Fast Motorcycles That Can Keep Up With The Suzuki Hayabusa

Back in the late 1990s, there was a bike from Honda just leagues above everyone else: the Blackbird. It was just preying on each competitor, as it shook the world with the speeds it achieved, and was eventually named the world’s fastest bike back in 1996. The Blackbird dominated the motorcycle scene back then, holding the title for more than two years. But after that, Suzuki found an answer to the Blackbird, and it went on to be the world’s fastest bike for an even longer time: the Suzuki Hayabusa.

Just in case you aren’t aware, the “Hayabusa” name translated to “Peregrine Falcon”. It’s a bird most known to prey on the Blackbird. The Suzuki Hayabusa definitely did well, as it was named in the 2000 Millennium Edition of Guinness World Records as the world’s fastest production bike. A lot of time has passed since then, and much faster bikes have emerged since the long reign of the Hayabusa. For example, the current fastest bike in the world is the Kawasaki Ninja H2 R, which goes as fast as 249 MPH.

But you don’t have to look as far as the H2 R to see which bikes are faster than Hayabusa. Nearly every other modern-day sports bike boasts more performance and higher top speed than the now-toned-down Hayabusa. That’s what we’re focusing on today, as we take a look at ten bikes that can keep up with the former king of speed. The top speed of the Hayabusa is limited to 186 MPH, but the sports bike can definitely go faster than that. So we’ve included bikes that can do the same.

UPDATE: 2024/04/12 14:04 EST BY UTKARSH SOOD

The Suzuki Hayabusa is as iconic a motorcycle as any, but more and more bikes since have been able to get past Hayabusa’s top speed today. So to keep our readers updated, we have refreshed this article with new information. Older entries have been updated with the latest details and new motorcycles have been added to make sure all information is relevant and holistic.

The information in this article was sourced from the manufacturer websites of Honda, Ducati, Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW, MV Agusta, Aprilia, and Damon. The models have been ranked based on their top speed, from the slowest to the fastest.

12 MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR

Top Speed: 186 MPH

This is the only naked sports bike that made this list, and that speaks volumes about how impressive the MV Agusta has been since it was introduced. The Brutale 1000 RR is powered by a 998cc inline-four engine that produces 208 horsepower, enough to breach the 186 miles per hour barrier. Speed isn’t the only thing the Brutale has to offer, though. As iconic as Hayabusa’s design is, the Brutale gives it a tough competition, being one of the best-designed motorcycles by an Italian manufacturer.

Performance Specifications

11 Yamaha YZF-R1 M

Top Speed: 186 MPH

Not really surprised, are you? The YZF-R1M is one of Yamaha’s most influential motorcycles of all time simply because of how it holds Yamaha’s flag high when it comes to speed and racing. Yamaha revamped the R1M’s engine back in 2020, basically making the R1M a street-legal version of the MotoGP racing bike. This, along with the top-spec underpinnings, make the R1M a motorcycle you simply can’t miss.

Performance Specifications

10 BMW S 1000 RR

Top Speed: 186 MPH

With a screaming in-line four underneath you, who needs a boxer twin? At least that is what the S 1000 RR says. German technical prowess and renowned accuracy gave birth to this iconic motorcycle, meaning it is a speed demon designed primarily for the racecourse and packed with all the luxury tech you could want. It rides just as fast and frightening as it looks. It is able to reach a top speed of 186 MPH and even surpass it if you get it flashed. That’s the case with most bikes here, unfortunately, due to the limiter placed on these bikes because of the Gentlemen’s Agreement (which is because of the Suzuki Hayabusa too).

Performance Specifications

9 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP

Top Speed: 186 MPH

While it may not be the one that dethroned the Hayabusa, Honda made sure that it was creating an able competitor in the form of the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. It is not only a very fast bike, but also has a list of features as long as its name. It comes with a quickshifter, a six-axis IMU, ride modes, slide control, brake control, and Honda’s torque control. So Honda really made sure it could keep up, or maybe even take it one step further than the Hayabusa. Sadly, there is some bad news for the US version of the Fireblade, because aside from its 186 MPH limit, there is also a 186 horsepower limiter on it.

Performance Specifications

8 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR

Top Speed: 186 MPH

Just like Ducati, another motorcycle manufacturer that has been amazing at crafting insanely fast bikes this past decade is Kawasaki. Their first entry on this list is the Ninja ZX-10RR. Kawasaki actually offers you a budget option for the bike, the ZX-10R, but we aren’t here for that. The additional R in the name gives it more power and better performance overall. Maybe that’s why the Fireblade has four R’s in its name! Sadly, just like the previous bikes, the speed is still limited to 186 MPH due to the Gentlemen’s Agreement (sigh).

