(Last updated on January 18th, 2023)
Do you have a need for speed on two wheels? There’s nothing quite like watching a fleet of bikes roaring by at top speed. That rush of adrenaline can be yours, too. All you need is one of these incredible superbikes.
In this article, we’re going to talk about the fastest motorcycles in the world. Surprisingly, many of them are street-legal and affordable! We’ll give you the details on our top fastest bikes and let you know which one is our favorite. Let’s get started.
- The Fastest Motorcycle a Pro Can Ride
- The Fastest Motorcycle That You Can Actually Buy
- Best Motobike for the More Experienced Racer and Rider
- Best Dedicated Race Bike
- Best All Around Superbike
- Best for the Vintage Bike Enthusiast
- Best Bike for Those Who Love Prestige
- Best for the Original Racing Purist
- The Fastest Motorcycle in the World
- How We Picked the Fastest Motorcycles in the World
- Final Thoughts On Motorcycles
- Frequently Asked Questions

The Fastest Motorcycle a Pro Can Ride
As far as setting speed records can go, Jorge Martin set the record in 2022 for a long straight when his Pramac Ducati hit a massive 225.9 mph during the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in 2022.
Corners are an entirely different story. MotoGP riders can take corners as fast as 68 to 86 mph and 52 to 65 mph if the corners are super sharp.
Not all of us are looking for speeds that high – we just want the rush of a roaring engine as we fly down the highway. There are plenty of fast motorcycles that you can ride on the street and a few that are only intended for closed courses.
Read More: Most Expensive Bikes in the World
The Fastest Motorcycle That You Can Actually Buy
Just because you can buy one of these speed machines doesn’t mean they’re actually street-legal. Some are quite affordable and ready for the road, while others will cost you excessive amounts of your hard-earned cash and can only be used on a closed course. But hey, it’s a small price to pay if it’s top speed you are after.
Yamaha YZF R1 | Kawasaki Ninja H2R | Suzuki Hayabusa | Honda Blackbird | BMW S1000RR | Harley-Davidson VROD | Dodge Tomahawk | |
Top Speed | 185 mph | 250 mph | 194 mph | 178 mph | 188 MPH | 130 mph | 420 mph |
0 – 60 | 2.9 seconds | 2.93 seconds | 2.47 seconds | 2.77 seconds | 2.96 seconds | 3.59 seconds | 2.5 seconds |
Street Legal | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Price | $17,999 | $57,500 | $14,799 | $10,599 used | $16,995 | $10,900 used | $500,000+ |
Engine Displacement | 998 ccs | 998 ccs | 1340 ccs | 1137 ccs | 999 ccs | 1247 ccs | 8277 ccs |
Best for the More Experienced Racer and Rider | Best for the Dedicated Racer | Best All-Around | Best for the Vintage Lover | Best Prestige Bike | Best for the Racing Purist | Best for the Pro Racer | |
Rating | 9/10 | 9.5/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Best Motobike for the More Experienced Racer and Rider
1. Yamaha YZF R1

Our Rating
9/10
$17,999
PROS
- Impressive technology with the Chip Controlled Throttle system
- Four-piston radial-mounted front calipers and 320mm front rotors, ABS for excellent braking
- Balanced road feel and handling
- Adjustable suspension
CONS
- While it is street-legal, you won’t get your money’s worth if you aren’t racing
- Not a great starter bike
KEY SPECS
Max speed of 185 mph |
It goes from 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds |
This bike is street legal |
Cost: $17,999 |
998 CC engine |
You can buy the standard Yamaha YZF R1, or if you’re really lucky, you can get your hands on the 60th-anniversary edition with special details like gold forks, gold wheels, and commemorative badging.
Our Verdict
We give this a 9/10 because although it’s a great bike at a great price, it isn’t the right one for a beginner.
Best Dedicated Race Bike
2. Kawasaki Ninja H2R 2023

