Street Smarts

On the street, these nine superbikes are like caged animals, which is exactly why we took them to Miller Motorsports Park to feed. At a world-class racing venue, you can unlock their pens and let their predatory instincts take over. The reality, however, is that most people who purchase one of these potent machines will likely spend significantly more time (if not all) on the street than on a track.

Although the rankings in this shootout were determined based on track performance, we wanted to make sure we didn’t ignore their street manners. So, we laid out a street loop consisting of a mixture of urban congestion, freeway flying and twisty country two-lane to see how they fare in the real world.

Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC

Noale’s latest V-Four superbike is perhaps the most versatile of the Exotics. It offers great street manners to complement its track prowess.

• Engine has power everywhere, and what a sound!

• Easy-to-use electronics interface

• Fueling can be abrupt at low rpm

• Only ergonomic drawbacks are poor mirrors and a hard seat

BMW S1000RR

Despite its holy-s*&%(!) power and track-ready chassis, the RR is an excellent streetbike. Electronics provide everything from tame to terror.

• Light steering makes it feel lithe around town

• Excellent fueling, especially in Sport and Track modes

• Excellent clutch feel aids crisp launches

Ducati 1199 Panigale S

In some ways, the 1199 is the most hardcore Ducati sportbike ever, but features such as the electronic suspension make it street-friendly, too.

• Very compact and narrow feel

• Fueling good but not great around town

• Glare on high-tech dash keeps it from being legible in bright light

• Power not as accessible as the 1198’s

EBR 1190RS

There is very little doubt what the EBR is: a track-ready racer. As a result, it takes dedication to use this exotic on the daily commute.

• Strong surging from 4500 to 6000 rpm, right where you need smooth running on the street

• Race-type seat pad will keep casual trips short and sweet

• Limited lock can catch you out in the parking lot

• Excessive engine heat in traffic

Honda CBR1000RR

Amazing refinement and build quality are traits Honda just won’t skimp on. The CBR is absolutely awesome on the street, the best of the bunch.

• Superb transmission and clutch help get it out of the hole, street or track

• Excellent fueling across rev range

• Smooth engine with nice power delivery and meaty torque curve

• Great handling manners at any street speed

Kawasaki ZX-10R

The latest 10R is the lightest and most powerful of the Japanese bikes, feeling more like a 600 in size and yet delivering quite a punch.

• Light and neutral steering

• Tall gearing and soft midrange require more revs to launch

• Really good ergonomics, plus great mirrors

• Excellent TC system allows you be very aggressive with throttle

MV Agusta F4 RR

Anyone who buys an MV will care little about creature comforts. It’s all about raw beauty and a beastly engine that is the second-most-powerful of the Fours.

• Pew-like seat makes you want to get on knees and confess speeding sins

• Heat off exhaust system cooks legs and shock reservoir

• Quick-revving, powerful engine, but buzzy at cruise speed

Suzuki GSX-R1000

Suzuki has redefined what a repli-racer is on multiple occasions, yet never forgets to make them great streetbikes, as well. This Gixxer is no exception.

• Very useable spread of torque combined with good gearing

• Exceptional transmission

• Comfortable ergonomics make it one of the most versatile machines

• Excellent fueling across rev range

Yamaha YZF-R1

The R1 is proof that what makes a good streetbike doesn’t necessarily produce great lap times at the track. If overall feel is important to you, you’ll love the R1.

• One of the smoothest sportbike engines we’ve ever sampled

• Very comfortable seat, and a great riding position

• Feels noticeably heavier, especially making quick direction changes

• Crossplane crank makes for a great exhaust note