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Raleigh also made mopeds in the late 1950s and 1960s as the bicycle market declined. The most popular of which was the RM6 Runabout. This model featured unsprung front forks and a cycle type calliper front brake which made it a very affordable mode of transport. Because of its success, production continued until February 1971; 17 months after Raleigh had stopped manufacturing all other mopeds.Raleigh revisited the chopper design in recent times, with great success although the new version has had some changes to conform to modern safety laws. Gone is the top tube shifter and long integrated seat, but the look and feel of the bike remain.

In 1987, the leading German bicycle manufacturer Derby Cycle bought Raleigh from Ti and Raleigh USA from Huffy. In 1988, Derby opened a factory in Kent, Washington manufacturing two Raleigh lines, the bimetallic Technium road bike line, which used heat-treated aluminum main frame tubes, thermally bonded and heat-cured to internal steel lugs using a Boeing-developed proprietary epoxy — along with chromoly steel head tube and rear stays. Kent also manufactured the off-road chromoly steel Altimetric line (Tangent CX, Traverse CX, Tactic CX and Talon CX 1991-1992). The factory closed in 1994. All Raleigh Cycle Company of America parts and frames from 1995 on were then mass-produced in China and Taiwan and assembled in other plants.In 1930, the company acquired the rights to the Ivy Karryall, a motorcycle fitted with a cabin for cargo and a hood for the driver. Raleigh’s version was called the Light Delivery Van and had a chain drive. A two-passenger version was followed by Raleigh’s first three-wheel car, the Safety Seven. It was a four-seat convertible with shaft drive and a maximum speed of 55 mph (89 km/h). A saloon version was planned, but Raleigh shut its motor department to concentrate on bicycles again. Chief designer T. L. Williams took the equipment and remaining parts and moved to Tamworth, where his company produced three-wheelers for 65 years. The leftover parts from Raleigh carried an “R”, so Williams chose a matching name: Reliant.

Raleigh’s sports roadster, or British racer bicycles were exported around the world, including the United States. The company continued to increase imports to the United States until 1955, when a rate increase in foreign bicycle tariffs caused a shift in imports in favour of bicycles from West Germany and the Netherlands. However, this proved only a temporary setback, and by 1964, Raleigh was again a major selling brand in the US bicycle market.

By 2003, assembly of bicycles had ended in the UK with 280 assembly and factory staff made redundant, and bicycles were to come “from Vietnam and other centres of ‘low-cost, high-quality’ production.” with final assembly taking place in Cloppenburg, Germany.The high-end framesets offered for sale in Raleigh catalogues together with the frames built for Team riders were produced in Ilkeston by the Special Bicycle Development Unit (SBDU) from 1974 onward under the guidance of Gerald O’Donovan; production was moved to the Lightweight Facility in Nottingham, albeit on a much reduced workforce, on closure of the Ilkeston factory in 1986.

In Frank Bowden’s own lifetime, Raleigh publicity material stated that the firm was founded in 1888, which was when Bowden, as he himself confirmed, first bought into the enterprise. Thus, Raleigh’s 30th anniversary was celebrated in 1918. The 1888 foundation date is confirmed by Bowden’s great-grandson, Gregory Houston Bowden, who states that Frank Bowden “began to negotiate with Woodhead and Angois and in December 1888 founded ‘The Raleigh Cycle Company’.” The December 1888 foundation date is also confirmed by Nottinghamshire Archives. In recent years, the Raleigh company has cited 1887 as a foundation date but, whilst this pre-dates Bowden’s involvement, the Raleigh brand name was created by Woodhead and Angois and the enterprise can, as demonstrated above, be traced back to 1885.

Raleigh Canada had a factory in Waterloo, Quebec from 1972 to 2013. Derby Cycle acquired Diamondback Bicycles in 1999. In the same year, Raleigh ceased volume production of frames in the UK and its frame-making equipment were sold by auction.

Under Bowden’s guidance, Raleigh expanded rapidly. By 1891, the company occupied not only Clarke’s factory but also Woodroffe’s Factory and Russell Street Mills. In November 1892, Raleigh signed a tenancy agreement for rooms in Butler’s factory on the other side of Russell Street. Shortly after this, the company also occupied Forest Road Mill. (Forest Road junctions with Russell Street at the opposite end from Raleigh Street.)In April 2012, Raleigh UK, Canada and USA were acquired by a separate Dutch group Accell for £62m (US$100m), whose portfolio included the Lapierre and Ghost bicycle brands.

