A Guide to this Year's Hottest Superbikes

We're told to be certain of two things in life: death and taxes. Well let's add another to the list - every year Superbikes will get faster, lighter and more powerful.

The latest crop of Superbikes for 2009 doesn't disappoint. In fact, you could even call it a vintage year. Competition has been spiced up with a new V4 engine configuration, gate-crashing the once-exclusive party of the twins and inline fours. Meanwhile, electronic gadgetry like ABS, has been fitted to a Superbike for the first time, setting new technological benchmarks in the pursuit for ultimate speed.

But take note, these bikes aren't cheap and their performance is blistering, so make sure you have adequate bike insurance if you're thinking of buying one.

An overview of the hottest Superbikes of the year...

1. Aprilia RSV4

Aprilia came, saw and conquered on board its new RSV4 Superbike. Lighter than a Honda Fireblade and already racking up podiums in its maiden World Superbike Championship; the state-of-the-art RSV4 is truly a force to be reckoned with. A real rider's machine, the chassis can be fine-tuned to suit styles, from steering head angle to swing-arm pivot location.

Engine: liquid-cooled, 65-degree, 1000cc V4

Power: 177bhp

Weight: 179kg

2. Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade

More than any other machine, the Fireblade defines the term Superbike and since 1992, it has set the benchmark. 17 years on and the Fireblade still dares to be different. This year it became the first Superbike ever to be fitted with ABS. Critics argue it takes the skill and finesse out of riding, Honda says it's safer and will make you quicker on the racetrack.

Engine: liquid-cooled, in-line four of 999cc

Power: 175bhp

Weight: 199kg

3. Ducati 1198S

No other manufacturer has been so consistently successful on the racetrack than Ducati, with World Superbike Championship trophies literally clogging the cabinets of its Bolognese headquarters. In its iconic red-racing colours, nothing says Superbike passion quite like an 1198S. Updated for 2009, making it more powerful than ever before, it's already the red-hot favourite to win another world championship trophy.

Engine: liquid-cooled, 1198cc, V-twin

Power: 168bhp

Weight: 173kg

4. Suzuki GSX-R1000

If you see a Superbike on the road, chances are it's a GSX-R1000. A consistent best-seller and beloved by the British public, the Gixxer, as it's affectionately dubbed, has always been one of the cheapest and most powerful two-wheeled rockets in the showrooms.

Engine: in-line four-cylinder, liquid-cooled unit of 999cc

Power: 183bhp

Weight: 172kg