Spec Comparison Review: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR vs Aprilia RSV4 RF vs Yamaha R1 M vs MV Agusta F4 RR vs Ducati 1299 Panigale

East vs West. more like Japanese, vs Italians. One is known for perfection, discipline and quality and other for beauty, elegance and innovation. What we have in this comparison are bikes which will probably take you a lifetime to acquire to and another to master them.

The bikes here are track monsters and can be best enjoyed in that controlled environment. All of them have more affordable and more street friendly options but that's a comparo for another day.

The Kawasaki ZX-10RR is the newest entrant to this exotic club. It comes with all the bell and whistles of an exotic litre-class superbike out of the box but has more room for hardcore track bits. The question is, will it be able to carve a niche in this ultra premium, ultra exotic club? Let the numbers do the talking.

Engine and performance -

The Kawasaki ZX-10RR has a 998cc, In-line four motor which produces 200PS @ 13,000rpm (210PS with RAM air) and a peak torque of 113.5Nm @ 11,500rpm. RAM air works at high speed and basically pushes air into the combustion chamber via a duct between the headlamps that is connected to the airbox. This turbocharger like effect increases performance and makes the ZX-10RR the most powerful motorcycle here.

The Aprilia RSV4 RF is powered by a 999.6cc V-4 engine that makes 204PS @ 13,000rpm and 115Nm of torque @ 10,500rpm. The Yamaha R1M gets a 998cc inline- four that develops 200PS @ 13,500rpm and 112.4Nm @ 11,500rpm. The Yamaha R1M gets a crossplane crankshaft has an uneven 270-180-90-180 degree firing sequence for high levels of linear torque. The MV Agusta F4 RR's 998cc in-line four motor, in comparison, produces 204PS @ 13,600rpm and 111Nm @ 9600rpm.  

The Ducati 1299 Panigale gets a 1285cc L-Twin which develops 208 PS @ 10,500 rpm and 144.6Nm of torque @ 8,750 rpm. The Ducati might have a 285cc advantage over the other four motorcycles, but unlike the rest of the four-cylinders, it's twin has the same power output as the rest. The 1200 Panigale is the torquiest motorcycle in the comparison while the Kawasaki makes the most power with RAM air assist.    

Features-

The Kawasaki ZX-10RR gets new Bosch Inertia Measurement Unit (IMU) which measures 5 degrees of axes and with the ECU that is programmed with Kawasaki’s proprietary logic, it also measures the 6th axis for precise chassis orientation awareness. The bike features a horde of electronics which includes power modes, Kawasaki-Sports Traction Control (S-KTRC) system with 5 modes for better grip, Kawasaki Intelligent Anti-Lock Braking System (KIBS), Kawasaki Launch Control Mode (KLCM) for those looking for a perfect launch, Kawasaki Engine Braking Control (KEBC), Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS) and an improved Ohlins Electronic Steering Damper (ESD). 

The Aprilia RSV4 RF gets a dynamic control suite derived from the World Superbike series which offers auto calibration and wheelie control and includes Aprilia Traction Control (ATC), which offers 8 different settings that can be selected for different types of road surfaces and riding styles, Aprilia Wheelie Control (AWC), which provides smooth wheelie management to avoid harsh power cuts or pick up and it is provided in three settings which could be adjusted independently, Aprilia Launch Control (ALC) feature provides three different setting to the rider and Aprilia Quick Shift (AQS) which enables super-fast shifting with no need to close the throttle or use the clutch. 

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

Login Now

 Electronic Racing Suspension (ERS) that takes data from the 6-axis IMU, enabling its Suspension Control Unit (SCU) to make adjustments to fork and shock setting for increased stability, Communication Control Unit (CCU) which records a wide range of data like running data, lap times, speed, throttle position, and GPS tracking and lean angle. Its lightweight carbon bodywork has the M1 race bike silhouette. It gets 3-dimensional control which includes rear wheel Slide Control System (SCS), Traction Control System (TCS) and Front Lift Control system (LIF) in addition to Launch Control System (LCS) and Quick Shift System (QSS). 

The MV Agusta F4 RR gets ELDOR electronics package with ride-by-wire and four engine maps. The motorcycle gets throttle sensitivity, maximum torque, engine braking, engine response and rev limiter, all of which can be set to Normal, Sport or Rain modes. It gets Ohlins suspension with electronic controls, Motor and Vehicle Integrated Control System (MVICS)  technology which provides precision controls for multiple engine maps, inertia platform lean angle sensors which uses three gyroscopes and three accelerometers and provides moment-by-moment info on vehicle dynamics, 8-level traction control system, and Electronically Assisted Shift (EAS) as an accessory. 

