2018 Superbike comparison: Aprilia RSV4 RF Vs BMW S1000RR Vs Ducati Panigale V4 S
A year after having compared the four Japanese Superbikes, Site opposes three – super – European productions: the recent Aprilia RSV4 RF and BMW S1000RR (full options) compete against the all new Ducati Panigale V4 S… On the way to the circuit !
Comparo SBK 2018 – page 1: News from the old continent
Site readers – who, as everyone knows, have a little more RAM than others – remember that 2017 was marked by the arrival, from Japan, of two new machines in the Superbike category: the Honda CBR1000RR and Suzuki GSX-R1000…
The same readers of the Journal moto du Net – who, as everyone knows, are also a little more fortunate than the others – remember that their devoted editorial staff had assembled on this occasion the comparison of Japanese Superbikes, by placing in the rims of the Fireblade and Gex, the excellent Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and Yamaha YZF-R1 … An exceptional and exclusive match on the French Web, by the way !
- Superbike 2017 comparison :
- Site Tests :
- Panigale V4, RSV4 and S1000RR comparison :
This year for a change, MNC has decided to oppose the three sports motorcycles of 1000 cc (and a little more, we will come back to it) coming from our "old" continent: two Italians and a German who have absolutely nothing to envy to their Japanese counterparts. On the contrary ?
Two of them are already well known to bikers: the Aprilia RSV4 and the BMW S1000RR. They were revised in 2017 to comply with the Euro4 standard mainly, but the engineers of Noale and those of Munich logically took the opportunity to refine their machines.
In 2018, these two motorcycles find on their road – on their circuit rather, as these machines seem unsuitable for driving on open roads – a brand new machine: the Ducati Panigale V4, supposed to write a new chapter in the history of the Bologna firm…
Aprilia has one of the best records in motorcycle racing: 26 rider titles, 28 manufacturer titles and 346 victories in international events, all disciplines combined. The last category in which she shone? The Superbike, which Noale’s firm dominated for nearly five seasons.
RSV4: former Superbike queen
In 2010, only one year after the release of its brand new RSV4, the sports brand of the Piaggio group (owner since 2005) has established itself in World Superbike and allowed a certain Max Biaggi to win his fifth world crown….
During the following four seasons, Aprilia and its super (be) bike conquered three additional constructor titles and obtained two other rider titles with the same Roman Emperor in 2012, then two years later with our world champion Sylvain Guintoli !
Focused on MotoGP since 2016, Noale’s firm has fallen in the WorldSBK rankings. Nevertheless, its "road" Superbike remains a safe bet in the hypersport motorcycle segment: at the same time compact and light, expressive and powerful, the RSV4 continues to inspire many trackers. "The" RSV4 should we rather say…
The RSV4 is available in three versions: the "base" RR or the "racing" RF are both approved for the road, while a "competition" FW is exclusively reserved for use on the track. In GP configuration, the engine can then reach a maximum power of 250 horsepower! Popopo…
Ducati France only making Panigale V4 "S" available to journalists, Le Journal moto du Net has opted for an RSV4 RF: like the RR, it develops 201 hp for 204 kg, and since 2017 has integrated a TFT color screen, a quickshiter "Up / down", a 4th generation APRC electronics (particularly curved ABS) and 330 mm discs at the front (Vs 320 previously) still bitten by Brembo M50 calipers.
In addition to this new and rich standard endowment, the RF adopts forged aluminum alloy wheels (cast on the RR model) which fit the same Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP (ditto on the Ducati, Metzeler Racetec RR on the BMW). MNC notes on receiving "his" RSV4 at Piaggio France that the admirable bright red of the forged rims – in the photos – is in fact a purplish color. So-so.
However, the site does not hide its enthusiasm at the idea of riding in such good company … In such good company too, even if MNC regrets the designers’ stagnation: the triple optics copied and pasted on too many Aprilia models and protruding edges of the tank and the rear buckle could change, no ?
Le Journal moto du Net is also a little disappointed to realize that the Aprilia fender is only an "imitation" carbon. The BMW does not do much better with the trim above the fairing sides, unpainted, not raw either but not very "Premium". The Ducati does not use this kind of device … But the price is not the same !
At the same time, the RSV4 RF trades the Sachs fork and shock absorber of the single "double R" for prestigious Ohlins suspensions. Unlike its two rivals of the day, the Aprilia does not use electronically controlled suspensions…
It is with the Suzuki GSX-R1000, the last Superbike to bypass "chip damping", including as an option. Astonishing from the Piaggio group, yet so quick to abuse electronics on all its motorcycles, even traction control on the venerable Moto Guzzi V7! A good way to limit costs … and breakdowns ?! The owners have the floor, in the comments.
S1000RR: Princess of the Superstock
Unlike Aprilia, BMW has never won a World Superbike title, neither manufacturer nor driver. Registered in 2009 in the SBK world championship, the German has only won 12 victories in ten years: six in 2012 with Marco Melandri, and six in 2013 evenly divided between the same Italian and his teammate Chaz Davies…
In Superstock 1000, on the other hand, the Munich bomb has always been one of the most formidable weapons. A good point in the sense that this category further emphasizes the qualities of the production model, thanks to a more restrictive regulation: the engines are less "typed", the parts-cycles less sharp.
In terms of aura, however, the situation is reversed: the STK1000 is too little known to the "general public" biker to really improve the image of the motorcycles that race there … even in France, despite the two consecutive coronations of our dear compatriot Sylvain Barrier in 2012 and 2013 !
