2012 Superbike Traction Control Comparison Photo Gallery

MotoUSA tests six production traction control-equipped sportbikes in order to find out which system works the best.

We put the latest traction control-equipped production superbikes to the test to find out which motorcycle had the best electronics on the track. Read all about it in the 2012 Traction Control Shootout test.

2012 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC

Both of our testers loved the APRC electronics package. It was noted as having the smoothest, most seamless interaction. It’s the only system that is truly race-ready off the showroom floor.

Aprilia is the only manufacturer to integrate traction, wheelie, and launch control into one fully integrated package. Each setting is adjustable of one another and can be turned off too. Our only gripe is that it is that the menu system is overly complicated and hard to navigate.

Without question the Aprilia’s APRC package was our favorite.

2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale S

Ducati Traction Control was inconsistent in application. It also had had difficult time reading road camber.

Like the MV and Aprilia, the Ducati offers eight different levels of traction control. Adjustment must be made with the motorcycle stationary.

Although the data proved that Ducati’s DTC had some level of functionality our riders were unimpressed with the system.

2012 BMW S1000RR

The BMW’s electronics worked reasonably well but need added refinement in terms of application for them to be a true asset on the track.

In contrast to the other brands the BMW’s Dynamic Traction Control is linked to engine power modes and throttle maps. We’d prefer if each setting could be tuned individually.

The BMW’s DTC inspired confidence but was a little too intrusive for our tastes.

2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

The calibration of the Kawasaki’s wheelie control is downright superb.

The Kawasaki's S-KTRC system only offers three-levels of adjustment. In spite of this the TC performed well offering fairly smooth intervention and excellent wheelie control.

Kawasaki needs to offer a larger range of adjustment—that way it can offer less intrusive settings that could actually result in quicker lap times at the track.

2012 MV Agusta F4R

The traction control on the F4R worked adequately in some turns but lacked the consistency to be a true asset to performance.

The traction control system in the MV Agusta F4R offers eight levels of adjustment. However it can only be adjusted with the motorcycle at a standstill.

The MV Agusta’s traction control proved to be too inconsistent to provide any real safety or performance advantages on the racetrack.

The Yamaha’s electronics were rated second only to the Aprilia set-up according to our testers. We loved the smooth actuation of the system.

2012 Yamaha YZF-R1

Yamaha offers the best traction control system from Japan.

Yamaha’s TCS offers six-levels of adjustment (plus off) and can be adjusted on the fly while riding—which is a big plus. It would be nice if the levels had numeric designations for better ease of adjustment.