How fast do motorcycles accelerate? It’s safe to say that most production motorcycles can do the 0-60 mph run in 2.5-15 seconds. Besides their incredible acceleration, they also offer amazing top speeds. The fastest accelerating motorcycles are the drag racing bikes, which can reach 60 mph in less than 1 second!
If you would like to compare motorcycle 0-60 times and learn more about their acceleration in general, you are in the right place. We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled the specs of many popular models into one chart!
What is Acceleration on a Bike?
First, let’s start with some basic definitions.
What is acceleration on a bike? Based on the official definition, the acceleration of a motorcycle is when its velocity changes over time. This means that when a motorcycle accelerates, its speed is constantly increasing. Simply put, the formula is as follows: Acceleration = Change in Velocity / Change in Time
But as acceleration is not a constant value this formula is rarely used to calculate the acceleration of motorcycles.
Instead, in the real world the performance measure for the acceleration of motorcycles is the time the machine takes to accelerate from standstill to a certain speed.
In the US the most commonly used acceleration numbers are the 0-60 mph times, but 0-30 mph is also often used in cases of smaller motorcycles. Just like top speeds, these numbers can be easily measured and compared, which is why they have become so prevalent in the world of motorsports.
The smallest motorcycles with 100-200cc engines accelerate well in the 0-30 mph range, but need a lot more time to reach 60 mph. What’s more, many of them top out at only 30-50 mph.
Besides the 0-60 and 0-30 times, motorcycle acceleration is often measured in terms of going a quarter-mile distance, which is the accepted standard distance of drag races.
Factors that Affect Motorcycle Acceleration
Countless factor affects the acceleration of a motorcycle, but the main factors are always the type and performance of the machine. The general rule is the more HP the motorcycle has the faster it can accelerate.
However, the type of motorcycle (and its engine) is no less important. Four-cylinder motorcycles accelerate much faster while single-cylinder and twin-engine motorcycles are usually significantly slower.
This is why most cruiser motorcycles can typically achieve a speed of 60 mph in only 4-6 seconds. In contrast, big-bore sportbikes can do the same run in 2.5 seconds, even with the same size engines.
Also, many other important factors affect a bike’s acceleration from the characteristics of the rider to environmental conditions. Keep in mind that just a little modification on the machine (like replacing its rear sprocket) can have a noticeable effect on its performance.
In summary, the most important factors in motorcycle acceleration are as follows:
- Type, settings, and condition of the motorcycle
- Engine performance and type (2 stroke/4 stroke)
- Transmission and drivetrain
- Cooling system (air cooled/liquid cooled)
- Weight (and power/weight ratio)
- Size of the wheels and the quality of the tires
- Rider’s weight, size, and skills
- Environmental conditions
How Fast Do Motorcycles Accelerate?
There is no question that motorcycles accelerate extremely fast. The fastest stock sportbikes can reach 60 mph in about 2.5 seconds! This means that production sportbikes (which only cost $15,000-$20,000) offer the same acceleration as the world’s fastest supercars like the Bugatti Chiron or Lamborghini Aventador.
Motorcycles can beat not only the fastest street-legal cars but accelerate faster than F1 cars and even airplanes. If you have any doubts, don’t miss this drag race between these vehicles!
How Fast Can a Motorcycle Go from 0 to 60 mph?
How fast can a motorcycle go from 0 to 60 mph? This is a typical question of many beginner riders. Speaking of production machines, even the smallest 125-250cc motorcycles can go from 0 to 60 mph in about 7-15 seconds. The bigger bikes powered with 300-500cc engines can do the 0-60 run in 4.5-8 seconds while the heavy bikes with 1000-2000cc engines can reach the same speed in 2.5-4 seconds.
For better comparisons, we’ve compiled the 0-60 times of the main motorcycle categories into one chart!
Motorcycle Acceleration Chart
| Motorcycle category (cc) | 0-60 mph (s) |
| 125-150 | 10 – 15 |
| 200-250 | 7 – 12 |
| 300-350 | 5.5 – 8 |
| 400-500 | 4.5 – 7 |
| 600-900 | 3 – 6 |
| 1000+ | 2.5 – 5 |
These numbers are for general informational purposes only!
Beware that you may find some models that can accelerate faster or even slower than shown in the chart, but it’s safe to say that the performance of most stock motorcycles falls within these ranges.
