Best Superbike: Aprilia RSV4

Italian V-Twin performance is an institution, yet for the second straight year a V-Four from the boot-shaped nation has kicked butt in this category. While last year’s winner—the ultra-exotic Ducati Desmosedici—is a rare machine few will ever experience, the comparatively mass-produced Aprilia RSV4 is certain to reshape public perception of Italian sportbikes. The track-bred racer-replica has an incredibly compact stature, competitive power output and unmatched liter-class agility, all while possessing Italian style that is visual music to the eyes. Best of all is a level of refinement that makes this amazingly high performance accessible to a very broad range of riders and skill levels. We may be witnessing the beginning of a new institution!