Motorcycles are some of the fastest production vehicles known to man. With a lightweight body, the motorcycle is able to conquer areas of the track where cars can’t. Though they have smaller engines, a 180-horsepower, four-cylinder engine is able to produce a 10-second quarter-mile time on a motorcycle. What’s even better than that? A motorcycle’s 0-60 time.
The fastest street bikes are able to complete the 0-60 in under three seconds. Brands like Yamaha, Honda, and Suzuki compete each year for the coveted title of which brand makes the fastest bike of the year. In the testing phase, the 0-60 is widely considered a great measuring stick for the capabilities of motorcycles. With all that power and low weight, these bikes complete the times even faster than some of the world’s fastest cars.
However, not all motorcycles are fast. Some motorcycles complete the 0-60 in a dismal, and sometimes even embarrassing, amount of time. Bikes like scooters, enduros, and cruisers were not built for speed. Even with their lightweight frame, they don’t possess the aerodynamic capabilities for quick bursts. Some of these bikes post 0-60 times that are so slow, it’s sad.
Motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes for every type of rider. Some were made for transportation, some were made to cruise, and some were made for speed. However, they all have to go through a 0-60 time test that is recorded by the world’s biggest motorcycle magazines. Here are the 10 fastest motorcycles to go 0-60 and 15 so slow, it’s sad.
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25 Fastest: 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 - 2.60 Seconds
Theamazing Ninja H2's engine produces over 200 horsepower with a superchargerthat helps boost the bike from 0-60 in 2.6 seconds. The Ninja H2 is the street version of a track bike, the Ninja H2R. The H2 is built in accordance with the H2R, with street legal pieces replacing what was necessary. However, the street version was beyond acceptable in comparison with other street legal bikes. According to Cycle World, it completed the quarter mile in 9.62 seconds, which breaks the rare 10-second mark. The powerful inline-four engine pushes this street bike to a top speed of 183 MPH.
24 Fastest: 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R - 2.60 Seconds
The 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, though it is smaller than the ZX-12R, still possesses a four-cylinder engine. Being one of the earliest versions of the ZX-10R, the 2006 model surpassed all expectations of the time, as it completed the 0-60 in 2.6 seconds, according to Sports Rider. Its previous 2004 and 2005 versions won Best Cycle of the Year plaudits from Cyclist Magazine. A light, 148-horsepower engine helps the ZX-10R complete the quarter-mile in 10 seconds flat. The bike was designed for closed-course competition with its multi-plate wet slipper clutch, making this great for both road tracks and straight tracks.
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23 Fastest: 2014 EBR 1190 RX - 2.60 Seconds
The EBR is from the rare motorcycle brand, Erik Buell. This 1190-cc street bike completes the quarter mile in 2.6 seconds. With such a large engine, it distributes 185 horsepower and 101 pounds of torque, according to Erik Buell Racing. The 1190RX was the first production motorcycle to be distributed by the racing-based motorcycle company. Though EBR is a racing-based company, this production version dishes out abuse on the streets. All EBR bikes aresupported by three decades of experience in motorcycle engineering. Each bike is crafted to perfection and the 1190RX is one of their best production motorcycles.
22 Fastest: 2014 BMW S1000R - 2.60 Seconds
The BMW S1000R is a 160-horsepower bike that weighs just 455 pounds. It was built in accordance with the S1000RR, which was a superbike that was built to compete in the Superbike World Championship. The bike was released for production in 2009. The S1000R was a street version of the superbike, however, it did not disappoint on the street, as it completed the 0-60 in 2.6 seconds. The bike is as incredible as it gets and it still gets better the more it is ridden. BMW engineer Evgeny Zhukov says the bike is meant to be ridden as “the bodywork of the S1000R is dictated by function”.
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21 Fastest: 2014 Ducati 1199 Panigale - 2.60 Seconds
The Ducati brand has been considered the Ferrari of motorcycles and the Panigale posted a monstrous 0-60 time of 2.6 seconds. Motorcycle Consumer News states that, of any motorcycle they had ever tested, the 2012 Panigale S had the best horsepower to wet weight ratio. The bike was top of the line, as Ducati claimed it would be the most powerful street bike in the world. The bike did not disappoint when it posted outstanding stats like 171 horsepower with an even more incredible 425-pound weight. It was also the first ever production bike to have an electronically adjustable suspension.
