Putting aside for the time being the ,all the stars aligned, output claims from Italian manufacturers, and lowest likely output claims from the Germans, then there's HP V BHP. Not that a few bhp makes much difference when you have over 200 bhp on a road bike, but the MCN road test on the 23 S1000RR stated it has 210 German donkeys. I wonder how that really compares to what a 23/ V4 Panigale puts out? To further muddy the water the MCN comparison of those 2 bikes, using a pro rider, the BMW was faster around the track. Surprising considering the nicer suspension on the Ducati.
Maximum power output?
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210ps or 206hp. I don't think anyone can validate it as it's an 'at the crank' figure.
Can I hang with a V4S on Mugello's straight, yes.
Can I hang with a V4S on Mugello's straight, yes.
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The power figures for these bikes are irrelevant anywhere except on track. There, in my experience, the rider makes far more difference than any other factor, certainly a few horsepower here or there, however defined. And the fastest bikes on track are nearly always anything that isn’t Italian, because the Italian bikes spend so much time broken down and being fixed. But we all love them because they are v beautiful and make a great noise.
Is that a late V4 that has a claimed 2016 hp?
More nonsense. I absolutely ragged my Pani 1299 S for the year I had it, and it never broke down. I only sold it because it didn't feel as quick as my Gen 2, and it was a gas guzzler.
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Speak to a few Ducati owners - I had one once and others I know, they let us down repeatedly and are notoriously unreliable. Doesn’t mean every one is unreliable of course. It’s a pity they haven’t fixed the gremlins because in other ways magnificent bikes. BMW has far larger resources to spend on developing their bikes, which is one of the reasons for the difference.
From my experience, Ducatis break down when you need them most, especially at the track. BMW’s breakdown when they’re at the dealers who then hold them hostage. Having said that, I’m going back to Honda soon so I can throw it in the garage and wheel it out when I want. I can’t step away from an IL4, the power build (not the torque curve 
) is far too intoxicating 
) is far too intoxicating
From what I can tell, the reliability gap closed after a decent amount of Audi influence found its way into the manufacturing.
BMW seemed to go the other direction, getting cheaper parts in vital areas, leaving less wiggle room for failure. We've seen enough blocks with holes in them...having said that I think there's a huge amount of influence, in terms of failure, squarely from the owner. I think old tropes which actually lead to poor maintenance get people in a pickle.
BMW seemed to go the other direction, getting cheaper parts in vital areas, leaving less wiggle room for failure. We've seen enough blocks with holes in them...having said that I think there's a huge amount of influence, in terms of failure, squarely from the owner. I think old tropes which actually lead to poor maintenance get people in a pickle.
I wouldn't want to run any 1000cc bike with 200 bhp + unless it had a manufacturers warranty on it. I think even Honda only put 2 years on the latest Fireblade. And the Italian bikes using 1100 cc makes sense to me too.
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Yes agree Audi ownership raised the Ducati game, which is why recent reports (personal and anecdotal) of continuing unreliability are disappointing, but maybe it was just bad luck. Also agree with the contributor who said they let you down on the track - that’s what I have seen with Ducati owners. I also agree BMW manufacturing quality is not what it was - talk to any GS owner - but on track the S1000 seems unburstable from what I’ve seen and to judge by the number of track riders who run them. Also agree re Honda - the Blades all seem utterly reliable too.
