Motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes, for all types of use and for every budget. But it is the flagship models that get all the attention and they tend to be the fastest bikes in a manufacturer's line-up. But which bike is fastest?

The Fastest Bikes You Can Buy Today

Let's face it: speed is addictive. Whether you're ringing the neck of your 50cc two-stroke or wondering how far you dare twist the throttle of your 1000cc superbike, all we want to do is go as fast as our motorcycle will let us.

The problem with that, nowadays, is that motorcycles are insanely fast. Back in 1959, the new Triumph Bonneville was called the T120 because that was its theoretical top speed (the Jaguar XK120 was so named for the same reason) and that was an incredible speed. Even doing 'the ton' (100mph) was a figure that very few motorcycles could achieve.

Fast forward to today and even the mildest 500cc commuter bike will reach 100mph and it has ceased to be a benchmark of any note.

But 200mph? Well, that is the new benchmark, despite the industry getting together in the late '90s to agree on a speed cap of 300km/h (186mph).

This move came about due to fears that 200mph would be possible very soon. The 1999 Suzuki Hayabusa made headlines by beating the previous top speed production bike record by more than 10mph (16km/h), taking the top speed to 194mph. Rumours circulated that Kawasaki's Ninja ZX12R would top 200mph and the manufacturers, worried about an import ban into Europe because of fears of "an outbreak of illegal racing as riders try to break the 200 mph barrier" and the resulting legislation, agreed to the voluntary speed cap.

As it was a gentleman's agreement, there was nothing to stop a rogue manufacturer breaking away and going for the 200mph barrier but no-one seemed inclined to do so. Certainly, speeds crept up incrementally, until speeds in the 190s were common.

And they still are, although the 200mph barrier has been broken several times by a production motorcycle, as the fears of a legislation backlash against such speeds has receded. The point about 'production' motorcycles is important: there have been extremely limited-production motorcycles that have pushed 250mph and faster but, being powered by gas turbine engines, they are hardly practical, let alone affordable.

So, here is a list of the fastest mass-production motorcycles on sale today.

Suzuki Hayabusa

It is ironic that the bike that started the run to 200mph is now the slowest of the so-called 'hyperbikes'. While a top speed of 194mph is certainly not slow by any measure, it lags behind several other notable motorcycles. With its distinctive styling, that has been modernised with the introduction of the latest model in 2021, it remains a formidable weapon and that rarest of the breed - a fast machine that is also comfortable enough to be ridden all day long.

Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory

The Aprilia might well be the rarest of the current crop of superbikes. It can't match the sales success of its Italian rival Ducati but not for want of trying. A top speed of 195mph is only slightly faster than the Suzuki Hayabusa and nor can it hold a candle to the 'Busa in terms of long-distance comfort, which is no surprise as it's a full-on sports bike, more at home on the track than on the open road.

Ducati Panigale V4R

The V4R is the homologation version of the Panigale V4, designed to make the bike legal for World Superbike Racing. Despite losing 100cc of engine capacity, the V4R has a top speed of 199mph, aided by sophisticated aerodynamics, light weight and a power output of 235bhp with the optional racing kit. Definitely one for the track and for the wealthy.

Ducati V4 Superleggera

If the V4R is a bit porky - and inexpensive - for you, then how about the V4 Superleggera (Superlight)? Featuring carbon fibre bodywork, subframe, swing arm and wheels, as well as titanium bolts, it shaves around 30lb off the V4R for a (claimed) top speed of 200mph. Even fatter wallet required!

Kawasaki H2

With the H2, Kawasaki took motorcycling into another league. The supercharged inline-four-cylinder engine produces around 220bhp and powers the bike to a top speed of 209mph. What gentleman's agreement? Yes, the H2R is more powerful and faster still - Turkish World Supersport Champion Kenan Sofuoglu took one to nearly 250mph - but it isn't road legal, although it is a production bike and available to anyone to buy.

Lightning LS-218

It won't be long before this list is made up solely of electric bikes but, for now, the Lightning LS-218 takes the biscuit. The name refers to the top speed - 218mph - and, while that might seem impressive, at the moment, the limiting factor for electric bikes will be range and re-charge times. Doesn't mean that they aren't insanely exciting, with the electric motors delivering 100% of torque from standstill!

Of course, all this talk of top speed is pretty academic: not only is it highly illegal to travel at these speeds, there is virtually nowhere you can achieve them, even were you to have the skills to do it safely. But it doesn't stop us dreaming and bragging in the bar at the end of a day on the road.