However, the RSW lacked the Moulton’s suspension, which compensated for the bumpy ride that comes with small wheels. Instead, Raleigh fitted the RSW with balloon tyres, which effectively smoothed the ride but at the cost of increased rolling resistance. Nevertheless, the RSW was pleasant to ride, and Raleigh’s extensive retail network ensured its success.

Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, the 1958 debut novel by Alan Sillitoe, is partly set in Raleigh’s Nottingham factory, Sillitoe himself being an ex-employee of the firm. Several scenes for the 1960 film adaptation starring Albert Finney were filmed on location at the factory itself. In the 1985 movie American Flyers, David Sommers played by David Marshall Grant, is seen riding through St. Louis, Missouri, on a Raleigh bicycle from that same era. Later in the film, specialized bicycles are used for the race scenes in Colorado and training. In the 1986 bike messenger film Quicksilver a variety of Raleigh USA bicycles are used. 1984–85 road bikes are used throughout by notable players in the movie. Kevin Bacon’s bicycle is a singlespeed ’84 Raleigh Competition. While no differentiation is made in the film, at least three different configurations are seen on Bacon’s bike during the movie: fixed-gear, singlespeed, and outfitted with 0-degree trick forks during various scenes in Bacon’s apartment. A possible freewheel is suggested early in the film when Bacon dismounts while in motion and a distinct clicking sound is heard until the bike stops moving. A 1984/5 Raleigh Grand Prix is used for the opening chase sequence, and a 1984 or ’85 Super Course makes a brief appearance in the opening credits. In 2019, Raleigh ‘s electric bikes featured in episode 4 of the 2019 season of The Apprentice.The Raleigh Chopper was designed by Nottingham native Alan Oakley, though this has been disputed by Cambridge designer Tom Karen. The Chopper was patented in the UK in 1967 and patented in the US in 1968. The bike was the “must have” item and signifier of “coolness” for many children at the time. The Chopper was first available for sale in June 1969 in North America. It went on sale in the UK in 1970 and sold well, and was a key factor in reviving the company’s fortunes. The Chopper featured a 3-speed Sturmey-Archer gear hub, shifted using a top-tube mounted gear lever reminiscent of the early Harley-Davidson suicide shifter — one of its “cool” features. Other differences were the unusual frame, long padded seat with backrest, sprung suspension at the back, high-rise handlebars, and differently sized front (16″) and rear (20″) wheels. Tyres were wider than usual for the time, with a chunky tread on the rear wheel, featuring red highlights on the sidewall. The price was from approximately £32 for a standard Chopper to £55 for the deluxe. Two smaller versions, the Chipper and Tomahawk, also sold well.

In 1931 their new headquarters in the Howitt Building on Lenton Boulevard was complete. This building was designed by Thomas Cecil Howitt and won a RIBA Bronze Medal. In 2018 the building was Grade II listed.Nearly two years later, the 11 April 1887 issue of The Nottingham Evening Post contained a display advertisement for the Raleigh ‘Safety’ model under the new banner ‘Woodhead, Angois, and Ellis. Russell Street Cycle Works.’ William Ellis had recently joined the partnership and provided much-needed financial investment. Like Woodhead and Angois, Ellis’s background was in the lace industry. He was a lace gasser, a service provider involved in the bleaching and treating of lace, with premises in nearby Clare Street and Glasshouse Street. Thanks to Ellis, the bicycle works had now expanded round the corner from Raleigh Street into former lace works on the adjoining road, Russell Street. By 1888, the company was making about three cycles a week and employed around half a dozen men. It was one of 15 bicycle manufacturers based in Nottingham at that time.

