There was a time when horsepower – and, by extension, pace – was every little thing.
Consider the period of the Honda CBR1100X Blackbird, Suzuki Hayabusa, and Kawasaki ZZR1400. The central objective was to construct a rocket: one thing to propel you right into a license ban quicker than we are able to consider a intelligent “quicker than” flip of phrase.
Solely a type of bikes – the interminable ‘Busa – continues to be in manufacturing nowadays. With the fashionable world closing in – slowing us with site visitors, dangerous roads, and omnipresent pace cameras – for a lot of riders, horsepower isn’t actually the headline-grabbing factor it as soon as was.
That doesn’t imply producers have given up, nevertheless. Energy figures within the present period are mind-blowing from even a couple of years in the past. The Hayabusa, with its paltry 187 hp, doesn’t even come shut to creating this listing.
If you concentrate on it, you’ll be able to in all probability guess who comes out on prime, however right here, so as of lowest to highest peak horsepower, are the ten strongest bikes at present in manufacturing.
10 – Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR – 198.25 bhp
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR
The vast majority of the bikes on this listing are European. That appears to be the place a lot of the innovation is going on proper now. However it’s good to see that at the least a number of the Huge 4 are nonetheless up for the combat. In fact, would you count on something much less from Kawasaki?
Favoured by riders for every little thing from trackdays to sunny weekend blasts, the Ninja ZX-10RR is nothing wanting iconic. Quick, clean, quick, steady, and quick, it gives up 198.25 bhp at a screaming 14000 rpm. Torque is a really respectable 82.6 lb-ft at 11700 rpm.
Final up to date in 2021, the 998cc inline-four-driven beast in some way feels probably the most old-school on this listing, though it’s dripping with tech, together with smartphone connectivity – so you’ll be able to test texts at 170 mph…
Markedly racier than the extra wallet-friendly ZX-10R (word only one R there), the RR builds pace quicker than its sibling, lets you take greater liberties on the brakes, and is far nimbler because of the intensive weight saving.
|
Beginning value |
Engine capability |
Energy |
Torque |
Weight |
Seat peak |
Gasoline capability |
|
£25,799 |
998 cc |
198.2 bhp |
82.6 lb-ft @ 11700 rpm |
207 kg |
835 mm |
17 l |
You may additionally need to learn our overview of the 2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR.
9 – MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR – 205.1 bhp
MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR
It may typically really feel that MV Agusta’s bikes are made to be admired fairly than really ridden. Some may really feel that’s the case right here, with insane ranges of energy put into a unadorned bike.
Housing a 998cc liquid-cooled inline 4, the MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR guarantees a neck-breaking 205.1 bhp at 13000 rpm and 86.2 lb-ft of torque at 11000 rpm. MV Agusta describes it as “the intense hyper bare.”
It’s additionally arguably probably the most attractive-looking bikes on the listing.
|
Beginning value |
Engine capability |
Energy |
Torque |
Weight |
Seat peak |
Gasoline capability |
|
£28,800 |
998 cc |
205.1 bhp |
86.2 lb-ft @ 11000 rpm |
208 kg |
845 mm |
16 l |
8 – BMW M 1000 R – 207.1 bhp
New BMW M1000 R
It’s wild to assume that BMW as soon as had a status as being a boring model making boring bikes for boring folks. Now it makes psychotic machines like this, as properly two different machines on this listing.
The M 1000 R is a extra highly effective tackle its already fairly spectacular S 1000 R bare bike. First launched in 2021, the M 1000 R can obtain 0-62 mph in 3.2 seconds and claims a prime pace of 174 mph, because of outputs of 207.1 bhp (nearly 50 bhp greater than the S 1000 R) and 83 lb-ft of torque.
With a price ticket that begins underneath £20,000, the M 1000 R is likely one of the extra ‘inexpensive’ bikes on this listing however keep in mind that the Tao of BMW is to supply every kind of add-on goodies, permitting you to push the worth a lot greater.
|
Beginning value |
Engine capability |
Energy |
Torque |
Weight |
Seat peak |
Gasoline capability |
|
£19,999 |
999 cc |
207.1 bhp |
83.3 lb-ft @ 13750 rpm |
199 kg |
830 mm |
16.5 l |
7 – BMW S 1000 RR – 207.1 bhp
The 2025 BMW S1000 RR
Like the thought of the M 1000 R, however need the extra conventional flying-foetal-position driving stance of a sportbike? BMW’s received the reply within the type of the S 1000 RR.
