GETTING a like-for-like list of power figures for today’s bikes is a virtually impossible job. Short of sticking each and every one onto the same dyno on the same day, variations always slip in and manufacturers’ claimed figures can be significantly different depending on whether they’re measured at-the-wheel, at-the-crank or in-the-marketing-man’s-head.
But fortunately, the US Environmental Protection Agency has done much of the leg work for us, publishing a list of 2015 bikes that are homologated for sale in America along with their official ‘rated’ power; a number that test bikes used for emission purposes must reach (and sustain) during heavily regulated testing procedures and under tightly controlled conditions.
While every dyno is different, the EPA lays down extensive specifications for the calibration of dynos, right down to the ambient air pressure during tests, to make sure its figures are comparable. Of course, the EPA is concerned about pollution, not performance, but to complete the emissions tests the bikes must hit a ‘rated’ peak power figure on the dyno, and that number is included along with all the other details right down to the VIN of the bike used for the test procedure.
The list of 2015 bikes published by the EPA so far is missing a few key machines that, when added, will change this top 10 a bit. The new Yamaha R1, for instance, hasn’t been put on the list yet, and nor has either the revamped BMW S1000RR or the Ducati 1299 Panigale. All have claimed figures that would get them into the top 10 (197.3bhp, 195.8bhp and 202.2bhp respectively).
But the new superbike to attract most attention this autumn, Kawasaki's supercharged Ninja H2, is in.
Here then, of those 2015 models to so far have official EPA ‘rated’ power figures, are the top 10.