In 1899, Raleigh started to build motorcycles and in 1903, introduced the Raleighette, a belt-driven three-wheel motorcycle with the driver in the back and a wicker seat for the passenger between the two front wheels. Financial losses meant production lasted only until 1908.The success of the RSW took sales away from the Moulton and put that maker into financial difficulties. Raleigh then bought out Moulton and produced both bikes until 1974. Raleigh also produced a sister model to the RSW, the ‘Twenty’, which was more successful and which remained in production well into the 1980s. In 2000, Derby Cycle controlled Raleigh USA, Raleigh UK, Raleigh Canada, and Raleigh Ireland. In the latter three markets, Raleigh was the number-one manufacturer of bicycles. Derby Cycle began a series of divestitures, because of financial pressure and sold Sturmey-Archer’s factory site to the University of Nottingham and Sturmey-Archer and saddle manufacturer Brooks to a small company called Lenark. Lenark promised to build a new factory in Calverton but failed to pay the first instalment and the company entered liquidation. It was reported that the reason for selling the business, after extracting the cash for the factory site, was to have Lenark declare it insolvent so that neither Derby nor Lenark would have to pay the redundancy costs. Sturmey-Archer’s assets were acquired by SunRace of Taiwan who relocated the factory to Taiwan and sales to the Netherlands. Sister company Brooks was sold to Selle Royal of Italy. A much expanded version of the text of this book, with full academic referencing, is held by the National Cycle Archive at Warwick University for the benefit of serious researchers.When Frank Bowden got involved with the enterprise, the works comprised three small workshops and a greenhouse. As Woodhead, Angois and Ellis, the firm had expanded round the corner from Raleigh Street into Russell Street, where also stood Clarke’s five-storey former lace factory. To enable further expansion of the business, Bowden financed the renting of this property and installation of new machinery.In the early part of 1887, while looking for a good specimen of the then new safety bicycle, I came across a Raleigh in London. Its patent changeable gear and other special features struck me as superior to all the others I had seen, and I purchased one upon which I toured extensively through France, Italy and England during 1887 and 1888. In the autumn of the latter year, happening to pass through Nottingham, and with the idea of, if possible, getting a still more up-to-date machine, I called upon Messrs. Woodhead and Angois, the originators and makers of the Raleigh … The Raleigh Bicycle Company is a British bicycle manufacturer based in Nottingham, England and founded by Woodhead and Angois in 1885. Using Raleigh as their brand name, it is one of the oldest bicycle companies in the world. After being acquired by Frank Bowden in December 1888, it became The Raleigh Cycle Company, which was registered as a limited liability company in January 1889. By 1913, it was the largest bicycle manufacturing company in the world. From 1921 to 1935, Raleigh also produced motorcycles and three-wheel cars, leading to the formation of Reliant Motors. Raleigh bicycle is now a division of the Dutch corporation Accell. While bicycle production had steadily risen through the mid-1950s, the British market began to decline with the increasing affordability and popularity of the motor car. For much of the postwar era, British bicycle manufacturers had largely competed with each other in both the home and export markets, but 1956 saw the formation of the British Cycle Corporation by the Tube Investments Group which already owned Phillips, Hercules, Armstrong, and Norman. In 1957, Raleigh bought the BSA Cycles Ltd., BSA’s bicycle division, which gave them exclusive use of the former brand names New Hudson and Sunbeam. Raleigh also already owned the Robin Hood brand, and Three Spires with Triumph (cycles) also at their disposal.There was a resurgence in domestic and export demand for pedal bicycles and by February 1932 Raleigh had acquired all the Humber Limited trade marks. Manufacture was transferred to Raleigh’s Nottingham works. Raleigh-made Humbers differed from Raleighs only in chainwheels, fork crowns and some brakework.

In 1979, production of Raleigh 531 butted-tube bicycles reached 10,000 units a year. In 1981, the former Carlton factory at Worksop closed after a vote was held. The original decision to continue at Worksop was reversed but the management decided to go with the original decision, and by the autumn production was moved to a Lightweights facility at Nottingham. However, all bicycles made there afterward still carried the W for Worksop frame number designation until early 1990. In 1982, rights to the Raleigh USA name were purchased by the Huffy Corporation after decades of being the US distributor of Raleigh bikes from England. Under the terms of the agreement, Raleigh of England licensed Huffy to design and distribute Raleigh bicycles in the US, and Huffy was given instant access to a nationwide network of bike shops. The renamed Raleigh Cycle Company of America sold their bikes in the US. In the rest of the world, origin varied. The majority of territories received bikes from Raleigh in England, but other markets such as South Africa and India for example, had their own independently owned “Raleigh” companies like with Huffy in the US. At that time, production of some U.S. Raleigh models were shifted to Japan, with Bridgestone manufacturing most of these bikes. By 1984, all Raleighs for the American market, except the top-of-the range Team Professional (made in Ilkeston) and Prestige road bikes (made in Nottingham), were produced in the Far East. Meanwhile, in the home market, Raleigh had broken into the new UK BMX market with their Burner range, which was very successful.

