On Two Wheels: Aprilia RSV4 vs. BMW S1000RR vs. Ducati 1299 Panigale vs. Kawasaki ZX-10R vs. Yamaha R1M

The OTW team of Ari Henning and Zack Courts take the Class of 2015 to the street and track for the biggest and best sportbike shootout of the year.

We always relish the chance to ride superbikes. Not because they’re comfortable, or practical, but because they represent the cutting edge. No machines are ever more desireable or drool-worthy than the latest crop of liter-class supersports from the world’s best manufacturers. This year, in particular, has been an exciting one.

Yamaha's new R1 has earned lots of attention and is set to put the tuning-fork company back on the superbike map. At the same time, Aprilia, BMW, and Ducati have all executed major updates for the RSV4, S1000RR, and flagship (now 1299) Panigale, respectively. To ice that moist, superbike cake, we threw Kawasaki's ZX-10R into the mix, too. Will the Kawasaki show that progress is incremental and prove a worthy adversary for this class? Or will it be overrun by these four, fresh contenders?

Desperate to find out, we geared up and pounded pavement. Here’s what we found out. If you haven't done so already, click PLAY above.

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