1. Kawasaki H2 Mach III and Mach IV (1969-1980): Introduced in 1968, Kawasaki earned repute as the wild driver solely based on these bikes. t was the quickest production motorcycle at the time. When motorcycle journalists expressed disbelief, Kawasaki suggested they take a new H1 to the drag strip. Using a regular production model with only 7 miles on it, Tony Nicosia ran the quarter mile in 12.96 seconds at 100.7 mph (162.1 km/h) for the press to witness. The official figure was 12.4 secs by Mike Wenzel. Updated with more power and better front disc brakes, the H2 Mach IVbecame the undisputed king of the streets, even beating legendary muscle cars of the era such as the Plymouth Hemi Cuda. It was notoriously dangerous, being prone to up-and-over wheelies and speed wobbles. The dangerous handling characteristics arising from its mediocre frame design caused it to be nicknamed the "Widowmaker" by motorcycle enthusiasts of the 1970s.
2. Yamaha RZ/RD 350 (1973-1995): Released following the success enjoyed by the Kawasaki Mach machines, Yamaha launched the Yamaha RD350 (RZ350 in certain markets). The bike had several innovations for the two-stroke machine such as reed valve equipped intake system. The frame of the bike was derived from another Yamaha bike the TZ. Being lower in capacity Yamaha made less power than Kawasaki thus proving a better handler. Some 1979 models also had a larger bored 400cc engine and US dealers are also rumoured to have received 500cc models for a short duration. A liquid cooled model was also launched with the monikers 'LC' which set the Company sales charts on fire. The biked was launched in India under the name 'Rajdoot 350' but cult followers renamed it 'Yamdoot 350' on the lines of Kawasaki 'Widowmaker'.
3. Honda NSR 500 (1984-2003): Honda was the last of the motorcycle makers to enter the 2-stroke performance segment learning from the drawbacks of the other bike makers. The Honda NSR500 debuted in 1984. The NSR 500 led to Honda winning ten 500cc grand prix races with six in a row from 1994-1999. A 250cc sibling also won six grand prix championships sealing Honda's name in the the racing world at the top. The NSR series was the last of the motorcycles to be retired due to emission restrictions and fuel polictics of the United States. Very few of the 500cc series were available for retail sale and only 250cc models survive.
4. MV Agusta F4 CC(1999-present): It costs an arm and a leg and possibly more to own one of these motorcycles. But the motorcycle that announced the rebirth of MV Agusta is nothing less than a technological and design marvel. Designed by Massimo Tamburini, The F4 is unique with its four pipe undertail exhaust. The engine was derived from the 1990–1992 Ferrari Formula One engine. MV (Cagiva at the time) quickly deviated from the Ferrari design, but they kept one important feature, the radial valves. The F4 engine is unique in the sense that it is the only radial valved motorcycle engine currently in production. With 200 bhp on tap, the bike is not only the most expensive but also the most powerful and most composed to drive on road as well as track. MV Agusts also holds the record for the highest number of limited edition variants. (18 till date). Priced at 100,000 pounds the bike has titanium engine parts.
5. BMW S1000RR (2009-present)- BMW manufactured 1,000 production models in 2009 to satisfy World Superbike homologation requirements, but expanded production for commercial sale of the bike in 2010. In certain limited edition versions, the bike matches MV Agusta F4CC in performance numbers at a slightly lower price point. The bike has an uneven front fairing design which the German designers say is to facilitate aerodynamics at high speeds. The bike is already a holder of numerous awards and the viral ad for the bike has already crossed a record number on Youtube.
6. Norton Commando (1967-1977)(2006-Present): Winning the 'Machine of the Year' award for five years in a row (1968-1972), Norton was an immidiate rage upon its availability for sale. Based on an older design and engine, it was the surprise hit for the company. The 750cc engine was borrowed from the Atlas. In 1975, Britain's reducing capital treasuries led to political upheavals leading to bankruptcy of the Original Norton. The company name has since seen many owners in US and the UK finally resting in the hands of Norton Racing UK. The new machine was built on the basis of the original Commando, with upgraded components and a significantly modified engine.The Commando 961 SS combined traditional Norton cafe racer styling with new technology. This included carbon fibre wheels to reduce weight, a counterbalanced engine, and a chro-moly tubular steel frame.
