2006 Superbike Smackdown III Photo Gallery

2006 Superbike Smackdown III

The GSX-R1000 is back with a vengeance after it dethroned the 2004 class champion, the Kawasaki ZX-10R, in Superbike Smackdown II. Will it have the moxie to do what the ZX couldn't do? Can it defend its title against three of the baddest bikes on planet? Read on.

In the age of 186-mph, 400-lb, 150-horsepower, aerodynamically efficient superbikes it is easy to get caught up in the numbers game as you try to choose a steed. But in the end, there can be only one.

We put the 1000cc machines to work on the track at Buttonwillow Raceway. Thanks to our friends at Zoom-Zoom Trackdays, we were able to learn a valuable lesson: These things are freakin' fast!

In wheelbase numbers the green ZX-10 comes in the runt of the litter at 54.5 inches, while the blue R1 stretches out the longest at 55.7. The Gixxer and CBR are in the middle at 55.3 inches.

On the scales the Gixxer Thou weighs in the lightest of the bunch, due in large part to its distinction of being the only one of the four to not have a heavier undertail exhaust system.

The '06 version of the ZX-10 made the switch to a twin underseat exhaust setup, packing on 12 lbs in the process. Not to worry, though, the heavier Kaw still snags a sprightly second in the weigh-in at 417 lbs.

The Honda, overwhelmed by society's pressure to conform to the unrealistic performance numbers of the literbike class, binged and purged its way to a 15-lb weight reduction.

The dyno don't lie, and according to the boys down at White Brothers, the green line of the Kawi ZX-10 is the winner of the horsepower battle.

The sleek R1 bombed big time in the dyno portion of our test. In no area was this more apparent than the torque numbers, which displays the blue line way below its peers. The red Honda line nearly matches the yellow Gixxer once past 6000 rpm.

The ZX and Gixxer tie at the end of a quarter mile, but the Kawi is carrying more speed through the traps. The CBR and R1 are nearly equal through the quarter, but they get there in different ways.

Duke launches the GSX-R with his iPod blaring Elvis Costello in his ears. Actually, that's our fancy VBOX's antenna taped to his lid.

The Kawasaki can't match the Gixxer's launch off the line, but by the time it blows through the traps it's roundhouse kicking, Walker, Texas Ranger-style.

The Honda ranked in the top half when it came to styling. We found the Honda's look enticing, but it was the CBR's edgy new personality which helped change its perception in the minds of our testers.

The 2006 Honda CBR1000RR went to bootcamp this winter and sloughed off some excess pounds to become leaner and meaner, two traits that come in handy in the ultra-competitve literbike class.

This year's incarnation of the CBR is a lot more eager in the corners, and its electronic steering damper helps remedy the newfound bite delivered by its reworked chassis geometry.

Our graphics guru, Brian Chamberlain, praised the CBR's improved brakes and lighter feel. But proving that BC both giveth and taketh away, he proceeded to slam the Honda for its lack of a slipper clutch, a glaring component ommission in a class as competitive as this.

Duke describes the Honda as now possessing a friskier personality. The new CBR is an exclamation point of a bike, which Duke dots with hooligan behavior such as this.

Whether it gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling inside or makes you want to barf, the loud green color of the Kawasaki is a distinctive one.

The new styling of the 10R polarized opinions. A wide looking tank is actually quite slim between the knees.

The engine mods made to the '06 Kawi were supposed to give it a more linear powerband. The old engine was actually more successful in that regard, only losing out up top by a bigger and longer hit.

The ZX-10 has more polite road manners this year, as steering geometry and weight distribution tweaks have calmed some of its rough edges.

Kawasaki claims this new ZX is more slippery through the wind, but the aero enhancements make for a larger looking bike.

Once on its side, the new Kawi is better able to hold a smooth arc through the corner. Note the sweet Ohlins steering damper behind the triple clamp.

This is perhaps the best angle of the new green road burner. Devilish eyes frame a voracious mouth leading down to a sleek body.

The Gixxer pretty much got ranked number-four in the looks department, but who needs looks when you can run away from the those that are better looking.

Last year the Suzuki was the clear leader in the literbike class. Was the '06 good enough to warrant becoming our first-ever back-to-back Smackdown winner.

Two different Dynojet dynos running two different GSX-R1000s. Pretty dang close.

As a track tool, the Gixxer is an a well-rounded weapon, setting the bar for the rest of the field.

Pick any category, and the Gixxer is at or near the top of the rankings. Note the only standard-issue seat cowl.

Without exception our testers rated the R1 as the most attractive of the four. A new gold color on its Kayaba fork ups the bling factor, and a longer swingarm might offer better traction.

Uh, did we mention how gorgeous this thing is? Click to enlarge...

Yamaha claimed a 3-horsepower gain with the changes made to this year's bike, verified by this dyno comparison.

It's difficult to knock a bike this fast and capable, but it's a sign of how competitive this class has become that the R1 is beginning to show its age.

With the longest wheelbase in the class and a relatively lazy rake, the R1's ability to grab onto a line and hold it steadily is no surprise.

Though not much help on the racetrack, the R1's headlights emerged as the class of the class.

Here's Roderick on the bike he adored. He says he wants to star in a porn movie with it, though we're not sure how that would work.

The CBR stunned us this year with its dramatic (and positive) change of personality.

Kawasaki's pursuit of a competitive Superbike race platform has taken some of the snarl away from one of our favorites.

The ugly jock in high school, the Gixxer may not be pretty but is popular because it's a winner. Breathe my single-sided exhaust, posers!