Motorcycles have been a symbol of freedom, rebellion, and engineering excellence for over a century. This comprehensive list celebrates the 100 best motorcycles of all time, spanning from pioneering models to modern marvels. These two-wheeled machines have been chosen based on their historical significance, technological innovations, performance capabilities, design, and cultural impact.
1. Honda CB750 (1969-2003, 2007-2008)
Often credited as the world’s first superbike, the CB750 revolutionized motorcycle design with its transverse-mounted inline-four engine and front disc brake.
2. Harley-Davidson Model J (1915-1929)
One of Harley-Davidson’s most important early models, featuring the company’s first three-speed transmission and establishing the brand’s signature V-twin engine configuration.
3. Triumph Bonneville (1959-1983, 2001-Present)
An icon of British motorcycling, known for its parallel-twin engine and classic styling. The modern iteration continues to blend retro design with contemporary technology.
4. BMW R32 (1923-1926)
BMW’s first motorcycle, featuring the horizontally-opposed twin-cylinder engine layout that would become a signature of the brand for decades.
5. Ducati 916 (1994-1998)
Designed by Massimo Tamburini, the 916 is considered one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever made, combining stunning looks with exceptional performance.
6. Indian Scout (1920-1949, 2015-Present)
A legendary American motorcycle known for its reliability and performance. The modern iteration pays homage to its heritage while offering contemporary features.
7. Kawasaki Z1 (1972-1975)
Kawasaki’s answer to the Honda CB750, featuring a larger 903cc engine and setting new standards for performance in its era.
8. Yamaha YZF-R1 (1998-Present)
A groundbreaking sportbike that pushed the boundaries of performance and technology, featuring innovations like a stacked gearbox to centralize mass.
9. Brough Superior SS100 (1924-1940)
Known as the “Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles,” the SS100 was one of the fastest and most expensive motorcycles of its time, famously ridden by T.E. Lawrence.
10. Suzuki GSX-R750 (1985-Present)
The original race-replica sportbike, bringing track technology to the street and inspiring a whole category of motorcycles.
11. Moto Guzzi V8 (1955-1957)
A revolutionary racing motorcycle featuring a water-cooled V8 engine, showcasing Moto Guzzi’s engineering prowess.
12. Norton Commando (1967-1977, 2010-2020)
A beloved British motorcycle known for its powerful parallel-twin engine and innovative isolastic frame design to reduce vibration.
13. Ducati Monster (1993-Present)
The bike that popularized the naked bike category, featuring a stripped-down design that showcased its trellis frame and L-twin engine.
14. Honda Gold Wing (1974-Present)
The ultimate touring motorcycle, known for its comfort, reliability, and long-distance capabilities. Later models featured car-like amenities including airbags and reverse gear.
15. Aprilia RSV4 (2009-Present)
A high-performance sportbike featuring a compact V4 engine and advanced electronics, dominating both road and track.
16. Harley-Davidson Sportster (1957-Present)
One of Harley’s most enduring models, the Sportster has been continuously produced for over six decades, appealing to both traditionalists and customizers.
17. Kawasaki Ninja GPZ900R (1984-2003)
The original Ninja, setting new standards for sportbike performance and popularizing the fully-faired sportbike design.
18. BMW R80 G/S (1980-1987)
The motorcycle that created the adventure bike category, combining on-road comfort with off-road capability.
19. Ducati 750 SS (1973-1974)
A legendary racing motorcycle that showcased Ducati’s desmodromic valve system and L-twin engine configuration.
20. Honda Super Cub (1958-Present)
The best-selling motor vehicle in history, with over 100 million units produced. Its step-through design and reliability made motorcycling accessible to millions.
21. Vincent Black Shadow (1948-1955)
One of the fastest production motorcycles of its time, known for its powerful V-twin engine and innovative chassis design.
22. Yamaha V-Max (1985-2020)
A muscle bike featuring a powerful V4 engine, known for its straight-line performance and distinctive design.
23. Suzuki Hayabusa (1999-Present)
A sport touring motorcycle that held the title of world’s fastest production motorcycle, known for its high-speed stability and aerodynamic design.
24. KTM 1290 Super Duke R (2014-Present)
A naked bike that combines superbike-level performance with upright ergonomics, often referred to as “The Beast” for its aggressive character.
25. Triumph Speed Triple (1994-Present)
One of the original streetfighter motorcycles, combining a powerful three-cylinder engine with aggressive naked styling.
26. Honda CBR900RR Fireblade (1992-Present)
A sportbike that emphasized light weight and agility over pure horsepower, changing the direction of sportbike design.
