Harley-Davidson and Ducati are both names synonymous with motorcycling heritage and while one represents American power, the other lays testament to Italian design and engineering. Both these revered companies have produced many classics over the years and continue to do the same. However, as looks can be deceiving, so can perceptions.

RELATED: 10 Best Ducati Bikes Ever Made, Ranked

While the general consensus remains that most Ducatis are staggeringly fast, and Harley-Davidson is generally known to make cruiser motorcycles that are perfect for long rides but cannot hold their own in a speed battle. Both of these statements are technically true, but there's no rule without an exception. While extremely rare, Ducati has, in fact, produced certain motorcycles that are painstakingly slow compared to their regular offerings, and strangely enough, Harley-Davidson has certain gems of motorcycles that are not just powerful in their build but can reach considerably high speeds when put to the test. These include a list of slow Ducatis and excellent Harley-Davidsons that bikers would prefer to ride instead.

10 Slow: Ducati Scrambler 350

via RideApart

An absolute classic bike in its own regard, the Ducati 350 Scrambler was hugely popular back in the 70s at the time of its release. It was also the first model by the Italian automakers that featured a wide-case single-engine, a version that was later seen in the 450 cc and 250 cc models.

via Gruppo Promoter srl

Powered by a single SOHC engine of 340 ccs, this bike came equipped with a 5-speed transmission system. Relatively slower than the Ducati models that buyers are used to seeing in the markets, the 350 Scrambler could only manage a top speed of 81 mph, making it one of the slower Ducatis that bikers can purchase.

9 Fast: Harley-Davidson FXDR 114

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Harley-Davidson is on a mission to reinvent itself, and they have been sporadically launching new models one after the other. The FXDR 114 is one such motorcycle that is part of the latest Softtail range and features one of the fastest Harley Davidsons ever made.

via RideApart

Looks-wise the FXDR 114 embodies its aggressive performance and shines bright with a longer rake and large rear tires, as well as having impressive handling qualities. Powered by a 1,868 cc Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 creates a massive torque of 118 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm, which suggests how speedy this motorcycle can become when driven with an intention to go fast. There are many surprising facts about Harley-Davidson's racing history and given the incredible speed of the FXDR 114, it is certain to create some more in the near future.

8 Slow: Ducati Monster 696

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Although an immensely popular motorcycle from Ducati, the Monster 696 is relatively slow when compared to its larger cc siblings. Having similar cylinder-heads as the Ducati 1100 Multistrada, the 696 Monster makes use of a Desmo V-twin, 8-valve, six-gear engine of 696 cc and can produce a maximum power output of 68.9 hp and a maximum torque of 44 ft-lb.

RELATED: 15 Facts About Ducati That Execs Want To Keep On The DL

via Pinterest

With an overall weight of 354.9 pounds, the Ducati Monster 696 can reach a top speed of only 128 mph, which is considerably low for a Ducati motorcycle. However, the 696 Monster is a commendable and reliable motorcycle that should not be overlooked simply because of its lack of speed.

7 Fast: Harley-Davidson IRON 1200

Harley-Davidson IRON 1200
via Ultimate Motorcycling

While there are many insane Japanese cruiser bikes that can put a Harley-Davidson to shame, the IRON 1200 is not a model that can be challenged easily. Currently, in its third year of production, the Harley-Davidson IRON 1200 has never looked better. Powered by a two-cylinder, air-cooled, pushrod 1,200cc motor, the IRON 1200 makes use of the Evolution V-twin variant engines produced by Harley-Davidson.

Having an estimated top speed of 118 mph, the IRON 1200 might not be extremely fast compared to sportbikes, but it sure does provide a bang for its buck. It is the perfect motorcycle for any situation, be it driving across the boulevard, navigating through traffic, or meandering through hilly terrain. The IRON 1200 is capable and efficient in taking care of all these needs.

6 Slow: Ducati 749

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A brilliant motorcycle from Ducati for certain, the Ducati 749 is a restrained version of the Ducati 999 and delivers a subtle performance as compared to its larger cc sibling. However, owing to the smaller engine, the 749 is incapable of reaching staggeringly high speeds that most Ducati motorcycles are associated with but makes up for it in terms of precise steering, balanced performance, commendable braking, and acceleration.

via Motorcycle Specs

The 749's 8-valve, V-twin 748cc engine lacks the requisite power or rpm punch to give competition to a seasoned four-cylinder 600 from competitors like Suzuki, such as the GSX-R600, and would be left eating the dust when tested head to head on an open road.

