Fast motorcycles aren't anything new. In fact, since the advent of the first motorcycle itself, people have felt the need to go faster, to push the boundaries of what's possible astride two wheels, and that's led to manufacturers giving their customers exactly what they want. With the passage of time, bikes have not only gotten faster, but they've also gotten better tech, better aerodynamics, better control... the works.

UPDATE: 2024/02/14 22:21 EST BY RAUNAK AJINKYA

Given just how fast the rate of progress is, many motorcycles have managed to duck under the 10-second barrier when it comes to the quarter-mile run. In light of that, we have updated this list to include a few more entries of some truly quick motorcycles to manage just that.

And that's why today there's no dearth of quick motorcycles. The likes of Ducati, Aprilia, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and a lot more all have astonishingly quick machines that crack not just scintillating 0-60 mph times and eye-watering top speeds but also some incredible quarter-mile times. This, then, is our list of the fastest quarter-mile times set by production motorcycles.

How we got our model selections: To compile this list, HotCars ran through all the prominent bike manufacturers' motorcycles to see which managed to clock the quickest quarter-mile run. While their quarter-mile times take up the main focus here, other key parameters of every entry have also been included. It should be noted that this list is a mix of bikes that are currently in production and those that have been discontinued, too. Lastly, the entries have been organized in order of their quarter-mile times (slowest to fastest).

12 2014 Ducati 1199 Panigale S

Quarter-Mile: 10.3 Seconds

Every inch Italian, the Panigale superbike is named after 'Panigale,' a small town where the manufacturer is based. In this all-new bike from Ducati, there are quite a few distinct features. The trellis frame has now been replaced with a 92-pound aluminum monocoque. The engine powered by a liquid-cooled, 1,199cc, four desmodromic valves, L-twin configuration system, generates 195 horsepower at 10,750 rpm redline. The engine powers the bike from 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds and does a quarter-mile time of 10.3 seconds.

The bike's weight is more centralized, making it more compact and more comfortable than the previous Ducati models. It is believed to have the best power-to-weight ratio.

Ducati 1199S Panigale Specs

(Specs and Quarter-Mile data sourced from Motorcycle Specs)

11 2002 Kawasaki ZX-12R

Quarter-Mile: 10.3 Seconds

Kawasaki began production of the ZX-12R in 2000 and ran it through 2006, when the ZX-14R replaced it. Designed purely for speed, the ZX-12R specifications certainly live up to its hype. It is powered by a 1,199cc inline-4, four-valve-per-cylinder DOHC engine that generates 178 horsepower.

Its engine drives the bike from 0-60 mph in 3 seconds, reaching a quarter-mile in 10.3 seconds. It has a top speed of about 187 mph. Until its replacement, it was acclaimed to be the most powerful production bike.

Kawasaki ZX-12R Specs

(Specs and Quarter-Mile data sourced from Motorcycle Specs)

10 2010 Honda CBR1000RR

Quarter-Mile: 10.3 Seconds

This eighth-generation motorbike marked the 20th anniversary of the CBR series. It is a high-performance supersport bike that expertly balances power and high-speed handling. Inside, it is a 999.8cc, water-cooled, inline, four-valve-per-cylinder DOHC that transmits power through a close-ratio six-speed transmission system.

The engine produces 177 horsepower at 12,000 rpm and 84.82 pound-feet of torque at 8500 rpm. It drives the bike up to a top speed of 185 mph and a quarter-mile time of just over 10 seconds.

Honda CBR1000RR Specs

(Specs and Quarter-mile data sourced from Motorcycle Specs)

9 2008 Suzuki GSX-1300R Hayabusa

Quarter-Mile: 10.2 Seconds

The Hayabusa has become legendary in the world of motorbikes. Named after the world's fastest bird, the peregrine falcon, it has continuously lived up to the name. The 2015 Hayabusa received an upgrade in displacement from 1,299cc to 1,340cc and is run by a 4-stroke, inline-four, liquid-cooled DOHC engine that generates 195.7 horsepower. This generated power is transferred to the rear wheel via a six-speed mesh transmission. Its chassis has a unique aerodynamic design that minimizes drag power.

The engine propels the bike from 0-60 mph in under 2.6 seconds and to a quarter-mile time of 10.2 seconds. It is indeed a thrill-finder on two wheels.

Suzuki GSX-1300R Hayabusa Specs

(Specs and Quarter-Mile data sourced from Motorcycle Specs)

8 2008 Ducati Desmosedici RR

Quarter-Mile: 10.09 Seconds

The Desmosedici RR is not just a motorbike; it is a vision of style and power. The street-legal version of the 2006 Ducati MotoGP race bike, enclosed in it is a DOHC V4 engine with a 998cc displacement. It produces 200 horsepower at 13,800 rpm, delivering 85.5 lb-ft in torque. The superbike powers from 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds and reaches a quarter-mile in 10.09 seconds.

The magic does not end in the engine; it is reflected in its bodywork also. Its chassis was created using carbon fiber, Magneti Marelli electronics, and so on. The Desmosedici RR is a collectible beauty most riders dream of owning.

