Bikes these days seem to be in a never ending horsepower race, and we at Bike Stop love it! Which one will come out on top though? Here is the top 10 most powerful production motorcycles in 2018!
10 - BMW S1000RR - 146KW (195.8 bhp) - £14,150
The original BMW S1000RR shook up the sportsbike world, all of a sudden the public could go out and buy a motorcycle with near 200bhp. Back then it was faster than any other production motorcycle on the road. That was 8 years ago now though, and the power has only slightly increased since the original 2010 model, despite that, the 2018 model comes in at number 10 on our list, although it may not be the most powerful, the S1000RR has always been praised for how easy it is to ride fast.
9 - Kawasaki ZX10R SE - 147.1KW (197.2 bhp) - £18,949
The first of many Kawasakis on this list, the ZX-10R has had a die hard following since the first 2004 model. The 2018 bike has put on a few pounds, but also more importantly gained nearly 25 bhp in its lifespan. The ZX10R may not be the most powerful on our list, but it is regarded as one of the more comfortable sportsbikes, with the quality Showa forks providing a plush ride.
8 - Yamaha YZF-R1M - 147.1KW (197.2 bhp) - £20,199
For a number of years the previous generation YZF R1 was off the pace compared to the top tier crop of superbikes, however in 2015 that all changed when Yamaha delivered us one of the most futuristic and out there sports bike designs. The looks split opinion, but everyone who has ridden it agrees it is blisteringly fast, sounds amazing and the traction control is one of the best on the market.
7 - Kawasaki H2 SX - 147.1KW (197.2 bhp) - £15,099
The newcomer to this list! The Kawasaki H2 SX is basically the sports touring version of the Ninja H2, however this is no regular sports tourer. It produces the same amount of power as the ZX-10R with more torque lower down in the rev range. How does it do this I hear you say? A supercharger, because all problems are solved with a supercharger.
6 - Suzuki GSXR 1000 - 148.5KW (199.2 bhp) - £13,699
After years of selling a GSXR that, let's be honest, was great value, but at the bottom of the superbike pile in terms of performance, who would have guessed in 2017 Suzuki would come out with a 200 bhp monster? The new GSXR 1000 has been praised in all its reviews and the R version has all the electric aids you would ever need. Just change that exhaust...
5 - Aprilia RSV4 RF - 148KW (201 bhp) - £19,999
Halfway down our list, coming in at number 5, the Aprilia RSV4 RF. This is an unlikely contender in this list as the Aprilia has always been known for its amazing brakes, suspension and handling over its power. However any doubts that the RSV4 was lacking power were silenced when in 2015 the RSV4 joined the 200 bhp club, finally giving the bike the extra bit of poke it needed.
4 - Kawasaki Ninja H2 - 150.8KW (202.1 bhp) - £27,999
Kawasaki surprised the world when it unleashed the Kawasaki H2 on our roads in 2015. It might not be as powerful as its non road legal sibling, the Kawasaki H2R, but it is still pretty much faster than anything else on the roads. Although being heavier and really not much more powerful than most superbikes, the supercharger gives the H2 the advantage over most bikes in torque.
3 - Ducati Panigale V4 - 157.5KW (214 bhp) - £19,400
Ducati felt like that went as far as they could with the Vtwin formula in their sportsbikes, as a result of that the Panigale V4 was born. Producing 214 bhp, and even more if you get the full exhaust system, the Ducati Panigale is the pinnacle of superbike performance right now. Reviews so far have said the ride is engaging, however a lot more calm and user friendly than the V-twin Panigales of the past.
2 - BMW HP4 RACE - 158KW (215 bhp) - £68,000
The BMW HP4 probably has to be one of the most advanced motorcycles on sale at the moment. BMW have basically produced a fully fledged race spec superbike that you can go out and buy, as long as you have £68,000 spare and further funds set aside for engine rebuilds every 5000km! This is however not a road bike, it's a track only special so it should last you a fair few track days.
1 - Kawasaki Ninja H2R - 228KW (305.8 bhp) - £47,000
The Kawasaki Nina H2R is basically the upgraded track only version of the Ninja H2. This means more power from the supercharged inline 4 engine... A lot more power, over 300 bhp in fact. The Ninja H2R has become famous through many videos of it destroying multiple million pound cars on the drag strip. Got £47,000? There is no experience like it.
