How Fast Do Motorcycles Accelerate? [Motorcycle 0-60 Times!]


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)
125-15010 – 15
200-2507 – 12
300-3505.5 – 8
400-5004.5 – 7
600-9003 – 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.

Model0-60 mph (s)
Ducati Diavel 1260 S2.5
MV Agusta F4 RC2.5
Yamaha FZ-102.5
BMW S1000R2.6
Ducati Monster 1200 S2.6
Ducati 899 Panigale2.6
KTM 1290 Super Duke R2.6
Yamaha YZF-R1M2.6
Aprilia RSV4 R APRC ABS2.7
Ducati 1199 Panigale2.7
KTM 1190 Adventure2.7
Suzuki GSX-R1000 ABS2.7
Triumph Rocket 32.7
Yamaha YZF-R1S2.7
Aprilia Tuono 1100 RR2.8
BMW R1200R2.8
BMW S1000R2.8
Ducati Multistrada 1200S2.8
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R2.8
BMW R1200GS2.9
BMW R nineT2.9
Ducati Monster 1200 R2.9
Ducati Panigale V4 S2.9
Honda CBR1000RR ABS2.9
KTM 990 Super Duke2.9
KTM 1290 Super Adventure2.9
KTM 1290 Super Duke R2.9
MV Agusta Brutale 800 Dragster2.9
Suzuki GSX-R7502.9
Suzuki GSX-R1000R2.9
Yamaha YZF-R1M2.9
Yamaha YZF-R12.9
Yamaha MT-092.9
Yamaha FZ-092.9
Ducati Hypermotard SP3.0
Harley-Davidson Livewire3.0
Kawasaki Z9003.0
Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE3.0
Kawasaki Z900RS3.0
KTM 1190 Adventure R3.0
Suzuki GSX-S7503.0
Yamaha XSR9003.0
Yamaha XSR9003.0
BMW S1000RR3.1
KTM 950 Adventure3.1
KTM RC8R3.1
KTM 990 Adventure Baja Edition3.1
KTM 790 Duke3.1
KTM 790 Duke3.1
Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS3.1
Honda CB1000R ABS3.2
MV Agusta F3 8003.2
Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin3.3
Honda CB650F3.3
KTM 990 Super Duke3.3
KTM 690 Duke3.3
Suzuki SV650 ABS3.3
Yamaha FZ-073.3
Yamaha MT-103.3
Honda Gold Wing Valkyrie3.4
Indian FTR12003.4
Aprilia Dorsoduro 12003.5
Honda CBR650R3.5
Honda CB1100EX3.5
Kawasaki Ninja 6503.5
Kawasaki Z6503.5
Aprilia Shiver 9003.6
Triumph Bonneville Bobber3.6
Triumph Street Triple3.6
Victory Octane3.6
Indian Scout3.7
KTM 950 Adventure S3.7
Triumph Tiger 800XCA3.7
Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S3.9
Honda Gold Wing Tour3.9
KTM 690 Duke3.9
Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE3.9
Harley-Davidson Sportster XR12004.0
Honda CTX1300 Deluxe4.0
Indian Challenger4.1
Norton Commando 961 Sport4.1
Moto Guzzi MGX-214.2
Victory Magnum X-14.2
Harley-Davidson Sportster 484.3
Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe4.3
Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special4.4
Harley-Davidson Street Rod4.5
Harley-Davidson Street Bob4.5
Indian Chief Classic4.5
Suzuki DR-Z400SM4.5
Harley-Davidson Breakout4.6
Harley-Davidson Street 7504.6
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide U. C.4.6
Indian Chieftain4.6
Kawasaki Ninja 4004.6
KTM RC3904.6
KTM RC3904.6
Ducati Scrambler Icon4.7
Harley-Davidson Roadster4.7
Indian Roadmaster4.7
BMW G650 XChallenge4.8
Victory Gunner4.8
Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra4.9
Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO4.9
Kawasaki W800 Cafe5.1
Yamaha YZF-R35.2
Aprilia Mana 8505.3
Yamaha YZF-R3 ABS5.3
KTM 350 EXC-F5.4
Royal Enfield Continental GT 6505.5
Kawasaki Ninja 300 ABS5.6
Honda XR650L5.8
Moto Guzzi V7 Special5.8
Kawasaki KLR6505.9
BMW G310 R6.0
Honda CBR300R ABS6.3
Honda CBR300R ABS6.5
Yamaha WR250R6.7
Yamaha SR4008.6
KTM 200 Duke8.9
Suzuki GSX-250R9.1
Royal Enfield Himalayan9.8
Suzuki TU250X11.8

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]

Category0-60 mph (s)
Motorcycle (125-150cc)10 – 15
Average truck7 – 13
Motorcycle (200-250cc)7 – 12
Average car6 – 10
Motorcycles (300-350cc)5.5 – 8
Average muscle car3.5 – 5.5
Motorcycle (400-900cc)3 – 7
Average supercar2.5 – 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

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