Technological advancements have made high-performance motorcycles more accessible than ever, and today we are spoiled for choice.
There are still numerous desirable classic motorcycles, but in the last 20 years or so, the performance levels have risen to previously unimaginable heights. It is this fact coupled with the most basic safety features that set these bikes apart, not to mention improved design techniques and materials all made more affordable, to some extent. These are the ten best from Europe, where passion and performance reign supreme.
10 Bimota 500 Due
Although painfully beautiful, this eagerly anticipated motorcycle was a complete disaster when it eventually hit the market. It was let down by some innovative, yet fragile engineering, it had an advanced fuel injection system that simply didn’t work.
Bimota was cripled by the bike, as pretty much all repairs or in some cases modifications were done under warranty. It was for this reason not that many were made in the end, so prices for these gorgeous bikes have gone through the roof.
9 Ducati 916
Not too many bikes even hold a candle to this in the looks department, and even by today's lofty 200-plus horsepower standards, it still remains one of the most exciting bikes to ride.
It could easily go down in history as the best-looking Ducati ever, if not the best-looking motorcycle ever, with other manufacturers clearly taking design inspiration from this 90s gem even today.
8 MV Agusta F4 Senna
Produced in commemoration of one of motorsports’ greatest legends, it was critical that they got it right as his passing was still fresh in the minds of all sports fans when it came out.
Clearly, they did just that, this was one of their greatest hits with only a small bump in power but exclusive bodywork, it was a fitting tribute that has become extremely desirable.
7 Norton F1 Sport
The Wankel engine is now all but forgotten in the motorcycle industry, with no genuinely reliable versions made at any point even though it remains an attractive engineering endeavor.
Norton has recently, slowly, made a comeback, but there is no sign of a Wankel engine coming out any time soon. Although the F1 wasn’t necessarily intended to be a limited edition, it became just that with only 66 beautiful machines made.
6 MV Agusta Brutale Serie Oro
200 Italian horses are at your disposal in this most hyper of naked bikes, it will render most popular sports bikes decidedly limp by comparison.
It mates that incredible power with even more incredible styling, and even if it weren’t that fast it still has unrivaled presence.
5 Ducati Superleggera V4
It is truly a MotoGP replica for the modern enthusiast, with big winglets sticking out the sides it looks very much like the MotoGP race bike which is proving to be the fastest on the grid this season.
It is impossible to ignore, and it comes equipped to take on any track with over 200 horsepower and more downforce than any other bike.
4 Aprilia Tuono V4 X
A 366 pounds dry, the theme of this machine is less, simply has to be more. The tiny fairing is still made of carbon fiber to save, maybe half a pound.
The titanium exhaust and high-flow air filter used by the MotoGP team add some power, the Aprilia racing division then optimizes the tune and although it doesn’t come cheap, it is still a relative bargain compared to the equivalent Ducati and arguably has it beat in every respect.
3 Bimota Tesi 3D
It isn’t by any stretch of the imagination the most powerful bike on this list, but it is arguably the most unique with its defining center hub steering.
45 of these beautifully crafted naked bikes were made and are now worth close to $45,000, which seems like a bargain to us if you consider the new Tesi H2 is more expensive and the 3D is clearly a rare piece of history now.
2 BMW M 1000 RR
When BMW dived headfirst into world SBK racing, they knew very little about the superbike market. Their lack of experience shows both on track and in the market, recently claiming the title of the least reliable motorcycle brand.
It is early stages in this journey, and the lessons they have learned on track will also trickle down to the customer. The one thing nobody can deny is how they nailed the design, and with astounding numbers, they seem to have the performance sorted too.
1 Ducati Desmosedici RR
Although making a MotoGP replica seems fairly normal now, this was created to celebrate their first-ever title in the premier race class.
At over $70,000 new, this bike was never cheap, but it will set you back a good deal more than that now with a limited production run of only 1500.