Performance Specifications

7 Aprilia RSV4

Top Speed: 189 MPH

We are now at the point where the bikes aren’t just capable of keeping up with the Hayabusa, but actually surpass it with relative ease. The first bike that breaks the Gentlemen’s Agreement on this list is the Aprilia RSV4. The RSV4 is powered by a redesigned V4 engine they called the “Narrow V4” that’s good for an insane 217 horsepower, making it the most powerful liter-class bike in America! (With all the restrictions placed on the other bikes, of course.) This is topped all the kit you can ask for, whether it’s electronic suspension, Ohlins, Brembo Stylemas, or aerodynamic wings for downforce.

Performance Specifications

6 BMW M 1000 RR

Top Speed: 189 MPH

Now what baffles us the most is that when the Gentlemen’s Agreement wasn’t yet agreed upon, BMW was actually one of the first manufacturers who wanted the agreement to happen and urged fellow manufacturers to do the same. Yet, they were also the first to break it with the release of the S 1000 RR back in the early 2010s. It easily surpassed the 186 MPH limit, but the German maker wasn’t clearly content.

Welcome the new M 1000 RR. It is the bigger, meaner, performance version of the S trim. It is safe to say BMW was successful in its attempt with the M 1000 RR as it has been an overall improvement over the S 1000 RR, capable of getting a top speed of 189 MPH! WSBK-spec mechanicals and electronics further elevate the package.

Performance Specifications

5 Buell Hammerhead 1190

Top Speed: 190+ MPH

It is nice to see some American representation, courtesy of the Buell Hammerhead. This bike has state-of-the-art technology and a distinctive aerodynamic design consisting entirely of carbon-fiber bodywork. A V-twin engine with showerhead fuel injectors powers the bike’s core, ensuring smooth power delivery. This engine has a high-revving top end, excellent low-end torque, and quick throttle response.

Coming to the hardware, Hammerhead’s single-disc front brake is its distinctive characteristic. In contrast to other sports bikes, this one’s braking disc is positioned around the outside of the wheel as opposed to within, increasing its size and eliminating the need for two rotors. Buell asserts that it enhances handling and lowers unsprung weight. But that’s not why you’d want to get one. You’d surely want it for its 190+ MPH top speed.

Performance Specifications

4 Ducati Panigale V4 R

Top Speed: 198 MPH

It isn’t a surprise that Ducati’s flagship bike will be on the list, considering the brand’s expansive history of producing red-hot sports bikes. One of the best facts about the Ducati Panigale V4 R is that it’s capable of producing 218 horsepower with a stock exhaust, but when you plonk the Akrapovic race exhaust, it gives an insane 237 horsepower! The switch from V-Twin to V4 definitely made Ducatis one of the fastest bikes in the world, as the V4 R is capable of reaching speeds up to 200 MPH! However, you can’t really see it on the bike. You need other ways to check your speed because after reaching 186 MPH, the dash will actually display “—“. It seems like Ducati wants to show everyone that they’re not technically breaking the Gentlemen’s Agreement.

Performance Specifications

3 Damon HyperSport Premier

Top Speed: 200 MPH

Times are changing! When the Hayabusa was still the king of speed, its 1,300cc inline-four engine was the best in the world. Now? One of the bikes that can keep up and surpass Hayabusa doesn’t have an inline-four; it has a PMAC Liquid-Cooled Motor! Electric vehicles are now better than ever and one prime example of that is the Damon HyperSport Premier.

It’s also not hard to remember what the HyperSport Premier is capable of because it’s all 200. The Premier is capable of producing 200 horsepower and 200 nm of torque (147 lb-ft), 200 miles of claimed range, and also a claimed top speed of 200 MPH! This is definitely an impressive electric motorcycle to look out for as it continues to grow and evolve.

Performance Specifications

2 Kawasaki Ninja H2

Top Speed: 200+ MPH

We actually thought putting this bike on this list would be overkill for the Hayabusa. But it just shows how far we are now from back then. The Kawasaki Ninja H2 is one of the fastest street-legal bikes in the world. Imagine riding a motorcycle on the highway that can give you 228 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque. This isn’t even where Kawasaki drew the line, because its track version, the H2R, is capable of producing 326 horsepower and 121 lb-ft of torque! It’s now very clear to everyone in the world that as great as the Suzuki Hayabusa has been, the throne of king of speed now belongs to Kawasaki – at least among ICE motorcycles.

Performance Specifications

1 Lightning LS-218

Top Speed: 218 MPH

The LS-218 is considered the fastest electric motorcycle. Its motor produces far more horsepower and torque than many high-end gas-powered sports motorcycles. We’re talking about a peak torque of 220 pound-feet and a peak power of 244 horsepower. Its blistering power is further bolstered by its 495-pound ready-to-ride weight. Although it’s not lightweight by superbike standards, it’s rather excellent for an EV. You have the choice of opting for a 20 kWh or 28 kWh battery pack, although the stock will be sufficient for most. A 15 kWh battery pack that provides a range of 188 miles.

Performance Specifications

Sources: Honda, Ducati, Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW, MV Agusta, Aprilia, Damon