Bowden created a business which, by 1913, was the biggest bicycle manufacturing company in the world, occupying seven and a half acres in purpose-built premises completed in 1897 at Faraday Road, Lenton, Nottingham. It subsequently became very much bigger. Many say that Bowden invented the Bowden cable but there is no evidence to support this myth.In 2006, the Raleigh Chopper was named in the list of British design icons in the Great British Design Quest organised by the BBC and the Design Museum.

In 2001, following continuing financial problems at Derby Cycle, there was a management buy-out of all the remaining Raleigh companies led by Alan Finden-Crofts.Frank Bowden, a recent convert to cycling who on medical advice had toured extensively on a tricycle, first saw a Raleigh bicycle in a shop window in Queen Victoria Street, London, about the time that William Ellis’s investment in the cycle workshop was beginning to take effect. Bowden described how this led to him visiting the Raleigh works:In 1939, Raleigh opened a bicycle factory at 6 Hanover Quay, Dublin, Ireland and commenced bicycle production there. The Raleigh (Ireland) business expanded and moved to 8–11 Hanover Quay, Dublin in 1943. The plant produced complete bicycles and Sturmey-Archer hubs, and remained in production until 1976, when the factory burned down. Models produced there latterly were the Chopper and Triumph 20. The head badges changed in the late 1960s, possibly after the passing of the Trade Descriptions Act in the UK. Dublin-made machines no longer had “Nottingham England” on the Heron or Triumph head badge, the panel being left blank instead.Sir Frank Bowden died in 1921 and his son Sir Harold Bowden, 2nd Baronet took over as chairman and chief executive, guiding the company through the next 17 years of expansion. The company established by Bowden in December 1888 was still privately owned with unlimited public liability. In January 1889, it became the first of a series of limited liability companies with Raleigh in its name. It had a nominal capital of £20,000, half of which was provided by Frank Bowden. Paul Angois was appointed director responsible for product design, Richard Woodhead was made director responsible for factory management, and Frank Bowden became chairman and managing director. Some shares were made available to small investors and local businessmen, but take-up was minimal, and Bowden ended up buying most of the public shares. He subsequently supplied virtually all the capital needed to expand the firm. One consequence of the vertically-integrated approach was that Raleigh did not adopt ISO threading standards and dimensions until the 1980s for some of its range (premium models were standardised earlier). The bottom bracket shell of the hugely successful Twenty range of shopper bikes, the Chopper and even the 1976 Grifter, all had a Raleigh exclusive 76mm wide bottom bracket shell. Headsets and bottom brackets use Raleigh exclusive 26 threads per inch (TPI) threading (until 1974 when some models reverted to the standard 24 TPI.) There were even models that had a mixture of both, with the fork thread being different to the bottom bracket thread. Indeed, the 1981 Raleigh Bomber had the original Raleigh 26 TPI threading despite the earlier Grifter model and Chopper (1974 on) having already reverted to 24 TPI.

