Master Bike 2010

The Annual Masterbike test took place at the Motorland Circuit in
Spain and the European contenders have spanked the Japanese manufacturers.
Last place went to Yamaha’s R1 which was outscored by both Kawasaki's ZX-10R and Suzuki’s GSX-R1000. The best of the Japanese according to
the Masterbike testers was Honda’s CBR1000RR Fireblade

Fifth overall went to Ducati’s 1198S. Austrian manufacturer KTM took out a creditable fourth place while the first podium finisher was MV Agusta.
Aprilia’s RSV4 Factory took second place but it was the Bavarian
Bahnstormer, BMW’s S1000RR that was declared top dog in this test of outright track prowess.

[macfly]

Good for BMW, should make them feel well justified with their new creation. I'm thrilled it's so good, but I'm not in the market for a lightspeed fast I-4, so it doesn't mean much to me.

I can't wait to see next years goodies, those sound like bikes for me!

[sgoodwin]

The deciding vote was determined by the tablecloth pull, which BMW won hands down!

[jduke]

Sales are starting to catch up with the preproduction hype. BMW Daytona is hitting their quota and still getting a premium over list.

[Dr. Curve]

Great news! It will take time for all this to soak in but like Jerry suggest, sales are picking ups and the choice is clear. If you want the most track ready super bike that you can get off the show room floor............BMW has the bike for you. Bravo for them and lets all pull for a top 7 finish in the next WSB coming up soon. This next circuit in the series has more corners and is slightly longer that the last. It has 15 corners (9R and 6L) for a total of 2.91 miles or 4692 meters. The word is BMW has tuned the traction and handling a little taunter and the riders should be able to drive out sooner. We will see.

[jduke]

Jim, how's the new BMW shop in Tallahassee coming? Let us know when the Grand Opening is and I'll make a visit.

[RC51DRAG]

Originally Posted by sgoodwin

The deciding vote was determined by the tablecloth pull, which BMW won hands down!

good one.

[RC51DRAG]

BIKE just rated the new superbikes this month. PB rated S1000RR against R1 and R7 .

S1000RR comes out on top in both magazines; pretty consistent with all reviews this season given its performance and electronics which are only otherwise available on significantly higher priced machines.

All bikes rated well and ridden in isolation no one would be disappointed. I would think most of us are a bit old and above the childlike mine is better than yours coffee shop rants ; most of us anyway.

I would buy any of them. ZX10R, R1, and CBR current and last yr models are coming in at stupid prices these days. That would be one of the reasons I didn't spring for an S1000RR; no discounts expected for a yr given its status this season.

BIKE compared an endurance prepped R7 to S1000RR. Nice comparison and shows the leaps the current gen of superbikes has taken over the hottest homologation bikes Japan could deliver over a decade ago. Specifically in terms of developments in manufacturing processes, suspension development and its alignment to chassis development esp. lessons learned in terms of chassis flex, electronics specifically TC and engine management, and aerodynamics.

The crux of the article focuses on how even though manufacturers were at the top of their game a decade ago the products built then, no matter how good, cannot compare to the modern era of motorcycles.

Bottom line the S1000RR has been the unanimous winner this season. What a shot across the bow for BMW.

[shreddr]

Originally Posted by Dr. Curve

... Bravo for them and lets all pull for a top 7 finish in the next WSB coming up soon. .

that's a strange wish...when did top 3 not become the preferred outcome?

[sgoodwin]

Originally Posted by shreddr

that's a strange wish...when did top 3 not become the preferred outcome?

When it isn't a possibility?

[Dr. Curve]

No, just wanting them to keep a toe hold in while the problems are being sorted out. The track is tight and will favor some of the other bikes. BMW must do a lot of homework and testing to get another 7th or so. Of course anything up higher in the tree would be cheered by us all. Tight track, not a real long straight, while the same big dogs will be up front with the Duc and Zuki going to it...........they may well be joined by the V4.......which like the BMW is running far better than the competitors thought they would. The real problem being that both the V4 and the S1000RR offer the showroom customer so much more for their money than the same ole same old brands do.

[Guest24]

So, now we have to build a track to fit the bike? The problem is how to harness all that excess hp, Jim. And, how to move the bike up on the starting grid. I think if they can get it up front it can do the rest during the race. Kinda like Stoner does when he get out front on the first lap in GP.