Ducati Desmosedici RR Specs

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs; Quarter mile data sourced from MCN)

7 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RR

Quarter-Mile: 10.0 Seconds

The Aprilia RSV4 is a street-legal Italian bike that began production in 2016. It is powered by a 999cc, 4-cylinder, liquid cooling DOHC engine with a six-speed wet-clutch transmission, and this engine generates a power output of 201 horsepower at 12,500 rpm and 86.2 lb-ft of torque.

The engine propels the bike from 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds and reaches a quarter-mile time of 10.0 seconds. It has a significant advantage on straight roads and does exceptionally well on racetracks.

Aprilia RSV4 RR Specs

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs; Quarter mile data sourced from Zeroto60times)

6 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1

Quarter-Mile: 9.8 Seconds

The R1 motorcycle series was started in 1998 by the Japanese company Yamaha and has continued production to date. The 2015 Yamaha YZF R1's engine is equipped with a 998cc, liquid-cooled inline four-stroke cylinder DOHC with a six-speed chain transmission system.

The R1 delivers a powerful output of 197 horsepower that pulls the bike from 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds and reaches a quarter-mile in 9.8 seconds. In 2015, the YZF-R1 was listed as one of the fastest bikes in the world. Five years later, it still is, and it can comfortably compete with recently produced bikes.

Yamaha YZF-R1 Specs

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs; Quarter mile data sourced from Zeroto60times)

5 2013 BMW HP4

Quarter-Mile: 9.8 Seconds

The German car manufacturer has been known for more than a century for its class and top-notch exclusive cars. This mastery has also been extended to their motorbike productions. The BMW HP4 is a high-performance bike based on the regular 1000 RR. Its engine is water or oil-cooled, and it is a four-cylinder inline engine with a 999cc displacement and a six-speed transmission chain system.

The engine generates 193 horsepower, which accelerates the bike from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 9.8 seconds. It features the world's first dynamic damping control (DDC) that gives much-needed control over the bike.

BMW HP4 Specs

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs; Quarter mile data sourced from Zeroto60times)

4 2013 BMW S 1000 RR

Quarter-Mile: 9.7 Seconds

This generation of the BMW S 1000 RR was considered to be a huge leap forward from the previous spec, and this is despite already being recognized as one of the most competent and potent machines out there at the time.

The manic 999cc inline 4-cylinder engine produced an outrageous amount of power and torque, and as part of the update package, it featured a revised traction control system, an optional GPS datalogger, and a suite of riding modes to play with. This was already an accomplished motorcycle, and the update in 2012 just pushed it that much further. And it's still going strong! The current-gen BMW S 1000 RR bagged HotCars' best sports bike of 2024.

BMW S 1000 RR Specs

(Specs sourced from MCN; Quarter mile data sourced from Zeroto60times)

3 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2

Quarter-Mile: 9.62 Seconds

The 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 is truly a brilliant piece of mechanical art. This Kawasaki superbike was created with only the best components. The Ninja engine is a liquid-cooled, four-stroke inline four-cylinder turbo engine with a six-speed chain transmission type and a 998cc displacement that can produce more than 210 horsepower. With the aid of an inbuilt supercharger, the bike powers from 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds and reaches a quarter-mile time of 9.62 seconds.

The Ninja H2 has some high-tech features, such as digital ignition and the trellis frame for the chassis. Half a decade after its production, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 is still one of the world's best.

Kawasaki Ninja H2 Specs

(Specs sourced from MCN; Quarter mile data sourced from Zeroto60times)

2 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

Quarter-Mile: 9.5 Seconds

The Kawasaki brand has undoubtedly earned bragging rights with some of the coolest sport bikes they have put out. They have proven repeatedly they are here to stay in the game.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 was upgraded to a displacement of 1,441cc for this year. It is a liquid-cooled, four-inline transverse DOHC, six-speed transmission engine that generates 200 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque. Despite the increase in displacement, the ZX-14 fuel efficiency increased by 20%, according to Kawasaki.

The engine races from 0-60 mph in under 2.6 seconds and hits a quarter-mile in 9.5 seconds. Its top speed has been electronically limited to 186 mph.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Specs

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs; Quarter mile data sourced from Zeroto60times)

1 2022 Ducati Panigale V4 SP2

Quarter-Mile: 9.5 Seconds

The 2022 Panigale V4 SP2's mantra is simple: be as light as possible. It's built on the 1,103cc V4 Desmosedici Stradale from the V4S, and the weight loss comes courtesy of the carbon fiber wheels.

In addition to that, there's also the carbon fiber front mudguard, the carbon wings, and the machined Rizoma footpegs. For people who wanted more, there's also the optional titanium Akrapovic exhaust system that added power and lost an additional 11 lbs.

Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 Specs

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs; Quarter mile data sourced from Zeroto60times)

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• Source for features: Respective manufacturers' websites
• Source for technical specifications: Motorcycle Specs, MCN
• Source for quarter-mile times: ZeroTo60Times, MCN, and Motorcycle Specs