Two hundred horsepower is quite a decent amount of power for a small and medium-sized car. But this is an extremely high margin that can only be invested in a motorcycle. And yet, motorcyclists will never trade their iron friend for a car. The thrill of riding a powerful bike cannot be compared to what you can experience on four wheels. This element is exclusively for the experienced, brave and crazy.
Today, anyone can walk into a car dealership and drive away on a two-hundred-horsepower motorcycle. There are many options to choose from including superbikes, electric bikes, turbocharged motorcycles. This selection features the most powerful production motorcycles you can buy. Many of them cost less than a small car, but give you absolute extreme performance for 1/300th the price of the most powerful cars in the world.
Damon Hypersport: 200 hp (electric)
The 200 horsepower, 200 Nm Damon electric drivetrain makes this bike frighteningly fast. The maximum speed is rated at 322 km/h. The battery holds 21.5 kWh of energy, which will provide a long range. Damon is promoting this thing more as a technology platform. This is a kind of advertising for their Shift system, which allows you to move the seat, handlebars and footpegs on the go. The Co-Pilot haptic alarm system is impressive, designed to alert you to possible threats before you see them.
KTM 1290 Super Adventure R 2022
This is where the engineers did their best, they note that the V-twin engine with a displacement of 1301 cc. cm is mounted on one of the best enduro suspensions. Manufacturers observed travelers a lot and created their own Super Adventure.
The motorcycle produces 160 horsepower. It is noted that diamond-like coating is used in many engine parts, as it is particularly durable. What's interesting is that dual ignition controls the spark plugs, which are different sizes for each cylinder head, independently of each other.
The bike's pistons are inspired by Formula 1 racing to deliver superior load-carrying capacity while weighing 47 grams lighter.
By the way, not only the pistons have become lighter. The frame is laser-cut and robotically welded from chrome-molybdenum steel and weighs only 9.8 kilograms. The same can be said about the pendulum - lightweight and durable.
The motorcycle uses a KTM development - tubeless spoked wheels. The suspension is fully adjustable - front inverted fork with stiff springs and rear PDS shock absorber from WP. They also created a damper.
The brakes are from Brembo - the front is represented by two radial-mounted discs with a diameter of 320 mm with fixed four-piston calipers, and on the rear wheel there is a disc of 267 mm.
Let's add to this ABS from BOSCH.
23 liter tank.
Many adjustments will allow you to customize your seating position - find the desired position of the steering wheel and control panels. These same remotes make the display easy to use, especially if you personalize them. The TFT display will display a lot of useful information, including ambient and oil temperatures, fuel consumption statistics and its level, average speed and route features. The display shows driving modes, and the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) will warn of problems and losses. The traction control (MTC) system monitors the traction of the rear wheel, and off-road traction control is needed to get the most out of the bike. The creators of the bike came up with a handy feature - a phone pocket with a built-in USB connector.
Did you know that LED cornering lights will use an MSC angle sensor to adjust the light intensity.
The cost of this motorcycle starts from one million four hundred thousand rubles.
Lightning LS-218 (electric)
At 96.5 km/h, this single-speed monster opens its secondary combustion chamber, unleashing an unprecedented rush of acceleration that distorts the sense of space and time. Lightning has opened a new factory in San Carlos, and while the LS218 is still listed as a 200-hp motorcycle, creator Richard Hatfield has revealed a software update that increases power to 248 hp.
Aprilia RSV 1000R Mille, 270 kilometers per hour
The superbike was produced from 2004 to 2010. The 175kg fuel-injected motorcycle is powered by a twin-cylinder engine and features a 998cc 4-valve DOHC engine. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 270 kilometers per hour.
Aprilia RSV 1000R Mille is among the fastest motorcycles
BMW S1000RR: 205 hp
BMW had a reputation for great motorcycles even before the brand launched its first superbike in 2009, but with the debut of the S1000RR, success became evident. Inspired by Suzuki's lithe GSX-R1000, the S1000RR delivers extraordinary road manners and incredible track speed. In addition to the 205 hp engine, you can get it with the M Sport package, carbon wheels and all sorts of innovative features.
Second place - Y2K MTT Turbine Superbike - 402 km/h
Y2K MTT Turbine Superbike photo
The first after the Tomahawk is considered to be the Y2K MTT Turbine Superbike , the only motorcycle in the world with a gas turbine engine approved for use on regular highways. The heart of the superbike is a Rolls Royce-Allison 250 aviation gas turbine engine modified for road use with power transmitted to the shaft. Motorcycle power 320 hp. with an engine weight of 61 kg.
The maximum speed of the Y2K MTT Turbine Superbike is 402 km/h. It accelerates to 100 km in one and a half seconds, and to three hundred in 15 seconds. Fuel tank capacity is 34 liters. Fuel consumption is 1 liter per 1.3 km. The fuel used is either regular diesel or aviation kerosene. The exhaust can reach temperatures of 650 degrees Celsius, threatening to melt the bumper of a car parked nearby at a traffic light. The approximate price of the motorcycle is $185,000. The superbike is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most powerful and expensive production motorcycle.
