Motorcycle ridership has increased quite a bit in the last few years, and no doubt these excellent models have played a big role in the growth of the hobby.
The motorcycle market in the U.S. is booming, and it’s not because people are replacing their cars. Instead, it’s all about getting a fix of riding pleasure. Once empty mountain passes are now filled with sounds from all sorts of motorcycles. Off-road trails are increasingly filled with rugged bikes, and backpacking adventures have become the new hot thing among two-wheelers. The freedom, excitement, and camaraderie in the motorcycle world are quite unique, so more people are riding bikes today than ever before.
Of course, this has led to the emergence of many new bike categories. The motorcycle market is as vibrant as ever; just in the last decade, we’ve seen many great bikes being launched, from hyper-fast superbikes to wildly competent adventure machines. Bikes are becoming faster and more exciting than ever, while also being easier to ride thanks to advanced rider assistance systems.
With that said, some motorcycles stood out from the pack by bringing a truly unique riding experience. Some outshone their rivals by offering thrills at the cheap, while others set a new benchmark in performance and capability. Either way, these were the bikes that defined the last decade and proved tremendously popular among enthusiasts. Let’s dig in!Kawasaki Ninja H2 / H2R (2015-Present)
Perhaps no other motorcycle made as large of a headline as the one-of-a-kind 2026 Kawasaki Ninja H2R. Truly, no other bike on the market is like it. This is a sportbike equipped with a supercharged 998cc four-cylinder engine, which produces a ludicrous 321.5 hp and 121.5 lb-ft of torque. For reference, BMW’s racing homologation motorcycle, the M 1000 RR, produces 205 hp from its 998cc four-cylinder.
Yes, the H2R is a track-only motorcycle, but even then, it puts hypercars on notice with its performance potential. Like, it can reach over 260 mph! Two. Hundred. Sixty. Imagine the motion blur at that speed! Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that the supercharger swallows 200 liters of air near the 14,000-rpm redline — every second! Frightening, right? Kawasaki knows that and implemented its Kawasaki Launch Control Mode (KLCM) to assist with launches, with a lightweight trellis frame and Öhlins rear shock taking care of handling.
For those not brave enough to unleash all 32 hp from the H2R, Kawasaki made a street-oriented variant — the H2. With 240 hp and 104.9 lb-ft of torque, the H2 looks much tamer in comparison, but it’s still faster than any other superbike on the market. The top speed on the H2 is limited to 186 mph, but that’s true for any other superbike. Crucially, it retains the menacing looks from the H2R, with most of the aerodynamic enhancements.Ducati Panigale V4 / V4 R (2018-Present)
Since its launch in 2017, the exotic Panigale V4 has set new standards in the superbike category. As you’d expect from a Ducati, the bike has a unique V4 engine that produces more power than its inline-4 contemporaries, while allowing for a slimmer, wind-cheating bike.
In the latest 2025 Panigale V4, the Desmosedici Stradale V4 1,103cc unit produces 216 hp, or 225 hp with the track-only Akrapovic exhaust, which gets really close to the supercharged Kawasaki H2. But is the 2025 Kawasaki Panigale V4 too much for the road? Well, it’s true you can really only experience its full potential on the track. However, the Panigale V4 is a light (423 pounds) flickable bike that’s fun to ride at lower speeds, too. Upgrading to the V4 S model should make it even better to ride, thanks to the Öhlins NPX 30 fork, Öhlins TTX 36 shock, and Öhlins steering damper.
Still, the V4 R WorldSBK championship homologation special is the most track-focused Panigale of the bunch. Due to regulations, it has a smaller 998cc V4 engine, but it still produces 218 hp. Moreover, the Panigale V4 R weighs just 411 pounds, and comes with even more advanced aerodynamics, which brought Ducati the 2025 WorldSBK Manufacturers’ Title.Yamaha MT‑09 (2013-Present)
Ever since the introduction of the first-gen model in 2013, the Yamaha MT-09 has been one of the best naked motorcycles on the market. Handsome, fun to ride, and fast (847cc cross-plane three-cylinder with 113 hp), the MT-09 quickly resonated with buyers around the world.
Still, the second-gen model, launched in 2021, upped the ante quite significantly. With a brand-new, futuristic design and larger 890cc that produced 119 hp, the MT-09 MkII became an even bigger magnet for buyers. The characterful, three-cylinder engine only added to its appeal. It sounds throaty, yet refined, and gets angrier as the revolutions go up.
Still, it’s the riding dynamics that set the MT-09 apart from the competition. Thanks to the relatively low 417-pound curb weight, Yamaha’s hyper naked bike is agile, while the quickshifter allows for very smooth shifts. It’s a bike you’ll want to ride every day, no matter the environment. Highways. Twisty roads. Urban streets. You name it, the MT-09 delivers.
And frankly, for the performance and mechanical sophistication it offers, the MT-09 is a steal. In the U.S., it starts at just $11,424 with destination charges, which is significantly cheaper than the Ducati Monster 937 SP ($15,995) and Triumph Street Triple 765 RS ($13,925).Triumph Street Triple Mk V (2013-Present)
In the hyper naked bike category, the Triumph Street Triple would be the arch-rival to the Yamaha MT-09. In fact, Triumph’s motorcycle started the three-cylinder naked motorcycle craze back in 2007, replacing the four-cylinder Speed Four. Powered by the 675cc engine from the Daytona 675, good for 108 hp, the Speed Triple brought excitement to the naked bike segment.
Today, the Street Triple is in its fifth generation, and it’s better than ever. Powered by a 765cc engine, it produces 118 hp in the R model and 128 hp in the RS model. The Street Triple 765 RS also has adjustable rear Öhlins STX40 monoshock, Brembo Stylema four-caliper front brakes, and grippier Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V3 tires.
