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WE HAVE A WINNAH!
Usually comparison test rides end up being a debate between our
testers as to the merits! faults of each bike in order to determine a
winner, and Bike of the Year comparos are often even more of a
hair~splitting contest. But even with how closely matched this
certainly isn't the strongest of the bikes in this group, but the
Aprilia's lithe handling allows the powerplant to generate speed in
cornering situations and areas of the racetrack where the others would
find it difficult. The difference in performance between the standard
R and Factory engines may not be huge, but the impact of the Factory's
smoother power band on its ability quintet is performance-wise, it was
easy to see at the conclusion of both street and track testing which
bike was going to be at the top of everyone's sheets.
It's been a while since we've had a motorcycle that elicits such a
glowing reaction from everyone who rides it. There was no denying that
its performance had a definite seductive effect on all of our testers.
And yet inspiring such joy and confidence in a rider are only a few of
the attributes of the bike that has earned Sport Rider's Bike of the
Year crown for 2010: the Aprilia RSV4 Factory
STREET POINTS
BMW S1000RR: 93 POINTS
APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY:92 POINTS
MV AGUSTA F4: 88 POINTS
DUCATI 1198S:90 POINTS
KAWASAKI ZX-6R: 85 POINTS
RACETRACK POINTS:
APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY: 94 POINTS
BMW S1000RR: 92 POINTS
DUCATI 1198S: 89 POINTS
MV AGUSTA F4: 88 POINTS
KAWASAKI ZX-6R: 85 POINTS
TEST NOTES OVER ALL POINTS
1st APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY
Magical Chassis. Superb engine. A bit pricey. Plank for a seat. If it
had a bit more power and traction control.
2nd BMW S1000RR:
176 Horsepower. DTC/Race ABS holds it back on the track.
Race/Slick mode throttle response very sensitive. Give it more
midrange and agility and it'd be unbeatable.
3rd Ducati 1198S
Super midrange strong engine. DTC standard. A little down
on top-end. Narrow rev-band. Give it a little more rpm capability and
it'd be tough to beat
4th KAWASAKI ZX-6R
Best engine in the 600 class. Fantastic brakes. A little overweight
Needs quicker handling. The advantages of a middleweight are getting
smaller every year
5th MV AGUSTA F4
No more abrupt throttle response. Monster engine. Excellent chassis.
Footpegs are too small and slippery. Brakes lack feel at the limit. A
work of art that goes as good as it looks.
Usually comparison test rides end up being a debate between our
testers as to the merits! faults of each bike in order to determine a
winner, and Bike of the Year comparos are often even more of a
hair~splitting contest. But even with how closely matched this
certainly isn't the strongest of the bikes in this group, but the
Aprilia's lithe handling allows the powerplant to generate speed in
cornering situations and areas of the racetrack where the others would
find it difficult. The difference in performance between the standard
R and Factory engines may not be huge, but the impact of the Factory's
smoother power band on its ability quintet is performance-wise, it was
easy to see at the conclusion of both street and track testing which
bike was going to be at the top of everyone's sheets.
It's been a while since we've had a motorcycle that elicits such a
glowing reaction from everyone who rides it. There was no denying that
its performance had a definite seductive effect on all of our testers.
And yet inspiring such joy and confidence in a rider are only a few of
the attributes of the bike that has earned Sport Rider's Bike of the
Year crown for 2010: the Aprilia RSV4 Factory
STREET POINTS
BMW S1000RR: 93 POINTS
APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY:92 POINTS
MV AGUSTA F4: 88 POINTS
DUCATI 1198S:90 POINTS
KAWASAKI ZX-6R: 85 POINTS
RACETRACK POINTS:
APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY: 94 POINTS
BMW S1000RR: 92 POINTS
DUCATI 1198S: 89 POINTS
MV AGUSTA F4: 88 POINTS
KAWASAKI ZX-6R: 85 POINTS
TEST NOTES OVER ALL POINTS
1st APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY
Magical Chassis. Superb engine. A bit pricey. Plank for a seat. If it
had a bit more power and traction control.
2nd BMW S1000RR:
176 Horsepower. DTC/Race ABS holds it back on the track.
Race/Slick mode throttle response very sensitive. Give it more
midrange and agility and it'd be unbeatable.
3rd Ducati 1198S
Super midrange strong engine. DTC standard. A little down
on top-end. Narrow rev-band. Give it a little more rpm capability and
it'd be tough to beat
4th KAWASAKI ZX-6R
Best engine in the 600 class. Fantastic brakes. A little overweight
Needs quicker handling. The advantages of a middleweight are getting
smaller every year
5th MV AGUSTA F4
No more abrupt throttle response. Monster engine. Excellent chassis.
Footpegs are too small and slippery. Brakes lack feel at the limit. A
work of art that goes as good as it looks.
