Fastest Motorcycle In The World In 2024: Highest Top Speed

Summary

• The Kawasaki Ninja H2R is the world’s fastest motorcycle.
• It is equipped with a powerful 998cc, supercharged inline-four engine that produces 321 horsepower and 121 pound-feet of torque.
• Advanced underpinnings and aerodynamic design to handle its incredible speed make it a unique and highly sought-after motorcycle.

Put your hand to your heart and ask yourself how many times you’ve wondered what the world’s fastest motorcycle is. We’re sure the answer would be at least in the double or triple digits–that’s how common this thought is among motorcyclists like us. For good reason, too, because speed is an unquenchable desire. It’s why motorcycles continue to boast higher power figures and increased top speeds each year.

Yet, in the sea of fast bikes, there’s one motorcycle that has held the “world’s fastest motorcycle” title for a few years now. It debuted in 2015, and none of your favorite brands–Honda, BMW, Ducati, Suzuki–have had an answer for it since. We’re talking about the Kawasaki Ninja H2R if you haven’t guessed already.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from the official Kawasaki website.

The Kawasaki Ninja H2R Can Breach The 240-MPH Barrier

Kawasaki makes no crazy claims about the Ninja H2R’s top speed. But the motorcycle has plenty of unofficial accolades to prove its might. For instance, back in 2016, World SSP champion Kenan Sofuoğlu reached an insane speedo-indicated 400kph aboard the Ninja H2R. The interesting bit is the sport bike could’ve gone even faster had there been more tarmac ahead. For reference, your average liter-class sport bike tops out at about 188 miles per hour (claimed top speed for the BMW S 1000 RR).

In similar fashion, Team 38 set a new world record at the Bonneville salt grounds with the Ninja H2 (street-legal version of the H2R) in 2018. The team recorded an official 211.6 miles per hour (340.5kph) without any performance modifications (not even a full system exhaust). If that doesn’t tell you about the H2’s abilities, we don’t know what else can.

A 998cc, Supercharged Inline-Four Engine Powers The Kawasaki Ninja H2R

How is the H2R so fast, you ask? Courtesy of its ballistic powerhouse. Kawasaki has equipped the Ninja H2R with a 998cc, inline-four engine. It’s armed with a centrifugal supercharger and a unique dog-ring transmission. Both elements are rarities in the liter-class segment; particularly the latter, as it’s only seen in MotoGP and Formula 1. The supercharged spins at 130,000 RPM with up to 20.5 psi boost pressure. Other notable engine details include:

• Single lubrication system
• Ram air intake
• Titanium exhaust system
• No intercooler needed
• 3D-machined aluminum impeller

All these work in tandem to produce an unearthly 321 horsepower (306 without RAM air) and 121 pound-feet. This is over 120 ponies up from usual liter-class superbikes, which average at about 200 horsepower. Since that’s an insane amount of power, Kawasaki has also thrown in an extensive electronics package. You get:

• Cornering ABS
• Traction control
• Ride modes
• Launch control
• Wheelie control
• Engine brake control
• Bi-directional quickshifter

You can access all these via a semi-digital instrument cluster, ripe with an analog tachometer and a TFT display. Smartphone connectivity is standard too.

2024 Kawasaki Ninja H2R Power And Torque

The Underpinnings Of The Kawasaki Ninja H2R Are Just As Special

To reach these speeds, you need cracking underpinnings, and Kawasaki has made sure of that. The H2R is built around a bespoke trellis chassis, tied together with KYB AOS (air-oil-separate) upside-down forks and an Ohlins TTX36 monoshock. The latter attaches to a single-sided swingarm (a first for Kawasaki sport bikes in 2015). Brakes, meanwhile, comprise Brembo M50 calipers and 330 mm discs up top, plus a single 250 mm disc outback. All these components help the H2R tip the scale at 476 pounds (with its 4.5-gallon tank fully fueled).

Aside these, the design is another contributing factor to the H2R’s ability to sustain crazy speeds with ease. That’s because the H2R’s bodywork focuses heavily on aerodynamics. Right from the alien-ish fascia with two big intakes to the razor-sharp tail unit, everything is wind tunnel tested to keep the H2 planted. A closer look also reveals sleek CFRP winglets in place of rearview mirrors and on the fairings, plus the star-sharped diamond cut wheels. Bringing all of it together is the bespoke reflective paint. It comprises a layer of pure silver for a glass-like appearance, unlike usual glossy paints. The perfect definition of looks fast, goes faster!

2024 Kawasaki Ninja H2R – Price And Rivals

Special motorcycles don’t come cheap, and the Ninja H2R is no exception. It’s priced at a whopping $58,100. At this price, it’s almost twice as pricey as a premium liter-class superbike like the $24,995 Ducati Panigale V4. The price and performance also means there’s nothing that comes remotely close to what the H2R offers. That said, you should know Kawasaki has already shut the order window for the 2024 model year. So your best bet is to try either a used example or contact your nearest dealer for a way out.

In case budget is a problem, we’d suggest you consider the Ninja H2. It’s a road-legal version of the H2R, with 200 horsepower and relatively simple underpinnings. But you still get the supercharged engine and radical design for a similar living experience. Prices of the 2024 Ninja H2 start at $32,100–same ballpark as the BMW M 1000 RR and the Ducati Panigale V4 S.