The history of Raleigh bicycles started in 1885, when Richard Morriss Woodhead from Sherwood Forest, and Paul Eugene Louis Angois, a French citizen, set up a small bicycle workshop in Raleigh Street, Nottingham, England. In the spring of that year, they started advertising in the local press. The Nottinghamshire Guardian of 15 May 1885 printed what was possibly the first Woodhead and Angois classified advertisement.During the Second World War, the Raleigh factory in Nottingham was used for the production of fuzes. Bicycle production was reduced to approximately 5% of its peacetime capacity.BSA had itself acquired Triumph Cycle Co. Ltd. only five years previously. Ti added the Sun bicycle company to their stable in 1958, and with two “super groups” now controlling a large portion of the market, it was perhaps inevitable that in 1960, Tube Investments acquired Raleigh and merged the British Cycle Corporation with Raleigh to form TI–Raleigh, which now had 75% of the UK market. TI–Raleigh then acquired Carlton Cycles in Worksop, England that same year, at the time one of the largest semi-custom lightweight makers in the UK. Ti Raleigh gave total control of its cycle division to Raleigh and soon set about marketing many of the acquired names as budget ranges, though with Raleigh frames. The old Lines Bros. factory at Handsworth, acquired in 1971, produced non Raleigh branded product well into the 1980s, together with Raleigh branded models such as the popular Raleigh Arena. However, the majority of Raleigh branded models were built in the main plant at Nottingham. Sun branded bicycles were made in the Carlton factory at Worksop, England. In 2009 it was announced that the company would be creating a new Continental-level cycling team called Team Raleigh. The Team were co-sponsored by the global shipping and logistics firm GAC in 2012 and were known as Team Raleigh-GAC. The season was notable for Team Raleigh’s first victory in the Tour Series Round 6 and a succession of Premier Calendar wins, which resulted in team rider Graham Briggs finishing the season at the top of British Cycling’s UK Elite Men’s standings. Raleigh once again became the sole headline sponsor of the team in 2013 and the team re-paid the investment with high-profile wins in the Tour de Normandie, Tour of the Reservoir and Tour Series Rounds 1 and 2. Raleigh decided to withdraw from supporting a road team at the end of the 2017 season With the surge in scooter ownership in the UK, Raleigh built a small Italian scooter, the Bianchi Orsetto 80, under licence, sold as the Raleigh Roma, with production continuing until 1964.After World War II, Raleigh became known for its lightweight sports roadster bicycles, often using Sturmey-Archer three and five-speed transmissions. These cycles were considerably lighter and quicker than either the old heavy English utility roadster or the American “balloon-tire” cruiser bikes. In 1946, Raleigh and other English bicycle manufacturers accounted for 95% of the bicycles imported into the United States.

It’s pushing the boundaries when it comes to the word “production motorcycle,” however, there’s no getting away from the fact the MTT 420-RR is the world’s fastest motorcycle with a top speed of more than 273 mph (440 km/h). Jay Leno once described the MTT Turbine as “the hand of God pushing you in the back” thus cementing its status as a living legend.

When Kawasaki released the Ninja H2 it defined a whole new category of motorcycle, opening the gates to the ‘Hypersport’ category. Although, it’s fair to say that the first in the segment remains the best. It starts with the 998cc in-line four-cylinder supercharged engine, and while it’s not the first time forced induction made its way to a sports bike, it’s the most famous application of them all.If you have a need for speed, then the fastest motorcycles in the world are right up your alley. While the uber-expensive MTT 420-RR remains the fastest motorcycle in the world with a top speed of 273mph, there are plenty of affordable production options that offer you plenty of bang for your buck. Think of brands like Ducati, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and even BMW as the front runners. Closing in on the Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition is the new Panigale V4 R. With a top speed of 199 mph but nearly 40hp more than the outgoing model, you’d be forgiven for thinking newer means faster. Ultimately, with the right gearset and tires, it would likely best its predecessor, but facts are facts. Instead, this is the best Ducati ever for those looking to tackle a race track. We’ve never seen a bike adopt such closely-related technical solutions from MotoGP and WorldSBK. Originally created for the 2009 Superbike World Championship, the BMW S 1000 RR is now yours to own. Touting a lightweight frame and an updated 999 CC 16-valve engine, the bike optimises its suspension by way of an upgraded power curve and Dynamic Damping Control. It can go from 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds.

The Lightning LS-218 claimed the title as the fastest street-legal motorcycle in 2014, it also happens to be electric. It runs on an IPM liquid-cooled 10,500 rpm electric motor and goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.2 seconds flat. A race-modified version defeated both gasoline and electric counterparts at the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, becoming the first vehicle of any type to win a professional road race using solar power. Expect similar efficiency and speed from the street-legal variant, which isn’t to mention its downright sleek design. Custom-made to order and ridiculously expensive at more than USD$250,000 this bike actually holds two records, one for speed, and a second as the Guinness World Record most expensive motorcycle in production. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Allison gas turbine engine, the MTT 420-RR can accelerate from 0-60 mph in a claimed time of just 2.5 seconds. With a top speed of more than 209 mph, the only question is how far can you push it? Just as suitable for track work, we love the KYB AOS-II front fork and Öhlins TTX36 rear shock, alongside the Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS) which sounds epic. You’re going to need every bit of the Kawasaki 9-step Traction Control (KTRC) system with more power than a typical hot-hatch.Man of Many provides content of a general nature that is designed for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment or for professional financial advice. Click here for additional information.