Motorcycle 0-60 Times [Chart]
Besides the average numbers by category, we’ve also compiled the 0-60 times of many of the most popular motorcycle models under one roof.
| Model | 0-60 mph (s) |
| Ducati Diavel 1260 S | 2.5 |
| MV Agusta F4 RC | 2.5 |
| Yamaha FZ-10 | 2.5 |
| BMW S1000R | 2.6 |
| Ducati Monster 1200 S | 2.6 |
| Ducati 899 Panigale | 2.6 |
| KTM 1290 Super Duke R | 2.6 |
| Yamaha YZF-R1M | 2.6 |
| Aprilia RSV4 R APRC ABS | 2.7 |
| Ducati 1199 Panigale | 2.7 |
| KTM 1190 Adventure | 2.7 |
| Suzuki GSX-R1000 ABS | 2.7 |
| Triumph Rocket 3 | 2.7 |
| Yamaha YZF-R1S | 2.7 |
| Aprilia Tuono 1100 RR | 2.8 |
| BMW R1200R | 2.8 |
| BMW S1000R | 2.8 |
| Ducati Multistrada 1200S | 2.8 |
| Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R | 2.8 |
| BMW R1200GS | 2.9 |
| BMW R nineT | 2.9 |
| Ducati Monster 1200 R | 2.9 |
| Ducati Panigale V4 S | 2.9 |
| Honda CBR1000RR ABS | 2.9 |
| KTM 990 Super Duke | 2.9 |
| KTM 1290 Super Adventure | 2.9 |
| KTM 1290 Super Duke R | 2.9 |
| MV Agusta Brutale 800 Dragster | 2.9 |
| Suzuki GSX-R750 | 2.9 |
| Suzuki GSX-R1000R | 2.9 |
| Yamaha YZF-R1M | 2.9 |
| Yamaha YZF-R1 | 2.9 |
| Yamaha MT-09 | 2.9 |
| Yamaha FZ-09 | 2.9 |
| Ducati Hypermotard SP | 3.0 |
| Harley-Davidson Livewire | 3.0 |
| Kawasaki Z900 | 3.0 |
| Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE | 3.0 |
| Kawasaki Z900RS | 3.0 |
| KTM 1190 Adventure R | 3.0 |
| Suzuki GSX-S750 | 3.0 |
| Yamaha XSR900 | 3.0 |
| Yamaha XSR900 | 3.0 |
| BMW S1000RR | 3.1 |
| KTM 950 Adventure | 3.1 |
| KTM RC8R | 3.1 |
| KTM 990 Adventure Baja Edition | 3.1 |
| KTM 790 Duke | 3.1 |
| KTM 790 Duke | 3.1 |
| Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS | 3.1 |
| Honda CB1000R ABS | 3.2 |
| MV Agusta F3 800 | 3.2 |
| Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin | 3.3 |
| Honda CB650F | 3.3 |
| KTM 990 Super Duke | 3.3 |
| KTM 690 Duke | 3.3 |
| Suzuki SV650 ABS | 3.3 |
| Yamaha FZ-07 | 3.3 |
| Yamaha MT-10 | 3.3 |
| Honda Gold Wing Valkyrie | 3.4 |
| Indian FTR1200 | 3.4 |
| Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 | 3.5 |
| Honda CBR650R | 3.5 |
| Honda CB1100EX | 3.5 |
| Kawasaki Ninja 650 | 3.5 |
| Kawasaki Z650 | 3.5 |
| Aprilia Shiver 900 | 3.6 |
| Triumph Bonneville Bobber | 3.6 |
| Triumph Street Triple | 3.6 |
| Victory Octane | 3.6 |
| Indian Scout | 3.7 |
| KTM 950 Adventure S | 3.7 |
| Triumph Tiger 800XCA | 3.7 |
| Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S | 3.9 |
| Honda Gold Wing Tour | 3.9 |
| KTM 690 Duke | 3.9 |
| Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE | 3.9 |
| Harley-Davidson Sportster XR1200 | 4.0 |
| Honda CTX1300 Deluxe | 4.0 |
| Indian Challenger | 4.1 |
| Norton Commando 961 Sport | 4.1 |
| Moto Guzzi MGX-21 | 4.2 |
| Victory Magnum X-1 | 4.2 |
| Harley-Davidson Sportster 48 | 4.3 |
| Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe | 4.3 |
| Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special | 4.4 |
| Harley-Davidson Street Rod | 4.5 |
| Harley-Davidson Street Bob | 4.5 |
| Indian Chief Classic | 4.5 |
| Suzuki DR-Z400SM | 4.5 |
| Harley-Davidson Breakout | 4.6 |
| Harley-Davidson Street 750 | 4.6 |
| Harley-Davidson Electra Glide U. C. | 4.6 |
| Indian Chieftain | 4.6 |
| Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 4.6 |
| KTM RC390 | 4.6 |
| KTM RC390 | 4.6 |
| Ducati Scrambler Icon | 4.7 |
| Harley-Davidson Roadster | 4.7 |
| Indian Roadmaster | 4.7 |
| BMW G650 XChallenge | 4.8 |
| Victory Gunner | 4.8 |
| Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra | 4.9 |
| Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO | 4.9 |
| Kawasaki W800 Cafe | 5.1 |
| Yamaha YZF-R3 | 5.2 |
| Aprilia Mana 850 | 5.3 |
| Yamaha YZF-R3 ABS | 5.3 |
| KTM 350 EXC-F | 5.4 |
| Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 | 5.5 |
| Kawasaki Ninja 300 ABS | 5.6 |
| Honda XR650L | 5.8 |
| Moto Guzzi V7 Special | 5.8 |
| Kawasaki KLR650 | 5.9 |
| BMW G310 R | 6.0 |
| Honda CBR300R ABS | 6.3 |
| Honda CBR300R ABS | 6.5 |
| Yamaha WR250R | 6.7 |
| Yamaha SR400 | 8.6 |
| KTM 200 Duke | 8.9 |
| Suzuki GSX-250R | 9.1 |
| Royal Enfield Himalayan | 9.8 |
| Suzuki TU250X | 11.8 |
Source: Zeroto60times. This chart is for general informational purposes only! Keep in mind that the acceleration of a motorcycle depends on many factors like the rider’s characteristics and environmental conditions.
