Three Ultimate Euro Superbikes Compared: One Is a Clear Winner

Cycle World tests the Aprilia RSV4 Factory, BMW M 1000 RR, and Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 head-to-head in a racetrack shootout, naming the best superbike of 2022.

--

The only things required in the modern-day superbike are the essential go-fast elements of mass horsepower, wicked handling, and a heck of a lot of technology developed at the highest levels of racing. Anything else? Scrap it. Extra interferes with the ultimate goal of the ideal lap time. This is the category that has revolutionized outright road-going motorcycle performance as we know it.

It’s what has made superbikes so super. And every so often, one of these machines comes along and defies the perception of what is possible on two wheels, completely changing our expectations for a high-performance race-bred streetbike. To put things in perspective, a former Cycle World staffer purchased a late-’70s Suzuki GS1000, leaving it in the crate, convinced that performance of such an astonishing level would not be outdone. Boy, was he wrong.

Era-defining motorcycles like the legendary 1986 GSX-R750 followed with its remarkably low weight, high rpm, and unflinching sporting focus for the period. Other milestone machines include the wicked 1998 Yamaha YZF-R1, then the fabled 2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 otherwise known as the K5, and more recently the technologically sophisticated 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1. Each represents a new realm in conceivable performance relative to its period and was built with the rules of production-based Superbike racing in mind, in order to win on Sunday and sell on Monday. Because if you want a great racebike, you have to start with a great streetbike.

What’s different in this test is that two bikes arrive here flouting any racing rules while one aims to perform within superbike regulations to deliver the best possible racetrack experience. None of these motorcycles are cheap, but considering their relative performance and their high-level industrial art, you could argue there’s a ton of value here. There is nothing better available on two wheels for total sportbike performance—these bikes are it.

The Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 is the best example of no-holds-barred performance, packed with the oversized 1,103cc Stradale 90-degree V-4 and a whole lot of carbon fiber. Think of it as Ducati building upon the performance of the super-exotic Superleggera V4, Cycle World Ten Best Superbike 2021 champion, and delivering it in a package that’s 60 percent cheaper and more readily available to the customer. It feels as if it was hand built on the workbench alongside Bologna’s World Superbikes.

Aprilia’s RSV4 Factory has a similar story. The winner of Cycle World’s last superbike shootout has a lot on the line. Since that time, Aprilia has bumped displacement of its unrestricted 65-degree V-4 to 1,099cc, fitted top-shelf semi-active Öhlins suspension, and an updated swingarm, among other changes. Aprilia may not be actively competing in superbike racing, but recent MotoGP results are proof of its ongoing expertise.

In this group, BMW’s M 1000 RR is an outlier by being a homologation-special racing model. It has to be 1,000cc, but it’s the finest, fastest machine Motorrad has to offer. That means it’s the competition-minded descendant of the capable S 1000 RR with every bit of the design focused on finding advantages within the scope of the World Superbike rules package. Yes, there is street-spec equipment, but BMW is just squeaking through DOT and EPA requirements to qualify the M as a for-sale streetbike so it can go racing at one of the highest levels.

[kevinbacker]

In my book just comparing a $26k bike to a $40k bike speaks volumes. Aprilia does an amazing job for the pricepoint. You could just take that extra cash and upgrade the bike and it would be way better than the other bikes.

[a-a-ronenduro]

The Ducati wins but you could buy an RSV4 and a Tuono for the street for the SP2s price 🤔

[nimayork]

The Aprilia is almost half the price lol. It should be compared to an S1000RR and a V4S lol. You can buy an RSV4 Factory + a Tuono 1100 for the price of the BMW or the Ducati lol. FYI, I bought the 2022 RSV4 Factory and it is the best bike I have ever owned!

[daniilrusanau]

Right off the bat can say, that I love this conversational format! More commute old-fashined videos in 2023 please!

[igitsolutions]

Have you guys ever considered that having the carbon wheels plays a role in the ability for the brakes to slow down the rotation of the wheels due to the extra Kg on the rear and extra 700grams on the front wheel. The rotational inertia difference is massive at high speeds. I bet If you put carbon wheels on the Aprilia there will be 4 distinct differences you'll feel.
1. It will accelerate faster
2. It will stop faster
3. It will feel way easier to lean over side to side.
4. It will feel sharper (more accurate)

Something to keep in mind the differences mentioned : stopping, leaning over and power delivery at that HP and Torque numbers
the wheels definitely played a role between those 3 bikes.

[weldoid]

I watched this on the Xbox and then had to log in on my phone so I could comment on how great it is to see a comparison by guys who KNOW WHAT THEYRE DOING!! Not enough of this nowadays, and we really appreciate your work!

[peternap]

Nice comparison.
I drove many bikes, the S1000RR is such a beast and reliable. My goodness from zero to 240 in fourth gear and figting to stay on the bike... Incredible power.

Ducati is it's own league of itself, the sensation on any model is special... Also special is all the troubles and high maintenance.

I owned an Aprilia RSV Factory R, the emotion, the reliability and funfactor is amazing.
It's like the BMW but with a rough edge and an unbelievable sound.

Aprilia is the one to buy, it will always give you the smile you want and doesnt destroy your wallet every single time you go out 🤣

[snupermoto]

Adam doesn't sound stoned for the first time ever.

[PLGAZA]

Fit and finish on the Aprilia is as good as the Ducati and BMW and a lot cheaper to boot.
No brainer - Aprilia is the clear winner for me

[sidthiru]

Never expected to say this but that rsv4 is actually priced really well

[sk]

Shame the bikes for the USA market are de-tuned so much ! Here in the UK they all make over 200hp at the wheel! Worth pointing out the Ducati and BMW are £35k here but you can get an Aprilia RSV4 discounted for less than £20k - all these bikes are special - just out of this world performance now and the electronics are on another level !

[MegaTechpc]

I don’t know what these guys are talking about regarding the “softness or lack of bite on the Aprilia’s brakes? Granted, I’m not riding at track speeds but whenever I squeeze my brakes my face feels like it’s about to rip off, and I only have the RR with its last-generation Brembo M50’s! Braking power has never once been something I’d consider a weakness of the RSV4, in fact I consider it to be one of the bike’s strengths.

[myaccount]

Aprillia should introduce an SP above the Factory and put all the goodies on it… I’m sure there’s a market for it… both RSV4 and Tuono

[byever]

Pretty disappointed that the Honda Gold wing isn't on the list of contenders.

[stuffedcrust]

We're living in the golden age for superbikes rn

[MrPninja]

Thank god we in Australia don’t have those restrictions like flat spots and less power

[axs]

Ive owned an Aprilia RSV4 and absolutely loved it. Pure nirvana. Id like a Ducati Panigale now not because its better but because Im so blessed to live in a time with such incredible machines that inspire the soul.

[pinotgreen]

Nice test! Thanks.
Got my RSV 4 last year. No joke, for me it is the easiest bike to ride. And I had many. No need to adjust anything even on the track. Maybe I am not fast enough but anyway I do have my share of fun! Out of my 13 bikes I had (59 years old) it is the best one ever.

[DrKampfpudding]

The Aprilia wins in the sound and looks department no doubt 🙌

[CubanRider]

Damn, bikes went from $20k to $40k fast and in a hurry.