Honda CBR1000RR-R SP Vs BMW S 1000 RR Sport Vs Ducati Panigale V4 S Spec Comparison

For far too long now, the Indian market has been given the cold shoulder by international manufacturers, with only the bottom rungs of their lineups resigned to our showrooms. Times are changing though, and Honda has recently opened bookings for its paradigm-shifting CBR1000RR-R Fireblade in India. It joins the Ducati Panigale V4 S and the BMW S 1000 RR on our shores, meaning that the creme de la creme of the current superbike crop are now all on sale in India. So how do they stack up against each other?

Powertrain

Specifications	Honda CBR1000RR-R SP	Ducati Panigale V4 S	BMW S 1000 RR Sport
Engine	999.9cc, inline-four cylinder, liquid-cooled engine	1,103cc, 90-degree V4, liquid-cooled engine	999cc, inline-four cylinder, liquid-cooled engine
Power	217.5PS @ 14,500rpm	214.14PS @ 13,000rpm	206.66PS @ 13,500rpm
Torque	113Nm @ 12,500rpm	124Nm @ 10,000rpm	113Nm @ 11,000rpm
Compression Ratio	13:1	14:1	13.3:1
Bore x Stroke	81mm x 48.5mm	81mm x 53.5mm	80mm x 49.7mm
Gearbox	6-speed	6-speed	6-speed

Once the laughing stock of the litre-class superbike segment when it came to engine output, the Fireblade now stands proud as the most powerful motorcycle in its class, and indeed the most powerful naturally-aspirated motorcycle in the world. It has managed this feat by stretching its motor to the very edge of the 1000cc displacement limit, and using a more direct intake channel through the headstock rather than around it. But the flipside of the coin is that the CBR produces its figures extremely high up in the rev range, indicating that this engine will need to be worked hard to get the most out of it.

The BMW S 1000 RR was once the horsepower king but it is now the least powerful of this trio, indicating just how much the game has moved forwards. Nevertheless, it still matches the Honda's torque figure, and delivers it a whole 1500rpm earlier. It also packs in ShiftCam variable valve timing technology (the only one of these three to offer it), ensuring very even torque delivery across the rev range. Speaking of torque, the Panigale V4 S is in a class of its own, but that's no surprise considering its V4 engine layout and 103cc displacement advantage. It's also the earliest of this trio to deliver its peak output, which should render it one of if not the most usable bikes here.

Underpinnings

Specifications	Honda CBR1000RR-R SP	Ducati Panigale V4 S	BMW S 1000 RR Sport
Frame	Aluminium twin spar	Aluminium alloy front frame	Bridge-type cast aluminium frame
Suspension	F: 43mm Ohlins NPX USD fork R: Linked Ohlins TTX shock absorber	F: 43mm Ohlins NIX USD fork R: Ohlins TTX shock absorber	F: 45mm USD fork R: Linked monoshock
Tyres	F: 120/70-ZR17 R: 200/55-ZR17	F: 120/70-ZR17 R: 200/60-ZR17	F: 120/70-ZR17 R: 190/55-ZR17
Brakes	F: 330mm twin discs, Brembo 4-piston calipers R:  220mm disc, Brembo 2-piston caliper	F: 330mm twin discs, Brembo 4-piston calipers R:  245mm disc, 2-piston caliper	F: 320mm twin discs, 4-piston calipers R:  220mm disc, 2-piston caliper

It fought long and it fought hard but the Panigale's finicky monocoque construction has finally made way for a more conventional "front frame" design on the V4. This brings it more in-line with the Beemer and the 'Blade, both of which use aluminium twin-spar frames. While the Honda and the Ducati are largely neck-and-neck, the S 1000 RR has to make do with smaller front brake discs and a narrower rear tyre. All three variants in this comparison get electronically adjustable semi-active suspension and IMU-assisted rider aids like cornering ABS.

Dimensions

Specifications	Honda CBR1000RR-R SP	Ducati Panigale V4 S	BMW S 1000 RR Sport
Wheelbase	1455mm	1464mm	1441mm
Ground clearance	118.6mm	N/A	N/A
Fuel tank capacity	16.1-litres	16-litres	16.5-litres
Seat height	831mm	830mm	824mm
Kerb weight	201.3kg	195kg	197kg

It may be the most powerful bike here, but the Fireblade is also the heaviest of the trio. The differences aren't very large, but when things are this close, every little edge over your opponents counts. In standard trim, it's the Panigale that's the lightest, despite packing in the biggest motor, but if you spend a little more and get the M Package on the Beemer, that will drop its weight down to 193.5kg.

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