http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/9/9680/Motorcycle-Article/2011-Superbike-Smackdown-VIII-Track.aspx

BMW takes the overall win with an astounding 184 rear wheel HP vs. 164 HP for the over-hyped new ZX-10R. The new 10R was lightest in class at 435 lbs curb weight and edged out the BMW for second quickest lap time behind the now four year old Honda CBR 1000RR but in the end could only muster third place. The amazing part of the whole thing is how the old school Honda keeps kickin azz on the newer designs and has no fancy traction control or other techno-bling, just good old fashioned light weight, torquey power delivery and and well balanced suspension. It is an incredible 30 HP down on the BMW at the rear wheel but still manages to spank it on the track and is within a few thousandths of a second in the quarter mile. If I was going to buy a new liter this year it would most likely be the Repsol Edition Honda, only thing holding me back is their reputation for burning oil.

BTW, has anyone else noticed that, even though the HP of these liter bikes keeps going up, the torque levels haven't changed in the last 6 or 7 years i.e. below 10,000 rpm, which is most useable on street or average track, an '04 will more than hold it's own against the newer bikes. The Beemer has a big advantage at 13-14,000 rpm but who can use that unless their world class caliber riders?

* Last updated by: Kruz on 4/13/2011 @ 8:13 AM *

Damn Beemer.. Always whoopin us.. :(

^^^for track riding, yeah. BMW. The hp is there for straightline performance but even so, we don't see the BMW being a big dragstrip threat. Still 14 and busa are the drag bikes. The ZX-10 seems to make some excellent runs with a riuder who knows how to ride the clutch out to the upper revs. The 14 and the busa doesn't need to do that and they even have clutches that are better designed hold up to that kind of abuse.

I'd take the Bimmer to do impressive dyno runs. I think tests show the Honda with it's meager 165 hp is probably going to be the liter bike all of us run fastest laps on and the best street performance as well. For those reasons, I think I might go with a CBR if i were in the market for a new bike. The big hp # don't add up to fastest.

Really, just go with the one that looks coolest to you. You'll get your butt handed to you by a guy on a 600 when the turns get tight. Has happened to me on the 14. Just wouldn't think of trying to do what smaller bike will do but I used to have them for lunch from a light.

They are ALL such great machines. I wish I could have 20 of them and then I would have everything covered.

who cares what the rags say!

These bike mfg's are IMO...from this stuff that you guys are postin(which is cool and informative)tryin to reach a particular YOUNGER market.It's fairly clear at least how I'm seein it...the 14...the flagship Kawi...has blasted the competition (suzuki) on it's azz.The 14 has proven now to be THE premier all-rounder with several age groups.It only keeps improving with each release of "upgraded" things.There is a HUGE market for the 14.It's reputation is excellent.The liter bikes...well...they're a different animal...being used for different riding.The race companies have the cash to throw into em to wring all the best out of em.

From how it looks to me,the major bike mfg's are attempting to hit the "racerboy" group with these models that are SO CLOSE in performance.It's all about cash.Who can come up with the "winning" formula that'll grab a growing audience.Course,we all know that.

There's no way a guy's gonna buy one of these killer liter bikes,and run it on the street(for very long anyway).It'll end up at the track,or the recycler...minus rider.Now I COULD be all wrong.I'm goin by what I see here....in Cali or some of those other weather friendly states...it's most likely a whole different story.IDK...just talkin I guess.

I (have)played guitar...for years(not any more).I've given my guitar to a "friend" at different times through the years.It wasn't top of the line.But this guy could make that guitar sing....with the best of em.So it's not always the "model" that's makes or breaks something.That Kawi you guys mentioned...given a different rider,with different skills...who knows?Same with those other liter bikes.That Honda...."aged"...IDK...but seems like it did pretty good.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 4/13/2011 @ 4:00 PM *

Allthough I'm not keen on rossi wonder whats coming out of the new Duc?

The only thing that matters is results in AMA Pro Road Racing.

If Kawk can't get the new ZX10 in the win column consistantly in that venue, it still won't mean the bike is a failure. If it is like years past, it will mean they couldn't get a decent rider.

its not a threat at the strip due to the price...but look what brock has done to a stock engine...nothing from kawi, suzuki, yamaha even comes close...you need a built engine for the three to sit side by side.

No you don't.

Engine: Stock (203 RWHP/80 ft-lbs SAE Scale using VP MRX01 Fuel)
Exhaust System: Brock’s Performance Full Titanium CT-FM™ Carbon Tip Megaphone... with Anodized Flames
Fuel Injection Control: Dynojet PCV with Brock’s Performance Custom Map to match the CT-FM.
Wheels: BST Carbon Fiber
Tires: Michelin 120/60 Power Pure Front - 190/50 Power One Rear
Bearings: Worldwide Bearings Ceramic
Swingarm: Brock’s Performance 9” over Alumi-Pro™ by McIntosh
Shock: Brock’s Performance Dragshock™ by Öhlins (Dual Stage Compression with Remote)
Sprockets: Vortex (17-47 to start)
Chain: Regina 530 ZRP 160 Link (O-Rings removed by hand)
Clutch Modifications: Brock’s Performance Clutch Mod, Cushion, Springs with Adjustable Spring Tops and Shims
Lowering Links: Brock’s Performance Window Links
Front End: Brock’s Performance Radial Mount Front End Lowering Kit (Radial Mounts, Strap End Kit, Strap)
Oil: Alisyn <<0 Weight
Oil Additive: Petron Plus
Coolant: MoCool by Motul

You can take a zx14, throw it to 9" over with a pipe and BSTs, and put their jockey on it and run just as fast OR FASTER.

They have ALOT of money tied into that bike to run 8.40s.

Now that i've been there, I could run 8.40s on about $2500.