5 Fast: Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight

via Harley Davidson

Having a bulldog stance and peanut style tank, the Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight is another great addition to the company's recent lineup and should be more preferred as compared to some of the slower Ducatis available in the market.

via Top Speed

There are many things people didn't know about Harley-Davidson, and one such thing might be the specifications of the latest Forty-Eight. Backed by an air-cooled, 1,202 cc Evolution Engine, the Forty-Eight is capable of churning out a considerable torque of 73 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm. The engine further provides this beast of a bike with impressive low-end torque and a resonating sound that is sure to satisfy any bike enthusiast.

4 Slow: Ducati Monster 659

via Indian Autos Blog

A high-performance, compact naked motorcycle from Ducati, the Monster 659 is powered by an air-cooled, twin-cylinder, 659 cc, Desmodue engine. There are numerous stunning pics of Ducatis that people are totally obsessed with, and the Ducati 659 is one such good-looking model. With an engine that is very similar to the engines that marked the inception of the Ducati Monster series, the 659 is capable of generating a power output of 50 hp and 9,250 rpm and 32.4 lb-ft peak torque at 5,500 rpm.

RELATED: 15 Japanese Bikes That Are As Gorgeous As A Ducati

via Bike Review

Available with a six-speed gearbox, the Monster 659 is a reliable motorcycle, but falls short in terms of speed, being able to produce a fraction of the speed that its larger siblings are capable of. Available in a Learner Legal version, this is the perfect bike to choose if the rider happens to be an amateur in motorcycling.

3 Fast: Harley-Davidson Bronx 1250

Harley-Davidson Bronx 1250
via Total Motorcycle

The big brother of Harley-Davidson Bronx 975, the Bronx 1250 is a middleweight streetfighter that has taken the public with a storm and imbibes an unapologetic outlook with the requisite performance to match such a stance. Powered by the new powertrain Revolution Max, which makes up the core of all of the new Bronx models, the Bronx 1250 is backed by a 1,250 cc liquid-cooled engine.

Harley-Davidson Bronx 1250
via Total Motorcycle

This engine allows the bike to provide a flexible performance while maintaining a capable powerband that can deliver a surge of unabashed power in higher RPMs. Furthermore, Harley-Davidson has worked hard to minimize the weight of this machine and allow it to provide maximum performance through the use of Revolution Max's slim powertrain profile that acts in the form of a stressed member. This allows the motorcycle to increase its handling and improve its center of gravity.

2 Slow: Ducati Multistrada 620

via Top Speed

Using the same engine used by the Ducati M620 Monster, the Ducati Multistrada 620 has considerably greater weight than the former, making it slower on the road. Despite having good features on paper, it seems that the Multistrada 620 is lacking something when put to the test.

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Despite having abundant midrange and low-end power, Ducati Multistrada 620 fails to perform when tested for top-end power output. It is more of an all-round motorcycle from Ducati and does not simply satisfy the requirements of speed that most buyers look for while purchasing a Ducati.

1 Fast: Harley-Davidson Roadster

via Total Motorcycle

A Harley-Davidson café racer? Sounds odd, doesn't it? But the Harley-Davidson Roadster is anything but odd. A solid contender at being one of the best Harley-Davidson bikes ever made, the Roadster is a pure delight for modifiers. While some people have tried modifying their Harley-Davidsons and failed miserably, there have been some sweet mods using the Harley-Davidson Roadster.

via Overdrive

The Roadster in its standard variant sports an air-cooled Evolution Engine of 1,202cc. This allows the motorcycle to create a considerable maximum torque of 76 lb-ft at 3,750 rpm and a claimed top speed of somewhere between 105.6 mph to 124.2 mph depending on the sources. With an improved suspension, improved handling, and upgraded braking power, this motorcycle is undoubtedly one of the best Sportster motorcycles available in the market at the moment.

NEXT: 11 Harleys Everyone Forgets Exist (And 11 Ducatis No One Cares About)