Motorcycle manufacturers are flocking to the parallel-twin engine these days, and there are some valid reasons for that. They are very versatile and can be used in all kinds of bikes, whether it’s a cruiser, an adventure machine, or a sportbike.
Parallel twins sacrifice some power compared to four-cylinder engines with the same displacement, but they’re rapidly becoming more powerful. Let’s look at some of the most powerful parallel-twin motorcycles you can buy in 2024.
Parallel Universe
We compiled this list by identifying all 2024–2025 production motorcycles with parallel-twin engines producing at least 80 hp. This includes naked bikes, sportbikes, and adventure tourers available in major global markets (with emphasis on North America and Europe).
We excluded prototypes, discontinued models, and any engine layouts that were not strictly parallel twins (e.g., V-twins, singles, triples). All performance specs were cross-referenced with official manufacturer data.
Suzuki GSX-8R — 82 Hp
Suzuki’s latest middleweight sportbike, the GSX-8R, is a welcome entry into the parallel-twin market. It uses an all-new 776cc DOHC twin that produces 82 hp and 57 lb-ft of torque, putting it just above the Yamaha R7.
It’s heavier than the competition, but Suzuki fans will appreciate its composure, comfort, and long-distance usability. It also comes in at a very competitive price point, offering top-shelf value for riders who want a do-it-all sportbike without breaking the bank.
Honda CB750 Hornet — 90 Hp
Last year, Honda launched an all-new Hornet, and it may just be the Japanese bike manufacturer’s most important bike in several years. The CB750 Hornet will be used as a base for a range of middleweight motorcycles using the new parallel twin engine.
Somehow, Honda has managed to undercut most of the 650–900cc middleweight competition on price yet destroy them with its 90-hp 755cc engine, great componentry, and excellent riding dynamics.
BMW F 900 R — 99 Hp
BMW Motorrad is primarily famous for its GS adventure bikes and the S1000RR superbike, but it also makes other models. One of the brand’s less famous rides is the F 900 R, a roadster or naked bike.
It’s one of the more basic motorcycles from BMW’s stables, but they offer various optional extras to make it fit different budgets. Its 895cc parallel-twin engine churns out a very respectable 99 hp and 67 lb-ft of torque, which is decent for a bike in this class.
Triumph Speed Twin — 99 Hp
Triumph’s Speed Twin is another bike that produces 99 hp but from a much larger 1,200cc mill. Thanks to its 270-degree crank, it has a nice, throaty sound, almost like a V-twin, not the sewing machine sound you get from parallel twin engines with a 180-degree crank.
It’s not a speed demon, but if you want to cruise in style on some winding roads, the Triumph Speed Twin is the perfect tool for the job.
CFMoto 800NK — 100 Hp
It’s safe to say that CFMoto has taken the motorcycle world by storm lately. Not everyone has warmed up to the Chinese brand yet, but with bikes like the 450SS/SR and the 800NK, it won’t be long before it dominates the market.
If you’re in the market for a naked sportbike, you could do much worse than CFMoto’s 800NK. CFMoto has manufactured KTM’s engines for a while now, so it’s no surprise that the 800NK uses the 799cc KTM LC8 engine, producing 100 hp at this spec.
Aprilia RS 660 — 100 Hp
The Aprilia RS 660 has suffered from some issues, but that hasn’t stopped it from becoming the best-selling sports bike in Europe, according to Motorcycle.com. Surprisingly, it’s one of the few actual sportbikes on this list, as its competition, such as the Suzuki GSX-8R and Yamaha R7, are left in the dust.
Aprilia’s middleweight hero has a 659cc parallel-twin mill producing 100 hp at 10,500 rpm and 49 lb-ft at 8,000 rpm. In true sportbike fashion, the power is high in the rev range, but it has a broad torque range, which, combined with its relaxed rider triangle, makes it very easy to ride in traffic. If you want an even more comfortable bike, there’s the Tuono, which uses the same engine but with 4 fewer horses.
Honda Africa Twin — 101 Hp
If you want to veer off the beaten path and go on an adventure, the beefy Honda Africa Twin is the perfect bike for the job. It’s a full-size adventure tourer, designed to haul a rider, lots of luggage, and maybe even a pillion, too, so it needs a lot of torque.