Ben lives in Sydney, Australia. He has a Bachelor’s Degree (Media, Technology and the Law) from Macquarie University (2020). Outside of his studies, he has spent the last decade heavily involved in the automotive, technology and fashion world. Turning his passion and expertise into a Journalist position at Man of Many where he continues to write about everything that interests the modern man. Conducting car reviews on both the road and track, hands-on reviews of cutting-edge technology and employing a vast knowledge in the space of fashion and sneakers to his work. One day he hopes to own his own brand.While there may be faster motorcycles in production, our list tackles those motorbikes that are in regular production and available to purchase year-round. Taking into account stock-standard specifications with no after-market upgrades or updates, we’ve included bikes that you can buy right now.

When first released in 1999, this mechanical masterpiece broke speed records for production models by previously unheard-of margins. That prompted a “speed war” between manufacturers and reportedly gave way to the “Gentlemen’s Agreement,” where the industry itself attempted to place a cap on top speed. This set the electronic limit at 300 km/h for every 1000cc motorcycle made in the year 2000 and beyond. And while it doesn’t exist today, the third-generation Suzuki Hayabusa is electronically limited to 299km/h (185.79 mph).No list of the world’s best or fastest bikes is complete without at least one Kawasaki Ninja (or two, for that matter). As per its stellar reputation, the ZX-14R represents the absolute apex of design and performance. Bolstered by a 1441 CC engine and three-level traction control system, it runs smoothly at pretty much any speed and goes from 0-60 mph in a mere 2.6 seconds.

In response to riding his own MTT superbike, Jay Leno told Popular Mechanics, “It’s like the hand of God pushing you in the back… I’ve ridden a lot of fast bikes but nothing pulls like this.”While the Panigale name continues on current Ducati models, the Ducati 1199 Panigale R is a different bike from the past. Its two-cylinder engine has titanium rods, finely-tuned engine mapping, and a super-light flywheel, combining to push out 202 horsepower and a top speed of 202 mph. Reaching breakneck speeds on two wheels isn’t for the timid. Neither is holding the top title of the world’s fastest motorcycle. The bikes competing for this claim are champions in their own right, pushing the limits of peak performance and receiving immortal status in return. The bikes on this list didn’t get here by accident. It takes dedication to be anywhere near the top running of the world’s fastest motorcycle or fastest cars. A lucky few nailed their legendary status instantly, but most toiled for years before discovering the secret to top speed.

The race-only Kawasaki Ninja H2R will catapult you up to 240 mph. Those looking for a street-legal version can purchase the Kawasaki Ninja H2 instead, which has a still-impressive top speed of 209 mph.The LS-218 offers an Öhline fully-adjustable front suspension, Bremo 4-piston calipers, and a Billet aluminum adjustable swingarm. The IPW liquid-cooled 150kw motor recharges in just 30 minutes with a DC fast charger. You can see why it holds a spot on our list of the best electric motorcycles. In 2003, the world witnessed the unveiling of a concept like no other, the Dodge Tomahawk. By stuffing the Dodge Viper’s 8.3L V10 engine on a platform that rides like a motorcycle, the carmaker might have created one of the fastest motorcycles in the world. Finding evidence that any Tomahawk has been ridden faster than 100 mph seems to be impossible. Should it be on this list? Can it truly go 300 mph? The world may never know.

With abundant power and all-around performance, the Hayabusa’s introduction to the market in 1999 was a monumental occasion with a record-setting top speed of 194 mph.

The Aprilia has braking power covered with 4-piston Brembo calipers, floating stainless-steel rotors, and sintered pads. It reached the podium 9 times in its first full season of World Superbike racing.

