10 V-Twins That Deliver More Than Just Great Sound
Not many sounds can match the characteristic rumble of the V-twin. It’s a raspy tune enthusiasts have loved worldwide for decades. But the exhaust note only tells half the tale for the V-twin’s popularity. These are great engines due to their primary balance, alongside a smooth and predictable power delivery right from the lower RPMs. As a result, there are several different kinds of V-twin motorcycles on sale today. We’ve listed down some of the most unique ones that stand out from the usual machines we see with these engines.
Suzuki SV-7GX
Power: 72 HP
The SV-7GX’s USP isn’t its power or equipment. Instead, you get mind-bending value and reliability here. The former is thanks to its $8,399 MSRP, which helps it undercut all of its rivals with ease. Yes, that’s despite this being the newest of the lot. As for reliability, the V-twin engine here is based on the SV650’s unit, meaning bulletproof reliability honed over decades.
As for other bits, the SV-7GX sits in the crossover segment. So you get tall-ish suspension with 5 inches of travel, paired with 17-inch alloy wheels. Electronics are decent, too, comprising a TFT instrument cluster, phone connectivity, traction control, ride modes, and ABS. Simply, you can’t go wrong with it.
Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide 3 Limited
Power: 114 HP
If you want the highest levels of convenience in an American-made V-twin tourer, the CVO Street Glide 3 Limited is for you. This is essentially Harley’s top-drawer CVO tourer, transformed into a trike. So you don’t have to worry about balancing the heft or hairy moments in slippery conditions. At the same time, Harley hasn’t left out any of the top-drawer equipment.
It all starts with the Milwaukee-Eight 121 powerhouse–Harley’s flagship engine today. This is housed in the double-cradle touring chassis, paired with Showa 49 mm forks at the front and new-for-2026 de Dion-style rear suspension with dual shocks. The latter shaves off a whopping 68 pounds of unsprung mass. A new reverse gear, Carbide collection accessories, and leather heated saddles round things off.
Ducati Panigale V2 S
Power: ~120 HP
The Panigale V2 S is one of the most impressive middleweight sports bikes on the market right now, with a lot of the credit going to its engine. This new V-twin powerhouse is Ducati’s lightest yet, weighing in at just 120 pounds. It also has a lot of high-end internals, such as variable timing on the intake valves, a new water-cooling system, and a racing-derived lubrication system.
These help promise 120 horsepower and 69 pound-feet, where 70 percent of the torque is at just 3,000 RPM. Things are impressive elsewhere, too. The V2 S has Ohlins forks and an Ohlins monoshock, partnered with an aluminum monocoque chassis. The latter is inspired by the Panigale V4, just like the extensive suite of rider aids (including launch control).
Ducati Hypermotard V2
Power: ~120 HP
Supermotos make up a niche segment, and large-capacity, multi-cylinder examples are even rarer. So the Hypermotard V2 is something of an anomaly. This has Ducati’s newest (and lightest ever) V-twin engine, displacing close to 900cc and producing 120 horsepower. That, along with the new trellis chassis and adjustable suspension, makes this a proper weapon for tomfoolery (wheelies, stoppies, skids, and anything in between).
For extra money, you can also get the SP variant. That brings fully adjustable Ohlins suspension and forged aluminum wheels to cut the weight to just 390 pounds wet without fuel. A special livery and Brembo M50 calipers sweeten the pot further. We believe the standard Hypermotard is still plenty for most of us, though.
Indian Pursuit Powerplus 112
Power: 126 HP
While its arch-rival focuses on sticking to air-cooled heavyweights, Indian has always tried to innovate the segment with liquid-cooled engines. The Pursuit Powerplus 112 is a prime example of that, featuring a new fully liquid-cooled 1,835cc V-twin engine. This produces 126 horsepower, making the Pursuit the most powerful American-made full-dresser on offer.
