[cycleworld.com] - Five Most Powerful Bikes Dyno’d in 2022

[Ninjette Newsbot]

Which are the five highest-horsepower-producing motorcycles tested in 2022. The Cycle World dyno tells all!

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When it comes to horsepower, superbikes are the cream of the crop. These three class-leading machines are impressive, but a number of other bikes produce ripping power too. Which is your pick? (Jeff Allen/)There’s nothing more addicting than horsepower. Raw, ruthless, tire-spinning horsepower is what makes motorcycles so damn entertaining, and what keeps us coming back for more.

Superbikes are the king of horsepower and outright power-to-weight ratio. This segment is all about speed and achieving the quickest lap time possible. These bikes are the halo products of their respective manufacturers; built up with cutting-edge performance, stripped of anything unnecessary, and cut loose in search for racing glory. Besides custom builds and dragsters, superbikes pack the most horsepower in readily available production-based motorcycles.

There are other categories worthy of ripping horsepower too. Super nakeds typically come the closest as they are often direct offspring of superbikes, just stripped of fairings, fitted with a one-piece handlebar, and set free as “more sensible superbikes.”

In the section below, we dive into the top five most powerful motorcycles tested on the Cycle World dyno in 2022, which are some of the baddest superbikes and nakeds currently available. Watch their respective dyno runs and take in the sounds of all-out horsepower.

Aprilia RSV4 Factory

The Aprilia RSV4 Factory produced the most horsepower recorded on the Cycle World dyno in 2022—189.70 horsepower at 12,930 rpm and 84.87 pound-feet of torque at 10,380 rpm.


Horsepower and torque figures of the 2022 Aprilia RSV4 Factory recorded on the Cycle World dyno. (Robert Martin Jr./)No wonder: The heart of the RSV4 Factory is Aprilia’s oversized 1,099cc 65-degree V-4 engine. It was originally introduced as a 2019 model with a displacement of 1,078cc, but evolved to the larger displacement in 2021 as means to maintain power output while conforming to tightening Euro5 emissions standards. Maintain power it did.

Initial power delivery is aggressive, but the midrange and top-end is deceptively fast via its smooth nature. Reach the end of the straight away at full tilt and you’ll quickly be reminded this is the most powerful of the bunch.

Ducati Panigale V4 SP2

Ducati is no stranger to the unrestricted superbike segment either. The all-new Panigale V4 SP2 disregards racing regulations, utilizing a 1,103cc Stradale 90-degree V-4 powerplant worthy of a peak 182.21 horsepower at 12,890 rpm and 79.15 pound-feet of torque on the Cycle World dyno.


Horsepower and torque figures of the 2023 Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 recorded on the Cycle World dyno. (Robert Martin Jr./)What’s more impressive is how refined the Ducati’s power delivery is, being the smoothest and most usable of any of the superbikes on this list. Of course, there’s something to be said for electronic intervention in real-world scenarios, but take a look at just how flat the torque curve is. Nearly 60-pound-feet of torque is available from 5,000 rpm, making it flexible throughout the revs while it continues pulling until roughly 13,000 rpm.

If it’s ridiculous power output and acceleration doesn’t catch your interest, the clatter of the STM-EVO dry clutch and howl of the V-4 engine will.

BMW M 1000 RR

If we’re talking at all about racebikes, the BMW M 1000 RR has to be mentioned. This is a homologation-special model that’s precisely aimed at maximizing BMW Motorrad’s potential within World Superbike competition. It’s heavily based upon the super popular and capable S 1000 RR, but tweaked in all the right areas to decrease its lap time.


Horsepower and torque figures of the 2021 BMW M 1000 RR recorded on the Cycle World dyno. (Robert Martin Jr./)The M 1000 RR is powered by a 999cc inline-four engine with BMW’s ShiftCam Technology—in other words: variable intake camshaft control. Highlights of the engine include Pankl titanium connecting rods and two-ring forged Mahle pistons that push redline to 15,100 rpm. A new combustion chamber profile allows a 13.5:1 compression ratio, while valve-actuating finger followers have been redesigned to reduce weight. It’s even fitted with a titanium Akrapovic exhaust as standard!

The M 1000 RR produces an impressive 179.15 peak horsepower at 13,960 and 76.29 pound-feet of torque at 9,480 rpm. Examining closely, however, it’s important to note a dramatic dip between 6,000 and 8,000 rpm, which forces riders to keep the M RR spinning on the racetrack.

Interestingly, in our first ride review of the M 1000 RR, the test mule was equipped with a dealer-installed “torque map”, which combats the issue. The M RR produced 61.30 horsepower at 11,230 rpm and 77.07 pound-feet of torque at 9,250 rpm, but signed off significantly earlier.

MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RS

What sticks out the most about the MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RS? It’s insanely quick acceleration and lofting wheelies as it rips toward redline. Seriously, this thing is a monster.


Horsepower and torque figures of the 2022 MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RS recorded on the Cycle World dyno. (Robert Martin Jr./)The Brutale 1000 RS recorded 170.45 horsepower at 13,300 rpm and 74.44 pound-feet of torque at 10,970 rpm—the most of any naked bike tested on the Cycle World dyno in 2022. Simply put, the 998cc inline-four powering the MV Agusta is ruthless.

While peak power is impressive, the curves tell the story. The MV’s power hits hard. From 8,000 to 9,000 rpm, the Brutale produces roughly 30 more horsepower and 15 more pound-feet of torque in a very short period. Consider the 65 horsepower increase from 8,000 to 11,000 rpm, and you’ll understand the adrenaline-spiking attitude of the MV.

Taking advantage of what the MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RS is capable of on the street is near impossible, and if it isn’t, it’s likely against the law.

KTM 1290 Super Duke R EVO

The KTM 1290 Super Duke R EVO blurs the line between wildly entertaining on the edge of control and superbly refined. The 1,301cc 75-degree V-twin powerplant is a reminder of how capable this engine configuration is on the street by representing the best of all worlds.


Horsepower and torque figures of the 2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R EVO recorded on the Cycle World dyno. (Robert Martin Jr./)On the Cycle World dyno, the Super Duke R ripped an impressive 161.12 horsepower at 10,100 rpm and a ridiculous 92.98 pound-feet of torque at 8,340 rpm. What’s more is that it produces nearly 85 percent of its peak torque by 4,000 rpm and provides the most linear power delivery of the group all the way until its redline. The flexibility and tractability is what makes it so enticing a wicked backroad ripper and an everyday streetbike alike.

Go ahead, have a rip on the 1290 Super Duke R EVO. Just remember that disabling wheelie control will make it a lot more fun.