You may not even realize it, but the 2010s were not that long ago. One second you’re watching the Chicago Cubs win the World Series and break their 71-year curse, “Gangnam Style” was the biggest song in the world, and everyone suddenly became an activist after using #KONY2012 on their social media. Next thing you know, you’re buying baby formula, teaching yourself how to balance a checkbook, thanking whoever it was that invented the air fryer, and debating on whether you should deactivate all your social media accounts and enjoy life.
We have all gone through significant changes in a short amount of time, and the motorcycle industry is no different. These days motorcycles are outfitted with technology that is downright futuristic, and it keeps getting more and more advanced every day. But the 2010s were also great for the motorcycling world too. It was a decade for when the standard for what makes a sport bike great was raised to a new level. Bikes saw new designs, bigger engines, more torque, more power, and best of all… more fun. So let’s take a cruise down memory lane and check out some of the sport bikes that made the 2010s a great decade to start your motorcycling journey.
1 2018 Ducati Panigale V4S
While the 2010s were a big decade for motorcycles in general, the one class that really took this time to stand out are superbikes. One in particular that managed to stand out from the crowd was the release of the Ducati Panigale V4 in 2018. Up until this point, Ducati had been in the habit of pushing out capable-yet-clunky Panigale V-twins that many customers were growing weary of. Seeing room for improvement, the motorcycle manufacturer replaced it with a new brand-defining model with new standards of performance, power, torque, and control. The Panigale V4 based its frame off that of a MotoGP and was available in for trims: the standard V4, the performance-focused S, the even more performance-focused Speciale, and the top-shelf V4R. This V4’s approach to power was direct and instant, as it could accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 3.2 seconds, 100mph in 5.63 seconds, and 150mph in 9.85 seconds. With a top speed recorded at 191.3mph, the Panigale V4 served as the new face of Ducati by attracting customers ranging from casual weekend riders to full-blown competitive racers.
Specs
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Engine |
1,103cc 90-degree V4 w/ counter-rotating crankshaft |
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Engine Output |
214 horsepower and 92 lb-ft of torque |
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Transmission |
Six-Speed |
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Fuel Economy |
34 MPG |
2 2013 Ducati Streetfighter 848
What happens if you take the Ducati Panigale and strip it down? You get the Ducati Streetfighter. By doing away with the additional fairings and bringing a set of higher handlebars, Ducati’s Streetfighter line is about as “naked” as these bikes can get. By bringing some of the style of its V4 brethren, the Streetfighter is powered by a V2 engine that brings all the fun and speed one can expect from a Ducati, but at a more affordable price point. Also, thanks to its easy-to-handle nature, this motorcycle is often viewed as a decent entry-level model for someone looking to enter the Ducati world without feeling overpowered by the bike. While the model we are referring to comes equipped with the V2 engine, multiple versions of the Streetfighter are available with V4 engines.
Specs
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Engine |
849cc liquid-cooled, Testastretta 11-degree L-Twin, 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder |
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Engine Output |
125 horsepower and 66 lb-ft of torque |
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Transmission |
Six-Speed |
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Fuel Economy |
42.6 MPG |
3 2010 BMW S 1000 RR
If there was a motorcycle that understood the assignment of “perfect timing”, it would be the BMW S 1000 RR. This superbike was launched by the German auto manufacturer in 2010, and it also happened to be their first attempt entering the superbike world. But considering that BMW has some of the greatest engineering minds on the planet, it seemed rather appropriate that the S 1000 RR set the bar high for the decade in terms of power, performance, and handling. Outfitted with ABS, traction control, four selectable ride modes, and the option to add a quickshifter, this bike first started out as a limited-edition model with only 1,000 available units for sale. But considering the positive response it had from customers, as well as hungry buyers, BMW quickly brought this bike back into the factory for mass-production.
Specs
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Engine |
4-Stroke, traverse four-cylinder, DOHC Engine |
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Engine Output |
193 horsepower and 82.6 lb-ft of torque |
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Transmission |
Six-Speed |
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Fuel Economy |
33.8 MPG |