Views: 100 Author: Michael Bradley Publish Time: 2022-09-20 Origin: LUXE
Reaching breakneck speeds on two wheels isn’t for the timid. Neither is holding the top title of the world’s fastest motorcycle. The bikes competing for this claim are champions in their own right, pushing the limits of peak performance and receiving immortal status in return.
While some stick to traditional high-performance gasoline engines, others turn to modern electric motors with instant torque, while one breaks all barriers with a Rolls Royce Allison turbine engine. There’s no lack of creativity behind the fastest motorcycles in the world.
The bikes on this list didn’t get here by accident. It takes dedication to be anywhere near the top running of the world’s fastest motorcycle or fastest cars. A lucky few nailed their legendary status instantly, but most toiled for years before discovering the secret to top speed.
One thing is certain: If you want to go for a ride on the fastest motorcycle in the world, you better hold on tight and watch what’s ahead.
With abundant power and all-around performance, the Hayabusa’s introduction to the market in 1999 was a monumental occasion with a record-setting top speed of 194 mph.
Somehow Suzuki managed to control the 197 horsepower engine and make one of the fastest motorcycles in the world enjoyable to ride regularly. Who says you can’t have it all?
Sparing no expense, the MV Agusta F4CC is an exclusive piece of motorcycle history. Claudio Castiglioni, the Managing Director of MV Agusta, set out to create a hand-built masterpiece to contend for a world no 1 bike. The world’s fastest bike price or investment was of no concern.
All 100 units produced incorporate carbon fiber fairings, titanium exhaust, and more than 90% tailor-made components. Fine adjustments are scattered throughout the engine, including changes to the geometry of the connecting rods and larger intake valves.
The MV Agusta F4CC is one of the top 10 fastest bikes in the world. While its $120,000 price tag is not cheap, the Bugatti price list makes it seem tolerable in comparison.
Aprilia’s flagship motorcycle is no slouch. As one of the fastest sportbikes in the world, the RSV4 1100 Factory features a powerful V-4 producing 217 horsepower. A dual-beam aluminum chassis connect to Öhlins fork front suspension to provide premium road handling.
The Aprilia has braking power covered with 4-piston Brembo calipers, floating stainless-steel rotors, and sintered pads. It reached the podium 9 times in its first full season of World Superbike racing.
Ducati’s name is well-known to anyone familiar with the fastest production motorcycles. When the redesigned Ducati Panigale V4R achieved a top speed of 199 mph, Ducati once again showcased its ability to blend style, sophistication, and performance.
Although the V4R is reserved for track-only use, Ducati also produces a similar street-legal version of the Panigale: the Ducati Superleggera V4. Its claim to fame is an unbeatable power/weight ratio of 1.54 hp/kg. Adhering to the gentlemen’s agreement to limit mass-produced street-legal motorcycles to 300 km/h, the Ducati Superleggera V4 top speed is electronically limited to 186 mph (299 km/h).
The best electric cars and motorcycles are sure to become more popular with their instant torque, ever-increasing ranges, and attractive builds. The Damon Hypersport Pro meets those baseline features with a 0 to 60 mph time of just 3 seconds, a 200-mile range, and bold styling.
Damon takes the Hypersport Pro a step ahead as one of the fastest bikes in the world, top speed in km/h of 321 (200 mph). This daredevil attitude is balanced with innovative safety including predictive artificial intelligence to help anticipate and avoid trouble.
While the Panigale name continues on current Ducati models, the Ducati 1199 Panigale R is a different bike from the past. Its two-cylinder engine has titanium rods, finely-tuned engine mapping, and a super-light flywheel, combining to push out 202 horsepower and a top speed of 202 mph.
High-performance handling is accomplished through an adjustable swingarm and Öhlins suspension. Landing on the list of the world’s fastest bike top 5, it lives up to everything you expect from Ducati.
If any doubts remain about electric motorcycles, the Lightning LS-218 should conquer them, starting with its top speed of 218 mph and 0 to 60 mph in a minuscule 2.2 seconds.
The LS-218 offers an Öhline fully-adjustable front suspension, Bremo 4-piston calipers, and a Billet aluminum adjustable swingarm. The IPW liquid-cooled 150kw motor recharges in just 30 minutes with a DC fast charger. You can see why it holds a spot on our list of the best electric motorcycles.
The race-only Kawasaki Ninja H2R will catapult you up to 240 mph. Those looking for a street-legal version can purchase the Kawasaki Ninja H2 instead, which has a still-impressive top speed of 209 mph.
This Ninja motorcycle is a pinnacle engineering achievement with a lightweight trellis frame, fully-adjustable suspension, and a full suite of rider-focused support including traction control, anti-lock brakes, engine brake control, and launch control.
Featuring a powerful 1,441cc inline-four engine, the race-only Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Supersport can tear down the strip at 249 mph, lending itself the nickname the “King of the Quarter Mile.”
The design features two power modes, a back-torque limiting Slipper clutch, and a monocoque aluminum frame. Premium onboard electronics paired with Brembo 4-piston calipers ensure that this bike can stop after pushing speed boundaries.
Marine Turbine Technologies knows how to achieve top speed on a motorcycle. The 420-RR is their latest design and pushes the top speed to an astonishing 273 mph, overshooting their predecessor MTT Y2K bike’s top speed of 250 mph.
The MTT 420-RR features a 420-horsepower Rolls Royce Allison turbine engine and aerodynamic carbon-fiber fairings. With production limited to five bikes per year, getting your hands on the fastest bike in the world isn’t easy.
In response to riding his own MTT superbike, Jay Leno told Popular Mechanics, “It’s like the hand of God pushing you in the back… I’ve ridden a lot of fast bikes but nothing pulls like this.”