7.Triumph Bonneville T100 (1959-1983)(1985-1988)(2001-present): The Bonneville from Triumph is one of the oldest surviving motorcycle name in the world. Named after the Bonneville Salt flats used by motorcycle companies for testing and speed record runs, the motorcycle has made a record for itself. The current version, produced since 2001 by the modern successor of the original company, is a completely redesigned and re-engineered evolution of the original design. Since the arrival of the current 'Hinckley Bonneville', produced in Hinckley, the earlier T120 and T140, produced in Meriden, have been referred to as 'Meriden Bonnevilles', to distinguish between the versions.
8. Ducati 999 (1987- Present): Ducati's signature sports bike made humble beginnings in the Ducati 851. The first bike under Cagiva ownership to use Desmodronic head provided this bike with the much needed punch. The 888 saw a bigger engine and electronic fuel injection. The subsequent ducati bikes have won numerous Motorcycle races. Ducati's supersport bike has also won design awards and being displayed regularly at numerous fashion shows.
9. Royal Enfield Interceptor (1960-1970): n 1960, Royal Enfield introduced the first motorcycle bearing the name Interceptor. It had a highly tuned version of the company's biggest engine, the 692cc vertical twin and was only sold in the USA and Canada. The newer 750cc bikes are known for their reliability and torque. The engine cases were beefed up to withstand the increased torque. What sets this engine apart from other contemporary British twins is that the crankshaft was dynamically balanced from the factory which made these bikes one of the smoothest British twin engines ever. The models were sold until the british Subsidiary went bankrupt.
10. Jawa 250/350 (1946-1996)- One of the rare jewels to come from the Russian countries, Jawa's 250cc and 350cc motorcycles were a worldwide success due to their reliability. These were the only models to be produced worldwide under different names even after the companies bankruptcy. Frantisek Janecek began manufacturing Wanderer motorcycles under licence in 1927 in order to diversify the interests of his arms factory. Having bought the tooling for a 500 cc model, in 1929 he rebranded the machine with the name JAWA, derived from the first two letters of the words "Janacek" and "Wanderer". Based on their reliability and capability to run on spirits, the bike was termed 'forever bike, forever value'.
2. Yamaha RZ/RD 350 (1973-1995): Released following the success enjoyed by the Kawasaki Mach machines, Yamaha launched the Yamaha RD350 (RZ350 in certain markets). The bike had several innovations for the two-stroke machine such as reed valve equipped intake system. The frame of the bike was derived from another Yamaha bike the TZ. Being lower in capacity Yamaha made less power than Kawasaki thus proving a better handler. Some 1979 models also had a larger bored 400cc engine and US dealers are also rumoured to have received 500cc models for a short duration. A liquid cooled model was also launched with the monikers 'LC' which set the Company sales charts on fire. The biked was launched in India under the name 'Rajdoot 350' but cult followers renamed it 'Yamdoot 350' on the lines of Kawasaki 'Widowmaker'.
3. Honda NSR 500 (1984-2003): Honda was the last of the motorcycle makers to enter the 2-stroke performance segment learning from the drawbacks of the other bike makers. The Honda NSR500 debuted in 1984. The NSR 500 led to Honda winning ten 500cc grand prix races with six in a row from 1994-1999. A 250cc sibling also won six grand prix championships sealing Honda's name in the the racing world at the top. The NSR series was the last of the motorcycles to be retired due to emission restrictions and fuel polictics of the United States. Very few of the 500cc series were available for retail sale and only 250cc models survive.
