CFMoto recently released a video – embedded below – showing its V4 SR-RR prototype hitting 315.82 kilometers per hour (196.2 mph), and there’s no denying that that’s a ridiculous top speed. I don’t want to take anything away from him. The problem is, there are videos circulating on social media claiming that this is the fastest production superbike, and, for a number of reasons, that’s not the case. But I’ll start with the obvious reason.
Ducati claims the Panigale V4 R will reach 197 mph (317 kph) in standard trim and 205 mph (329.9 kph) with the racing exhaust. This alone means that the V4 SR-RR is not the fastest production motorcycle, but it is also not the fastest production motorcycle because it is not actually in production. We don’t know how fast this prototype will be once it goes on sale.
Where credit is due, the V4 SR-RR falls short of perhaps the best superbike ever made. But the reason there isn’t much competition in the 300+ kmph club is because of lack of effort. Other manufacturers, namely Japanese brands, made a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ around the year 2000 to limit their machines to a top speed of 300 kilometers per hour (186 mph). Since then, many manufacturers have electronically limited the top speed of their motorcycles.
For over a decade, we’ve had plenty of superbikes with top speeds of 300 kilometers per hour (186 mph), so it’s a welcome sight to see one racing past that number. However, based on the video below, I would argue that the V4 SR-RR starts to struggle at around 270 kilometers per hour, and the last 15 kilometers per hour are extremely slow. Check it out and see what you think.
Again, top speed is impressive, but when you watch the top contenders in this class reach their top speeds, the acceleration is relentless. Of course, the faster the bike goes the harder it is to progress, but compared to the competition, the V4 SR-RR seems to struggle more, and I have a theory as to why. I assume the prototype in this video is designed for top-speed runs, which is why acceleration after 280 kph takes so much effort.
So, I’m wondering if the bike in the video has been tuned to chase any numbers, or is that what we can expect from the production model? And, more importantly, what would you prefer: a bike that hits 300 km/h or one that reaches 315 but isn’t that fast once you get into sixth gear?