27. Ducati Panigale V4 (2018-Present)
Ducati’s first mass-produced four-cylinder motorcycle, representing the pinnacle of the company’s sportbike engineering.
28. BMW S1000RR (2009-Present)
BMW’s entry into the superbike market, quickly establishing itself as a leader in performance and technology.
29. Harley-Davidson Electra Glide (1965-Present)
The definitive American touring motorcycle, known for its “batwing” fairing and comfortable long-distance riding capabilities.
30. Kawasaki H2 Mach IV (1972-1975)
A legendary two-stroke triple known for its blistering acceleration and challenging handling, earning it the nickname “widowmaker.”
31. MV Agusta F4 (1999-2018)
A stunning Italian sportbike designed by Massimo Tamburini, featuring a distinctive four-pipe exhaust and inline-four engine.
32. Indian Chief (1922-1953, 2001-Present)
A classic American motorcycle known for its skirted fenders and imposing presence, recently revived with modern technology.
33. Yamaha TZ750 (1974-1979)
A fearsome two-stroke racing motorcycle that dominated road racing in the 1970s, known for its incredible power output.
34. Ducati 900SS (1975-1982)
A sports motorcycle that epitomized Ducati’s racing heritage, featuring the company’s signature L-twin engine and desmodromic valves.
35. Honda RC166 (1966)
A legendary racing motorcycle featuring a 250cc six-cylinder engine that revved to 18,000 rpm, showcasing Honda’s engineering capabilities.
36. Triumph Rocket 3 (2004-Present)
Featuring the largest engine in a production motorcycle, the Rocket 3 combines massive torque with surprising agility.
37. Moto Guzzi Le Mans (1976-1993)
A sports touring motorcycle known for its distinctive styling and longitudinally mounted V-twin engine.
38. Suzuki RG500 Gamma (1985-1987)
A road-legal version of Suzuki’s Grand Prix racing motorcycle, featuring a powerful two-stroke square-four engine.
39. BMW K1 (1988-1993)
A futuristic sports touring motorcycle featuring aerodynamic bodywork and BMW’s new inline-four engine layout.
40. Harley-Davidson XR750 (1970-1985)
One of the most successful racing motorcycles in history, dominating flat track racing for decades.
41. Ducati Desmosedici RR (2007-2008)
A limited-production road-legal version of Ducati’s MotoGP race bike, bringing Grand Prix technology to the street.
42. Honda VFR750F (1986-1997)
A sport touring motorcycle known for its reliability and innovative features, including Honda’s V4 engine and single-sided swingarm.
43. Yamaha RD350 (1973-1975)
A lightweight two-stroke motorcycle known for its peppy performance and handling, popular among enthusiasts and racers alike.
44. Kawasaki KZ1000 (1977-2005)
A powerful superbike that became popular in police forces and was featured prominently in popular culture.
45. Aprilia RS250 (1995-2004)
One of the last high-performance two-stroke road bikes, offering GP-like performance in a street-legal package.
46. Norton Manx (1947-1962)
A legendary racing motorcycle known for its featherbed frame and success in the Isle of Man TT races.
47. Ducati 851 (1987-1992)
The motorcycle that launched Ducati’s modern era of superbikes, featuring liquid cooling and four-valve heads.
48. Honda CX500 (1978-1983)
An innovative middleweight motorcycle featuring a longitudinal V-twin engine and shaft drive, popular as a commuter and tourer.
49. Yamaha MT-09/FZ-09 (2014-Present)
A versatile naked bike featuring a thrilling three-cylinder engine, offering high performance at an accessible price point.
50. Suzuki Katana (1981-2006, 2019-Present)
A sport touring motorcycle with distinctive angular styling that stood out from its contemporaries and has recently been revived.
51. BMW R90S (1973-1976)
A high-performance sport touring motorcycle that helped change BMW’s staid image, featuring a distinctive two-tone paint scheme.
52. Harley-Davidson Softail (1984-Present)
A line of motorcycles featuring a hidden rear suspension to mimic the look of a hardtail frame, popular among cruiser enthusiasts.
53. Ducati 1199 Panigale (2012-2018)
A superbike that introduced Ducati’s monocoque chassis design, setting new standards for performance and weight reduction.
54. Honda CB400F (1975-1977)
A middleweight motorcycle known for its sporty inline-four engine and distinctive four-into-one exhaust system.
55. Yamaha SR400 (1978-2021)
A simple, reliable single-cylinder motorcycle that remained virtually unchanged for decades, beloved by customizers and urban riders.
