Speed and beauty do not necessarily go hand in hand. Some motorcycles are strictly performance motorcycles, with horsepower and aerodynamics preceding looks. Others are art forms meticulously designed to be admired more than ridden quickly. But now and then, a motorcycle surfaces that marries the two realms perfectly: Bikes that are as exciting to ride as they are to behold. Here are 20 motorcycles that blend speed and art!
Ducati 916 (1994)
The classic Massimo Tamburini-styled Ducati 916 is one of the prettiest motorcycles ever manufactured. It shook up the world of superbikes with its fierce but refined design, exhaust port beneath the seat, and lightweight bodywork. Beneath its sculpted fairings is a 916cc L-twin engine producing 114 horsepower. This Italian stallion goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, as fast as it is gorgeous. The 916’s styling can still be seen on today’s Ducati superbikes, a testament that real artistry never fades.
MV Agusta F4 1000 Tamburini (2005)
The MV Agusta F4 1000 Tamburini, another Massimo Tamburini work, is a limited-edition masterpiece. It has an adjustable intake trumpeted 998cc inline-four engine that puts out 173 horsepower. The wedge-shaped sculpted fairings, the single-side swingarm, and the quadruple under-seat exhausts make this motorcycle stand out in terms of aesthetics. Performance-wise, it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in a paltry 2.9 seconds, proving that beauty can be the beast.
BMW HP4 Race (2017)
The BMW HP4 Race is a superbike created on the racing track for sheer performance without compromising style. Its complete carbon fiber body and frame make it ultra-light at only 377 lbs. Powering this track monster is a 999cc inline-four engine producing 215 horsepower. At 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds, it is one of the fastest motorbikes BMW has ever produced. Its aggressive posture and carbon-fiber pattern, combined with handcrafted components, only help to enhance its beauty.
Honda NR750 (1992)
The Honda NR750 is a marvel of technology and art, boasting an innovative 747cc V4 engine with oval pistons—a first in motorcycling history. Designed by Honda’s best R&D team, the motorcycle showcased cutting-edge engineering, featuring a red-anodized aluminum chassis, single-sided swingarm, and space-age design. With 125 horsepower, the NR750 is not the fastest superbike but accelerates to 0-60 mph in about 3.6 seconds. With its streamlined bodywork, underseat exhaust, and unmistakable shape, it’s still one of Honda’s most beautiful motorcycles ever.
Confederate Hellcat X132 (2012)
Confederate Motors (now Curtiss Motorcycles) created the Hellcat X132, a harsh yet sophisticated masterpiece. Its 2,163cc V-twin engine produces 132 horsepower and a tremendous 150 lb-ft of torque. Despite its strong cruiser stance, it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Its industrial, raw metal appearance and hand-built billet aluminum chassis make it one of the most unique and ferocious-looking motorcycles. The Hellcat’s low-slung look and terrorizing presence are the perfect marriage of power, performance, and rebellious creativity.
Moto Guzzi MGS 01 Corsa (2004)
The Moto Guzzi MGS-01 Corsa combines traditional Italian looks with raw racing DNA. It features a 1,225cc air-cooled V-twin that produces 122 horsepower. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, which is remarkable for a bike with retro styling elements. This engine’s minimalistic swingarm, minimalist fairings, and sculpted tank create a work of art on two wheels. Every curve and line betrays Moto Guzzi’s profound devotion to tradition as much as to excellent performance.
Yamaha YZF-R1M (2015)
The Yamaha YZF-R1M is an excellent speed bike and head-turner as well. Yamaha racing engineers have created the motorcycle. The motorcycle features a 998cc crossplane inline-four engine that makes 197 horsepower. Its attacking attitude, carbon fiber bodywork, and semi-active Öhlins suspension make it as beautiful as it is rapid. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds. MotoGP technology gives it world-leading aerodynamics and sophisticated electronic rider aid to give the absolute best in performance and handling.
Bimota Tesi H2 (2020)
The Bimota Tesi H2 is a technological tour de force that combines leading-edge technology with exquisite beauty. Bimota engineers collaborated with Kawasaki engineers to design this bike, which has a 998cc supercharged inline-four engine producing a whopping 228 horsepower. What really sets it apart is its hub-center steering system, which is different from regular forks and utilizes an articulated front swingarm to offer greater stability. Going from 0 to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds, it’s a masterpiece that’s one of the world’s fastest bicycles.
Arch KRGT-1 (2015)
Founded by actor Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger, Arch Motorcycle aimed to build a handcrafted cruiser with aggressive performance and retro style. The KRGT-1 has a 2,032cc S&S V-twin, which pumps 122 hp and 122 lb-ft of torque. Attention to detail is evident in all details, from the billet aluminum frame to the hand-stitched leather seat. Despite cruiser roots, it accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, demonstrating that style and speed aren’t mutually exclusive. Every unit is carefully hand-assembled, so every KRGT-1 is an original piece of engineering and artistry.
Ducati Panigale V4 Superleggera (2020)
The Ducati Panigale V4 Superleggera is the epitome of Italian superbike art, designed by Ducati’s in-house design team. Built with an extensive application of carbon fiber, titanium, and magnesium, this bike tips the scales at just 335 lbs dry, the lightest mass-production Ducati to date. Its 998cc V4 engine makes 224 horses and accelerates 0-60 mph in just 2.6 seconds. The angular pose, winglets, and fairings create a sculpture-like look for the bike. Only 500 units have been made worldwide, making it a hyper-rare bike for speed demons and enthusiasts.
