2012 Japanese Superbike Shootout - Video

[administrator]

It has been a couple years since we last did a Japanese literbike shootout, because, frankly, the field has been quite stagnant for a while (save for Kawasaki's total revamp of the ZX-10R last year). It took them another year, but Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha have all tweaked their respective contenders for 2012 - the CBR1000RR, GSX-R1000 and YZF-R1, have significant changes, while Kawasaki returns for 2012 with the same traction-control-equipped machine it introduced last year, confident of its chances.

Having ridden all of the players at their respective intros, we knew it was time to once again pit them against one another for Japanese literbike supremacy. Read the respective stories for details on the upgrades, because here we're evaluating how they compare to one another. With the CBR's improved suspension, the GSX-R's re-worked engine and upgraded brakes, and the addition of traction control to the YZF-R1, the ZX-10R has some stiff competition this year.

If hype is all that's needed to win shootout comparisons, Ducati's new 1199 Panigale would have this in the bag. We're out to prove that this year's literbike field is closer than most would think. Welcome to Motorcycle.com's 2012 literbike shootout, Part One.

Instead of a mega test with every contender, we decided to split the shootouts, first with the four Japanese literbikes, followed by a separate test with the Euro brands. The winners will face off in a head-to-head battle in part three.

More: 2012 Japanese Superbike Shootout - Video on Motorcycle.com

[manson0187]

Im a little surprised the 10 won.. Not saying it doesnt deserve to win i just figured the gsxr would of won due to being a fan favorite lol

[Bhawk]

Originally Posted by manson0187

Im a little surprised the 10 won.. Not saying it doesnt deserve to win i just figured the gsxr would of won due to being a fan favorite lol

I don't really think the GSXRs are fan favorites.... I think they are Nube favorites.

[Killa Kawi]

I'm gonna say this, the gixxers are yes more so the squid shuttle than any other bike but they are decent bikes. They are comfortable and handle quite well. They may not be up with the times like the kawi but they aren't the worst bike out of the bunch. I have had two 1ks and loved them. But we all know what the best is and where all our hearts lay.

[eezzrideher]

I've owned zx10's and GSXR 1k's and I was able to go faster on the track with the GSXR for a lot less money spent on perfomance stuff especially on the suspension. I always loved my 10's and was just simply happy with the gixxers cuz I could do decent times at the tracks. I am glad to hear they finally got the frame geometry right on the G4 version of the 10 because once I buy one of them it may well be the last bike I ever need since it should always be able to perform well everywhere. The low marks it got in the test with the power band can be fixed easily with no more than a good slip on and reflash. Then the engine is as good as any of them including the Europeans. The Panigale may end up being a superior bike but who wants to pay 3 times as much and have that kind of maintenance schedule?

[SBK X]

Originally Posted by Bhawk

I don't really think the GSXRs are fan favorites.... I think they are Nube favorites.

In Australia R1's are the king squid bike hands down, I blame there heavy add campaigns...

Originally Posted by eezzrideher

The low marks it got in the test with the power band can be fixed easily with no more than a good slip on and reflash. Then the engine is as good as any of them including the Europeans.

The big difference to me was gearing, the ZX10R stock is WAY over geared more so than the other bikes to me. They are all good bikes in the end but value for money and overall package the 10 wins and so it should have.

[eezzrideher]

Originally Posted by SBK X

The big difference to me was gearing, the ZX10R stock is WAY over geared more so than the other bikes to me. They are all good bikes in the end but value for money and overall package the 10 wins and so it should have.

I read that about the gearing too and it is likely true to be too high for any serious rider. I've added a few teeth to the rear sprocket of every sportbike I've ever had so I'm betting that when I finally pick up a G4 10 that will be the other thing I do to it.

[SBK X]

Originally Posted by eezzrideher

I read that about the gearing too and it is likely true to be too high for any serious rider. I've added a few teeth to the rear sprocket of every sportbike I've ever had so I'm betting that when I finally pick up a G4 10 that will be the other thing I do to it.

I'd start at -1 on the front of a gen 4 then start mucking with the rear, it's way long even for a thou.

I know they did it to pass Design Rules for road use (drive by noise tests) but it is stupid long, 1st felt like a 2nd gear would on most other 1000's.

Doing -1 on the front of the gen 4 made it feel like a stock geared gen 3, so to me it still needed more teeth on the rear even after the -1.

On the up side cos of the wheel sensors it'll adjust the speedo for any sprocket change which is pretty cool IMO, bout bloody time to!

So sick of racking up ghost k's on my older bikes and never seemed to get around to fitting speedo healers, no need anymore.

[eezzrideher]

-1 up front is the easy way to go but I'll probably throw on a 520 and you lose a bit of tensil strength when you lower the front so I will probably do the math on what -1 on the front would be on adding to the rear and go that way.

[SBK X]

Originally Posted by eezzrideher

-1 up front is the easy way to go but I'll probably throw on a 520 and you lose a bit of tensil strength when you lower the front so I will probably do the math on what -1 on the front would be on adding to the rear and go that way.

The issue with changing the front relates to the way the chain is pulled which has an effect on the swingarm, tensile strength won't be a prob with -1 from stock.

FYI, I just put on a ERV3 DID 520 set up today after running a 525 -1/+3 and the 520 links are way thicker than the stock 525 chain, so I would say it's going to be stronger than that stock 525 hands down!

So, to me if you had a 525 and a 520 in the same brand and model then the 525 should be stronger but when we are talking crap cheap OEM chain vs top of the line 520 it's no contest and in most front sprockets they also remain steel even if the rear is ally like my super light Afam's.

The reason I go -1 first is because it at least needs that, then you can tweak from there in smaller incrament on the rear.

Up to you though.