56. Kawasaki ZX-10R (2004-Present)
A cutting-edge superbike that has achieved significant success in World Superbike racing.
57. Moto Guzzi V7 (1967-1977, 2008-Present)
A classic Italian motorcycle known for its transverse V-twin engine, recently revived with modern technology.
58. Suzuki SV650 (1999-Present)
A versatile middleweight motorcycle known for its friendly V-twin engine and capable handling, popular among both beginners and experienced riders.
59. Triumph Thruxton (2004-Present)
A modern cafe racer that combines retro styling with contemporary performance, based on the Bonneville platform.
60. Honda Africa Twin (1988-2003, 2016-Present)
An adventure motorcycle that gained legendary status for its versatility and reliability, recently revived for the modern adventure bike market.
61. Ducati Scrambler (2015-Present)
A modern interpretation of Ducati’s classic Scrambler, offering accessible performance with retro-inspired styling.
62. BMW R1200GS/R1250GS (2004-Present)
The best-selling adventure motorcycle, known for its versatility and advanced technology.
63. Harley-Davidson LiveWire (2019-Present)
Harley-Davidson’s first electric motorcycle, representing the brand’s vision for the future of two-wheeled transportation.
64. Yamaha XS650 (1968-1985)
A reliable parallel-twin motorcycle that became popular for both touring and customization.
65. Kawasaki Z900RS (2018-Present)
A modern retro motorcycle paying homage to the legendary Z1, combining classic looks with modern performance.
66. Aprilia Tuono V4 (2011-Present)
A high-performance naked bike based on Aprilia’s RSV4 superbike, known for its powerful V4 engine and advanced electronics.
67. Suzuki GT750 (1971-1977)
Nicknamed the “Water Buffalo,” this water-cooled two-stroke triple was known for its smooth power delivery and distinctive looks.
68. Triumph Tiger 900 (2020-Present)
A modern adventure motorcycle that builds on Triumph’s off-road heritage, offering a blend of performance and versatility.
69. Ducati Multistrada (2003-Present)
A versatile sport-touring motorcycle that combines high performance with long-distance comfort and some off-road capability.
70. Honda Monkey (1961-2017, 2018-Present)
A small, fun motorcycle that started as an amusement park ride and became a global phenomenon, recently revived with modern technology.
71. Yamaha XT500 (1975-1989)
A versatile single-cylinder motorcycle that found success in both off-road racing and as a popular dual-sport bike.
72. Kawasaki KLR650 (1987-2018, 2021-Present)
A rugged, no-frills dual-sport motorcycle known for its reliability and long-distance capabilities.
73. Bimota Tesi (1991-Present)
An innovative motorcycle featuring hub-center steering, showcasing alternative approaches to motorcycle design.
74. Suzuki DR350 (1990-1999)
A popular dual-sport motorcycle known for its lightweight design and capable off-road performance.
75. Harley-Davidson Street Glide (2006-Present)
A popular touring motorcycle featuring a streamlined “batwing” fairing and comfortable ergonomics for long-distance riding.
76. Ducati SportClassic (2006-2010)
A line of retro-styled motorcycles that combined classic looks with modern performance, becoming highly sought after by collectors.
77. BMW R nineT (2014-Present)
A modern classic motorcycle designed for customization, featuring a classic air-cooled boxer engine with modern technology.
78. Honda CB1100 (2010-2021)
A modern retro motorcycle paying homage to Honda’s classic CB-series bikes, featuring an air-cooled inline-four engine.
79. Yamaha VMAX (2009-2020)
The second generation of Yamaha’s iconic muscle bike, featuring a massive 1,679cc V4 engine and distinctive styling.
80. Kawasaki Versys (2007-Present)
A versatile adventure-styled motorcycle available in various engine sizes, known for its all-round capabilities.
81. MV Agusta Brutale (2001-Present)
A naked bike that combines stunning Italian design with high-performance engines, available in three and four-cylinder versions.
82. Suzuki GSX-S1000 (2015-Present)
A high-performance naked bike based on the GSX-R1000 superbike, offering streetfighter styling with literbike power.
83. Triumph Street Triple (2007-Present)
A popular naked bike featuring Triumph’s characteristic three-cylinder engine, known for its light weight and agile handling.
84. KTM 390 Duke (2013-Present)
A small-displacement naked bike that offers impressive performance and features for new riders and urban commuters.
85. Ducati Diavel (2011-Present)
A power cruiser that combines Ducati’s high-performance heritage with relaxed ergonomics and distinctive styling.
