The World’s Best Superbikes Face Off On Paper!

Once the laughing stock of the litre-class superbike segment when it came to engine output, the Fireblade now stands proud as the most powerful motorcycle in its class, and indeed the most powerful naturally-aspirated motorcycle in the world. It has managed this feat by stretching its motor to the very edge of the 1000cc displacement limit, and using a more direct intake channel through the headstock rather than around it. But the flipside of the coin is that the CBR produces its figures extremely high up in the rev range, indicating that this engine will need to be worked hard to get the most out of it.

The BMW S 1000 RR was once the horsepower king but it is now the least powerful of this trio, indicating just how much the game has moved forwards. Nevertheless, it still matches the Honda's torque figure, and delivers it a whole 1500rpm earlier. It also packs in ShiftCam variable valve timing technology (the only one of these three to offer it), ensuring very even torque delivery across the rev range. Speaking of torque, the Panigale V4 S is in a class of its own, but that's no surprise considering its V4 engine layout and 103cc displacement advantage. It's also the earliest of this trio to deliver its peak output, which should render it one of if not the most usable bikes here.

Underpinnings