First launched in 2008 and most just lately up to date for the 2025 mannequin 12 months, the S 1000 RR has change into the go-to machine for targeted pace and precision. It’s also wildly standard. When it comes to UK gross sales, the S 1000 RR repeatedly stands head and shoulders above others within the superbike class.
That’s thanks in no small half to the actual fact it isn’t solely license-threateningly quick, but in addition steady and comfy. A lot in order that it’s not fully exceptional for riders to tour on the bike. These are hardy riders, positive, however I’ve seen UK-plated S 1000 RR’s as far afield as Czechia.
Like all BMWs, the usual model is nice, however the bike you really need is the far costlier model that’s been loaded with add-on goodies like carbon bits, further driving modes, and extra driving aids.
|
Beginning value |
Engine capability |
Energy |
Torque |
Weight |
Seat peak |
Gasoline capability |
|
£17,999 |
999 cc |
207.1 bhp |
83.3 lb-ft @ 11000 rpm |
198 kg |
832-858 mm |
16.5 l |
You may additionally prefer to learn our overview of the 2019 BMW S 1000 RR.
6 – Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP – 211 hp
Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP
It’s onerous to think about a dialog about highly effective bikes that doesn’t embody the Fireblade. BMW’s S 1000 RR could also be an even bigger vendor, however the Fireblade is the machine that appears to get many riders misty-eyed with affection.
That’s thanks in no small half to the truth that the Fireblade title has been round for therefore lengthy. The primary bike to hold that moniker, the CBR900RR, was launched method again in 1992.
That bike boasted simply 120 bhp – about what we’d count on from an honest journey bike nowadays. The trendy Fireblade, final up to date in 2024, beats that by nearly 100 bhp.
Aggressive, stupidly fast to speed up, and but extra snug than earlier than, the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP represents the very best that Honda has to supply. It will not be the game-changing beast that another Fireblades have been, nevertheless it stays a stable track-day and street weapon. As Visordown editor Toad noticed in his overview, “the 2024 mannequin has received higher in each space it was missing earlier than.”
|
Beginning value |
Engine capability |
Energy |
Torque |
Weight |
Seat peak |
Gasoline capability |
|
£23,699 |
999.9 cc |
211 bhp |
83.3 lb-ft @ 12000 rpm |
201 kg |
830 mm |
16.5 l |
You may additionally prefer to learn our overview of the 2024 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
5 – Ducati Streetfighter V4 S – 214 bhp
Grace Webb testing the brand new Ducati Streetfighter V4 S on observe
Would you want some loopy along with your loopy? Go away it to Ducati to supply a unadorned bike with extra energy than a Fireblade. Pushed by the identical hates-to-go-slow V4 engine that powers the Panigale V4 (see under), the Streetfighter V4 S is, in response to our overview, the very best tremendous bare but.
In a single kind or one other, the Streetfighter title has been with us since 2008. Geared up with a V4 engine in 2022, the bike was up to date for the 2025 mannequin 12 months with a handful of modifications, together with a brand new swingarm.
In keeping with Ducati, the bike will be made even crazier with the addition of an Akrapovic racing exhaust system. That may reportedly increase peak energy to 226 bhp, which begs the query: Why?!
But in addition: Why not?
|
Beginning value |
Engine capability |
Energy |
Torque |
Weight |
Seat peak |
Gasoline capability |
|
£24,995 |
1103 cc |
214 bhp |
88.5 lb-ft @ 11250 rpm |
189 kg |
845 mm |
16 l |
You may additionally be concerned with our overview of the 2025 Ducati Streetfighter V4 S.
4 – Ducati Panigale V4 S – 216 bhp
Ducati Panigale V4 S
The archetypal quick machine, Ducati’s Panigale title is arguably as legendary as Honda’s Fireblade, though it hasn’t been round almost as lengthy.
Named after the small city of Borgo Panigale, the place Ducatis are manufactured, the Panigale household of sportbikes was first launched in 2011 within the type of the V-twin-powered 1199 Pangiale.
Now housing an 1103cc V4, the Ducati Panigale V4 S was final up to date in 2024 for the 2025 mannequin 12 months and isn’t solely the quickest it’s ever been, it’s additionally probably the most usable. As our overview of the bike factors out, the 2025 model is “extra steady, planted, and considerably simpler to experience.”