[throttlemeister]

Let's keep it nice please? I very much prefer this type enthusiasm with a little reality than the blinders we had before. No use slamming someone for being unrealistic, and then slamming them again when they are.

More on topic, the comparo I read between the S1KRR and CBR1KRR wasn't exactly all sunshine and roses for the beemer. Don't have all the details until I get home, but one of the things were the brakes. Very good, no doubt about it, but didn't do any better than the ABS on the Honda - same stopping distance in race mode as the CBR. However, where the Honda remained fully in control with a very refined ABS operation, the BMW was sliding all over the place with the rear with very crude and intrusive ABS operation. And there were a few more things where the BMW did not perform necessarily worse, but certainly less refined and controlled. The BMW came out on top (to be expected since the mag has a bias towards BMW), but the way I read it depending on the level of refinement you want from such a bike, the CBR is actually better. Although on the other hand, one could argue the CBR is too sterile. But in my opinion, that may not be such a bad thing considering all the power these things make these days.

But that doesn't seem to matter. Dealer I visited this weekend is selling them like hot cakes.

[Chris Canning]

The gap between a road going superbike and a race bike has been at least 30hp if not more,BMW took the decision to narrow that gap by some margin,were the rub comes,the gap between their race bike and road bike isn't a big one,i don't see that as either a minus or a plus,just fact.

The japs will have to up their game to match BM,untill they do BM will have a good marketing window,because the buyer in the street is pretty savy,the problem will only arise when the Japs have narrowed the gap(which they will) and BM still ain't cutting it on the track(if their not).

I'm looking forward to Le-Mans as i beleave BM have a decent chance and recent test time looks good,if they can get a result,the PR that they'll get will buy the supebike team some breathing space.

[Guest24]

Chris, I here you loud and clear. Troy has already stated the real problem facing the team--Superpole. Get Troy on the front row for the start and I think the team can shine. Even a podium. It is difficult to podium the bike from the fourth row at the start.

[roger albert]

Let's keep it nice please? I very much prefer this type enthusiasm with a little reality than the blinders we had before. No use slamming someone for being unrealistic, and then slamming them again when they are.

Well said TM !!! - and Jim The enthusiasm tempered with reality is much more fun to read, and join in on.


It's a shame there isn't more marketing focus on Superstock, as it is a much better indicator of any superiority over competitors' street offerings. The Superbike stuff is fun to watch, and my favorite too, but BMW would be cleverer to simultaneously support and tout Superstock in the national and regional series. KTM is doing the latter. Great big Orange Semis down here just this weekend. Best supported bike, and one of the best regional riders, and wins in every class it was eligible for. Would love to see BMW touting superstock, where their bike may be an actual advantage. In WSBK, clearly, it isn't.

[roger albert]

Let's keep it nice please? I very much prefer this type enthusiasm with a little reality than the blinders we had before. No use slamming someone for being unrealistic, and then slamming them again when they are.

Well said TM !!! - and Jim The enthusiasm tempered with reality is much more fun to read, and join in on.


It's a shame there isn't more marketing focus on Superstock, as it is a much better indicator of any superiority over competitors' street offerings. The Superbike stuff is fun to watch, and my favorite too, but BMW would be cleverer to simultaneously support and tout Superstock in the national and regional series. KTM is doing the latter. Great big Orange Semis down here just this weekend. Best supported bike, and one of the best regional riders, and wins in every class it was eligible for. Would love to see BMW touting superstock, where their bike may be an actual advantage. In WSBK, clearly, it isn't, at least not yet.

[Chris Canning]

Roger

There is a very strong Superstock championship that runs with WSB,but only covers the European rounds,and there's also going to be a decent BM showing in the BSB championship.

[roger albert]

I thought they might have something.
Was curious about the Spanish championship too, as even their superbike rules are tight, and more superstock like (about like the US's AMA/DMG superbike has become)

Chris, can you recommend any good sites to follow that cover any of those?

I'd imagine we'll see some in the Deutsch Meisterschaft national series too.
Better brush up my German and start surfing those sites.

Would love to hear any media outlet tips for tracking Euro superstock Crhis.
At least articles, and reports, and, ideally, videos.

thanks much
roger

[johnnywishbone]

" BMW Daytona is hitting their quota and still getting a premium over list"

to me, this shows greed, fear, and a lack of character.