Since 2000, some incredible motorcycles have been produced by top global manufacturers. In addition, bikes have undergone an innovation never seen in the industry, going from almost entirely analog to a rolling computer.
Our list of the top models released since the turn of the millennium exclusively contains production machines. The emphasis is also on bikes you may use on pavement or off-road. So hold on; we are on a ride.
25 Greatest Motorcycles Of The 21st Century
1. Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa 2000
Although Suzuki released the Hayabusa in 1999, its influence on contemporary motorcycle culture cannot be exaggerated because it was essentially the same in 2000. The Suzuki Hayabusa was the fastest production motorcycle in the world when it was first released. It beat Honda and its Super Blackbird at a period when the industry valued extreme speed.
The word “Hayabusa” is a not-so-subtle dig at Honda for the peregrine falcon, which preys on blackbirds. Since its release, the Hayabusa has only seen two model upgrades, the most recent of which was 2020. Nevertheless, it is still Suzuki’s unmistakable tribute to living life in the fast lane.
2. 2001 Suzuki GSX-R1000
As the new big-bore superbike category rose to popularity, Suzuki applied some of the lessons it had learned from its renowned GSX-R750 to produce a 145-horsepower juggernaut that quickly replaced Yamaha, the previous class leader, with its YZF-R1.
When it came to the AMA Superbike competition, the GSX-R1000 was immediately competitive and won every title from 2003 until 2010, when Yamaha retaliated. The first authentic Suzuki superbike of the current age was the 2001 GSX-R1000.
3. 2001 Honda GL 1800 Goldwing
For the GL 1800 the next year, Honda started over in 2000. Along with an emphasis on the sporty aspect of long-distance touring and upgraded suspension, brakes, and ergonomics, the bike’s capacity was increased from 1,520cc to 1,832cc.
The end product was a motorbike so excellent that it would take Honda 17 years to create another completely redesigned model deserving of the Honda Goldwing name. Nevertheless, the bike continues to serve as the benchmark for all touring motorcycles.
4. 2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000
Suzuki’s greatest hit is this. A showroom star in sales worldwide, a World SBK champion with Troy Corser, and an AMA champion with Matt Mladin. The 2005 GSX-R1000 blends one of the most powerful superbike engines ever produced—a 175 hp beast that leaves bikes like the Honda CBR1000RR and Yamaha YZF-R1 firmly in the rearview mirror—with light, precise handling. The engine and chassis were so reliable that Suzuki continued to use them ten years later when it launched the GSX-S1000 line. Then, a few years later, it updated the Katana, which it eventually acknowledged was 2005 GSX-R1000 in disguise.
5. KTM 950 Adventure 2006
The 2006 KTM 950 was the last model to include Mattighofen fuel systems and is widely regarded as KTM’s greatest adventure bikes. As a result, it became popular with tourists from around the world who preferred to avoid a tricky fuel-injection system because they could fix the bike anywhere.
Excellent WP suspension and two gas tanks allow a significant distance between stops. The 950 contributed to KTM bikes image as the brand for serious adventure riders rather than those who only ride to the café on motorcycles.
6. 2006 Ducati Desmosedici GP16 RR
Regarding street-legal MotoGP bikes, Ducati’s Desmosedici D16 RR (RR stands for Racing Replica) was the closest thing available. Using a 990 cc engine based on the 2004 Troy Bayliss and Loris Capirossi Ducati Desmosedici MotoGP racer, Ducati bikes claimed the motorcycle produced a roaring 200 horsepower and 85 ft-lbs of torque from the V-4 engine.
The motorcycle featured the greatest Ohlins suspension available at the time and had forged magnesium wheels before any other production motorcycle. It is a true diamond that costs a fortune to maintain and serve. However, its value is currently surging since you will undoubtedly want it for a long time.
7. Yamaha YZF-R6 2006
A Remington Model Seven is to dedicated hunters what the 2006 Yamaha YZF-R6 is to sportbike riders. The Yamaha bikes Chip Controlled Throttle (YCCT), the first ride-by-wire throttle, variable inlet tracts, titanium inlet and exhaust valves, and an audible 18,000 rpm redline were all introduced on this machine.
Thanks to all these contributing factors, the 2006 R6 is one of the most impressive sportbikes ever. For the remainder of the model’s life, which officially ended in 2020 when the last YZF-R6s left the assembly line, it served as the foundation for the R6 line.