Sparing no expense, the MV Agusta F4CC is an exclusive piece of motorcycle history. Claudio Castiglioni, the Managing Director of MV Agusta, set out to create a hand-built masterpiece to contend for a world no 1 bike. The world’s fastest bike price or investment was of no concern.All products featured in this article are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no extra cost for you and supports our team to create more content. Read our earnings disclaimer to learn more.

The MV Agusta F4CC is one of the top 10 fastest bikes in the world. While its $120,000 price tag is not cheap, the Bugatti price list makes it seem tolerable in comparison.

At Luxe Digital, we independently research, review, and recommend products we love and that we think you will love, too. Learn more about how we curate the best products for you. Since 2009, the BMW S1000RR has been pushing the boundaries of performance. Everything from the lightweight frame to the low-drag design is purpose-built to create the ultimate riding experience. If any doubts remain about electric motorcycles, the Lightning LS-218 should conquer them, starting with its top speed of 218 mph and 0 to 60 mph in a minuscule 2.2 seconds. But there’s more to the story than this. Not only did this monstrosity have four wheels, but its top speed was also never proven. It’s reported that nine Dodge Tomahawk replicas were produced and sold for $555,000 each, likely used more for art decoration than street or track use. It is indeed not a street-legal motorcycle to ride. High-performance handling is accomplished through an adjustable swingarm and Öhlins suspension. Landing on the list of the world’s fastest bike top 5, it lives up to everything you expect from Ducati.

The S1000RR’s 205-horsepower inline-4 engine provides exceptional acceleration throughout the entire power curve, allowing it to find a top speed of 188 mph. Fast enough to win multiple Isle of Man TT races and bring bragging rights to any track it graces.Damon takes the Hypersport Pro a step ahead as one of the fastest bikes in the world, top speed in km/h of 321 (200 mph). This daredevil attitude is balanced with innovative safety including predictive artificial intelligence to help anticipate and avoid trouble.

Somehow Suzuki managed to control the 197 horsepower engine and make one of the fastest motorcycles in the world enjoyable to ride regularly. Who says you can’t have it all?

After the unbridled success of the MV Agusta F4 CC and its closely-related F4 1000 R sibling, the brand continued to fine-tune the beastly machine. In late 2007, the MV Agusta F4 R 312 was released, taking its name from the impressive 312 km/h top speed. Featuring a 449cc 4-stroke engine and a rugged steel frame, the KTM 450 SX-F is the fastest dirt bike in the world with a top speed of 123 mph (198 km/h). Grabbing the ultimate spot as the world’s fastest bike, however, takes something special. Marine Turbine Technologies discovered the secret by applying a turbine engine on a two-wheel monster. The result has been nothing short of spectacular.Aprilia’s flagship motorcycle is no slouch. As one of the fastest sportbikes in the world, the RSV4 1100 Factory features a powerful V-4 producing 217 horsepower. A dual-beam aluminum chassis connect to Öhlins fork front suspension to provide premium road handling.

Marine Turbine Technologies knows how to achieve top speed on a motorcycle. The 420-RR is their latest design and pushes the top speed to an astonishing 273 mph, overshooting their predecessor MTT Y2K bike’s top speed of 250 mph.

Although the V4R is reserved for track-only use, Ducati also produces a similar street-legal version of the Panigale: the Ducati Superleggera V4. Its claim to fame is an unbeatable power/weight ratio of 1.54 hp/kg. Adhering to the gentlemen’s agreement to limit mass-produced street-legal motorcycles to 300 km/h, the Ducati Superleggera V4 top speed is electronically limited to 186 mph (299 km/h).All 100 units produced incorporate carbon fiber fairings, titanium exhaust, and more than 90% tailor-made components. Fine adjustments are scattered throughout the engine, including changes to the geometry of the connecting rods and larger intake valves. The best electric cars and motorcycles are sure to become more popular with their instant torque, ever-increasing ranges, and attractive builds. The Damon Hypersport Premier meets those baseline features with a 0 to 60 mph time of just 3 seconds, a 200-mile range, and bold styling. Raleigh Bikes is one of the most popular and well-known bike brands in the world. Raleigh has a long and rich history dating back to 1887, when it was founded in Nottingham, England.Yes, Raleigh bikes are good for many reasons. They are comfortable, efficient, and stylish all at the same time. Additionally, Raleigh bikes come in a wide range of prices to suit any budget.