It is more the technical sheet of the S1000RR when it arrived on the market that allowed it to dynamite the hypersport segment, and its Japanese references with it! But today, the situation is no longer the same. Sure the paper On the fourth page of our comparison, the BMW appears to be the least powerful and heaviest motorcycle: 199 hp for 208 kg. Pilots who use it in competition, however, have already certified to MNC that the propeller bomb produced several additional horsepower on the dyno….
Renewed in 2017 as the Aprilia, the BMW is marking time in other areas: its black and white LCD dashboard, for example, seems old-fashioned compared to the competition’s TFT color panels. Nevertheless, the large tachometer with strong contrasts (colors and sizes of writing) is not without interest on the circuit….
A little dated also on the S1000RR: the square section of the visible rear frame … The Ducati is much more original with its all round and smooth rear loop, bolted directly to the rear cylinders of the new V4. It’s beautiful, light … and efficient ?
The "classic" frame – aluminum perimeter – of the BMW is painted black: why not have opted for the same partially polished finish of the aluminum swingarm? Maousse, this one has nothing to envy that of the fully polished Aprilia, like the side members of the chassis to which it is associated !
Diminished at the level of the headlights but preserved as regards the sides of the fairings, the asymmetry of the German Superbike still distinguishes it from the Italians. Its size also: the tank especially, seems more imposing. However, it is not the largest: 17.5 liters, against 18.5 for the Aprilia, and 16 for the Ducati..
The gigantic front air intake of the S1000RR also has something to intimidate the competition, as well as the pilot who is already wondering if he will manage to muzzle the Bavarian beast! At the other end of the motorcycle, a small folding seat indicates that a passenger can also try their luck. "Our" two Italians play it solo.
To best balance this new comparison, MNC asked BMW France for its best equipped S1000RR. Message received: the managers entrusted us with a machine with almost all options. All that’s missing is the alarm! Offered from 17,950 euros (or 400 euros more than the RSV4 RR and 4,540 less than the "short" Panigale), the S1000RR then raises the note to 23,601 euros…
For this price, the customer has what is best at BMW and can stand out in front of his little comrades: advanced electronics that manage the engine but also the suspensions, forged rims, titanium exhaust, speed regulator (standard on Aprilia), metallic paint with the most beautiful effect, and even heated grips … for winter runs or night shifts ?!
Panigale V4: next star of the circuits ?
Undisputed star of the Ducati stand last fall at the last Milan Motor Show – and voted best novelty 2018 by Site readers! -, the Panigale V4 arrived this winter in dealerships. However, she preferred to wait a season before entering competition….
In World Superbike, the 1199 Panigale R with a two-cylinder engine therefore continues to represent the emblem of Bologna. However, despite the undeniable progress made in recent years with Chaz Davies in particular, Ducati continues to come up against the invincible Kawasaki ZX-10RR and Jonathan Rea !
Winner like BMW of multiple national championships or in STK1000 with their Panigale "V2", the Reds of Borgo Panigale won their last world title in 2011. It was in WSBK, with the previous Superbike model: an 1198R prepared by the team private Althea and piloted by Carlos Checa.
Frustrated, bored, discouraged from working on the only twin-cylinder of the WorldSBK, the transalpines chose to capitalize on their MotoGP V4: "ciao" the Superquadro and the original monocoque frame therefore, "benvenuto" the Desmosedici Stradale with counter-rotating crankshaft and the "Front Frame" summary! And history to put the pie to the other 4-cylinders, the Ducati cube 1103 cc road V4…
While the 999 cc Superbikes currently peak at around 200 hp for just over 200 kilograms, the Panigale V4 hits a big blow even before entering the ring: its maximum power is estimated at 214 hp (226 with the race), its full weight is 195 kg. Or 1.1 hp / kg! Never seen.
Already seen, however: the elitist price of this brand new Ducati! 27,990 euros, ie not much more expensive than the previous Panigale, but significantly more than its compatriot and competitor of the day RSV4 RF displayed at "only" 21,049 euros. In other words: the Ducati returns to two years of minimum wage, the Aprilia one and a half…
As if their motorcycle was not expensive or beautiful enough, Ducati France adorned it with a few accessories: tank cover and carbon single-arm, quick-closing cap without key, rizoma levers … These are adjustable in spacing on the right as on the left (brake only on Aprilia and BMW), but also hits against the fairing when stepping to the maximum. "Mamma mia", the painting !
The painting is precisely as unique as it is logical: red! The lines of the new Panigale are very similar to those of its predecessor. Too close, if we are to believe the reactions – surprise, disappointment, skepticism, etc. – bikers crossed during this test: "is it the new Ducati, the V4?" Yes Yes. The front is more angular, the rear more minimalist, the sides are more convoluted. Everything remains beautiful.
The degree of finish reaches peaks on the Ducati, but the Aprilia is really not far: cut in the mass, the triple trees of the Italian would not denote in a competition box, for example. Those of the BMW make a little more "large series" with their slightly grainy finish, but the spirit "Racing" remains.
The Panigale V4 also stands out from its competitors by employing unusual solutions: it thus retains a single-arm which is wedged directly on the lower engine. Thanks to the low exhaust, fully integrated into the fairing, the rear rim is superbly highlighted. Bellissima !
The spider that supports the front fairing and the dashboard is made of magnesium and painted gold. Because the Ducati is worth it! In its S version, the Panigale V4 is equipped with electronic Ohlins suspensions, forged aluminum wheels (magnesium optional) and a lithium-ion battery. Aprilia and BMW will they make the "weight"? Verification on following pages.
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