8. Kawasaki Concours 14 IN 2008
In 2008, Kawasaki bikes introduced the Concours 14, emulating the ZX-14, which Suzuki used to destroy the Hayabusa. The design is a long-distance touring vehicle that is sleek and quick. The bike produced 150 horsepower thanks to its four-cylinder, ZX-14-derived powerplant. Additionally, it had an electric windscreen, variable valve timing, digital tire pressure monitors, ABS, and a cockpit that allowed pilots to ride comfortably for extended periods.
Kawasaki made significant advancements in the high-speed touring motorbike all at once. Since then, only minimal alterations have been made to the vehicle, such as traction control, small bodywork adjustments, and tiny suspension modifications.
9. BMW F 800 GS 2008
In response to a growing demand from adventure riders for off-road motorcycles that were more portable than the powerful (and heavy) R 1150 GS, BMW developed the F 800 GS. The 2008 F 800 GS uses the same sleek parallel-twin motor as the 2008 F 800 R.
BMW coupled the powerplant with a long-travel, dirt-friendly suspension and wheels measuring 21 inches up front and 19 inches down back. It becomes a true go-anywhere vehicle when chain drive is added, and everyone from inner-city motorcycle couriers to intrepid travelers found it quite popular. And the F 800 GS demonstrated that it could compete with the larger 1150 GS line.
10. Aprilia RSV4 FACTORY, 2009
In 2009, Aprilia returned to the superbike racing scene with a bang, thanks to the legendary RSV4. The Aprilia RSV4 Factory benefited from Aprilia engineers who used every bit of experience garnered from their years of dominance in the 250 cc Grand Prix to develop a milestone, track-focused vehicle. In addition, it had the only V-4 motor you could buy in the class (at least at the time).
The bike has the most sophisticated Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes of the time and produces powerful 180 horsepower and 85 ft lbs of torque. The first RSV4 quickly established itself as a formidable force, winning the 2010 World SBK championship with Max Biaggi at the wheel. Since then, the RSV4 has won two more titles and other shootout competitions worldwide. With the introduction of the magnificent 2021 edition, the model has joined the 1100 cc club.
11. 2009 XR1200 Harley-Davidson
The XR1200, the sportiest Sportster ever made, is on this list not so much for its exceptional performance or even its sales success but rather as a testament to how forward-thinking Harley-thinking Davidson was at the time. The manufacturer was a half-decade ahead of the return of the flat-track design, which was overwhelmingly adopted by custom builders worldwide. However, Harley-Davidson bikes only made the vehicle from 2009 to 2012.
12. 2010 Honda VFR1200F DCT
Honda is known for pushing the limits of technology. With the 2010 VFR1200F, the first motorcycle of its kind to include Honda’s ground-breaking dual-clutch transmission, the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world did just that DCT. The DCT was the first semi-automatic transmission installed on a motorbike in production.
There was no clutch lever, but you could still manually shift gears using the paddle shifters on the left handlebar, which took some time for many riders. The VFR, which Honda designed to introduce the DCT system to the market, is recognized as a competent bike but could be a better one and is propelled by a 1,237 cc V-4 engine.
13. BMW S 1000 RR, 2010
The BMW S 1000 RR is one of the few superbikes that completely dominates its rivals. BMW unveiled what is now regarded as the first real digital sports bike while the rest of the world was still in the throes of the 2008–2009 global financial crisis. The 999 cc four-cylinder engine produced 190 horsepower in total. In addition, it featured several production firsts, such as “finger follower” valve actuation for the cams in place of the conventional “shim-and-bucket” arrangement.
14. 2013 BMW R 1200 GS
The bike pioneered the ADV market in 1980 and had its most significant modification in 2013. The 1,170 cc flat-twin engine, known as the “lesser-boxer” (water boxer), had a power boost from 110 hp to 125 hp with noticeably more torque across the rpm range.
15. 2014 Yamaha MT-07
Since the early 1970s, Yamaha has had a strong tradition of creating superb small-capacity roadsters. New riders lined up to ride machines like the TX650 and the RD350 that followed, and the MT-07 carries on this tradition for a new generation.
