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Jul 12, 2023

Modern Sport Bikes Over $20,000

They're next-level insane, crazy expensive, and have the best championship

They're next-level insane, crazy expensive, and have the best championship racing components that money can buy

When it comes to high-performance motorcycles, there will always be a group that stand above the rest. Built with cutting-edge technology, these motorcycles truly represent the best in terms of engineering and development processes that motorcycle manufacturers have to offer.

Motorcycle companies pour millions of dollars into research and development just to get ahead of the curve, while their racing divisions spend much, much more just to try and stay ahead of the competition on the racetrack by taking a tenth of a second off a sector here and a tenth there.

The motorcycles on this list represent some of the fastest and most powerful sport bikes with next-level performance that push the boundaries for speed, and it is thanks to their wins on the racetrack, that we are fortunate to see that technology translate down into production motorcycles. The prices of these motorcycles constructed with exotic materials may seem expensive, and some outright exorbitant, but they do offer top-of-the-line components and unrivaled performance at a fraction of the cost.

Related: Why The Isle Of Man TT Race Is Better Than MotoGP

Introduced in 2009, the Aprilia RSV4 motorcycle was first shown in 2008 at the International Piaggio Group Convention in Milan, Italy. Powered by a 65-degree 999.6 cc, V4 power plant, it was Aprilia's first production four-cylinder engine specifically designed for the World Superbike Championships (WSBK) producing over 200 horsepower.

In 2018, Aprilia unveiled a RSV4 RF Limited Edition model during the Championship at the Circuit of Americas. With only 125 units manufactured, the RSV4 RF LE featured a carbon-fiber winglet much like the RS-GP motogp bike (with the exception that it can be removed, unlike the RS-GP), 201 horsepower, a color TFT display, Öhlins suspension, forged wheels and Brembo brakes.

The Honda CBR1000RR also known as the Fireblade in some markets, featured a 998cc liquid-cooled, four-cylinder engine that was introduced in 2004 continuing in the footsteps of its 900cc predecessor. In 2014, Honda introduced the CBR1000RR SP variant and referred to it as "The Edge of CBR", that included Öhlins suspension, Brembo front calipers, Pirelli tires, and a single seat cowl.

In 2020, Honda relaunched the CBR1000RR as the CBR1000RR-R with an upgraded SP model armed with MotoGP technology from Honda RC213V. Today's variant may appear to be the same as the 2020 model, but there have been tweaks made to the 2023 engine (intake ports and compression ratio increased) and the exhaust's catalytic converter. It also offers the CBR1000RR-R SP in the 30th Anniversary colors, so there is a choice to be made. It may also be worth noting that the only difference between the CBR1000RR-R and the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP version is the Ohlins suspension instead of Showa, Brembo front brakes instead of Nissin, a lithium-ion battery and a quickshifter.

First introduced in 1998, the Yamaha YZF-R1 waged a super-war in the battle for supremacy as the best sport bike. Razor-sharp and track-focused, the R1 street bike would see numerous revisions between 2000 – 2020.

In 2014, Yamaha introduced its limited edition YZF-R1M(MY2015) at the EICMA Show in Milan, Italy. Nine years later the features are endless: Dynamic Öhlins Racing suspension that adjusts front and rear on the fly via a dedicated Suspension Control Unit (SCU), Ohlins Gas-Charged NPX fork, a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to control the motorcycle's attitude and whole list of electronics that is just too long to cover.

If there is one company that knows how to make things go fast, it is Kawasaki. From aircraft to space rockets, Kawasaki has the engineering expertise to think things up and build them. In 2014, after many tormenting 15-second teasers of what was yet to come, Kawasaki introduced the Ninja H2, a supercharged based production motorcycle – a first for a motorcycle manufacturing company.

Based on the Ninja H2R, the 998cc Ninja H2's output and performance was on par with supersport liter-class motorcycles and today's version is no different. It comes with fully adjustable racing suspension, state-of-the-art electronics and Brembo Stylema Calipers. For a motorcycle whose high precision 12-blade supercharger impeller is driven at 9.2 times the crankshaft's speed (that's 130,000 revolutions a minute), and pulls harder in 5th gear than it does in 2nd, need we say more.

Related: 2023 Kawasaki Z H2 Review: You Better Hang On Tight

In 2015, the MV Agusta F4 RC was manufactured to comply with the WSBK homologation rules. Produced in limited numbers, the short-stroke "Corsacorta" engine first introduced in 2011 and was used to increase output in two versions - 205 horsepower with a standard exhaust system and 212 horsepower with a supplied race kit (SC Project single side titanium exhaust system with race ECU).

Benefiting heavily from weight reduction via the use of magnesium, titanium and carbon fiber material, the 2017 MV Agusta F4 Reparto Corsa is a befitting name to the motorcycle as it draws on Leon Camier's Superbike Championship bike. In the same red, white and green livery, the motorcycle also includes Öhlins suspension, Brembo GP brake calipers, quickshifter and a Bosch ABS 9 Plus unit with Race Mode. A true collector's item, only 250 numbers were ever produced with a box of goodies.