Our Rating
9.5/10
$57,500
PROS
- Speed: all 250 mph of it
- Impressive anti-lock brakes, traction control, and launch control mode
- Aluminum wheels with carbon fiber aerodynamic devices
- Self-healing paint job
CONS
- Acceleration is laggy compared to other superbikes
- Closed course only bike; you can’t drive this superbike on the road
- Very expensive
KEY SPECS
Max speed of 250 mph |
Hits 0 to 60 in 2.93 seconds |
Engine displacement: 998 ccs |
This bike is not street-legal; it’s a closed course-only bike |
Retails for a whopping $57, 500 |
If you want speed, you can be sure that it’s gonna cost you some really big bucks. But if you have the coin to drop on your next race bike, this surely is it. |
The Ninja is updated for 2023, but what isn’t new is its impressive speed. Unfortunately, this is a closed-course-only bike – you won’t be riding it on your local highway, and it’s definitely not your average commuter bike.
Our Verdict
This bike gets a 9.5 out of 10. It’s fast, it accelerates quickly, but it doesn’t get a 10 because it’s pricey and is only good for a closed course.
Best All Around Superbike
3. Suzuki Hayabusa

Our Rating
10/10
$14,799
PROS
- Quicker and smoother acceleration
- Complies with worldwide emissions standards
- Suzuki Intelligent Ride system
- Style, function, and balance
- Docile at lower speeds
CONS
- Heavier than most superbikes
- The long wheelbase makes it harder to corner
KEY SPECS
Top speeds of 194 mph |
Impressive 0 – 60 in 2.47 seconds |
Street legal |
Retails for $14,799 |
1340 cc engine |
If you want speed, you can be sure that it’s gonna cost you some really big bucks. But if you have the coin to drop on your next race bike, this surely is it. |
The Hayabusa boasts its status as motorcycling’s Ultimate Sportbike. It boasts an iconic and aerodynamic silhouette, coupled with its electronic rider aids for a distinctive and muscular superbike. In addition, the four-cylinder engine features an updated chassis for 2022 with new vent shapes, redesigned logos, LED lighting system, and so many more distinctive and iconic Hayabusa features.
If you’re looking for a superbike, you can race on the weekends and ride to work. You might focus on the Hayabusa superbike. It indeed does it all, with impressive speed, handling, and balance at a reasonable price.
Our Verdict
This bike gets a 10/10! We love this bike because it effectively straddles both the daily driver world as well as the race world. It does it all and for a great price.
Best for the Vintage Bike Enthusiast
4. Honda CBR 1100 Blackbird

Our Rating
9/10
$10,599
PROS
- This bike is very comfortable to ride
- It is durable and dependable
CONS
- Only available used.
- Not quite as fast as newer bikes, but it certainly can hold its own.
KEY SPECS
Max speed is 178 mph |
Can hit 0 to 60 in 2.77 seconds |
The Blackbird is street legal |
It boasts an 1137 cc engine |
If you love vintage and motorcycles, you’ll love the Honda Blackbird. Sadly, you can only get this superfast bike used, but it was certainly ahead of its time as far as speed. This bike makes the list for its iconic speed and handling.
Our Verdict
This is such a cool vintage bike and it was definitely way ahead of its time. If you need to save a little cash, this is a great choice for getting into racing. However, it only gets a 9/10 because you can only get it used and its a little tough to get parts.
Best Bike for Those Who Love Prestige
5. BMW S1000RR

Our Rating
9/10
$16,995
PROS
- Sleek looking superbike
- Has excellent handling
- Adjustable rider settings
- Impeccable braking system
CONS
- Limited color availability
- Only available used
KEY SPECS
It hits a max speed of 188 mph |
Can go from 0 to 60 in 2.96 seconds |
This bike is street legal |
Retails for $16,995 |
Engine is 999ccs |
If you want a prestigious bike that pushes the boundaries of performance, you’ll be interested in a BMW S100RR. It boasts a lightweight, aerodynamic frame with an amazing riding experience.
Everything good about BMW is summed up in this superbike. From the road to the race track, this bike is fast and furious.
Our Verdict
This is an upscale bike and its simply beautiful. But it only gets a 9/10 because it just has too much on it and its acceleration could be faster.
Best for the Original Racing Purist
6. Harley-Davidson VROD

