Agusta


F4 RR

Suzuki


GSX-R1000

Yamaha


YZF-R1
MSRP$16,999$15,695$19,995$13,995$16,499$15,099 ($16,099 w/ABS)$19,798$14,599 ($14,999 ABS)$16,699.00
Type999.6cc Liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-stroke, 65-degree V4, 4 valves per cylinder999cc Liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-stroke, inline-Four, 4 valves per cylinder1285cc Liquid-cooled, DOHC, L-Twin, four-stroke, Desmodromic valve actuation1190cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, 72-degree V-Twin, four-stroke, 4 valves per cylinder999cc Liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-stroke, inline-Four, 4 valves per cylinder998cc Liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-stroke, inline-Four, 4 valves per cylinder998cc, Liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-stroke, inline-Four, 4 valves per cylinder999.8cc, Liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-stroke, inline-Four, 4 valves per cylinder998c Liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-stroke, Cross-plane inline-Four, 4 valves per cylinder
Bore and Stroke78.0mm x 52.3mm80.0mm x 49.7mm116.0mm x 60.8mm106mm x 67.5mm76.0mm x 55.0mm76.0mm x 55.0mm79.0mm x 50.9mm76.0mm x 55.1mm79.0mm x 50.9mm
Compression Ratio13.6:113.0:112.6:113.4:113.0:113.0:113.4:113.2:113.0:1
Rear Wheel Horsepower175.8 hp @ 12,400 rpm182.9 hp @ 13,100 rpm175.0 hp @ 10,400 rpm156.0 @ 10,700 rpm (1190SX)189.1 (crank) hp @ 13,000 rpm (claimed)160.6 hp @ 11,700 rpm195 (crank) hp @ 13,400 rpm (claimed)199 (crank) hp @ 13,200 rpm (claimed)162.9 hp @ 12,300 rpm
Torque76.7 lb.-ft. @ 10,800 rpm79.9 lb.-ft. @ 9600 rpm92.5 lb.-ft. @ 8900 rpm83.0 lb-ft @ 8100 rpm (1190SX)84.1 (crank) lb-ft @ 11,000 rpm (claimed)73.6 @ 11,200 rpm81.7 (crank) lb-ft @ 9600 rpm (claimed)86.7 (crank) lb-ft @ 10,800 rpm (claimed)72.5 lb.-ft. @ 8900 rpm
Transmission6-speed; multi-plate wet clutch w/slipper function6-speed; multi-plate wet clutch w/slipper function6-speed; multi-plate wet clutch w/slipper function6-speed; multi-plate wet clutch w/vacuum operated slipper function6-speed; multi-plate wet clutch w/slipper function6-speed, multi-plate wet clutch w/slipper function, positive neutral finder6-speed, multi-plate wet clutch w/slipper function6-speed, multi-plate wet clutch w/slipper function6-speed; multi-plate wet clutch w/slipper function
Final DriveChainChainChainChainChainChainChainChainChain

Aprilia


RSV4 RR

BMW


S1000RR

Ducati


1299 Panigale

EBR


1190RX

Honda


CBR1000RR

Kawasaki


Ninja ZX-10R

MV Agusta


F4 RR

Suzuki


GSX-R1000

Yamaha


YZF-R1
Front SuspensionSachs 43mm fork, fully adjustable46mm fork, fully adjustableMarzocchi 50mm fully adjustable USD fork.43mm Showa Big Piston Fork, fully adjustable43mm Showa Big Piston Fork with spring-preload, rebound and compression damping-adjustability43mm inverted Balance Free Fork, adjustable stepless rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustabilityMarzocchi 50mm fully adjustable USD fork43mm Showa Big Piston Fork, fully adjustable43mm KYB inverted fork; fully adjustable
Rear SuspensionSachs monoshock with piggyback reservoir, fully adjustableFully adjustable monoshockFully adjustable Sachs shock. Adjustable linkage: Progressive/flat. Aluminium single-sided swingarmShowa linkage-less single shock, fully adjustableShowa Balance Free Rear Cushion shock, with spring-preload, rebound and compression-damping adjustabilityHorizontal back-link with Balance Free gas-charged shock, stepless, dual-range (low-/high-speed) compression damping, stepless rebound damping, fully adjustable spring preloadFully adjustable Sachs shock, w/high- and low-speed compression adjustmentFully adjustable Showa shock, w/high- and low-speed compression adjustmentKYB Single shock w/piggyback reservoir, hi/low speed compression, rebound and preload adjustibility
Front BrakeDual 330mm rotors. Twin Brembo M50 monoblock radial 4-piston calipers. ABS with switchable Rear Lift-up MitigationDual 320mm rotors. Twin radial-mount 4-piston calipers. Switchable ABSDual 330mm rotors. Twin Brembo M50 monoblock, radial-mount calipers. Cornering ABS standard386mm single perimeter rotor, 8-piston caliper. No ABS.Dual 320mm rotors. Dual radial-mount 4-piston Tokico calipersDual 330mm petal rotors, Brembo M50 4-piston radial-mount calipers w/ABSDual 320mm rotors, Brembo 4-piston radial-mount calipers w/ABSDual 320mm rotors, Brembo 4-piston radial-mount calipers w/ABSDual 320mm rotors, 4-piston calipers, UBS, ABS
Rear Brake220mm rotor. Brembo twin-piston caliper220mm rotor. Single-piston caliper245mm rotor. Twin-piston caliper w/Cornering ABS standard220mm rotor. 2-piston caliper220mm rotor, single-piston caliper w/ABS220mm petal rotor, single-piston caliper w/ABS210mm rotor, Nissin 4-piston caliper w/ABS220mm rotor, Nissin single-piston caliper w/ABS220mm rotor, UBS, ABS

