As the number of motorcycle enthusiasts keeps growing, both existing and new manufacturers are doing everything in their power to get ahead of the competition. Every year, manufacturers task their designers, engineers, and mechanics to deliver upgraded motorcycles for the next model year. As a result, the number of new motorcycles rolling out of production facilities is larger than ever before, ranging from brand new model lines to new generations of existing model lines.
Consumers have so many options of new motorcycles that choosing one has become a daunting task. To make it easier, we've chosen ten of the best new motorcycles coming out in 2021, regardless of their make or class. Let's dive in.
10 2021 Suzuki GSX-R1000R 100th Anniversary Edition
Suzuki has been producing some of the best Japanese motorcycles for more than a century now. Though Suzuki's 100th Anniversary was in 2020, the Japanese marque decided to give the 2021 GSX-R1000R sportbike the 100th Anniversary edition moniker. Like other "extra R" models, this fantastic bike is a celebration of Suzuki's racing history.
The GSX-R1000R is extremely fast, as it's powered by a 999cc four-cylinder fuel-injected engine with 200 horsepower on tap. It also comes with Brembo brakes, electronic ignition, a modern sport suspension system, and a nice selection of riding aids.
9 2021 Kawasaki Z H2
After introducing the supercharged Ninja H2 and H2R in 2015, Kawasaki has decided to apply its successful forced induction engine architecture to a more accessibly-priced model - the 2021 Z H2. This gorgeous naked bike comes with a supercharger that enables its 998cc liquid-cooled inline-four engine to put down up to 200 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to crack 200 mph.
Despite a relatively low price of around $17,000, the Z H2 still has many high-end amenities, including launch control, cruise control, a slipper clutch, smartphone connectivity, and multiple power modes.
8 2021 Husqvarna Vitpilen 701
After a multi-decade hiatus, Husqvarna is making its long-awaited comeback to the street bike market with the Vitpilen 701. The Vitpilen 701 is a stripped-down, bare-bones motorcycle that offers a perfect balance of everyday rideability, economy, and sports performance.
The Vitpilen 701 packs a 692.7cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder motor that thumps out 75 horsepower and 53 pound-feet of torque. A lightweight trellis frame holds the engine in place while a Ride-by-Wire system, traction control, a slipper clutch, and ABS help the rider keep it under control.
7 2021 Triumph Rocket 3 R
When talking about the greatest cruiser motorcycles, it's impossible to ignore Triumph and its Rocket 3 model line. The 2021 Rocket 3 R is the latest roadster version of the Rocket 3, and what a stunner it is! It has an aggressive design and a comfortable riding position for those long rides on open roads.
The Rocket 3 R is a beast of a machine and comes with the largest engine in any production motorcycle — a raucous 2,500cc three-cylinder that makes 165 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. It can do 0-60 mph in under three seconds, making it one of the fastest-accelerating motorcycles of the year.
6 2021 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S
The latest Low Rider S carries on with Harley-Davidson's tradition of offering cruisers with elegant looks and the power to match. It features a classic West Coast style perfectly complemented by its blacked-out frame with highlighted bronze elements.
At the heart of the Low Rider S is an American-made Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin motor pumping out 100 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque. An upright riding position and mid-mount foot controls ensure maximum comfort over long distances, while moto-style drag bars, ABS, and a 28-degree frame rake help improve handling. The trademark Harley rumble is just the icing on the cake.
5 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP
At the turn of the century, Honda was one of the market leaders in the superbike segment, largely thanks to the CBR1100XX Super Blackbird that broke the production motorcycle speed record in 1996. However, Honda's high-performance motorcycles from the last decade have been a bit underwhelming, which is why the Japanese marque has developed the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP to show that it can still produce a cutting-edge ultra-high-performance bike.
The CBR1000RR-R is a homologation special that boasts a 215-horsepower 999cc inline-four engine, a sub-450 pounds wet weight, aerodynamic winglets for downforce, a modern electronics suite, and a top speed of over 200 mph.
4 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone
One of the highest-anticipated Moto Guzzi bikes this year has to be the V7 Stone. The legendary V7 roadster gets a revamp for the 2021 model year, and it's everything Guzzi fans hoped for. For starters, it comes with a new high-performance V-Twin engine with an increased displacement of 850cc, allowing it to generate 25 percent more power than the previous model.
The V7 Stone also gets several other new cool features, including a revised frame, improved side panels, new Kayaba shocks, upgraded footpegs, and a new saddle.
3 2021 Zero SR/S
Just like electric vehicles, the electric motorcycle space is growing rapidly as more riders seek to reduce their carbon footprints. Although California-based Zero Motorcycle has been the market leader for over a decade, it wasn't until 2021 that the company finally introduced its first-ever fully-faired model - the SR/S.
The SR/S comes with a 14.4kWh battery pack with a range of 200 miles, making it an excellent choice for both short and long rides. A top speed of 124 mph also ensures that the SR/S is never left behind by its gas-powered rivals.
2 2021 BMW R18
The 2021 BMW R18 is a heritage-inspired model designed to take on Harley-Davidson and Indian in the cruiser segment. This fantastic bike draws visual inspiration from iconic Beemers like the R60 and R5, as shown by its genuine metal bodywork, fishtail exhausts, classic bobber saddle, and teardrop-style tank.
The R18 is powered by the largest boxer twin engine BMW Motorrad has ever built - a 1,802cc air and oil-cooled boxer twin with 91 horsepower and 116 pound-feet of torque. Like other heritage-themed BMW models, the R18 is engineered to lend itself to customization, and BMW offers a variety of bolt-on parts and accessories for it.
1 2021 Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini
Ducati has developed several new Diavel models for the 2021 model year, which means there's plenty of options to choose from. However, there's only one option for those looking for a really exclusive Diavel experience — the limited-edition Diavel 1260 Lamborghini. Ducati will only produce 630 examples, all of which will have a design language inspired by the Lamborghini Sian FKP-37.
Powering this gorgeous bike is a 1,262cc desmodromic engine that makes 157 horsepower and 95 pound-feet of torque. If there ever was a perfect combination of looks and power, the Diavel 1260 Lamborghini is it.