Our Rating
9/10
$10,900
PROS
- Classic and comfortable Harley-Davidson riding position
- Smooth acceleration
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CONS
- Too powerful for a beginner bike
- Does not comply with Euro 4 Norms
- Hard to find parts for this bike
- Mixes imperial and metric sockets
- Small gas tank
KEY SPECS
Max speed of 130 mph |
0 to 60 in 3.59 seconds |
Street legal |
Used price of around $11,000 |
Engine size is 1247 ccs |
There is nothing more iconic than a Harley-Davidson, and if you’re among the purist of the motorcycle realm, this one is for you.
Nostalgic and vintage race bike. In other words, it is really cool! But sales in America dropped, and the VROD didn’t comply with the euro 4 norms, so Harley dropped it from its lineup, sadly. And although we love this bike for its nostalgia and its speed, you can no longer purchase it new. However, you can still purchase them used.
Our Verdict
If you love Harleys or you love a good old race bike, this bike is a treasure. It gets a 9/10 because it’s a little on the slower side, but still epic.
The Fastest Motorcycle in the World
7. The Dodge Tomahawk

Our Rating
8/10
$500,000+
PROS
- This is an incredible speed machine
- It’s just super fast at 450 mph
- It has a Dodge Viper engine
CONS
- It’s incredibly expensive
- It isn’t street legal
- It isn’t a typical motorcycle
KEY SPECS
Max speed of 420 mph |
0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds |
Not street legal |
Retails at a cool half million dollars |
The engine is a massive 8277 ccs |
What is the fastest motorcycle in the world? It’s probably the Dodge Tomahawk. The Tomahawk boasts a top speed of 350 mph and can go from 0 to 60 in as few as 1.75 seconds!
The Tomahawk isn’t exactly street-legal in the United States, considering it actually has four wheels and a throttle intake instead of headlights. But it IS a really cool superbike with a ten-valve, four-stroke engine – the same engine you’ll find in a Dodge Viper!
This motorcycle is truly a feat of engineering and just gives you an idea of what a motorcycle can do! Although most bikes, even superbikes, can’t hit speeds quite that high, there are plenty of motorcycles you can buy that still go extremely fast.
Our Verdict
It makes the list for its pure speed and ingenuity. But it only gets an 8/10 because the average racer just can’t afford it, find it, or maintain it. And to be completely honest, we think it’s too fast!
How We Picked the Fastest Motorcycles in the World
It isn’t all cut and dried when you’re looking for the fastest motorcycle in the world. There are a lot of considerations, and not just speed. So let’s talk about it.