Motorcycle MV Agusta Brutale 1000
Prior to the introduction of the Streetfighter V4, the Brutale 1000 Serie Oro was equipped with an engine of the same power. It was introduced in 2022 with a 208 hp engine, which has since been boosted to 212 hp. If you're crazy (and strong) enough to point this beast in a straight line and hold the throttle open long enough, you'll be able to break the 300 km/h mark. Like all MVs, this bike can also be called a work of art.
Yamaha YZF R1 2011, 300 kilometers per hour
A legend of the world of supersports, as well as a recognized leader in the liter class. Yamaha YZF-R1 was introduced in 1998. And then it was the first motorcycle in the liter class (1000 cc).
Yamaha YZF R1 2011 - fast bike from Yamaha
The production bike has a 4-valve DOHC engine with a volume of 998 cubic centimeters, a power of 182 horsepower, and a top speed of 300 kilometers per hour.
Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP: 214 hp
Honda has never shown much interest in the horsepower wars, positioning itself 10 or 20 horses away from the more ambitious bikes in the supersport class and letting others win the races. At the same time, the Japanese company concentrated on creating impeccable superbikes for the street. But in 2022, the company finally released a “Fireblade” worthy of this scary name. This is a special limited edition priced at $28,500.
Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports
You may accuse me of being biased, but I love this bike! The big plus of this motorcycle is the larger gas tank. Nobody wants to get stuck in the middle of a forest or field, when there are still kilometers to refuel, and the motorcycle is already running on gasoline fumes... The manufacturer thought that you could go very far, so they increased the tank to 24.8 liters!
For example, Honda Africa Twin AS A4L with an engine capacity of 1084 cc. cm.
The engine is four-stroke, two-cylinder in-line, eight-valve, liquid-cooled. It comes with a multi-plate slipper clutch and a six-speed gearbox.
The brake system is hydraulic. ABS with off-road and on-road modes is provided.
The front brake features two 310mm diameter floating discs with an aluminum hub, metal plated pads and four-piston radial calipers.
The rear wheel has one disc with a diameter of 256 mm with a two-piston caliper. There are also metallized pads here.
The weight of the motorcycle when equipped is 238 kilograms. The maximum permitted weight stated by the manufacturer is 456 kilograms.
As standard, users have access to cruise control, automatic turn signal off, heated grips and a 12-volt power outlet, rollover and wheel lift control systems, as well as an emergency braking warning system. But the quickshifter is an optional offer. There is also a wireless Bluetooth connection, a color touch screen and an LCD panel.
To adapt to any road conditions, the manufacturer has thought out seven levels of adjustment and driving modes, such as city, gravel, touring, off-road and two custom.
What else? In addition to the larger tank, you will be pleased with the high adjustable windshield, tubeless tires, spoked wheels, engine protection and roll bars. Beauty, not a bike!
By the way, this pleasure costs almost one million four hundred thousand rubles. Starter set, there are modifications and other versions. Users especially praise the CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sport ES.
Ducati Superleggera V4
The Panigale V4 is a very fast bike, but Ducati wouldn't be Ducati if it didn't come out with a special edition that didn't break the power record. Not only does this model develop 231 hp. — it weighs only 152 kg thanks to a large number of carbon parts. Every component of this production motorcycle, from the suspension to the brakes and electronics, is absolutely flawless.
Sixth place - Honda CBR 1100XX Super Blackbird - 86 km/h
Honda CBR 1100XX Super
In sixth place in terms of speed and power is the Honda CBR 1100XX Super Blackbird motorcycle. The bike was created using the most advanced Japanese technologies. Thanks to the 1100 cc four-cylinder in-line engine. cm motorcycle reaches speeds of up to 286 km/h.
7. The most powerful twin-cylinder motorcycle is the Ducati 1098S. The volume of the power unit is indicated in the name, and the power of the motorcycle is 160 hp. The bike accelerates to a speed of 271 km/h. Its design incorporates some technical solutions used on track cars of the world motorcycle racing championship.
Kawasaki H2: 228 horses
The H2 was and is one of Kawasaki's best models. Its base version comes with a 200-horsepower engine, but horsepower is severely limited by firmware, and a simple upgrade could unlock another 30 ponies for those brave enough. The titanium exhaust-only version of the H2R increases the reserve to 310 hp, but this is not legal on public roads.
Kawasaki ZX-14R (ZZR1400) – 207.9 hp at 10,000 thousand rpm
It was number one last time and remains so to this day. This did not cause any particular problems for the ZX-14R sportbike; 2016 will further show whether the hegemony of this sportbike will continue in the future.
The ZX-14R sportbike model, known in Europe as the ZZR1400 model, may be an atavism from the point of view of thinking of the ongoing “battles” of the maximum speeds of the Blackbird/Busa/ZX-12R model motorbike, the turn of the current millennium, but no one has any doubts about its effectiveness No.
Power is not the most important thing in a motorcycle. So, it is quite possible that the most powerful sportbike of all may not show the most impressive results on the motorcycle track. But nevertheless, an additional 10 horses can always be useful on straight sections, where it would be difficult to find an equal to the ZX-14R sports bike.