Introduced in 2020, the Ducati Panigale V4 R pushed the boundaries of performance with its 998cc Desmosedici Stradale R engine, derived from Ducati's MotoGP technology.

For 2023, the Ducati Panigale V4R puts out a ridiculous 240 horsepower at 16,000rpm (Ducati claim), but in Euro 5 format, that number is calmed down to 237 horsepower, due to the exhaust system's catalytic converter. This is 3 more horsepower than the 2020 model which put out 234. The V4R has all the race technology at its disposable with refinements being applied to the engine's connecting rods, pistons and the cylinder head's intake system. With this tech and help from the Shell Oil producing a special synthetic lube, the Ducati Panigale V4R is able to hit an extra 500 revs over the limiter. We dare you to ask for more.

The 1971 Kawasaki H2 (750SS Mach IV in Japan) was the world's fastest production motorcycle for it's time, delivering what Kawasaki called, "the most intense acceleration". Four decades later, that thought lives on in the Kawasaki Ninja H2R. Built in technical collaboration with the Aerospace Company, Gas Turbine & Machinery and Company Corporate Technology Division, Kawasaki did the unthinkable by developing the technology for the 2015 998cc supercharged based H2R motorcycle.

Not road-legal, but only for closed circuits and capable of speeds of over 248mph (326 horsepower and produces 121 foot-pounds of torque at 12,500rpm), the 2023 Ninja H2R features carbon fiber wings, a Bosch IMU with Kawasaki's dynamic modeling software, Kawasaki Launch Control Mode (KLCM), Kawasaki TRaction Control (KTRC), Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS), Kawasaki Engine Brake Control (KEBC), just to name a few - oh, and not to forget durable self-healing paint. The list is endless! If you're looking for some ludicrous speed and a vehicle out of a science-fiction movie, this is the motorcycle to buy. It's right up there with the Italian limited edition models, if not better.

No one expected BMW to come out with the S 1000 RR in 2009 - it shocked the world. Then in 2012, BMW comes out with the 193 horsepower HP4 stating they will continue to bring more riding aids from the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) to road-going motorcycles.

The 215 horsepower BMW HP4 has evolved into its best race version weighing in at 377lbs with its frame, wheels, subframe and swingarm, all manufactured out of carbon-fiber. BMW used a special Resin Transfer Molding process (a first for motorcycles) to get the frame to weigh in at only 17.2lbs. The frame is one piece and has no add-on parts to ensure the necessary strength and stiffness. The sub-frame is carbon-fiber too, but not molded using the RTM process, and the wheels were constructed using a braided method that helps reduce rotational inertia and gyroscopic forces while upping braking performance ten-fold. The BMW HP4 Race also has all the racing tech that makes it the third expensive motorcycle on the list.

Related: 10 Best BMW Motorcycles Ever Made

The Superleggera V4 only solidifies Ducati's capabilities in technology and engineering. Having already built Superleggeras in the 1199 and 1299 format, the V4 takes the new generation Superleggera name to another level altogether. Designed as the only motorcycle for legal road use with carbon fiber, the frame, swing arm and wheels are built with this racing age material with the aero package derived from the GP16.

The 998cc Super V4 is loaded with cutting-edge technology that gives it an unbeatable power to weight ratio of 1.54 horsepower/kilogram and produces 234 horsepower in race configuration. It is also accompanied by high-tech electronics, fully adjustable Öhlins suspension, Brembo Monoblock Stylema R calipers, and a GP20 like TFT display. With only 500 units produced, the additional goodies for the 2023 Ducati Superleggera V4 will have you grinning like a kid.

MV Agusta has produced so many limited edition motorcycles that you might think it's difficult to remember, but in actuality, each one has been so special that remembering them becomes easy. The MV Agusta F4 CC exemplifies engineering and performance.The CC stands for "Claudio Castiglioni," the late founder of MV Agusta, who said "I decided to put my name to this bike as I originally dreamed of it for myself". There's nothing wrong with that thought because the F4 CC is a stunning work of craftsmanship.

Powered by a 1078cc engine and equipped with top-of-the-line components that include Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes, each F4 CC is individually numbered and hand-assembled, ensuring exclusivity and attention to detail. Able to hit 195mph (314km/hr), and the most expensive on the list at $120,000, on purchase of the MV Agusta F4 CC, a matching numbered Girard-Perregaux watch and a Trussardi special leather jacket accompany it.

Tarun is a gearhead that has been riding and working on motorcycles for over 25 years. A certified Kawasaki and Ducati mechanic, Tarun loves working on motorcycles and is happy to have quit the software and gaming industry when he did. He has held the position of Manager for Service / Senior Manager for Sales & Marketing at India Kawasaki Motors Pvt. Ltd. and Manager for Service at Ducati India Pvt. Ltd. Born and raised in Rugby, England, he is now based in New Delhi, India spending his time consulting on setting up workshops when he can, working on motorcycles and all stuff that is cool. He considers himself fortunate to have ridden a lot of different motorcycles, thanks to a group (G.O.D.S) that he was once associated with and currently owns a Kawasaki ZX-11 and ZX-12R. He regrets not being able to keep a stable of motorcycles.