If you have a need for speed, then the fastest motorcycles in the world are right up your alley. While the turbine-powered MTT 420-RR remains the fastest motorcycle in the world with a top speed of 273mph, there are plenty of affordable production options that offer you plenty of bang for your buck. Think of brands like Ducati, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and even BMW as the front runners.
While there may be faster motorcycles in production, our list tackles those motorbikes that are in regular production and available to purchase year-round. Taking into account stock-standard specifications with no after-market upgrades or updates, we’ve included bikes that you can buy right now.
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List of the Fastest Motorcycles in the World
Our list of the fastest motorcycles in the world goes like this.
- MTT 420-RR – 273 mph
- Kawasaki Ninja H2R – 240 mph
- Lightning LS-218 – 218 mph
- Kawasaki Ninja H2 – 209 mph
- Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition – 202 mph
- Ducati Panigale V4 R – 199 mph
- Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1100 – 199 mph
- BMW S1000RR – 188 mph
- Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R SE – 186 mph
- Suzuki Hayabusa (Third Generation) – 185.79 mph
Speed is the theme so let’s cut right to the complete list.
1. MTT 420-RR
It’s pushing the boundaries when it comes to the word “production motorcycle,” however, there’s no getting away from the fact the MTT 420-RR is the world’s fastest motorcycle with a top speed of more than 273 mph (440 km/h). Jay Leno once described the MTT Turbine as “the hand of God pushing you in the back” thus cementing its status as a living legend.
Custom-made to order and ridiculously expensive at more than USD$250,000 this bike actually holds two records, one for speed, and a second as the Guinness World Record most expensive motorcycle in production. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Allison gas turbine engine, the MTT 420-RR can accelerate from 0-60 mph in a claimed time of just 2.5 seconds.
Top speed: 273 mph (440 km/h)
Engine: Rolls-Royce Allison gas turbine engine.
Power: 313kW (420hp)
Torque: 500 ft/lbs
2. Kawasaki Ninja H2R
A track-only version of the beloved Kawasaki Ninja H2, this bold beauty is the fastest production bike on the market. It reached a top speed of 240 mph in 2016 and then an unverified speed of 250 mph four months later. Some have theorised that the bike could go up to 260 mph with the right gearing and conditions. You’ll need to jump through some hoops to own one and then promise to use it for closed-course riding only. Or you can settle for the street-legal Ninja H2 down below, which has set speed records of its own at 209 mph.
Top speed: 240 mph (380km/h)
Engine: 998cc in-line four-cylinder supercharged
Power: 228kW (310hp) @ 14,000 rpm
Torque: 165Nm @ 12,500 rpm
Check out the Kawasaki Ninja H2R
3. Lightning LS-218
The Lightning LS-218 claimed the title as the fastest street-legal motorcycle in 2014, it also happens to be electric. It runs on an IPM liquid-cooled 10,500 rpm electric motor and goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.2 seconds flat. A race-modified version defeated both gasoline and electric counterparts at the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, becoming the first vehicle of any type to win a professional road race using solar power. Expect similar efficiency and speed from the street-legal variant, which isn’t to mention its downright sleek design.
Top speed: 218 mph
Engine: IPM liquid-cooled electric motor
Horsepower: 200hp
Torque: 168 ft-lbs
Check out the Lightning LS-218
4. Kawasaki Ninja H2
When Kawasaki released the Ninja H2 it defined a whole new category of motorcycle, opening the gates to the ‘Hypersport’ category. Although, it’s fair to say that the first in the segment remains the best. It starts with the 998cc in-line four-cylinder supercharged engine, and while it’s not the first time forced induction made its way to a sports bike, it’s the most famous application of them all.
With a top speed of more than 209 mph, the only question is how far can you push it? Just as suitable for track work, we love the KYB AOS-II front fork and Öhlins TTX36 rear shock, alongside the Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS) which sounds epic. You’re going to need every bit of the Kawasaki 9-step Traction Control (KTRC) system with more power than a typical hot-hatch.
Top speed: 209 mph
Engine: 998cc in-line four-cylinder supercharged
Power: 178.5 kW (243hp) @ 11,500 rpm
Torque: 141.7 Nm @ 11,000 rpm
Check out the Kawasaki Ninja H2
5. Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition
Ducati’s fastest motorcycle will also go down as its most iconic. The Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition is what you think of when you think of the words “fast bike”. Simply put, when you’re looking at the fastest bikes in the world, only a few look as fast as they are standing still. A swan-song for the brand’s most powerful twin-cylinder ever, the speedy superbike flaunted race-derived engine parts alongside a hardly-believable dry weight of just 168 kg (357lb).