20 Fastest: 2015 Ducati Diavel - 2.60 Seconds
Though Ducati produces street bikes, the Diavel was just their second cruiser. Cycle World tested the fastest 0-60 time they'd ever recorded with the Diavel, as it finished the 0-60 in 2.6 seconds. The Diavel tempted Harley-Davidson owners to switch over to the ultra-powerful cruiser. This is not surprising, as the Diavel was named the top cruiser in the world, according to Cycle World. With a peak horsepower of 162, this bike was a big seller as it has sold 20,000 units. It could be best described as the perfect cruiser or at least one of the best in the world.
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19 Fastest:2002 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R - 2.59 Seconds
The Ninja has been a legend of motorcycles since the 1980s, and the ZX-12R is the one of it’s best. The ZX12-R completed the 0-60 at 2.59 seconds, which is the fourth fastest time for production street bikes. The Ninja ZX-12R had an incredible 190 horsepower and a 192-MPH top speed, according to Motorcycle Daily. In 2000, it was the most powerful production bike ever made and carried that title from 2000-2006. The bike broke the 10-second barrier and recorded a quarter mile of 9.87 seconds. Changes were made year by year until the bike was made perfect.
18 Fastest: 2010 Yamaha VMAX - 2.5 Seconds
The Yamaha VMAX is a four-cylinder motorcycle that has been around since the 1980s. The bike reinvented itself in 2009 as it switched from a carburetor to fuel injection. The bike was then released all around the world. Motorcycle Classics calls it a “two-wheeled hot rod.” This motorcycle was said to have revolutionized the motorcycle as it was a breakthrough of reliability and smoothness. Basically, it’s a Harley that is a smooth ride. It offers the muscle of a Harley but offers the smooth ride of a street bike from Japan. It is incredibly fastand completes the 0-60 in 2.5 seconds.
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17 Fastest: 2002 Suzuki Hayabusa - 2.47 Seconds
The Hayabusa is one of the most respected bikes on the planet. Produced by Suzuki, this superbike does not disappoint and it completes the 0-60 in just 2.47 seconds. With a unique and exotic look, the Hayabusa also backs it up on the track. The 2002 Hayabusa was ahead of its time and set a record with 173 BHP at its crankshaft. The honorable superbike also boasts a top speed of 186 MPH, according to Top Speed. It is the complete package as far as motorcycles go. Cycle world reports a net weight of 500 pounds, therefore, this bike can keep up with just about any other bike out there.
16 Fastest: 2006 Suzuki GSX-R1000 - 2.35 Seconds
The fastest bike to ever go 0-60 is the 2006 Suzuki GSX-R 1000. This incredible bike completed the 0-60 in just 2.35 seconds. As the Suzuki company thrives, their greatest motorcycle is the GSX-R and the 1000 version is the cream of the crop. The GSX-R 1000 has an impeccable, 143-horsepower engine that also produces 80 foot-pounds of torque. With a light, 130-pound engine, the legendary GSX-1000 completed the 0-60 faster than any other bike to date. With impeccable motorcycle engineering, this Suzuki product completes the quarter mile in 10.1 seconds, as reported by Motorcycle. This is street biking at its best.
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15 So Slow: 2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883L - 6.9 Seconds
Harley-Davidson has a great reputation as a manufacturer of cruiser bikes but their Sportster 883L is not very fast, as it finishes the 0-60 in 6.9 seconds. This isn’t a bad mark on the Harley brand but this is about as slow as it gets for the company. It is a respectable cruiser, as it has a price tag of $6,895, and it proves its worth with 48 miles per gallon of fuel economy, according to Cycle World. That's not too bad for a cruiser but the 553-pound body prevents any success in the 0-60 time. The Sportster 883L is not a very tough cruiser, either, as it has a two-cylinder engine.
