2023 Fastest Production Motorcycles

It’s the question we love answering to no one’s satisfaction. What’s the fastest production motorcycle you’re legally allowed to own and operate?

If it seems like Motorcyclist does this article every year, you’re right. It’s a new year, with new motorcycles and fresh technical specs. Like Moore’s law, motorcycles mostly get faster, safer, and better with each passing year. That’s the theory. The miscreants among us will have to pay more than we did in 2022. Yep, $30,000 seems expensive for miscreants. But, hey, do people get rich by being upstanding citizens?

As per the 20-year-old (or so) manufacturers’ agreement, top speed is generally limited to 186 mph. Until someone organizes a Bonneville shootout with technicians on hand to disable ECUs and chips, we’ll have to stick with horsepower, torque, and rough 0–60 mph times.

Why “rough”? Because the internet is made of mostly garbage and linkbait, many 0–60 mph times are useless. Who did the testing? When and under what conditions? More importantly, with what proprietary rider aids?

If “fast” isn’t a 0–60 mph time or a top speed, what is it? Is something fast from a standing start? Or from legal speeds to highly illegal speeds? Is a motorcycle fast if you need a private track to go fast on it? Or if only 500 well-heeled buyers get to go fast on them?

Let the debate begin. Want more? Read the Fastest Production Motorcycles of 2019 article.

Another one of the legendary class of 2009 World SBK contenders, the Aprilia RSV4 is a perennial presence on any “fastest whatever” list. Having traded in Superbike success for MotoGP aspirations, the RSV4 remains a legend. It’s no longer leading the pack in terms of weight (445 pounds) and handling, but the 1,099cc 65-degree V-4 is still the gold standard of tractable power, wherever and whenever needed. Ask any two-stroke aficionado; it ain’t what you got, it’s where you can use it.

This motor takes the 1,077cc variant to new heights, pushing the dyno to 217 hp, up from 174.

The Factory variant leverages Aprilia’s MotoGP learnings with a new, lighter swingarm. It also gives you forged aluminum wheel rims, an Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension system, and Brembo Stylema brake calipers.

It all adds up to a mid-pack finisher in the imaginary Motorcyclist Fastest Motorcycle Contest Race of 2023. But in this race, there are no losers. You’re a winner just for reading.

0–60 MPH: 3.1 sec.

Claimed Top Speed: 305 kph (189 mph)

Claimed Weight: 445.3 lb.

MSRP: $25,999

In 2021, BMW was allegedly of the opinion that the S 1000 R’s 165 hp was enough; a 200 hp naked bike would be too much. Fake news. Introduced in September of 2022, the 205 hp M 1000 R leaves the S-class peasants in its dust. Like the Brutale (see below), there’s no windscreen to tuck behind or clip-on bars to provide proper prostration. Punch the throttle and air and wind punch right back. This would account for the electronically limited 174 mph, a mere jog less than the 186 mph gentlemen’s agreement.

You could opt for the World SBK homologation special M 1000 RR, featuring the exact same four-cylinder 999cc motor but with a higher redline (14,000 rpm), taller gearing, and a competition package as an option. But only 500 RR’s have been manufactured. While that’s technically a production bike, the M 1000 R is the people’s bike, relatively speaking. What about the fully faired S 1000 RR? It’s still proudly displayed on the site—as a 2022 model. But we all know it’s 2023 and it’s time to party naked.

Claimed 0–100 KPH (0–62 MPH): 3.1 sec.

Claimed Weight: 438.7 lb.

MSRP: $21,345

The Ducati Panigale SP2 isn’t fit for public roads. The Ducati Superleggera reached the end of its 500-model run. The Ducati Panigale V4 R would be Bologna’s official standard-bearer for fastest production motorcycle, but 240.5 hp (up from 207 hp) is only available in non-street-legal track trim. Weighing 10 pounds more but making an additional 8 hp in stock trim, the Ducati Panigale V4 S (and its 215 hp) is the fastest production motorcycle Ducati makes. Probably. Let us explain.

The V4 R makes 80 lb.-ft. of torque at 12,000 rpm, while the V4 S makes 91.2 lb.-ft. at 9,500 rpm. Obviously, the V4 R makes 33 more hp (and loses 11 pounds) with its titanium Akrapovič racing exhaust. But gearing is taller, as is chassis geometry for better handling. On the track, it’s likely the fastest production Ducati currently available. But everywhere else on earth, the V4 S puts more ponies to work.

Funny enough, if you add “cruiser” to this contest, the Ducati Diavel V4 could make a run at the claim of fastest production bike. By virtue of its 62.7-inch wheelbase and its 240/45-17 rear tire, it goes 0–100 kph (0–62 mph) in less than three seconds, according to Ducati. But like we’ve said, 0–60 mph only gets you about a hundred yards down the road.

0–60 MPH: 3.04 sec.

Claimed Weight: 437.6 lb.