Its 1,084cc engine produces 101 hp, but as mentioned, power isn’t as important as torque here. With 82 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm, the Africa Twin is a real workhorse. Both the power and torque peak at relatively low revs, making it accessible and usable at all times.
Triumph Thruxton RS — 104 Hp
The Triumph Thruxton RS is arguably the best retro-styled café racer on the market. It may look like an old-school bike, but it’s packing some top-shelf modern componentry and electronics.
Its 1,200cc parallel-twin engine produces 104 hp, which is more than enough to get you in trouble with the law. There’s also 83 lb-ft of torque, giving it more than enough shove when exiting a corner. Now’s the time to get one, as 2024 will be the Thruxton RS’s last production year.
Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 — 105 Hp
Like CFMoto, Husqvarna is a part of the KTM family, and the Svartpilen 801 also uses the 799cc KTM parallel twin, but here it produces 105 hp. KTM’s WP suspension components have also found a new home here.
Its name, Svartpilen, literally translates to the Black Arrow, which is reflected in the dark color scheme. Design-wise, you can tell it’s a Scandinavian product, as it’s very minimalist yet attention-grabbing.
KTM 790 Duke — 105 Hp
Using the same 799cc engine as the Husqvarna Svartpilen 801, the KTM 790 Duke produces 105 hp. This is KTM’s smallest parallel twin-powered naked bike from KTM, but like all the Austrian manufacturer’s models, it’s a proper street hooligan.
KTM also included plenty of electronics to keep the power in check, such as traction control, cornering ABS, different ride modes, etc. However, when the time is right, you can turn off the rider aids and unleash the beast.
Husqvarna Norden 901 — 105 Hp
The Husqvarna Norden is based on the KTM 890 Adventure platform, but mixes in some of the Svartpilen’s sense of fashion. It uses the KTM 889cc parallel twin mill, but doesn’t make more power than the smaller Svartpilen.
Being an adventure bike, torque is the name of the game here, and it produces 73.7 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm. Husqvarna and KTM are known for their off-road-capable bikes, but surprisingly, the Norden 901 is more of an adventure tourer. It can venture off-road, but that’s not what it does best.
BMW F 900 GS/GS Adventure — 105 Hp
For some reason, BMW’s parallel twin-powered adventure bike packs more power than the road bike. Perhaps the Bavarians want to brag that they have the most powerful middleweight adventure bike?
The F 900 GS has an 895cc twin that produces 105 hp and 68.8 lb-ft of torque. It’s also jam-packed with BMW electronics. Being smaller than the R 1300 GS, it should be easier to manage in tough off-road situations and almost as capable in most other situations.
KTM 990 Duke — 122 Hp
KTM replaced the 890 Duke with the 990, leaving the smaller 790 to duke it out with bikes such as the Yamaha MT-07 and Suzuki GSX-8S. The 990 Duke is a proper supernaked bike and highly performance-oriented.
With a 947cc LC8C parallel twin unit that churns out a whopping 122 hp and 76 lb-ft of torque, it’s capable of keeping up with proper sportbikes while being much more comfortable and forgiving to ride.
KTM RC 8C — 135 Hp
Years ago, KTM used to sell the road-legal 1190 RC8 sportbike, but this new RC 8C is a whole different beast. It’s a limited edition, track-only superbike built using the expertise KTM has gained from participating in MotoGP.
An 889cc LC8C parallel twin that produces 135 hp is nestled underneath its orange trellis frame. That may not sound like much compared to some of the four-cylinder liter bikes out there, but with a no-expense-spared approach to components and tech, the KTM RC 8C is frighteningly fast around a racetrack. Unfortunately, it also costs almost as much as a Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Parallel Twins Are Taking Over
The parallel-twin engine has come a long way from being a simple solution for entry-level bikes. Manufacturers are now extracting serious performance from this compact, lightweight configuration, making it a legitimate rival to larger V-twins and inline-fours.
Whether it’s the everyday versatility of the Honda CB750 Hornet, the race-bred aggression of the KTM RC 8C, or the surprising power of newcomers like the CFMoto 800NK, the modern P-twin is no longer a compromise; it’s a weapon. For 2025, the diversity of powerful twin-cylinder bikes proves that performance no longer needs to come with extra cylinders or bulk.