‘Fast’ is a word that takes on a whole new meaning when you’re talking about motorcycles. It’s not just about raw speed; it’s the adrenaline-pumping acceleration, the mind-bending top speeds, and the ability to carve through corners with precision. True speed on two wheels is a symphony of these elements.
While cruiser and adventure touring bikes have their own merits, this list is dedicated to the undisputed speed kings – the Fastest Street Legal Bikes. These machines prioritize agility and breathtaking velocity, leaving behind the bulkier categories. Choosing the top contenders involved some tough decisions, but we’ve curated a list that’s sure to include both familiar names and a few surprises.
If you crave velocity and the ultimate riding thrill, prepare to meet the ten fastest motorcycles you can buy in 2024.
[ 3:40
Suzuki Hayabusa Speed Record Holeshot Racing
](/fastest-production-motorcycles/)
12 Fastest Production Motorcycles Currently On Sale
For those with an insatiable need for speed, these incredible machines represent the pinnacle of velocity and performance.
To ensure the highest level of accuracy, the specifications and performance figures in this article are drawn directly from manufacturer data and corroborated by reputable sources such as Visordown.com, Motorcycle.com, Motorcyclenews.com, and Cycleworld.com. The motorcycles featured are ranked by their verified top speed, starting from the tenth fastest and culminating in the ultimate speed champion.
10. MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR
Top Speed: 186 mph
MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR
In the realm of naked motorcycles, many claim to redefine the limits of two-wheeled performance. However, the MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR stands apart, rivaled only by the Ducati Streetfighter V4. True to its ‘Brutale’ moniker, this machine unleashes ferocious acceleration, particularly in the upper echelons of its rev range. Its rapid thrust is comparable to that of many dedicated race bikes. Boasting 208 horsepower, the Brutale 1000 RR can hit a blistering 186 mph – that is, if the rider can hold on tight enough.
| Engine Type | Liquid cooled inline 4 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 998 cc |
| Max Power | 208 HP @ 13,000 RPM |
| Max Torque | 85.5 LB-FT @ 11,000 RPM |
9. Yamaha YZF-R1/R1M
Top Speed: 186 mph (limited)
2024 Yamaha YZF-R1M front 3/4 action shot
The Yamaha R1 boasts a celebrated heritage as a legendary sportbike. Its current iteration continues this legacy, especially when considering Yamaha’s pioneering role in introducing the ‘big bang’ firing order, now a MotoGP standard. Beyond its technological innovations and the aura of Valentino Rossi, the R1 is a formidable machine capable of exceeding 186 mph. However, like many in this class, its top speed is electronically limited due to a gentlemen’s agreement among manufacturers. Unleashed on a track, particularly the upgraded R1M variant, the Yamaha R1’s performance is virtually limitless, constrained only by rider skill and track length.
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled inline 4 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 998 cc |
| Max Power | 200 HP @ 13,500 RPM |
| Max Torque | 82.9 LB-FT @ 11,500 RPM |
8. Ducati V4 Superleggera
Top Speed: 186 mph (limited)
2021 Ducati V4 Superleggera leaning hard on a test track
While 186 mph might initially seem modest for a hyperbike, the Ducati V4 Superleggera represents the pinnacle of the Panigale V4 lineage. It shares its engine with the Panigale V4 R, a machine known to approach the 200 mph mark.
It’s widely believed that removing the speed limiter on the Superleggera would unlock significantly higher top speeds. Like the BMW M1000 RR, the V4 Superleggera is engineered for peak racetrack performance. However, it achieves this with unmistakable Italian style. The Panigale series’ design DNA has consistently influenced supersport motorcycle aesthetics across various engine sizes, a testament to Ducati’s design prowess and the Superleggera’s visual appeal.
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled 90-degree V4, Desmodromic valves |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 998 cc |
| Max Power | 224 HP @ 15,250 RPM |
| Max Torque | 85.5 LB-FT @ 11,750 RPM |
[ 
2023-Ducati-Panigale-V4-R front 3/4 shot.
](/fastest-european-sports-bikes-you-can-buy/)
10 Fastest European Sports Bikes You Can Buy In 2024
Japanese manufacturers dominate the sports bike market, but European brands, like Ducati, also deliver exceptional speed and performance.
7. Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa
Top Speed: 186 mph (limited)
2024 Suzuki Hayabusa 25th Anniversary action street shot with city skyline backdrop.
The Suzuki Hayabusa is more than just a motorcycle; it’s a legend. It’s the bike that ignited the top speed wars and inadvertently led to the 186 mph (300 km/h) gentlemen’s agreement that limits many hyperbikes today. The ‘Hayabusa’ name itself carries legendary weight, deeply embedded in automotive history. While its styling has always been polarizing, its performance is undeniable. Beyond its speed credentials, the Hayabusa distinguishes itself as a comfortable grand tourer, a versatility unmatched by most bikes on this list. Its core appeal lies in its development ethos: top speed is paramount, with all other features built around this central goal.