The MT-07’s 687 cc parallel-twin four-stroke motor produces only 70 horsepower, so it’s not particularly exciting. But it’s nicely finished, and the ride is fantastic. Since MT’s 2014 introduction, Yamaha has sold countless numbers of them, and there is no doubt that it will do so for many more years.
16. 2014 KTM Super Duke R 1290
The Aprilia Tuono V4 at the close of the previous decade marked the beginning of the “super-naked” bike trend, but KTM’s release of “the Beast” in 2014 solidified the category. That monster was a 1,301 cc V-twin-powered 1290 Super Duke R, a naked motorbike made for the thug in all of us.
17. 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1
Yamaha completely overhauled the YZF-R1 model for 2015, resulting in a superbike that, in terms of advanced technology, is the logical replacement for the 2010 BMW S 1000 RR. In addition, a newly designed, slim chassis and redesigned cross-plane crank motor were built, along with many electronics, including Slide Control.
The engine in the 2015 YZF-R1 significantly improved over the cross-plane crank engine used in the 2008 through 2014 iterations. However, to maintain its position at the front of the superbike pack in recent years, Yamaha had to make minor adjustments to this edition.
18. 2015 SUTER MMX500
The 576 cc MMX500, produced in 2015 by legendary chassis expert and former Grand Prix sidecar racer Eskil Suter, quenched everyone’s appetite for the 500cc two-stroke GP monsters of the past. The MMX500 is maybe the pinnacle of two-stroke racetrack performance, packing a mind-blowing 195 horsepower into a machine that weighs a barely credible 280 pounds (without electronic rider aids).
19. 2015 Kawasaki H2
Kawasaki did not need to construct this machine. The 2015 Kawasaki H2 superbike, the most extreme production Kawasaki had ever manufactured, was more of an engineering exercise than anything else. It came in two versions: the street-legal H2 and the outrageous 300-horsepower Kawasaki Ninja H2R.
20. 2017 BMW K 1600 GT
The 1,649 cc six-cylinder engine with fierce torque, the self-leveling electronic suspension, the adaptive headlights that see around corners, the reverse gear, the electric screen, and all the rider-assist bells and whistles you could want are just a few of the impressive features to note when thinking about BMW’s K 1600 GT, its long-distance touring tour de force.
21. 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400
The tenacious small sport bike from Kawasaki is selected not for its exceptional performance but rather for the undeniable sales titan it has grown to be since its 2018 release. Although it has a basic 399 cc parallel-twin engine, a steel chassis, and subpar suspension, the Kawasaki Ninja 400 became the manufacturer’s top seller when it first came on sale.
The Ninja has attracted talented riders worldwide, and junior Supersport racing grids have been doused in green for the past four years. Since the 2018 model debuted, the Kawasaki Ninja 400 has attracted more new riders than almost any other bike, which is a very rare honor.
22. KTM 790 Adventure R 2019
When creating the 790 Adventure R, KTM ignored the adventure design manual. As a result, the center of gravity is significantly lowered when the fuel tank is positioned around the rider’s knees. Additionally, the motorcycle becomes more stable as the fuel load diminishes, which results in a more elegant, agile machine. The 890 Adventure R arrived a few years later, but the bike is largely the same as in 2019. With the 790, KTM produced modern art that has left the competition scrambling to catch up.
23. 2020 ZERO SR/F
California-based, pioneering electric bikes manufacturer Zero had devoted 13 years to persuading notoriously reticent passengers of the advantages of electric propulsion. But until the SR/F came along, it never truly succeeded. As a result, the Harley-Davidson LiveWire and the SR/F were launched simultaneously, although the SR/F was far more affordable (a third less expensive).
24. Ducati Multistrada V4 S 2021
In 2021, the Ducati Multistrada V4 advanced significantly, not just because of the larger V-4. It is a revolutionary motorcycle since it was the first production bike to be equipped with radar-assisted Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Blind Spot Detection (BSD), significantly raising the bar for safety compared to the competition currently on the market.
25. Superleggera V4 Ducati 2020
Superleggera V4 Carbon Fiber Ducati 2020. You now know everything there is to know about the Superleggera V4. The material makes up every structural element, including the front frame (chassis), subframe, bodywork, wheels, and engine and wheel guards. The Superleggera is the first street bike with a carbon frame that can be purchased by the general public (the other carbon bike, the BMW HP Race, was a track-only offering).