MSRP: $21,345

Do electric motorcycles need a separate category for fastest bike? Increasingly not. Top speed and range still aren’t close to ICE technology, but the torque and acceleration times are without equal. Torque of 159 lb.-ft. is roughly twice that of any of the other bikes on this list. Energica has made racing central to its identity since its 2010 birth. The Ego was introduced in 2014 and represents the most sporting proposition of Energica’s lineup. Claimed performance figures are usually suspect, but there’s no reason to dispute the 2.6-second 0–60 mph time.

It’s worth a bit of skepticism regarding the range but that’s another article. Claimed top speed is 150 mph for the Ego RS, and for good reason. Without gearing, battery longevity is directly tied to performance. The faster you go, the faster the battery goes. But you’re never in the wrong gear or rpm range. There’s just gobs of silent power all the time, every time. Traditionalists harp on the lack of range, their weight, and everything else under the sun. These people will miss cancer if it ever gets cured. They’re on the wrong side of history. Fast is the point, period.

Claimed 0–60 MPH: 2.6 sec.

Claimed Weight: 573 lb.

MSRP: $26,650

The “gentlemen’s agreement” among manufacturers to limit sportbikes to 186 mph apparently only applies to gentlemen. The MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RS is meant for the monied hooligans of the riding world. It’s said to be capable of over 300 kph, which translates to, hang on a second, 186 mph. Well, shoot.

But upon further exploration, the Brutale 1000 RS offers another reason for inclusion on this list. The 208 hp at 13,000 rpm isn’t unprecedented until you dig a little deeper. Our colleagues at Cycle World put the 2022 Brutale on a dyno which showed a linear power curve until 8,000 rpm or so. But from 8,000–11,000 rpm, it added about 65 hp and 15 lb.-ft. more torque. Time to channel your inner Kevin Schwantz.

The Brutale’s four cylinders work 998cc of displacement via titanium con-rods and radial valves. Power is channeled through four riding modes and eight levels of traction control to keep you relatively safe, if not legally compliant. But that power curve puts the lie to the spirit of the aforementioned gentlemen’s agreement. Hooligans (who can afford $29,998), take note.

CLAIMED 0–60 MPH: 3.1 sec; 3.31 sec. (Cycle World testing)

Claimed Top Speed: 186 mph

Claimed Weight: 410.1 lb. (estimated 435.3 lb. curb weight)

MSRP: $29,998

While the H2R still provokes breathless speculation about 300 hp between your legs, the buzz surrounding the H2 has quieted a bit since its 2015 introduction. While the “ordinary” H2 still makes a whopping 228 hp, the 524-pound curb weight tempers expectations. Today’s H2 leads an odd existence. It doesn’t have spiritual brethren in any recognized racing body. There’s no trophy case filled with World SBK or MotoGP brass. The H2 is just the H2; loudly blowing minds for the last eight years while birthing siblings like the H2 Carbon, H2 SX, and H2 SX SE (the SE+ came with electronically controlled suspension in 2019).

But don’t cry for the H2. It’s not alone anymore. Arguably, it no longer occupies the top rung in terms of performance. Few production supersport motorcycles will exceed 228 hp anytime soon, but electronics and rider aids render the point moot. Unofficial 0–60 mph times in the 2.6-second range already happened regularly in the “golden age” of sportbikes before traction and launch controls. It’s less a question of other bikes catching up, than wisely opting for tech-driven limits. But hey. Supercharge your imagination.

0–60 MPH: 3.1 sec.

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 524.8 lb.

MSRP: $31,500

The Hayabusa claimed the title of “fastest motorcycle in the 20th century” 23 years ago. It’s time to save ink and pixels for other bikes. In conclusion, the Suzuki Hayabusa remains a very fast motorcycle. Next.

0–60 MPH: 2.8 sec. (all rider aids disengaged)

Claimed Weight: 582 lb.

MSRP: $18,799

The venerable Yamaha YZF-R1M isn’t the lightest or the most powerful sportbike on the market. It’s just one of the best track bikes around for the money. The R1 has been hunting track times for more than 20 years, and the MotoGP-derived crossplane crankshaft has been the heart on Yamaha’s sleeve since 2009. For purely competitive purposes, you’ll have to order a Yamaha R1 GYTR. But the R1M is as close as you’ll get to race-ready without losing that all-important license plate mount in back.

Its 197 hp and 83.6 lb.-ft. of torque at 11,500 rpm top out at the familiar 186 mph top speed. Its 0–60 mph times of 2.6 seconds make for great 2019 headlines, but 3.0–3.1 seconds is more realistic, same as everyone else’s. Is there a second, secret “gentlemen’s agreement” we don’t know about? Likely not. IMU-powered rider aids like anti-wheelie, traction control, and stability control systems were remapped for 2021. Expert riders probably won’t hit 0–60 times under 3 seconds anymore. But novice riders will likely remain intact and/or uninjured as they pursue stoplight glory. Think about it: How often do you go from 0–60 mph in a race? Exactly once, if everything goes right.

0–60 MPH: 3.1 sec.

Claimed Weight: 445 lb.

MSRP: $26,999

Related: Fastest Production Motorcycles 2022