http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2012-japanese-superbike-shootout-91266.html?utm_source=mo04052012&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly

2012 ZX-10R takes the all-Japan literbike shootout win based on it's great brakes and handling, big power and seamless traction control.

The GSXR actually knocked the mighty CBR down a peg. Who woulda thunk?

BTW, I think these shootouts are all hokeum anyway. Last year, the CBR bested the ZX-10R in this same shootout, this year the ZX-10R comes back unchanged and the Honda gets a list of improvements including Big Piston forks and loses two places. What's up with that?

They're all good IMHO!

Next, the 10R goes up against the winner of the Euro bike shootout, either the new Ducati 1199 Panigale or the BMW. My money is on the 1199 right now.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 4/9/2012 @ 1:42 PM *

I love those kind of comparisons!

But still, the true test is out on the WSB and AMA tracks.

I think these shootouts are all hokeum anyway.....They're all good IMHO!

And the editors and authors are never on the take, are they?

The real test is when the bikes are modded, I notice that the gap is closed dramatically between all of the bikes in WSB trim. The Beemer is already strung out I'n stock trim and the chassis has a hard time keeping up if you add more power....result, very few podiums.

The pig in the poke is the R1, overweight and underpowered I'n stock form but fast as lightning when tuned, just look at Josh Hayes AMA championship last year, the GSXR 1000 was right there too.

They're all good, I been saying that for years.

Rook, I'll reflash the ECU when I can ride the wheels off this thing in stock trim, not there yet!

And the editors and authors are never on the take, are they?

Makes me wonder when unchanged bikes move up in the tests. I think a lot of it comes down to the test riders personal preference and the track they choose for testing.

Some are bailing from the rr... ECU does some weird things... I forget what locks down something? I would assume you could research that, see what team dropped the brand from last year to this year? Start with the ama teams. 'New rules' is to have no ecu swapped during the season LOL!!!

I think it has more to due with advertising dollars.
Craig

Any of the modern Liter class crotch rockets, are more bike than 99% of the people riding them can use the potential of anyways. I have ridden, and owned in this class for the last 13 years. My last bike was the CBR1000RR, and considering it is a road bike, I doubt an average rider explores more than 50% of its capabilities. For the rare person that attends track days, wich is the minority of the riders of this class of bikes, they then from what I see maybe explore 75% of the bikes potential. My thinking is they only build these bikes with the potential they have, simply to say they do. Yet they know the people buying them realy don't uuse it. I like them, and it was comforting to know if I rode into a turn over my head, that the bike would not be the limiting factor, so if I stayed calm, looked thru the turn, and trusted in myself I might make it. I do this about once a year, its when I get tired, or looking at scenery, wildlife, or what have you. Suddenly at speed I come into a corner too fast. The too fast is for my comfort level, not the bikes abilities. Never has the bike not stuck and been fine in these 13 years of riding the liter class. My switch is partly a decision due to my ageing. My knees, back, wrists, shoulders and hands no longer agree to extended rides on my CBR. It will remain in the garage for spirited riding days and an occasional track day still. I plan to spoon on super sticky tires, and remove its now more mundane sport touring type tires.

Couldn't agree more Craig, that's why I get so perturbed when the guys on the liter bike forums put down what everyone else is riding when few of them are riding anywhere near the full potential of their stock machines.

The only bike I own where I feel like I'm going into the corners anywhere near WOT is on my ZX-6R and that's just on the really fast stuff.

A really good book I'm reading right now is Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist II. Though heavily track oriented, a lot of the stuff transfers directly over to street riding...like survival reactions and target fixation.

Most of the time if you find yourself going into a corner a little hot on any of the modern sportbikes, staying on the throttle and adding a litle lean will usually pull you right through. These bikes have way more potential than we do in most cases.

So true Kruz. I have leaned over every one of my crotch rockets to an angle that makes me uncomfortable. And not one has slid out from under me yet. Honestly, I have no desire to find out what it would take say to make my 2010 CBR 1000 completely break traction and low side. It has felt really leaned over, and yet its still feeling solid.

There is a guy I work with who always asks me if the bike he just bought is "good". I always tell him the same thing. There really are no bad bikes out there. By the one you LIKE. It's that simple. Street riders can't ride a modern sportbike to it's ultimate potential unless they have a death wish.

Mad

Attack (Richard Stanboli) will be entering a ZX-10R-motored CRT bike in the Laguna Seca and Indy US rounds of the MotoGP series this year. Now THAT will be a true test.

BTW, anyone interested in going to the Indy round? I have received a promo offer for 3-day tickets in the Southwest Vista for $80 per ticket + $10 for 3-day VIP bike parking. Will probably be ordering tickets sometime in May.

