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Superbike Smackdown VI

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Its great everyone is so passionate about the GSX-R. Love it or hate it the bike does get you fired up one way or another doesnt it? I personally cannot wait to get my hands on that bike in just 4 days for the start of Superbike Smackdown VI. Can you believe it has been that many years? I would like to recap the Smackdown winners in order: '04 Ninja ZX-10R,

Much more compact than its predecessor this years double-R feels down right diminutive when compared back-to-back with the other bikes.

Defending champion: CBR1000RR

Is this the face of a new champion?

'05-'06-'07 GSX-R1000, '08 CBR1000RR, 2009: TBD. That damn GSX-R has been a thorn in every OEM's side for the better part of the last half decade and it's all new now so if there's one thing we are sure of is that this is going to be a bad-ass comparison test. Factor in the ZX-10 lost to the CBR last year by a wee-bit and that we had tight tracks that could've skewed the results on these beasts last year and suddenly there are two contenders already. This year we have 3 new bikes and we've got both Thunderhill and Infineon scheduled for test facilities during Smackdown VI - so the bikes should be able to flex some muscle this time. Add into the mix the new Yamaha R1 which already won the MCN comparo and Spies has been kicking butt on along with the bigger 1198 which was impressive as the 1098 last year - and this test is getting seriously entertaining. I hope you guys dont waste all your banter on just the Gixxer here because you are going to have a lot to talk about very soon.

We would like to know a few things if you care to share: What do you want to know about the bikes that we could try to incorporate into this test? I tried having stunt riders in '07 and everyone went crazy and called me a moron for doing it (But you have to admit the pictures were cool)...Anyway - at least I swung the bat and tried something different so to all you whine bags, you know what to do and where to put it. To all you believers though - come on, tell us what else we can do to make this the sickest test in the history of liter-bike shootouts.

Post Tags: Motorcycle Review, 2009 Honda CBR1000RR, 2009 Yamaha R1, 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2009 Ducati 1198, 2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Thunderhill, Infineon Raceway, Pirelli

Blog Archive

2009: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

2008: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

Comments

Will - Maintenance schedule & "Trunk" Space April 18, 2009 07:49 AM
I would like to see what the maintenance schedule is for each bike. For example, the owner's manual recommended mileage for oil changes, valve adjustment, etc. Also, it would be nice to know how much usable space there is under the passenger seat. Can it hold a hat, a tool kit, an extra pair of gloves, etc. Keep up the good work, this is one of the best websites out there for motorcycle info!

AQA - Superbike Smackdown VI April 17, 2009 03:52 PM
Very much looking forward to the upcoming SS VI. With the performance of these great machines all above most mortals' abilities, the numbers largely being for bragging rights. I would be very interested in which bike, price not a consideration, the testers would want to live with on a day-to day basis, if that included the occasional commute, day-long canyon/twisty run and finally a track day here and there.

Marc - Superbike Smackdown April 17, 2009 02:41 PM
I can't wait to see the test! I agree with some of the other people here about what we'd like to see... I ride every day I can to commute to work with the occasional track day and occasional trip on the highways. I'd love to see consideration of this level of riding. Something really helpful might be to show either top speed in each gear for all bikes or something like road speed at 5,000 rpm. This would give people an idea toward what riding would be like daily. I really like to hear about how sorted fuel injection, on-off throttling, etc. is on these bikes too. This plays a huge factor both in stop-and-go world and trying to carry maintenance throttle through the carousel before hitting the straight! Some sort of quantitative test on engine braking might be cool too.

Sachin - Long term reliability April 17, 2009 02:26 PM
I am aware that there are 3 new motorcycles this time for the shootout. Still, I would like to know which among the other motorcycles is having the best long term reliability and would be the cheapest to maintain in normal circumstances? And considering that the R1 has its engine almost straight out of the MotoGP M1, would you be able to tell something about its long term reliability too?

Robert - SuperBike Shootout April 17, 2009 10:14 AM
I would like to know seriously what the tope speed is of the bikes. That is as much of the buying factor (at least for me) as are the other performance areas. Who cares that I can't do 170mph (legally) on the street, just knowing that it can makes it fun for me. HP and torque are great, but just tell me what I want to know, How fast do these bad boys really go (I am an experience rider, currently riding a 06 GSXR 750, 04 GSXR 1000)

Superlight - Smackdown April 17, 2009 05:49 AM
As most buyers of these machines do street riding primarily, with maybe an occasional track day thrown in, that's how the testing should be done as well. For the rest, its a tough call since all these bikes have much more performance than most riders will be able to handle. Its like the car guys testing ZR1s, 911 Turbos, Lambo Gallardos and Ferrari 430s - all are great cars, but which one turns the buyers on emotionally, both in looks and performance? That's the one you want to ride home. With these machines especially its about more than just test numbers, since none of us really needs this level of performance.

#68 - superbike shootout 09 April 17, 2009 03:11 AM
It's really cool that you give us the opportunity to provide input. There's a couple of things i'd be interested in; 1) which of them would have the widest range of suspension adjustment (ie. the range the stock suspension could be used from street to racetrack before needing an upgrade). 2) do some manufacturers apply the emissions restrictions more conservatively (i remember the zx6r claimed that its competitors were not applying the laws like it was therefore it's power figures were down). 3) these bikes are so similar performance wise, but which would you buy for yourself based on all round performance as opposed to outright lap times. 4) and then finally which one gets the females all hot and bothered. lol, that should probably be first on the list.

capncrowder - Superbike Smackdown VI April 16, 2009 07:15 PM
I want to start off by saying that I always so look forward to the superbike smackdown and want to thank you guys for doing it! Okay, so the bottom line that I really am dying to know is how the R1 matches up against the CBR1000RR, with its new engine and chassis. I am going to buy whichever one you guys rate the highest which is also why I have been especially excited about this year's superbike smackdown. Thanks again and keep it coming!

cggunnersmate - A real superbike shootout April 16, 2009 03:56 PM
Too bad MCUSA won't be able to get their hands on the BMW S1000RR, Aprilia RSV4 and KTM RC8R for the shootout. Then they'd have damn near every modern superbike on the market. They could even throw Buell a bone and run the 1125R (though it'd get spanked). I'd love to see how the first three stack up to the Big Four and Ducati in street trim. Oh well, maybe next year.

KT - Literbike Shootout VI April 16, 2009 11:35 AM
I'm overjoyed that the shootout is about to get started. For me, it's new bike time and I'm interested to know how the bikes stack up against each other. Here in Texas I get to ride to work everyday, throw in a trackday every now and again, and take long trips. So maybe you guys can elaborate on which bike would be better for triple duty. (Traffic, Track, & Travel) Keep up the good work......

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