Aprilia


RSV4 RR

BMW


S1000RR

Ducati


1299 Panigale

EBR


1190RX

Honda


CBR1000RR

Kawasaki


Ninja ZX-10R

MV Agusta


F4 RR

Suzuki


GSX-R1000

Yamaha


YZF-R1
Front Tire120/70-17120/70-17120/70-17120/70-17120/70-17120/70-17120/70-17120/70-17120/70 ZR-17
Rear Tire200/55-17190/55-17200/55-17190/55-17190/50-17190/55-17200/55-17190/55-17190/55 ZR-17
Rake/Trail26.5 deg/4.1 in23.5 deg / 3.9 in.24.0 deg / 3.8 in.22.4 deg / 3.8 in.23.3 deg / 3.8 in.25 deg / 4.2 in.TK / 3.9 in.23.2 deg. / 3.7 in.24 deg / 4.0 in.
Wheelbase56.5 in.56.6 in.56.6 in.55.5 in.55.3 in.56.7 in.56.3 in.55.5 in.55.3 in.
Seat Height33.0 in.32.7 in.32.7 in.32.5 in.32.8 in.32.9 in.32.7 in.32.5 in.33.7 in.
Curb Weight450 lbs. (claimed)420 lbs. (claimed)427 lbs.450.5 lbs. (calculated)425 lbs. (Euro-spec)454.2 lbs.421.1 lbs (claimed dry weight)443.0 lbs, 445.0 lbs(CA, both claimed weights)438 lbs.
Fuel Capacity4.9 gal.4.5 gal.4.5 gal.4.5 gal.4.2 gal.4.5 gal.4.5 gal.4.2 gal.4.5 gal.

Aprilia


RSV4 RR

BMW


S1000RR

Ducati


1299 Panigale

EBR


1190RX

Honda


CBR1000RR

Kawasaki


Ninja ZX-10R

MV Agusta


F4 RR

Suzuki


GSX-R1000

Yamaha


YZF-R1
ABSXXXXXXXX
Cornering ABSXXAvailable on SP modelXAvailable on GSX-R1000R
Magnesium wheelsX
Forged aluminum wheelsOptionalAvailable on S model
Titanium connecting rodsXX
Titanium valvesXXXXX (intake only)
Aluminum fuel tankTitanium tank available on SP modelX
Smartphone appXOptional
Electronic suspensionOptional (included as tested)Available on S modelAvailable on SP model
QuickshifterXOptional (included as tested)XOptionalOptional (standard on SP model)XOptionalOptionalX
Clutchless downshift abilityXOptional (included as tested)XOptional (standard on SP model)

Aprilia


RSV4 RR

BMW


S1000RR

Ducati


1299 Panigale

EBR


1190RX

Honda


CBR1000RR

Kawasaki


Ninja ZX-10R

MV Agusta


F4 RR

Suzuki


GSX-R1000

Yamaha


YZF-R1
Power modesXXXXXXXX
Traction controlXXXXXXXXX
Slide controlX
Launch controlXOptional (included as tested)XXX
Wheelie controlXXXXXX
Engine brake controlXXX
Inertial Measurement UnitXXXXXXX
GPS telemetryVia smartphone appOptionalOptionalOptional

Aprilia


RSV4 RR

BMW


S1000RR

Ducati


1299 Panigale

EBR


1190RX

Honda


CBR1000RR

Kawasaki


Ninja ZX-10R

MV Agusta


F4 RR

Suzuki


GSX-R1000

Yamaha


YZF-R1
Tom Roderick
Tom Roderick

A former Motorcycle.com staffer who has gone on to greener pastures, Tom Roderick still can't get the motorcycle bug out of his system. And honestly, we still miss having him around. Tom is now a regular freelance writer and tester for Motorcycle.com when his schedule allows, and his experience, riding ability, writing talent, and quick wit are still a joy to have – even if we don't get to experience it as much as we used to.

More by Tom Roderick

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  • Carl Zaldivar Carl Zaldivar on Jul 03, 2017

    Anyone notice how civil we riders are with each other when leaving comments after an article ? It's amazing ! Go to your car mag comments section and you'll find lots of mud slinging... you know, the sophomoric "Ford sucks" with the immediate retort "no Chevy sucks", and on it goes. Could it be that we're an elite class ? Hmm.

  • Meaty Midrange Meaty Midrange on Jul 04, 2017

    Do you have any info on the number of each bike model sold in the US? I've noticed on a couple of British bike websites I read that they frequently include that statistic in their articles. My guess is that the Japanese bikes sell something like ten to one over EU bikes. The implications are that the higher selling bikes will likely have a better aftermarket selection and increased dealer maintenance /repair support options.

    I'm theorizing here...what does MO think? Does Honda/Kawi/Suzuki crush BMW/Aprillia/KTM in volume sold? If they do, is it a factor in the overall value of a bike?

    • Kevin Duke Kevin Duke on Jul 06, 2017

      The OEMs in America don't publicly release sales data of each model. But, yeah, the Japanese bikes outsell the Euros by a big margin. Dealer availability/proximity is a factor in anyone's decision to buy a bike, but modern bikes seldom require constant care, so having a rare bike can also be looked at as an asset. So much depends on what the consumer is looking for, and that can vary a lot!

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