BMW S1000R: the rivals

It's a true superbike-minus-fairing for under 10 grand. Can any other super-naked step up to the new S1000R?

BMW's S1000R is so good it's like a new argument for being a motorcyclist. It's got the engine from the class-leading S1000RR superbike but tuned for more torque almost everywhere. It's got cutting-edge electronics, with traction control, ABS, riding modes and, if you opt for the 'Sport' edition, electronically adjustable suspension. And it starts at £9,990, less than a VW Polo. And certainly a lot less than some of its two-wheeled rivals.

We concluded our first-ride review of the BMW by saying it made it difficult to justify buying any other super-naked. Now we'll see if that assessment holds water.

BMW S1000R specs

Engine: 999cc in-line four

Weight: 207kg wet

Power: 160hp

Price: £9,990 (£11,390 for Sport edition)

First ride: BMW S1000R review

KTM 1290 Super Duke R

KTM 1290 Super Duke R

A 1301cc V-twin making 180hp and more torque at 2,000rpm than the original 990 Super Duke makes at peak. The 1290 Super Duke R sounds like a bit of a maniac, doesn't it? Unfortunately, after months of teaser videos with the slogan 'Unleash the Beast', KTM has reigned it in a little too much with traction control that doesn't allow wheelies and a softened ride-by-wire throttle response.

The result, although not quite the Beast we'd anticipated, is a very useable, tractable, well-fuelled road bike. Unfortunately for KTM, the BMW is all of those things too, and costs a lot less. 

Engine: 1301cc V-twin

Weight: 189kg dry

Power: 180hp

Price: £13,999

First ride: KTM 1290 Super Duke R review

Kawasaki Z1000

Kawasaki Z1000

Some had hoped the 2014 Z1000 would get the 200hp engine from Kawasaki's flagship sports bike, the ZX-10R. Instead the firm has settled for suspension, brake and styling changes along with engine tweaks boosting power slightly to 142hp. With all the new competition springing up, it's questionable whether that is enough. 

The Z1000 has no ride-by-wire throttle or riding modes and by the time you've added ABS, it's more expensive than the base S1000R. 

Engine: 1,043cc in-line four

Weight: 220kg wet (221kg with ABS)

Power: 142hp

Price: £9,499 (£10,099 with ABS)

Aprilia Tuono V4 R

Aprilia Tuono V4 R

The benchmark of mental super-nakeds has Aprilia's APRC traction control system, three riding modes, ABS, and more peak power than the S1000R. It's a persuasive package, but it also costs more than even the Sport edition of the BMW. And despite the extra power, peak torque is a smidgeon less.

Engine: 999cc V-four

Weight: 183kg dry

Power: 170hp

Price: £12,432

Review your Aprilia Tuono V4 R

Triumph Speed Triple ABS

Triumph Speed Triple

It may be down on power but it has near-as-damn-it as much peak torque as the S1000R (81.8lbft compared to 82.6). The Speed Triple does everything well but, unlike the S1000R, doesn't have a fancy electronics package with riding modes. You do get ABS though. The higher-spec Speed Triple R has Öhlins suspension front and rear and Brembo Monobloc brake calipers. It remains a convincing contender.

Engine: 1050cc in-line triple

Weight: 214kg wet

Power: 135hp

Price: £9,599 (Street Triple R: £10,999)

First ride: 2012 Triumph Speed Triple review

Triumph Speed Triple R review

Review your Triumph Speed Triple

Review your Triumph Speed Triple R

Ducati Monster 1200

Ducati Monster 1200

Like the S1000R, the Monster 1200 is new for 2014. And while it might have less peak power than the BMW, the Ducat's 1198cc Testastretta engine has more torque, at 87lbft compared to 82.6. The Monster 1200 S has even more, at 92lbft.

It’s also got ABS, traction control and three riding modes. It’s not much more expensive that the S1000R and, well, look at it. It’s a Ducati. Classic Italian versus Teutonic styling is not generally considered a close-run contest.

The Monster 1200 deserves serious consideration.

Engine: 1198cc V-twin

Weight: 182kg dry

Power: 135hp (Monster 1200 S: 145hp)

Price: £10,695 (Monster 1200 S: £12,995)