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled inline 4 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 998 cc |
| Max Power | 205 HP @ 13,000 RPM |
| Max Torque | 83 LB-FT @ 11,000 RPM |
6. BMW M1000 RR
Top Speed: 195 mph
Static shot of the BMW M 1000 RR from the rear
While Japanese homologation specials like the Yamaha YZF-R1M, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR, and Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade are formidable machines, the BMW S1000 RR arguably pioneered the integration of advanced, customizable electronics into the liter-class supersport category, making this technology accessible to consumers. The BMW M1000 RR elevates this further with carbon fiber bodywork and optional carbon wheels (in Competition spec). It’s engineered to deliver unparalleled racetrack performance, pushing the boundaries of speed and handling. For dedicated racers, BMW even offers factory race-tuned engines, further emphasizing its track-focused design.
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled inline 4 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 998 cc |
| Max Power | 205 HP @ 13,000 RPM |
| Max Torque | 83 LB-FT @ 11,000 RPM |
5. Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory
Top Speed: 199 mph
Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory static shot
Compared to many manufacturers on this list, Aprilia is a relatively small company. Yet, its racing successes are disproportionately large, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation. Aprilia pioneered ground-effect fairings and ride-by-wire throttles, technologies now ubiquitous in MotoGP. Therefore, the Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory rightfully earns its place among the fastest, almost breaching the coveted 200 mph barrier. However, the RSV4 1100 Factory is more than just a top-speed machine; it’s meticulously crafted to dominate racetracks, where top speed is just one element in its comprehensive arsenal of performance capabilities.
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled 65-degree V4 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1078 cc |
| Max Power | 217 HP @ 13,200 RPM |
| Max Torque | 92.1 LB-FT @ 10,500 RPM |
[ 
Yellow Damon HyperSport Premier electric motorcycle
](/fastest-electric-motorcycles-you-can-buy/)
10 Fastest Electric Motorcycles You Can Buy In 2024
Electric motorcycles are rapidly advancing, offering both eco-friendliness and exhilarating speed capabilities.
4. Damon Hypersport
Top Speed: 200 mph
Yellow Damon Hypersport Premier Electric Motorcycle
The Damon Hypersport marks the entry of electric power into this list of speed demons. While available for purchase, deliveries have been delayed since pre-orders opened in January 2020, causing some concern. Despite this, the Hypersport promises a revolutionary future for motorcycles, boasting 200 horsepower, a 200 mph top speed, and a 200-mile combined range. Beyond raw performance, it features advanced safety technology Damon claims will significantly reduce motorcycle accidents. Whether for its safety innovations or its monstrous 147 lb-ft of torque promising blistering acceleration, the Hypersport is eagerly anticipated – once deliveries finally commence.
| Engine Type | PMAC liquid-cooled electric motor |
|---|---|
| Displacement | NA |
| Max Power | 200 HP |
| Max Torque | 147 LB-FT |
3. Lightning LS-218
Top Speed: 218 mph
Lightning LS-218 motorcycle
Currently recognized as the world’s fastest production motorcycle, the Lightning LS-218 derives its name directly from its astounding 218 mph top speed. However, its most impressive feature might be its staggering 168 lb-ft of torque.
While carrying a premium price tag similar to the Damon, the LS-218 has been available for a decade, proving its real-world viability. It has also demonstrated its performance credentials in motorsport, outperforming internal combustion engine competitors at events like Pikes Peak and Le Mans. For anyone questioning the future of electric power, the Lightning LS-218 serves as a resounding answer.
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled IPM electric motor |
|---|---|
| Displacement | NA |
| Max Power | 200 HP |
| Max Torque | 168 LB-FT |
2. Kawasaki Ninja H2R
Top Speed: 249 mph
Kawasaki Ninja H2R front shot
Supercharging motorcycles is not a novel concept. In fact, Kawasaki has a history with forced induction. However, the Kawasaki Ninja H2R is a paradigm shift. By integrating a supercharger into a sportbike, constructing a trellis frame, adopting a distinctive, almost menacing aesthetic, and achieving speeds exceeding 249 mph (400 km/h), Kawasaki has redefined hyperbike performance.
Offered in various configurations, the track-only H2R variant unleashes a staggering 310 horsepower. Its 249 mph top speed places it in an elite echelon alongside hypercars like the Bugatti Veyron. While the H2R may not prioritize everyday usability, its unparalleled top speed is its defining, and arguably only, mission.
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled inline 4, supercharged |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 998 cc |
| Max Power | 310 HP @ 14,000 RPM |
| Max Torque | 122 LB-FT @ 12,500 RPM |
1. Y2K MTT 420RR
Top Speed: 274 mph
Y2k MTT 420RR
Marine Turbine Technologies takes a unique approach to motorcycle performance by utilizing repurposed helicopter engines. The result is the MTT 420RR, a turbine-powered marvel. Reaching peak power at an astonishing 52,000 rpm, MTT claims a top speed of 274 mph, though independent verification remains elusive.
Regardless of the exact figure, the MTT 420RR’s speed potential is otherworldly. It produces a jet-like sound, possesses an unconventional appearance, features an automatic gearbox, and remarkably, is street legal, unlike the H2R. Furthermore, it boasts multi-fuel capability, running on diesel, kerosene, and even tequila. Imagine explaining that to a traffic officer: “No sir, the tequila is for the bike…”
| Engine Type | Rolls-Royce Allison gas turbine |
|---|---|
| Displacement | NA |
| Max Power | 420 HP @ 52,000 RPM |
| Max Torque | 500 LB-FT @ 2,500 RPM |