14 So Slow: 2010 Honda Shadow RS - 7.0 Seconds
The Honda Shadow RS is part of a long list of Shadow models. It not known to have a fast 0-60 time, as this model finishes the burst in seven seconds flat. According to Cycle World, this cruiser was built sportily, mainly for riders who want a sports bike with a cruiser look. It performs in that sense, as it weighs 40 pounds less than other Shadows, tipping the scale at 507 pounds. Though it does not have a fast 0-60 time, it is still a respectable cruiser with a price tag of $7,799. Overall, with a 745cc engine, it should definitely perform better at the 0-60.
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13 So Slow:2004 Honda Shadow Aero 750 - 7.4 Seconds
To keep up with the Shadow Ace, the Shadow Aero 750 was updated greatly. According to Motorcycle Cruiser, Honda considered class, price, and durability when building the motorcycle. However, speed was not one of their priorities, as the Shadow Aero completes the 0-60 in 7.4 seconds. The bike fails to make quick bursts of speed because of its heavy, 577-pound body. However, it’s not very gas efficient, either, as it gets just 31 miles per gallon. With a price tag of $6,100, it redeems itself as a reliable cruiser that is durable enough for a long life.
12 So Slow:2009 Honda DN-01 Cruiser - 7.4 Seconds
The DN-01 cruiser might be confused with a scooter because of its automatic transmission and plastic frame but this cruiser has a 680cc V-twin engine, according to Cycle World. Still, it completes the 0-60 in an embarrassing 7.4 seconds and it should be faster with a $14,999 price tag. The high price tag translates into a smooth cruiser for riders. It is definitely a unique bike, though. VP of Honda Motors says “it’s dreaming” although it may be a bad dream, in reality. With just 45 horsepower, it’s hard to call this a cruiser as it fails to live up to cruiser standards.
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11 So Slow:2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R 7.7 Seconds
The Ninja 250R is a 249cc sports bike version of the legendary Ninja street bike. It doesn’t live up to it’s bigger brother, the 600cc Ninja, as it finishes the 0-60 in 7.7 seconds. It has the looks of a superbike, but with the stability of an easy ride for beginners as it is enabled with smooth handling. For that reason, Top Speed calls this bike “rider-friendly.” The slow burst of speed may be due to a 374-pound body with a v-twin, two-cylinder engine that is not producing enough power for a quick or respectable 0-60 time.
10 So Slow:2012 Honda Shadow Spirit - 7.9 Seconds
The Honda Shadow is a popular cruiser bike. However, not exactly built for quick bursts, it completes the 0-60 in 7.9 seconds. Speed may not be needed, as the 3.7-gallon tank can take this cruiser along the highway. It not that heavy, either, as it weighs only 536 pounds, according to Motorcycle Cruiser. Where the mechanicals fail in the 0-60 test and quick bursts, it makes up for in longevity. Internet users have reported long mileage lifespans for their Shadows. The v-twin, two-cylinder engine may not be powerful enough for quick bursts due to its 536-pound body.
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9 So Slow:2013 Kawasaki KLX250S - 8.4 Seconds
The Kawasaki KLX250S is a lightweight enduro bike with a 249cc, liquid-cooled engine. It has a carbureted engine and the old-fashioned engine hauls this street-legal dirt bike to a 0-60 time of 8.4 seconds. It does have one benefit, however. According to Top Speed, the specialty of this bike is that it is designed to keep its center of gravity as low as possible to improve performance. It may not accelerate quickly in the 0-60 test but it has a specially designed gearbox that enables it to ride smoothly both off-road and on the pavement.
8 So Slow:2016 Yamaha SR400 - 8.6 Seconds
Being an old-school styled bike, the Yamaha SR400 resembled the motorcycles of the 1970s. Not only is the body style old fashioned, but it even has a kick-starter, helping make this motorcycle a blast from the past—as far as looks go. Regarding speed, it’s not very fast, as it finishes the 0-60 in 8.6 seconds. It is considered an “entry-level bike” by Top Speed, making it a good choice for beginners. It costs a ridiculous $5,999 considering it has a single cylinder and only 24 horsepower. However, it makes up for its shortcoming with great gas mileage of 66 MPG.