4. MV Agusta F4 CC(1999-present): It costs an arm and a leg and possibly more to own one of these motorcycles. But the motorcycle that announced the rebirth of MV Agusta is nothing less than a technological and design marvel. Designed by Massimo Tamburini, The F4 is unique with its four pipe undertail exhaust. The engine was derived from the 1990–1992 Ferrari Formula One engine. MV (Cagiva at the time) quickly deviated from the Ferrari design, but they kept one important feature, the radial valves. The F4 engine is unique in the sense that it is the only radial valved motorcycle engine currently in production. With 200 bhp on tap, the bike is not only the most expensive but also the most powerful and most composed to drive on road as well as track. MV Agusts also holds the record for the highest number of limited edition variants. (18 till date). Priced at 100,000 pounds the bike has titanium engine parts.
5. BMW S1000RR (2009-present)- BMW manufactured 1,000 production models in 2009 to satisfy World Superbike homologation requirements, but expanded production for commercial sale of the bike in 2010. In certain limited edition versions, the bike matches MV Agusta F4CC in performance numbers at a slightly lower price point. The bike has an uneven front fairing design which the German designers say is to facilitate aerodynamics at high speeds. The bike is already a holder of numerous awards and the viral ad for the bike has already crossed a record number on Youtube.
6. Norton Commando (1967-1977)(2006-Present): Winning the 'Machine of the Year' award for five years in a row (1968-1972), Norton was an immidiate rage upon its availability for sale. Based on an older design and engine, it was the surprise hit for the company. The 750cc engine was borrowed from the Atlas. In 1975, Britain's reducing capital treasuries led to political upheavals leading to bankruptcy of the Original Norton. The company name has since seen many owners in US and the UK finally resting in the hands of Norton Racing UK. The new machine was built on the basis of the original Commando, with upgraded components and a significantly modified engine.The Commando 961 SS combined traditional Norton cafe racer styling with new technology. This included carbon fibre wheels to reduce weight, a counterbalanced engine, and a chro-moly tubular steel frame.
7.Triumph Bonneville T100 (1959-1983)(1985-1988)(2001-present): The Bonneville from Triumph is one of the oldest surviving motorcycle name in the world. Named after the Bonneville Salt flats used by motorcycle companies for testing and speed record runs, the motorcycle has made a record for itself. The current version, produced since 2001 by the modern successor of the original company, is a completely redesigned and re-engineered evolution of the original design. Since the arrival of the current 'Hinckley Bonneville', produced in Hinckley, the earlier T120 and T140, produced in Meriden, have been referred to as 'Meriden Bonnevilles', to distinguish between the versions.
8. Ducati 999 (1987- Present): Ducati's signature sports bike made humble beginnings in the Ducati 851. The first bike under Cagiva ownership to use Desmodronic head provided this bike with the much needed punch. The 888 saw a bigger engine and electronic fuel injection. The subsequent ducati bikes have won numerous Motorcycle races. Ducati's supersport bike has also won design awards and being displayed regularly at numerous fashion shows.
9. Royal Enfield Interceptor (1960-1970): n 1960, Royal Enfield introduced the first motorcycle bearing the name Interceptor. It had a highly tuned version of the company's biggest engine, the 692cc vertical twin and was only sold in the USA and Canada. The newer 750cc bikes are known for their reliability and torque. The engine cases were beefed up to withstand the increased torque. What sets this engine apart from other contemporary British twins is that the crankshaft was dynamically balanced from the factory which made these bikes one of the smoothest British twin engines ever. The models were sold until the british Subsidiary went bankrupt.
10. Jawa 250/350 (1946-1996)- One of the rare jewels to come from the Russian countries, Jawa's 250cc and 350cc motorcycles were a worldwide success due to their reliability. These were the only models to be produced worldwide under different names even after the companies bankruptcy. Frantisek Janecek began manufacturing Wanderer motorcycles under licence in 1927 in order to diversify the interests of his arms factory. Having bought the tooling for a 500 cc model, in 1929 he rebranded the machine with the name JAWA, derived from the first two letters of the words "Janacek" and "Wanderer". Based on their reliability and capability to run on spirits, the bike was termed 'forever bike, forever value'.
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