Nicely, as simple as you’ll be able to count on from a 216bhp beast…
|
Beginning value |
Engine capability |
Energy |
Torque |
Weight |
Seat peak |
Gasoline capability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£29,995 |
1103 cc |
216 bhp |
89.2 lb-ft @ 11250 rpm |
187 kg |
850 mm |
17 l |
You might need to try Visordown’s overview of the 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 S.
3 – BMW M 1000 RR – 218 bhp
BMW M 1000 RR
When it comes to power-to-weight ratio, BMW’s M 1000 RR is the winner on this listing (112hp/100kg). However since we’re targeted solely on the variety of ponies being produced, it has to accept the bronze medal place.
Not that anybody’s going to complain. Successfully a mega-bling model of the S 1000 RR (see above), the M 1000 RR was first unveiled in September 2020 and most just lately up to date for the 2025 mannequin 12 months. Dripping with tech, it takes the S 1000 RR components and elevates it to nearly competitive-level spec.
Claiming a prime pace of 314 km/h (195.1 mph), the bike’s beginning value makes it the second most costly on the listing. Including the so-called M Competitors package deal – which gives “many high-quality add-on components” with out actually saying what they’re – pushes the asking value over the £40k mark.
|
Beginning value |
Engine capability |
Energy |
Torque |
Weight |
Seat peak |
Gasoline capability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£32,850 |
999 cc |
218 bhp |
83.3 lb-ft @ 11000 rpm |
194 kg |
865 mm |
16.5 l |
2 – Aprilia RSV4 Manufacturing facility 1100 – 218 bhp
Aprilia RSV4 Manufacturing facility 1100
Up to date for 2025, the RSV4 1100 appears like probably the most targeted machines on this listing. Loaded with MotoGP-inspired tech and styling, it feels very a lot constructed to race – though its engine capability makes it too large for a lot of superbike racing courses.
The RSV4 title has been round for roughly 16 years, and has earned a stable status with riders as best choice for people with no sense of their very own mortality. It’s additionally standard with tech-lovers, who admire its dizzying array of electronics and acronym-heavy rider aids: AEM, ATC, ASC, AEB, AWB, ADC, and on and on.
The place the Aprilia actually pleases is within the stonking ranges of torque it gives: 93.6 lb-ft, at a fairly accessible 10800 rpm. That’s the second most shove on this listing.
|
Beginning value |
Engine capability |
Energy |
Torque |
Weight |
Seat peak |
Gasoline capability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£23,850 |
1099 cc |
218 bhp |
93.6 lb-ft @ 10800 rpm |
204 kg |
840 mm |
18 l |
1 – Kawasaki Ninja H2R – 305 bhp
Kawasaki Ninja H2R
Kawasaki conveniently bookends this listing – taking each the underside and prime slot. That the Ninja H2R comes out at No. 1 ought to be no shock. Exterior of its power-to-weight ratio – which, at 97hp/100kg, is likely one of the lowest on this listing – the psychotic supercharged monster outguns the others on this listing by a longshot: far more highly effective and far more costly.
Kawasaki claims a mind-boggling 305 bhp for the Ninja H2R. If in some way that’s not sufficient, peak energy output will be boosted to nearly 322 bhp with a RAM air system. Peak torque is 121 lb-ft! High pace is in extra of 240 mph! Insane. It’s no surprise Kawasaki has used this engine for an airplane.
Kawasaki hasn’t actually made any modifications to this bike within the final half decade or so, nevertheless it form of doesn’t must. It’s nuts for the sake of being nuts, and nobody else can contact it.
With a beginning value of £50,000 (you would purchase two S 1000 RRs and nonetheless come up with the money for for package and an entire lot of observe days), it’s positively a machine for the elite. However we’re glad it exists. The world wants this type of lunacy.
Having stated that, nevertheless, although Kwasaki nonetheless exhibits the Ninja H2R on its web site, you could discover it very troublesome getting maintain of a brand new one.
|
Beginning value |
Engine capability |
Energy |
Torque |
Weight |
Seat peak |
Gasoline capability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£50,000 |
998 cc |
305 bhp |
121 lb-ft @ 12500 rpm |
216 kg |
830 mm |
17 l |
You may additionally need to learn our overview of the Kawasaki Ninja H2R.