86. Honda CBR250R/CBR300R (2011-Present)
Entry-level sportbikes that have introduced many new riders to motorcycling, offering a blend of performance and accessibility.
87. Yamaha Ténéré 700 (2019-Present)
A middleweight adventure motorcycle that emphasizes off-road capability, inspired by Yamaha’s Dakar Rally bikes.
88. Energica Ego (2014-Present)
One of the first high-performance electric motorcycles, showcasing the potential of electric powertrains in the sportbike segment.
89. Harley-Davidson Fat Boy (1990-Present)
A distinctive cruiser known for its solid disc wheels and wide stance, prominently featured in the film “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.”
90. Ducati Hypermotard (2007-Present)
A unique motorcycle that blends supermoto styling with Ducati’s performance heritage, known for its playful character.
91. BMW C Evolution (2014-2021)
An electric scooter that demonstrated BMW’s commitment to electric mobility, offering performance comparable to middleweight motorcycles.
92. Yamaha XSR900 (2016-Present)
A modern retro motorcycle based on the MT-09 platform, combining classic styling with high-performance components.
93. Kawasaki Ninja 400 (2018-Present)
A small-displacement sportbike that offers impressive performance for new riders while still being engaging for experienced motorcyclists.
94. Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 (2018-Present)
A modern cafe racer that combines minimalist Scandinavian design with performance-oriented components.
95. Zero SR/F (2019-Present)
A high-performance electric motorcycle that offers sportbike-like acceleration with the benefits of electric propulsion.
96. Indian FTR 1200 (2019-Present)
A street tracker-inspired motorcycle that translates Indian’s flat track racing success into a road-going package.
97. Aprilia RS 660 (2020-Present)
A middleweight sportbike that offers near-superbike levels of technology in a more accessible package.
98. Triumph Scrambler 1200 (2019-Present)
A modern interpretation of the classic scrambler concept, offering genuine off-road capability with retro styling.
99. Harley-Davidson Pan America (2021-Present)
Harley-Davidson’s first adventure motorcycle, representing the brand’s expansion beyond its traditional cruiser market.
100. Cake Kalk (2018-Present)
An innovative electric off-road motorcycle that emphasizes lightweight design and environmental sustainability.
Conclusion
The world of motorcycles has evolved dramatically since the early days of motorized two-wheelers. From the pioneering designs of the early 20th century to the high-tech marvels of today, motorcycles have consistently pushed the boundaries of engineering, performance, and design. This list of the 100 best motorcycles of all time showcases the incredible diversity and innovation that has characterized this exciting form of transportation and recreation.
Many of these motorcycles have played significant roles in shaping popular culture, racing history, and technological development. Icons like the Honda CB750 and Harley-Davidson Sportster have endured for decades, continually evolving while maintaining their essential character. Others, like the Ducati 916 and BMW R32, have set new standards in design and engineering that influenced the entire industry.
In recent years, we’ve seen a trend towards electrification in the motorcycle world. Bikes like the Harley-Davidson LiveWire and Energica Ego are proving that electric powertrains can deliver exhilarating performance while pointing towards a more sustainable future for motorcycling. At the same time, there’s been a renewed interest in retro-styled motorcycles, as seen in models like the Triumph Bonneville and BMW R nineT, which combine classic aesthetics with modern technology.
The motorcycle industry has also been at the forefront of developing advanced rider aids and safety technologies. Features like lean-sensitive traction control, cornering ABS, and adaptive suspension, which were once the preserve of high-end sportbikes, are now finding their way into a wide range of motorcycles, making riding safer and more accessible.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that motorcycles will continue to evolve and innovate. The push towards electrification is likely to accelerate, with more manufacturers offering electric models across various categories. We may also see advancements in alternative fuels and hybrid powertrains. The integration of connectivity and smart features is also likely to increase, potentially including advanced rider assistance systems and vehicle-to-vehicle communication for improved safety.
Despite these technological advancements, the core appeal of motorcycling remains the same: the sense of freedom, the thrill of the ride, and the connection between rider and machine. Whether it’s the raw power of a superbike, the long-distance comfort of a tourer, the versatility of an adventure bike, or the simple pleasure of a classic design, motorcycles continue to captivate enthusiasts around the world.
From the racetrack to city streets, from highways to dirt trails, these 100 motorcycles represent the pinnacle of two-wheeled engineering and design. They have inspired passion, pushed the limits of performance, and in many cases, changed the way we think about transportation. As the industry continues to evolve, we can look forward to even more exciting innovations in the world of motorcycles.
