BMW S 1000 RR vs Kawasaki ZX-10R vs Ducati Panigale V4 vs Aprilia RSV4: price, performance, features compared

The recently launched 2023 iteration of the BMW S 1000 RR goes up against the Kawasaki ZX-10R, the Panigale V4 range and the Aprilia RSV4 range of superbikes in India. We stack these 200+hp machines against each other on paper and see what’s what. The Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and the Suzuki GSXR-1000 are no longer sold in our market, which is why they aren’t featured here. 

BMW S 1000 RR vs rivals: engine and gearbox

As can be seen, the V4-engined Italian superbikes, which roughly displace 100cc more, have a leg up in terms of peak output figures, especially in terms of torque which arrives earlier in the rev-band as well. On paper, the S 1000 RR has the lowest torque figure of all the machines here, however, with its ShiftCam-equipped (Variable Valve Timing in BMW-speak) engine, in our experience, it has proven to be a rather tractable and flexible unit. 

BMW S 1000 RR vs rivals: suspension and brakes

Except for the ZX-10R, all bikes here have at least one variant that features electronically adjustable suspension. In the case of the Ducati and the Aprilia, the electronically adjustable suspension is courtesy of Ohlins, while the BMW features Marzocchi units.

Brakes are another area where the BMW differs from the others and features Nissin calipers (branded BMW). All others use Brembo hardware, M50s in the case of the Kawasaki, while the Italians feature the latest and greatest Stylema calipers. The BMW also has marginally smaller discs at 320mm, compared to the 330mm rotors on the rest.

Tyre sizes are a bit of a mixed bag as well, with the ZX-10R and S 1000 RR being the only ones to offer a 190-section rear tyre while the other two have a 200 section rear.. The Ducati Panigale V4 is the only one here to feature a sharper 60 profile on the rear tyre, something we’ve also seen on the smaller Ducati Panigale V2. 

BMW S 1000 RR vs rivals: features

All bikes here have a fully-laden suite of electronics that includes multiple riding modes, traction control settings, bi-directional quickshifters and even launch control. Cruise control, too, is present on all except the Ducati Panigale V4, although on the S 1000 RR it’s an optional extra. The S 1000 RR and the Aprilia RSV4 are the only ones to feature adjustable swingarm pivot points.

The RSV4 takes it one step further by allowing you to adjust the position of the engine in the frame. Except for the ZX-10R, all bikes have race-ABS settings which disable ABS at the rear wheel and minimise intrusion at the front. The ZX-10R is also the only one which features winglets integrated into the fairings, unlike the European trio.

BMW S 1000 RR vs rivals: weight and dimensions

Of all the bikes here, variant for variant, the S 1000 RR is the lightest bike and even has the lowest seat height. In fact, the top-spec Pro M Sport variant with the M package is 13.5kg lighter than the ZX-10R. Fuel capacity, however, is the lowest on the S 1000 RR, at 16.5 litres. 

BMW S 1000 RR vs rivals: price

In terms of sheer value for money, nothing can match the Kawasaki ZX-10R. Since it is being brought to India via the CKD route, as opposed to others coming in via the CBU route, the ZX-10R has a significant price advantage. In fact, it costs exactly half the price of the Panigale V4 S! The BMW S1000 RR manages to comfortably undercut both the Ducati Panigale V4 and the Aprilia RSV4 variant-for-variant and remains the most affordable European superbike you can buy in India today. 

Of these four litre-class superbikes, which one would be your pick? Let us know in the comments section below.