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7 So Slow: 2013 Honda CRF250L - 8.6 Seconds
The Honda CRF250L is a 249-cc and fuel-injected enduro bike. With its non-aerodynamic dirt bike body and smaller engine, it’s capable of completing the 0-60 in 8.6 seconds. It is not exactly designed for speed, as the bike was designed to be well-rounded. The CRF205L has so little power, in fact, that it’s able to get 77 miles per gallon. Although it has a dirt bike body, it handles well at high speeds and is a steady ride on the highway, according to Ultimate Motorcycling. The best benefit of this bike is its ability to go from dirt trails to street pavement.
6 So Slow: 2009 Kawasaki KLX250SF - 8.8 Seconds
The KawasakiKLX250SFis a respectable enduro motorbike with a not-so-respectable 0-60 at 8.8 seconds. This Kawasaki production street-legal dirt bike was built for a fun ride with a budget. Like most enduros, it comes with a 249cc engine and pushes a mere 21 horsepower. It has a top speed of 75 MPH—yes, 75 MPH. It is light, however, as it weighs just 293 pounds. It does deliver on mileage, though. Cycle World tests reported it travels at 56 MPG. It might not be built for short quick bursts. However, with a two-gallon tank, it goes both off-road and on the pavement for a 113-mile range.
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5 So Slow: 2011 Yamaha Super TMAX - 8.8 Seconds
We wouldn't pick on a scooter, but the 2011 Yamaha Super TMAX is a maxi scooter with “sports” features. We wonder what kind of sports features it has to complete the 0-60 in 8.8 seconds. To be fair, it has a 499cc, fuel-injected engine that provides more power than a usual scooter. Though scooters are generally light, the 489-pound frame of the Super TMAX makes it stand out as a large-sized scooter. In fact, it is one of the best scooters on the market, according to Top Speed. It’s not built to go fast, but it does get 47 miles per gallon in the city.
4 So Slow: 2008 Yamaha Majesty - 11 Seconds
This is another scooter with a large engine and another pudgy 0-60 time. The Yamaha might’ve turned heads when it first came out but it completes the 0-60 in 11 seconds. According to Motorcyclist Online, it was a considered a top-of-the-line scooter when it first came out. Though it fails in speed, it has a 16-gallonunder-seat compartment for storage. With a light, 437-pound frame, it is able to get 51 miles per gallon on a 3.7-gallon tank, making this a great ride for transportation, but nothing else. In all fairness, it has a single cylinder engine that was not designed to produce speed.
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3 So Slow: 2008 Honda Rebel 250 - 11 Seconds
The engine of the Rebel 250 is quiet and economical, mainly because of its lack of power. The proof of this is in its 0-60 time of 11 seconds. The bike is known for resembling a Harley but requiring half the work. With its 234cc, carbureted engine and low body weight, it gets excellent gas mileage. Top Speed tells us that this is an “entry-level” bike, meaning it is for beginners or returning riders. It is great for beginners as it is comfortable yet stylish. However, that also means its very slow, and it proves that with its dismal 0-60 time.
2 So Slow: 2009 Honda CRF230L - 12.7 Seconds
The CRF230L may be related to the CRF250L, but it performs much worse, with a disappointing 0-60 time of 12.7 seconds—which would be slow even for a minivan. It may be a “do-it-all” bike, but Top Speed reports that it has an incredibly low output of 14 horsepower. With a $4,700 price tag, this bike was made to go both off-road and on-pavement. It gets the job done in that sense, as it does a great job ripping the trails and is an economical ride on the streets. Overall, it is a slow, but decent, motorcycle that has a lightweight frame and a 223cc engine.
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1 So Slow: 2010 Yamaha TW200 - 14.7 Seconds
With the slowest time on this list, the Yamaha TW200 finishes the 0-60 in a laughable 14.7 seconds. Top Speed reports that the bike became famous when Shinji Kazama rode it to the North Pole. It may not be a fast bike, but it is great for off-road terrain and durability. And that's not to mention, it’s also street legal. The bike has a perfect set-up as it hasn’t much been tampered with by Yamaha since being created. It makes up for its 0-60 time with extremely large tires that can handle almost any terrain—even a foot or two of water.
Sources: Motorcyclist Online, Motorcycle Classics, Cycle World, and Ultimate Motorcyling.
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