Motorcycles in GTA Online have always been a popular choice for players who enjoy fast, agile riding and iconic engineering. Despite their popularity, several issues reduce the overall experience for motorcycle enthusiasts in the game.
Limited Motorcycle Selection and Availability
GTA Online currently offers around 29 motorcycles for purchase, including variants like the Sanchez with multiple liveries. With rare models such as the Rampant Rocket included, the total comes to about 30 purchasable bikes out of 48 available in the game. However, 19 motorcycles cannot be bought from in-game websites, leaving them only obtainable through rare street spawns or special shop appearances.
Rockstar removed many motorcycles from the online catalog, claiming they were less used. Yet this reasoning is questionable, since motorcycles already have dedicated categories on websites like Southern San Andreas Super Autos and Legendary Motorsport. The removal has made some models excessively rare and inaccessible, frustrating players.
Furthermore, updates rarely focus on motorcycles. At best, one new bike is added per update, with long gaps in between. Meanwhile, real-world motorcycle manufacturers continue to release popular models such as the BMW S1000RR, Yamaha R1, Harley-Davidson Road Glide, and KTM 1390 Duke—none of which appear in GTA Online.
Off-Road Performance Imbalance
Another significant issue is the imbalance in off-road motorcycle performance. Dirt bikes and scramblers should logically outperform sport bikes on uneven terrain. In GTA Online, however, sport bikes often perform better even on mud and gravel due to higher speed, reducing the usefulness of actual off-road models.
A better balance system could be achieved by differentiating motorcycle performance by type and possibly introducing specialized off-road tires. While other vehicle classes in the game benefit from realistic handling adjustments, motorcycles lag behind in this regard.
Sound Design and Audio Problems
Motorcycle audio in GTA Online has long been criticized as unrealistic and underwhelming. Many engine sounds resemble vacuums rather than powerful machines. Interestingly, Rockstar has used better sound design in missions such as Derailed, where the Sanchez motorcycle features a more authentic roar.
This inconsistency shows that improved audio is possible but has not been implemented across the board. Better motorcycle sound design would significantly improve immersion for players.
The Hakuchou Drag HSW: Overpowered and Unbalanced
The 2022 HSW (Hao’s Special Works) update introduced a range of enhanced vehicles, but the Hakuchou Drag HSW quickly became overpowered. Its extreme acceleration and top speed surpass every other motorcycle in the game, leaving little reason to use alternatives.
Other motorcycles cannot compete, even high-tech options like the Oppressor Mk II. This has created a major balance issue, discouraging diversity in motorcycle use and making the Hakuchou Drag HSW the default competitive choice.
Pricing and Value Concerns
Motorcycles in GTA Online are often priced much higher than their performance justifies. Many cost over a million in-game dollars, yet offer little advantage compared to cheaper options. For instance, the Shinobi costs more than $2 million but is outclassed by other motorcycles and even some cars.
This poor price-to-performance ratio limits their appeal to collectors or players focused on aesthetics, further reducing the overall value of motorcycles in the game. Many sellers advertise affordable custom made gta modded accounts for sale, where players can pick the vehicles they want in advance.
Motorcycles in GTA Online combine exciting engineering concepts with disappointing execution. Issues such as limited availability, unrealistic off-road performance, poor sound design, high prices, and the dominance of the Hakuchou Drag HSW reduce their potential.
Looking ahead, GTA 6 and GTA 6 Online present an opportunity to fix these problems. With more realistic handling physics, improved sound design, fairer performance balance, and a larger roster of modern motorcycles, Rockstar could restore motorcycles to their rightful place as thrilling and competitive vehicles in the game world.
