For many, the question of which motorcycle is the most powerful may seem trivial. But there is nothing more exciting than testing your limits and seeing how much power you can extract from a machine. Power is king when it comes to motorcycling.
How to Measure Motorcycle Power
Without getting too technical, the best way to measure the power of a motorcycle is to use a power meter that measures wheel horsepower. While you can also estimate power with a dynamometer, a power meter provides a much more accurate reading of the engine’s output.
This is because the power meter measures engine RPM, which is important because most engines are designed to run at a certain RPM. There are several types of motorcycle power meters, including but not limited to Hand-Shaped Power Meters, Engine Dynamometers, and Computerized Power Meters. It is important to note that there are many variables when it comes to the accuracy of a power meter.
Which is the most powerful motorbike?
As mentioned in the introduction, the most powerful motorcycle engine is the Honda Superbike-inspired MotoGP bike which comes with a 599cc engine that produces 700+ horsepower. That’s a maximum power output of 853 horsepower and 738 foot-pounds of torque.
It is interesting to note that even an off-the-line boost of just 8% can help the MotoGP bike achieve an incredible speed of 217.3 mph. The MotoGP bike is manufactured by Italian bike manufacturer Italtrans.
Though the bike is currently restricted to just a handful of riders, the MotoGP bike is pushing the boundaries of motorcycle engineering. With an engine that produces 700+ horsepower, the MotoGP bike has a much higher power-to-weight ratio than any other motorcycle on the planet.
2017’s Most Powerful Motorcycles
The bike that took the crown as the most powerful motorbike of 2017 is the Honda CB1000RR. With a maximum power of 973 horsepower at 12,000 RPM, the CB1000RR is lighter and more agile than the MotoGP bike.
However, the bike’s engine is still restricted by the same weight and engine capacity limitations as the MotoGP bike. What the CB1000RR does have going for it, however, is a much improved top speed of 213 mph and an incredible power-to-weight ratio of 174 horsepower per kilogram.
The CB1000RR is a race-ready version of Honda’s venerable CB750. As such, it is a much more affordable bike than the MotoGP bike. And while the MotoGP bike can be used in competition, the CB1000RR is a road-worthy motorcycle that can be used for public transport.
2016’s Most Powerful Motorcycles
Coming in second place in the most powerful motorcycle list of 2016 is the Kawasaki ZX-10R. The 10R’s engine produces 1073 horsepower at 13,000 RPM. That’s a lot of power for a bike that weighs just 542 pounds.
The Kawasaki’s engine is also exceptionally fuel efficient, which is why the bike is the second most fuel-efficient motorcycle on the planet.
While the Kawasaki’s engine is capable of producing 1073 horsepower, the bike is only rated for a maximum power of 1045. This is because Kawasaki uses a complex system to ensure that their bikes meet emissions regulations.
2015’s Most Powerful Motorcycles
For 2015, the most powerful motorcycle was the Ducati Hypermotard 1100S. The 1100S is powered by a 1183cc engine that produces 1197 horsepower at 11,000 RPM. Ducati’s Hypermotard 1100S is capable of an impressive top speed of 218 mph, thanks to its carbon fiber frame, which is also found on Ducati’s flagship MotoGP bike.
The Hypermotard 1100S is also extremely fuel-efficient, with an average of 52.1 mpg. This is thanks to its 20-valve, Desmodromic L-Twin engine that has been tuned for low rpm. This is an interesting engine design that has been used in many cars but is relatively new to the motorcycle industry.
2014’s Most Powerful Motorcycles
The most powerful motorcycle of 2014 was the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R. The ZX-14R is powered by a 1403cc engine that produces 1445 horsepower. This engine is highly fuel-efficient and produces low emissions of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter.
The ZX-14R is also the lightest motorcycle in Kawasaki’s lineup, weighing just 544 pounds. With a top speed of 223 mph, the Kawasaki’s engine is capable of an incredible power-to-weight ratio of 16.3 horsepower per kilogram.
2013’s Most Powerful Motorcycles
For 2013, the most powerful motorcycle was the Suzuki GSX-1300R Hayabusa. The Hayabusa was the first motorcycle to break the 1,000+ horsepower barrier. With a 1336cc, liquid-cooled, inline-four engine, the Hayabusa produces a maximum power of 1,035 horsepower at 13,000 RPM.
The Hayabusa is also the only production motorcycle to have a two-stage clutch, designed to improve fuel efficiency at low rpm, and power at high rpm. With an average of 52.7 mpg, the Hayabusa is highly fuel-efficient and emits very little CO2 and particulate matter.
Conclusion
If you want to test the limits of a motorcycle, but don’t know where to start, there is no better guide than this list of the most powerful motorcycles in the world. From the MotoGP bike to the Hypermotard 1100S, these bikes have one thing in common, they are all pushing the boundaries of motorcycle engineering.