Aprilia RSV4 X (2019)
A piece of art produced in limited numbers, the Aprilia RSV4 X is both for appearance and sheer speed. Aprilia Racing has designed it with a 1,078cc V4 engine producing 225 horsepower. Every panel is aerodynamic, and with its ultra-lightweight bodywork and race-spec electronics, it is a track-day fantasy. It takes just 2.7 seconds to reach 0-60 mph, as fast as it appears. Its quick-shifter and MotoGP-derived technology provide a hair-raising ride with pinpoint accuracy control.
Norton V4SV (2022)
The Norton V4SV is the best of British motorcycling excellence, crafted from pure racing blood. It boasts a 1,200cc V4 185-hp motor. It’s hand-built with a carbon-fiber frame, billet aluminum, and a fierce but gorgeous fairing design, so it’s one of the most gorgeous motorcycles Norton has ever produced. It goes 0-60 in about 3.4 seconds, not just a pretty face—it’s a beast. Every one is hand built with love, the V4SV a reflection of Norton’s long tradition of high-precision engineering and classic design.
Lightning LS-218 (2014)
Lightning LS-218 is the globe’s speediest electric motorcycle, with innovative technology and a gorgeous, aerodynamic body. The brains behind it are Richard Hatfield and Lightning Motorcycles. Its power pack is a 150 kW (200 hp) electric motor whose top speed of 218 mph amazes people. It’s one of the fastest motorcycles ever produced, with a 0-to-60-mph acceleration in a world-record 2.2 seconds. The lean fairings, aggressive sport riding position, and absence of a traditional exhaust pipe make this bike a one-in-a-million work of art on wheels.
MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR (2020)
MV Agusta’s Brutale 1000 RR is an amazing naked motorcycle that balances sheer ferocity and Italian beauty. Adrian Morton created it, and it has a 998cc inline-four powerplant, making 208 horsepower. The body-faired gas tank, the space-age LEDs, and the four exhausts give it the futuristic look of a motorcycle out of a sci-fi movie. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds, showing how fast it is yet still being fashionable. Its accuracy-engineered chassis and electronically adjustable Öhlins suspension provide a heart-stopping but sophisticated ride.
Confederate P51 Combat Fighter (2015)
The Confederate P51 Combat Fighter is a motorcycle that appears to have been hacked from one piece of metal. Designer JT Nesbitt’s masterpiece features a 2,163cc V-twin engine with 200 horsepower. Constructed nearly entirely of billet aluminum, it boasts an aggressive, futuristic appearance that will draw attention even among a gaggle of exotic motorcycles. It looks weighty but zooms to 60 mph from 0 in 2.8 seconds, one of the quickest production customs ever made. Its rugged military design style, advanced suspension, and high-performance Brembo brakes yield a ride to match its design bravado.
Honda RC213V-S (2015)
Honda RC213V-S is a MotoGP motorcycle for the highways, fashioned as a road version of Honda’s championship-winning motorcycle. The creation of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), this motorcycle features a 999cc V4 engine, churning out 157 horses in street trim, but a whopping 215 horses with the race kit installed. The carbon-fiber bodywork of the bike, titanium exhaust system and race-tuned electronics make this motorcycle a collector’s paradise. While designed for accuracy more than outright drag racing, it still accelerates 0-60 mph in approximately 3 seconds, and it is one of the most stunning motorcycles ever produced.
Ducati Desmosedici RR (2007)
The Ducati Desmosedici RR was the first true MotoGP replica on the market, designed to bring street-level performance to race level. Created by Ducati’s racing division, this machine is powered by a 989cc V4 engine, producing 200 horsepower. The bike’s carbon fiber bodywork, aggressive aerodynamics, and underseat dual exhaust system make it as much a work of art as a speed machine. It can rocket from 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, ensuring it lives up to its racing pedigree.
Aston Martin AMB 001 (2020)
A product of collaborative development between Aston Martin and Brough Superior, the AMB 001 is a hyper-luxury bike that appears to have been plucked straight from a sci-fi movie. Created by Aston Martin’s head of design, Marek Reichman, it has a 997cc turbocharged V-twin producing 180 horsepower. Its distinctive visual appeal comes with the handcrafted carbon fiber body, the billet aluminum frame, and sculpted winglets, which give an aerodynamic appearance. It has a 0-60 mph in approximately 3 seconds, not merely a showstopper but a performer. Only 100 units will be produced, making this motorcycle as rare as it is stunning, a collector’s dream come true.
Kawasaki Ninja H2R (2015)
The Kawasaki Ninja H2R is a supercharged monster designed for track use only. Built by Kawasaki’s aerospace and racing engineers, this motorcycle is powered by a 998cc supercharged inline-four engine, producing an earth-shattering 310 horsepower. Its carbon fiber fairings, wind-cheating wing tips, and razor-sharp design make it look sound-barrier-busting even while standing still. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds, among the quickest bikes ever constructed. Its over-250-mph top speed represents a new high-water mark for what can be achieved in a production motorcycle.
Lotus C-01 (2014)
The Lotus C-01 is an exotic and scarce motorcycle created by Daniel Simon, the same automobile designer for Tron: Legacy and Oblivion. A 1,195cc V-twin motor borrowed from KTM generates 200 horsepower and a top speed of more than 180 mph. Its razor-sharp, retro-futuristic styling, carbon monocoque chassis, and undercut design make it one of the world’s most beautiful motorcycles ever produced. With a 0-60 mph time of approximately 2.7 seconds, it’s a speed devil as much as a showstopper. Its exclusive production of only 100 cars ensures that only the fortunate can see its space-age design and fury of speed.
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