For example, racing bikes tend to be made of lightweight carbon fiber or aluminum, while mountain bikes are typically made of sturdier materials like steel or titanium.

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Last but not least, Raleigh bikes are just plain stylish. With a wide range of colors and designs to choose from, you can find a Raleigh bike that fits your personal style perfectly.These bikes are typically lighter than mountain bikes and have higher gears for easier pedaling on paved surfaces. They also have wider tires than road bikes, which gives them more traction on rough terrain.

However, they are also known for their excellent quality and durability. If you’re looking for a bike that will last you for years and can handle any type of terrain, Trek is a great option.Some of the lighter Raleigh models can weigh as little as 22 pounds. Raleigh bikes are made with a variety of different materials, including aluminum, steel, and carbon fiber.

They’re not quite as pricey as Trek bikes, but they’re still a good investment. Raleigh is a good choice if you’re looking for a bike that’s affordable and capable of handling light to moderate off-road riding.Raleigh quickly became known for its innovative and high-quality bikes, and by the early 1900s, it was one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in the world.

Raleigh’s commitment to quality and innovation has made it a favorite among cyclists of all levels, and its bikes continue to be ridden and enjoyed by millions of people around the globe.

Raleigh Bikes makes several different types of bicycles including road, mountain, hybrid, cruiser, and BMX models. Road bikes are usually the lightest weight because they’re designed for speed on pavement.Raleigh has been making bikes in Nottingham, England since 1886. Today, Raleigh is part of the Accell Group – one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in the world.

2. Raleigh bikes offer a great ride. Whether you’re cruising on city streets or hitting the trails, Raleigh bikes provide a comfortable and enjoyable ride.

Bangers n’ mash. Westminster Abbey. A good cuppa. There are a few things that perfectly sum up British spirit – and Raleigh is one of them. Whether it’s for crossing the finish line at the Tour de France or crossing the street to your best mate’s house, our bikes are a well-loved part of British history.Despite the rising popularity of the car, the 1920s saw Raleigh become a world leader in bicycles, capable of producing 100,000 cycles annually as well as 250,000 hub gears, 15,000 motorcycles and 50,000 motorcycle gearboxes.

During the Second World War (1939-45), Raleigh concentrated on munitions work. Despite the war, Raleigh saw healthy sales and production rose to an impressive 5,400 cycles per week.

In 2017 Raleigh celebrated its 130 year anniversary. The year brought a number of changes to the business including the appointment of new Managing Director Pippa Wibberley, the relaunch of Raleigh.co.uk and a change in business direction to focus strongly on customer needs.

2004 saw the relaunch of the iconic Raleigh Chopper after 30 years since its original launch in 1970. The classic 1970’s bike once again hits the streets and was an instant success with children and adults alike!In 1985 the Raleigh BMX team took part in the World Championships in Canada. It was a huge event with 14 nations, 680 riders and 28 classes. The team came 5th in the medal count and Schofield won the Superclass 20 inch title; his bike was the Raleigh Team Aero Pro Burner.

It was quickly apparent that a follow up to the popular Chopper was needed, and so the Raleigh Grifter was born. The Grifter was launched in 1976 and resembled a BMX bike, but had mudguards and a 3-speed hub.

In 1980 cyclist Joop Zoetemelk won the Tour De France riding for the TI-Raleigh-Creda team; TI Raleigh also won the team prize, setting a new record for the number of stage wins.Raleigh is one of the world’s oldest and best-known bike brands. Established in 1887 in Nottingham, England, we’re still based in our hometown. Discover our more than 130-year old tradition, our passion for cycling and our vision for the future.In 1969 the esteemed Raleigh Chopper was introduced to the market and a whole new segment of the market was opened up, both in the UK and other developed markets; toy cycles. The Chopper sold an incredible 1.5 million units!

In July 2017, Raleigh launched the 35th Anniversary Aero Pro Burner with great success. Over 7,000 Burner fans pre-registered for the chance to get their hands on one of the 350 individually numbered bikes. A key part of the project’s success was in the replica’s integrity to the original bike, including carefully matched components and the fact that the bikes were manufactured in the original TANGE factory.