A motorcycle engine is the heartbeat of the ride. Manufacturers sometimes build them for speed, others craft them for endurance, and a rare few manage to combine both. Over the years, engineers have pushed the limits of power and technology, creating engines that have redefined what motorcycles are capable of. Here are the most powerful motorcycle engines ever built.

Dodge Tomahawk V10 (8.3L, 500 HP)

This Dodge Viper engine is wedged into a two-wheeled frame. With a massive 500 horsepower from an 8.3-liter V10, the Tomahawk was more of a concept than a production bike. While its theoretical top speed exceeds 300 mph, no one has ever attempted to push it to these limits.

Kawasaki Ninja H2R (998cc, 322 HP)

The Ninja H2R’s supercharged 998cc inline-four remains the most powerful production motorcycle engine, now pushing 322 HP for 2025. Designed purely for track use, its centrifugal supercharger delivers blistering acceleration, and with revised aerodynamics, it can reach over 250 mph.

MTT 420-RR Turbine (420 HP)

MTT took things even further with the 420-RR, the most extreme iteration of their turbine-powered motorcycle. Running a Rolls-Royce 250-C20B turboshaft engine, it produces 420 HP and can hit speeds over 260 mph. It burns jet fuel, diesel, or kerosene, making it one of the most unconventional motorcycle engines ever put into production.

Ducati Panigale V4R (998cc, 237 HP With Race Kit)

Ducati’s 998cc V4R now makes 237 HP with the race exhaust, and this makes it the most extreme Panigale yet. The Desmodromic valve system allows for a mind-blowing 16,500 RPM redline. Its lightweight build and MotoGP-inspired engineering hoist it to the top of the “most aggressive V4 engines” ever made list. This one was built for pure track domination.

Honda RC213V-S (999cc, 215 HP)

The RC213V-S is essentially Honda’s MotoGP bike with street legality. The 999cc V4 makes 215 HP in unrestricted form, and every part of it screams high-performance precision. Hand-built by Honda’s racing division, this engine is as close as you can get to MotoGP engineering on a road bike. Collectors dream of one day owning one. 

Yamaha YZF-R1M (998cc, 200 HP)

The cross-plane inline-four in the 2025 Yamaha YZF-R1M remains one of the most refined liter-bike engines. Producing 200 HP with an updated ECU, it delivers a torquey, responsive ride. The MotoGP-derived technology, including the latest electronic aids, makes it an incredibly smooth and predictable engine, perfect for both street and track use.

Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory (1099cc, 217 HP)

Aprilia’s 1099cc V4 is a track weapon, pushing 217 HP with its aggressive powerband. The counter-rotating crankshaft reduces inertia, and this makes it nimble at high speeds. The engine is paired with advanced aerodynamics and an upgraded electronics package for 2025. For this reason, it is one of the most capable liter-class V4s in production.

KTM 1390 Super Duke R (1350cc, 190 HP)

KTM has taken “The Beast” to another level for 2025, upgrading the Super Duke R to a 1350cc V-Twin making 190 HP. It’s the most powerful production twin-cylinder engine ever, delivering brutal low-end torque with high-revving aggression. The latest ride-by-wire technology and an improved quick-shifter give it more explosive on the streets.

Honda Gold Wing (1833cc, 125 HP)

Not every powerful engine is about top speed. The Gold Wing’s 1833cc flat-six is built for effortless highway cruising. It produces 125 HP and 130 lb-ft of torque. It’s known for lasting hundreds of thousands of miles with minimal maintenance, and this awards it the position of a refined and reliable touring engine.

Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight 135 (2211cc, 130 HP)

Harley has upped the ante with the Milwaukee-Eight 135. Now producing 130 HP and 143 lb-ft of torque. Due to this, it’s the most powerful factory-produced Harley engine ever. Designed for torque-heavy acceleration, it’s built to dominate the road with its signature rumble and raw low-end power.