Motorcycle PGM V8
This Australian built bike takes things to a pretty extreme level. Weighing 242 kg, the PGM V8 has a 2-liter 90-degree V8 engine that revs to 13,000 rpm and produces 334 hp. and 214 Nm of torque. We're not sure exactly how many bikes have been produced since the PGM launched in 2015, but at over $100,000, it's probably not that many. For a model with such a large engine, the PGM has a pretty neat appearance.
What to look for when choosing a motorcycle for the city
There are a number of purely technical criteria that an ideal bike must meet. These are the following characteristics:
- engine power – 20-40 l, to maintain a high level of maneuverability;
- cubic capacity (volume) - from 150-250 cubic meters, more is possible, depending on individual preferences and driving experience;
- weight – in practice, models weighing 70-90 kg perform best; heavier representatives take longer to turn;
- speed – up to 150 km/h, faster transport is no longer so stable and safe;
- engine type – two-stroke or four-stroke; the latter improves fuel consumption but also increases power, making long trips easier.
There are also specific criteria, such as design or cost. We will consider them separately. First, let's take a closer look at the key technical characteristics.
cubic capacity
For a beginner buying his first city bike, it is better to choose a small volume, and only then move on to a more powerful model. However, it would be wise to set some restrictions. For example, the potential of a liter engine will not be revealed in heavy traffic, and it consumes a lot of fuel. Why overpay?
Let's move on to the features of the most common options.
250 cubes
An excellent solution for a “first acquaintance”. Equipment with such an engine is light, maneuverable, user-friendly and as predictable as possible. The design of the vehicle can be spectacular or aggressive.
400 cubes
A very interesting motorcycle category for the city, focused on street riding. With light weight, they can boast a power of 40-55 horsepower and rapid acceleration to 150-180 km/h, and this with economical fuel consumption. The downside is that they are produced for the Japanese market, which means they have to be ordered from there and already with mileage.
600 cubes
An option for experienced riders who feel confident on the road. And also for those who regularly take to highways and other open spaces where they can feel the potential of the engine. The models are reliable and stable, with a weight of 160-190 kg they accelerate to 220-250 km/h and impress with the power of 105-125 horsepower.
Class
When deciding which motorcycle is best to buy for the city, you should focus on the places that you will visit regularly, as well as on your own experience. Based on this, you can decide in favor of one of the following groups.
Road
All kinds of roadsters, street fighters and other lightweight models with a lightweight frame and classic stance. They are maneuverable and therefore perform well in dense traffic conditions. Among the most interesting representatives:
- Kawasaki ER-4N - with a 400 cc engine with 44 horsepower, accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and reaches speeds of up to 170 km/h. Consumes on average up to 4.17 liters per hundred kilometers.
- Ducati Scrambler 2022 - with a V-shaped injection engine and the same 400 cc.
- Yamaha MT-07 - received recognition thanks to its spectacular appearance and torque of 68 Nm (with a power of 75 HP), available already at low speeds.
Sports
Technological, low-slung, ultra-modern appearance, ideal aerodynamics
Attention, these are not the best motorcycles for the city and the highway at once; they are only suitable for high-quality highways. Interesting options from this category are:
Interesting options from this category are:
- Yamaha YZF R6 - with an ABS system and enlarged brake discs, accelerates to about 0 in 3 seconds, maintaining speeds of up to 260 km/h thanks to a power of 180 HP.
- Kawasaki NINJA 250R – With a volume of 250 cubic meters and a weight of 170 kg, it reaches “hundreds” in 7.72 seconds. Convenient for streets due to its ultra-lightness.
- Triumph Daytona 675 - with a 3-cylinder engine, a quickshifter so you don't have to worry about grip, a track function for slipping the rear wheel.
Motards
They become the answer to the question: “Which motorcycle should I buy for the city and beyond?” These are universal all-terrain models that perform well on smooth asphalt, paving stones, dirt roads with potholes and off-road.
Among the typical representatives:
- Honda 400XA is a powerful, yet economical model. That is why it has earned popularity and is actively exported from Japan.
- Yamaha WR 250 X - with rigid suspension, 17-inch wheels, small cubic capacity. A distinctive feature is the weight, almost a record for the class, 136 kg, ensuring lightness and maneuverability.
- Kawasaki Versys 650 is a modification of the ER-6, with an adjustable front fork, long suspension travel, and improved traction. Confidently behaves on any surface.
MTT 420 RR (420 hp)
Louisiana-based Marine Turbine Technologies has been making turbine superbikes for 20 years, and the 420 RR is the strangest of them all. It is powered by the same turbocharged Allison 250-C20B engine that powers various Bell and Sikorsky helicopters. Rumor has it that the exhaust fumes are so hot that they can melt the plastic bumpers on cars that sit too close. This is a huge, long, heavy beast that requires special care and awareness when using.
Lightning Electric Superbike, 352 kilometers per hour
This Superbike motorcycle is recognized as the fastest motorcycle in the world that runs on an electric motor. In 2011, the electric bike was able to reach an amazing record speed of 352 kilometers per hour. It was achieved during a test run on the surface of the Bonneville salt lake by pilot Paul Thede.
The fastest electric bike