Top speed: 202 mph
Engine: Superquadro, L-twin cylinder, liquid-cooled.
Power: 154kW (209hp) @ 11,000rpm
Torque: 142 Nm @ 9,000rpm
Check out the Ducati 1199 Panigale R
6. Ducati Panigale V4 R
Closing in on the Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition is the new Panigale V4 R. With a top speed of 199 mph but nearly 40hp more than the outgoing model, you’d be forgiven for thinking newer means faster. Ultimately, with the right gearset and tires, it would likely best its predecessor, but facts are facts. Instead, this is the best Ducati ever for those looking to tackle a race track. We’ve never seen a bike adopt such closely-related technical solutions from MotoGP and WorldSBK.
Top speed: 199 mph
Engine: V4, counter-rotating crankshaft, 4 Desmodromic timing, 4 valves per cylinder, liquid-cooled.
Power: 174 kW (237 hp) @ 15,500rpm (with full racing exhaust).
Torque: 118 Nm (87 lb-ft) @ 12,250 rpm (with full racing exhaust).
Check out the Ducati Panigale V4 R
7. Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1100
The main competitor for the aforementioned Ducati Panigale V4 R, the Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1100 is even when it comes to top speed (199 mph). Adopting a slightly different engine geometry to the Panigale, we love the sound of the Longitudinal 65° V-4 engine. Power output remains impressive at 159.5 kW (217 hp) @ 13,000 rpm. If you’re looking to save a few dollars, check out the RSV4 Factory 1100.
Top speed: 199 mph
Engine: Longitudinal 65° V-4 cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled.
Power: 159.5 kW (217 hp) @ 13,000 rpm
Torque: 125 Nm @ 10,500 rpm
Check out the Aprilia RSV4 1100
8. BMW S 1000 RR
Originally created for the 2009 Superbike World Championship, the BMW S 1000 RR is now yours to own. Touting a lightweight frame and an updated 999 CC 16-valve engine, the bike optimises its suspension by way of an upgraded power curve and Dynamic Damping Control. It can go from 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds.
Top speed: 188 mph
Engine: In-line four-cylinder.
Power: 152 kW (207 hp) @ 13,500rpm
Torque: 100 Nm @ 5,500rpm
9. Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R SE
No list of the world’s best or fastest bikes is complete without at least one Kawasaki Ninja (or two, for that matter). As per its stellar reputation, the ZX-14R represents the absolute apex of design and performance. Bolstered by a 1441 CC engine and three-level traction control system, it runs smoothly at pretty much any speed and goes from 0-60 mph in a mere 2.6 seconds.
Top speed: 186 mph
Engine: 1,441cc in-line four-cylinder
Power: 154.5 kW (210 hp) @ 10,000 rpm
Torque: 158.2 Nm @ 7,500 rpm
Check out the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R
10. Suzuki Hayabusa
When first released in 1999, this mechanical masterpiece broke speed records for production models by previously unheard-of margins. That prompted a “speed war” between manufacturers and reportedly gave way to the “Gentlemen’s Agreement,” where the industry itself attempted to place a cap on top speed. This set the electronic limit at 300 km/h for every 1000cc motorcycle made in the year 2000 and beyond. And while it doesn’t exist today, the third-generation Suzuki Hayabusa is electronically limited to 299km/h (185.79 mph).
Top speed: 185.79 mph (299km/h)
Power: 140kW @ 9,700rpm
Torque: 150Nm @ 7,000rpm
Fastest Motorcycles FAQs
The world's fastest motorcycle is the MTT 420-RR that can achieve a top speed of 273 mph.
The fastest production bike is either the Kawasaki Ninja H2R or the MTT 420-RR, the latter of which is custom-made. Both bikes have been reported to reach a top speed of 250 mph. Ultimately, you have to find someone willing to test the top speed of these bikes and tires are typically a limiting factor in the equation
One of the world's fastest motorcycles, the Suzuki Hayabusa can reach a top speed of 303 to 312 km/h, which converts to 188 to 194 mph.
The MTT 420-RR can reach a top speed of 273 mph.
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