The Ducati 1299 Panigale gets Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) which is the race-derived electronic system which allows shifting without the use of clutch, full LED lighting, Ducati Data Analyser (DDA) + GPS which integrates a GPS signal to create a virtual finish line, and Engine Braking System (EBS) works with slipper clutch to prevent and manage any locking of rear wheel during aggressive downshifting. It gets Bosch Inertia Platform which is centred around Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and manages the motorcycle’s lean angles. Ducati Wheelie Control EVO (DWC EVO) is provided to control the front wheel lift and provide maximum acceleration safety, Ducati Traction Control EVO (DTC EVO) monitors the slipping of the rear tyre and operates on the basis of 8 different tolerances to rear slipping. The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) provides combined braking with controlled rear wheel lift to ensure shortest braking distances.  

While all bikes here have electronics that would rival a space shuttle, the Ducati 1299 Panigale edges forward with its Ducati Data Analyser that uses GPS to map out a virtual track.

Dimensions and Cycle Parts – 

The Kawasaki ZX-10RR gets a lightweight cast aluminium twin-spar frame. It gets a WSBK-developed suspension by Showa and the technology takes its roots from Kawasaki’s factory race machine. It is the only bike here to get Balance Free Forks (BFF) at the front that aids stability under heavy braking in corners. It gets 330mm discs with radially mounted 4-piston Brembo monobloc callipers at the front and a 220mm semi-floating petal disc with an aluminium Brembo piston at the rear. The ZX-10RR runs on trick Pirelli Supercorsa Diablo tyres. Seat height is 835 mm and the bike weighs 204 kgs (kerb). The ZX10-RR gets cast aluminium Marchesini wheels that weigh a scant 1.2kgs each and help improve cornering and braking by a mile.

The Aprilia RS V4 RF gets Ohlins USD forks with 120mm travel at the front and Ohlins double-braced aluminium monoshock swingarm with 130mm at the rear. It gets 320mm discs with radially mounted 4-piston Brembo callipers at the front and a 220mm rear disc with 2-piston Brembo calliper at the rear along with 3-stage Bosch ABS, equipped with Rear Wheel Lift-up Mitigation (RLM). The RS V4 RF runs on Pirelli Supercorsa Diablo's. The bike gets an 18.5 litres fuel tank and weighs 180 kgs.

The Yamaha R1M gets an aluminium delta box frame with 43mm USD Ohlins forks with electronic adjustment and a swingarm-link suspension at the rear. Braking duties are handled by twin 320mm discs with 4-piston callipers at the front and a single 220mm disc with a dual-piston calliper at the rear. The R1M runs on Bridgestone Battlax RS10 tyres. Seat height is 860mm which shorter riders might have an issue with. It gets a 17-litre fuel tank and weighs 200kg.

The MV Agusta F4 RR gets a modular compound-structure frame with TIG hand-welded tubular steel trellis and aluminium plates. Braking duties are done by 320mm double floating discs with aluminium  Brembo monobloc callipers at the front and 210mm single disc with Nissin calliper at the rear. The bike gets Ohlins USD forks with electronically controlled compression and rebound damping at the front and Ohlins monoshock unit with fully adjustable hydraulic electronically controlled compression and rebound at the rear. The bike runs on Pirelli Supercorsa Diablos. Seat height is 830mm; the bike gets a 17-litre fuel tank and weighs 190 kg. 

The Ducati 1299 Panigale sits on a monocoque aluminium chassis and gets Marzocchi 50mm pressurised and fully adjustable USD forks at the front and fully adjustable monoshock Sachs unit at the rear. The motorcycle gets dual 330mm semi-floating discs with Brembo monoblock M50 4-piston callipers and cornering ABS at the front and single 245mm disc with 2-piston callipers and cornering ABS at the rear. The 1299 Panigale runs on Pirelli Supercorsa Diablo tyres. The bike has a seat height of 830mm, gets a 17-litre fuel tank and weighs 190 kg. Owing to its monocoque construction, the 1299 Panigale is the lightest bike here. In terms suspension, the Kawasaki ZX-10 RR impresses with its setup which is similar to the one used in WSBK race bikes.

Pricing - 

The Ninja ZX10-RR is priced at Rs 21.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and the production number is limited to 500 units throughout the globe. The Aprilia RSV4 RF retails at Rs 24.46 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and production of this motorcycle is also limited to 500 units across the globe. The Yamaha R1M is priced at Rs 33.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The MV Agusta F4 RR is priced at Rs 35.71 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and it is the most expensive motorcycle in the comparison. The Ducati 1299 Panigale is the most expensive motorcycle in the comparison here and costs a whopping 35.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). 

All the bikes listed above have their exclusivity and their own charm. It’s hard to decide which one to go forward with, and this is exactly the moment where pricing plays a key role. For a matter of fact, the ZX-10RR is the most affordable motorcycle of the lot. Both Aprilia and MV Agusta boasts exotic components and top spec WSBK-derived components and suspension parts which justify their price tag. The Kawasaki offers a lot of technology, innovations and practicality, and though it is not a piece of art in terms of design it does look purposeful. The 1299 Panigale has got all the bells and whistles and has the edge here in terms of performance and dynamics owing to its torquier motor and lightweight monocoque construction. If money is not an issue, Ducati is the way to go. Overall the ZX-10RR makes a strong case for itself by offering the bets at the most affordable price tag.