* Last updated by: Danno on 4/11/2012 @ 4:22 PM *

Japanese shootout, please. I guess leaving out the true kings of the class is the only way to make it fair. How times have changed...

And shame on Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha for not even trying to compete with the big horsepower liter bikes. Congrats to Kawi though, bet it would hold up well against the non-jap bikes

* Last updated by: Auron on 4/15/2012 @ 10:01 PM *

How times have changed...

True dat, in 2008 if you wanted fast you went Jap...period. Pasta rockets were pretty to look at at but were too quirky and down on power for serious consideration. BMW built funky touring machines with weird forks and shaft drive. All that's changed, it was like a perfect storm, the world economy tanked just as the Euros were bringing some heavy hitters to the plate. The Japanese are now in serious catch up mode but to be honest, look at the track times, the Jap stuff is still right there and a relative bargain.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 4/16/2012 @ 7:13 AM *

Everything I am reading and I 've read alot, says that the new Ducati 1199 is revolutionary, a game changer in the way that the BMW was. I can't wait to see how this thing does in track based shootouts, especially MasterBike.

I am sick to death of the hearing about the BMW after 4 years, time for someone to kick their arse off the top of the bloody heap. I wish it was a Jap bike doing the kicking though.

I really think the Japs got a little complacent in tha last few years and almost had an unspoken gentleman's agreement not to introduce anything too radical, a couple more ponies here, bold new graphics there and maybe knock a few pounds off but nothing radical, think Detroit back in the 60's. BMW hasn't done anything the Japs couldn't have done years ago, the difference is, they decided to do it and got it done! It was unheard of for a Jap bike to stay on top for four years. Once the Japs catch their collective breath and realize there's a new game in town, BMW is going to go down and we are going to benefit from some really badazz new technology from the Land of The Rising Sun!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 4/16/2012 @ 1:53 PM *

Is it just me or have all the Euros basically copied the Japanese engine designs now? Aprilia, BMW and now the Panigale mills look like they could have all been designed in Hamamatsu.

Everything has turned around, the Japs used to be the copiers and the Euros the innovators, now it's all reversed.

That's really a bit like comparing apples to peanuts. This test was about leter bikes. If I can beat a beat an 800 cruiser on my liter bike, it does not give me bragging rights, I should be easily able to kick the ass of say any brands 800, even the vulcan 800.....its a kawi, but not superior.

I must be missing your point here Craig, correct me if I'm wrong but you're saying it is unfair to compare a 1199cc bike to a liter bike? The Panigale is an L-Twin configuration and with a maximum displacement of 1199 cc is allowed to compete directly with the inline fours having 1000cc. A twin is inherently less powerful than a four cylinder and so needs a displacement advantage to compete directly.

Me too. I think the Panigale is going to check mate the game this year. I'm attending the Panigale launch party and demo ride on april 27th-28th... can't wait. At 6'5-235bs I'm going to look like a gorilla on a unicycle but... who cares? lol

We need pics of this event! I'm only 6'3 and have trimmed down to a svelte..lol....219 lbs, so I think I could get away with riding one. Everything I'm reading says the BMW is done, relegated to second place. The weight difference alone is almost 46 lbs and power to weight is said to be superior on the 1199, brakes, TC and handling superb! One tester said it carves corners like an R6 on steroids!

To be honest, this is the first Ducati that I would own, all the older stuff was way too quirky. The design features of this bike are up to Japanese technical standards and the inovation level is off scale. I'd have to go with the S model for the Ohlin's electronic suspension so we're looking at $23,000...stiff!

The engineers in Hamamatsu and elsewhere better dust off their drawing boards, pour themselves a stiff shot (or two) of Saki and get to re-designing or be left in the dust. It is indeed checkmate time! Viva Italia!

Lol I'll bring the camera!!!

I'm most interested in your ride evaluation although pics will be nice. If I'm going to buy another bike, this is the one I would want. I checked online and dealers are not discounting at all, S models are $23,000 + TT&L....ouch. I could almost buy two 2012 CBR 1000RRs for that price!

My other concern is with traditional Ducati reliability. I've seen way too many track based shootouts over the years end in ..."the Ducati performed well but was unable to finish because (fill in the blank) broke and we were unable to have it repaired in time." It does make you ponder. On the positive side, routine maintenance schedules are now Jap like with first valve inspection at 15,0000 so there is hope!

I have to say this is probably one of the most beautiful bikes ever made but I'm not the type to park it in the living room and admire, I would ride the heck out of it!

I typed out a long post, then deleted it. Suffice it to say any respect I had, which used to be a fair amouunt, is now gone for ducati.

It's not just the liter bikes, how many people do you know that can ride the new iteration of ss600's to their limit on the street?