Like the engine, other aspects are advanced by American tourer standards, too. The suspension has electronic adjustability at the rear and USD forks at the front. You also get a rear radar for blind spot detection and collision warning–something no other American-made tourer offers as standard. Oh, and all of this costs $36,999, which is just $4,000 more than Harley’s regular full-dresser bikes (with the 117 engine).
Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST
Power: 127 HP
What you’re looking at is Harley-Davidson’s sportiest touring bike on sale right now. Its crown jewel is the Milwaukee-Eight 121 High Output engine. This adds a high-performance crankshaft, high-flow air filter, raised redline, and fixed cams (instead of VVT) over the regular 121, promising 127 horsepower and 145 pound-feet. A Screamin’ Eagle exhaust also adds to the performance.
Upping the sporty quotient are the underpinnings. You get USD forks (with DLC coating) and gas-charged rear shocks, all of which are adjustable. These join hands with lightweight alloy wheels and floating petal rotors with Brembo monobloc calipers. Last but not least, there’s an array of carbon fiber parts, including exhaust tips, tank middle section, pillion seat cowl, and front fender.
KTM 1390 Super Adventure R
Power: 170 HP
The Super Adventure R is arguably the most hardcore over-1,000cc ADV money can buy. Much of that is thanks to its extreme off-road focus, evident from the WP XPLOR suspension that allows almost 10 inches of travel and ground clearance. Likewise, you get a dual-sport-like 21/18-inch spoke wheel setup, shod with knobby rubber. These hoops wear Brembo Stylema brakes at the front.
All this while, the powerhouse is a re-tuned version of the 1390 Super Duke’s 1,350cc V-twin. The capacity and internals are identical, although the power output is lower (170 horsepower) to favor more mid-range. The torque remains the same. You’ll also appreciate the class-leading 37,000-mile valve clearance intervals.
Buell Hammerhead
Power: 185 HP
This is the world’s only mass-production V-twin superbike today. And it’s made in America, too. There’s a lot to like, starting with the 1,190cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine. The mill is good for 185 horsepower–a figure higher than any other V-twin American machine. At the same time, this has more torque than all your favorite superbikes, regardless of the engine layout.
Power aside, the aluminum chassis is unique, too. It doubles up as the fuel cell for mass centralization and pairs up with an aluminum swingarm. That, along with the carbon fiber bodywork, allows the Hammerhead to weigh in at 419 pounds.
KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo
Power: 187 HP
The flagship naked bike segment is dominated by inline-four and V4 machines. Yet, the Super Duke R Evo takes the fight to them while having a V-twin powerhouse. That’s because it’s no ordinary V-twin. This is one of the most advanced engines of its kind in the world, thanks to a new cam-shift technology, a new ram air system, and variable valve timing. All these ensure an output of 187 horsepower and 107 pound-feet.
Rudi Schedl via KTM
Meanwhile, the ‘Evo’ in its name brings WP suspension that’s semi-active with full electronic adjustability as standard. KTM also sells an optional kit to unlock bits like a Factory Start Option. This drops the rear height like a MotoGP bike so you can put the power down more efficiently. Michelin Power GP tires and Brembo Stylema brakes are present, too.
Honorable Mention: Aston Martin AMB-001
Power: 225 HP
The MB-001 is a machine built to sit at the top of the V-twin leaderboard. Safe to say it does that with ease. This is a collaboration between Aston Martin and legendary bikemaker Brough Superior. Thus, the 997cc V-twin engine has been paired with a turbocharger, promising an output of 225 horsepower. Add to that its 396-pound heft, and you get arguably the most extreme power-to-weight ratio for a V-twin bike.
Along with that, this is an uber-exotic creation. Only 88 units were planned worldwide, out of which just 25 were set aside for the States. We believe all of them are sold out today, so your best bet is an auction site like Iconic Motorbikes or Bring A Trailer. The price varies between $100,000 and $200,000.
Source: Various Manufacturers
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