Max Speed
Unfortunately, a motorcycle manufacturer can’t just take their bike out on the street to see how fast it can go. This just wouldn’t be safe for traffic and pedestrians. So speed tests are typically carried out on closed courses under ideal conditions.
So when a motorcycle reports its maximum speed, you might not ever be able to achieve this on the road – and you definitely shouldn’t since it’s clearly illegal.
Of course, the fastest bike on this list is the Dodge Tomahawk. This is a unique bike, being able to hit speeds of 450 mph under the right conditions. But no one is going to drive on the street that quickly.
In fact, some of these street-legal bikes have speed caps to help you be safe. The slowest bike on this list is the Harley-Davidson VROD, which may seem a little slower by today’s standards, but it stands on its two feet (or wheels) as an amazing race bike for its time.
0 – 60
Along with top speed comes acceleration. A bike’s top speed is only as good as how fast it can get there. If it takes too long to reach its max, you aren’t going to win the race. It’s amazing how fast these bikes can overcome the forces of being at rest and accelerating. The Suzuki Hayabusa is the fastest by far. This is a combination of factors, including engine size, bike size and weight, and the rider, too.
Is It Street Legal?
Another factor you might want to consider when you purchase a bike is if it is street-legal or not. There’s a whole continuum here. On one end, you have bikes like the Kawasaki Ninja that aren’t street-legal. They are only for racing, but they are exceptionally good at it. On the other hand, they’re also more expensive, so you’ll only want one of these if you’re a really serious racer.
On the other end, less expensive bikes, such as the Suzuki Hayabusa, were made to be both street-legal and great race bikes. Again, this is a pretty affordable bike. It’s street legal, so you can make it your daily driver if you want, but it is still able to hit high enough speeds and accelerations to make it a worthwhile race bike, too.
Read More: 9 Best Beginner Mountain Bikes in 2023
Can You Find the Parts You Need?
No one wants to get their bike repaired, but sometimes repairs are necessary, and you’ll need to be able to get the parts. So while vintage bikes, like the Honda Blackbird, are affordable and fast, you might have trouble finding replacement parts. BMWs are a little trickier to repair, too, so you might want to stick to something that’s a little bit more accessible, especially if you’ll be putting on a lot of miles.
Cost
There are no cheap motorcycles. These are serious vehicles, and they require some serious cash. Vintage bikes will save you money upfront, but they may cost more in the long run because they’ll need more repairs with hard-to-find parts. On the other hand, you’re not going to easily repair a Dodge Tomahawk, but if you can afford one, that’s probably not an issue for you.
Most of the bikes, though, are both pretty affordable and not too expensive to repair.

Read More: Killer Full Suspension Mountain Bikes Under $3000: Top Picks (2023)
Final Thoughts On Motorcycles
Of all of these motorcycles, we love the Suzuki Hayabusa the best of all. They’re all great bikes, of course. But for the average person who wants to race on the weekend, the Hayabusa is the clear winner.
First of all, it’s both street-legal and race-worthy. It can straddle both worlds with ease. It hits those high speeds of 194 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.47 seconds. At lower speeds, it’s a docile and comfortable bike, so it is ok if you’re still a beginner. But it revs up smoothly and rides fast on the course, too.
Coming in under $15,000, it’s less expensive than a car, handles well, and is a well-balanced superbike. It’s a win all around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, most superbikes have antilock brakes with large rotors to be able to slow down safely at high speeds.
CC stands for cubic centimeters, and it tells you how large the engine is. Generally, more ccs mean more power. However, it isn’t the only factor in how fast a motorcycle can go. You also have to consider the weight of the rider and the bike as well as how aerodynamic the bike is, the type of tires, the terrain, etc.
But there is a loose correlation between more ccs and a faster, more powerful bike that can accelerate more quickly.
Most motorcycles can carry between 3 and 6 gallons of gas. Racebikes tend to carry less since they won’t go as far while touring bikes will have larger tanks for longer rides.
The Kawasaki Ninja accelerates the fastest. It can go from 0 to 69 in just under 2.5 seconds, beating other superbikes by nearly half a second. It’s also one of the fastest bikes in the world, hitting top speeds of 250 mph under ideal conditions. However, it doesn’t have the largest engine.
The fastest ¼ mile is a right of passage for many motorcycle enthusiasts. So, not surprisingly, the Kawasaki Ninja has the record of racing ¼ mile in 9.62 seconds – which is right around 250 mph.

Amanda Whittington is an expert writer, impassioned cyclist, and musician. Coming from a diverse educational background, Amanda discovered a deep-rooted passion for encouraging others through her love of all things cycling, writing, and inspiring hope.
You’ll likely find Amanda pouring over bike specs, comparing the hottest cycling tech, and sporting the latest jerseys while juggling the demands of her editorial calendar, training schedule, tiny homestead, and 6 busy kids.
She spends her free time absorbed in her own gardening and fitness, cycling, and reading, all while encouraging adoption and foster care, championing the underdog, and of course, working with her chickens and goats.