Which Motorcycle Accelerates the Fastest?
The Fastest Accelerating Stock Motorcycles
The fastest accelerating motorcycles are the big-bore sportbikes, as many of them can do the 0-60 mph run in 2.5-3 seconds. These motorcycles typically feature 1000-1300cc, 4-cylinder engines that produce about 120-200 HP. The body of these machines is also covered with full fairing for minimum air resistance.
Are you wondering which motorcycles on the market do the fastest 0 to 60 mph run? For your convenience, we’ve gathered some of the fastest accelerating bikes in one list:
- Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R
- Kawasaki Ninja H2R
- Suzuki GSX-R1000R
- Honda CBR1000RR
- Yamaha YZF-R1M
- Ducati Panigale V4 S
- MV AGUSTA F4 1000R
- Aprilia RSV4
How fast do drag motorcycles accelerate?
Drag motorcycles are among the fastest accelerating vehicles on the planet since they can reach 60 mph in less than 1 second. Yes, this is not a typo. These amazing motorcycles are powered with 1000-1500 HP engines and can reach 60 mph in 0.7 seconds, and 250 mph in under 6 seconds.
Related Questions about Motorcycle Acceleration
How Fast do MotoGP Bikes Accelerate?
Just like their street-legal siblings, MotoGP bikes accelerate crazy fast, as they can go from 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds. Regarding faster speeds, these motorcycles can reach 200 mph in about 10-11 seconds!
Do Motorcycles Accelerate Faster Than Cars?
Yes, the general understanding is that motorcycles can accelerate faster than cars. Why? Thanks to their lightweight and small bodies, motorcycles have a much better power to weight ratio and less wind resistance. These factors result in higher performance and better acceleration.
However, this is strongly dependent on the type and performance of the vehicle. Motorcycles with 100cc-150cc engines typically accelerate slower than the average car. That’s why 250cc-500cc motorcycles are a better choice for commuting.
These bikes offer the same acceleration as the average car; thus, they can easily keep up with traffic.
Let’s compare car vs. motorcycle acceleration numbers in one chart!
Car vs. Motorcycle Acceleration Times [0-60 mph]
| Category | 0-60 mph (s) |
| Motorcycle (125-150cc) | 10 – 15 |
| Average truck | 7 – 13 |
| Motorcycle (200-250cc) | 7 – 12 |
| Average car | 6 – 10 |
| Motorcycles (300-350cc) | 5.5 – 8 |
| Average muscle car | 3.5 – 5.5 |
| Motorcycle (400-900cc) | 3 – 7 |
| Average supercar | 2.5 – 3 |
| Motorcycle (1000+cc) | 2.5 – 5 |
Again, these are pretty average numbers as the performance and features of the vehicles vary widely. However, this chart can give you a basic understanding of the difference between car and motorcycle acceleration figures.
Why can a motorcycle accelerate faster than a truck?
Trucks are pretty heavy vehicles; therefore, they have a much worse power to weight ratio, which is why motorcycles accelerate much faster than trucks! They offer much better performance thanks to their lightweight and small body.
How do You Accelerate a Motorcycle?
To accelerate a motorcycle, put it in first gear and progressively increase the throttle while releasing the clutch. Then continue adding throttle and completely release the clutch. For the smoothest performance, use all of the gears! Here’s a good video on how to accelerate a motorcycle:
Conclusion
The average motorcycle can accelerate faster than both cars and trucks thanks to its better power-to-weight ratio and lower air resistance.
The average motorcycle can accelerate very fast, meaning that it can do the 0-60 mph run in 5-10 seconds.
The slowest motorcycles are the “small-bore” bikes with 100-250cc engines, as these models take about 7-15 seconds to achieve 60 mph. Their bigger brothers, the 300-500cc class, can do the same run in 4.5-8 seconds.
The fastest accelerating production motorcycles are the 1000+cc sportbikes, as many of them can hit 60 mph in about 2.5-3.0 seconds.
References:
https://www.zeroto60times.com/body-style/motorcycle/
http://www.kingracing.com/topfuelbikes.php
