Motorcycles can be a lot of fun. Whether they’re large cruisers, superfast sports bikes, or wild superbikes, they’re tremendous fun. Some of the most enjoyable, however, are retro motorcycles that hark back to bygone eras.
Retro motorcycles are often more raw and simpler than modern machines, making maintenance a bit easier and providing a riding experience like no other. This list contains some of the best retro motorcycles and what makes them such a thrill to ride.
BMW R 18
The BMW R18 is about as retro as it gets in the motorcycle world. This magical machine harks back to the days of the BMW Motorrad and the R 23 from 1923. BMW has reshaped the latter bike for this modern recreation.
The R 18 has a 1,802 cc flat-win engine that produces 91 horsepower and 116 lb-ft of torque. Those are some big numbers, especially for a bike that weighs 761 lbs. The BMW R 18 is the perfect rival for any cruiser Harley-Davidson can throw at it.
Triumph Thruxton RS
Triumph is one of the oldest names in the motorcycle world, and all of its bikes always have a bit of retro about them. Nowhere is that more evident than with the Thruxton RS, which took inspiration from Triumph racing successes at the Thruxton 500 and the Isle of Man TT.
Power comes from a 1,200 cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine, producing 103 horsepower and 83 lb-ft of torque. The Thruxton RS weighs just 434 lbs, meaning it is a joy to ride in the corners.
Ducati Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro
A motorcycle manufacturer with as rich a history as Ducati was always going to produce an excellent retro machine. The Ducati Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro really does look like the business, although sadly, it is going out of production and heading into 2025.
Ducati built the bike to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the manufacturer’s first air-cooled twin-cylinder engine. In refined style, it pays homage to the 1972 Ducati 450 Desmo Mono and 750 Sport.
Harley Davidson Heritage Classic
Harley-Davidson also knows a thing or two about classic and retro motorcycles. The Heritage Classic is the perfect example. This brute packs a 1,868 cc Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine with 94 horsepower.
It’s one of the most powerful offerings on our list of retro motorcycles, and it certainly has a lot of road presence. The current MSRP is $22,499.
Yamaha XSR900/XSR700
Yamaha has a vibrant history in the motorcycle world, and the XSR900 and XSR700 are the perfect tributes to everything the manufacturer has achieved. These are conventional MT-09s and MT-07s but with a fresh retro trist, with the gas tank in particular harking back to classic Yamahas.
The XSR900 has an 847 cc cross-plane crankshaft liquid-cooled inline-three motor producing 115 horsepower. The XSR700 has less than 74 horsepower, but it’s still more than enough for daily riding.
CCM RAF 100
If a bike were ever to sum up how cool retro and classic machines are, it would be the striking CCM RAF100. The name is, of course, in reference to the 100th anniversary of the British Royal Air Force, and the bike has a striking blue color scheme.
The color pays homage to the 1936 prototype Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft, K5054. The historical touches continue, with each one featuring a pair of deluxe hand-stitched leather luggage panniers. They also come with propellor-inspired carbon mudguards and a piece of a Spitfire wing section.
Royal Enfield Continental GT and INT650
Royal Enfield is another truly classic name in the world of motorcycles. Celebrating its famous past are the Continental GT and the Interceptor, which has now become the INT650.
Both are very similar. Both have a 650 cc upright parallel-twin engine producing 47 horsepower and 39 lb-ft of torque. Each weighs just over 436 lbs, and they are very affordable as well, costing less than $7,000 each. Thus, both are affordable ways to enter the retro motorcycle segment.
BSA Gold Star
Yet another classic British motorcycle manufacturer is BSA, and while it’s not as big as it used to be, it still has a place in the two-wheel market. To celebrate its past, BSA recently recreated the iconic Gold Star, although some BSA fans feel that the tribute could have gone further.
But when it costs you less than $10,000, you can’t really complain. The new Gold Star looks exceptional, and it has the visuals and styling nailed to perfection. Plus, its modern underpinnings should ensure that it is more reliable than the original Gold Star.
BMW R nineT
For those looking for a retro BMW that is a bit more accessible than the monstrous R 18, there is always the BMW R nineT. The engine is slightly smaller, at 1,170 cc, and it weighs a lot less, at 489 lbs.
As such, it doesn’t feel as heavy as a bear when you lift it off its kickstand. It’s a more practical utilitarian motorcycle but still an impressive one. The nineT has a clear retro look, with the name itself referring to 90 years of BMW Motorrad, hence the theme of the motorcycle.
Indian Scout Sixty
Indian is another American motorcycle manufacturer with a lot of history. In fact, the company regularly celebrates this as almost its entire range is retro. Indian still go for classic motorcycle styling but with the bonus of more reliable motors and mechanical components.
The Scout Sixty is an impressive effort. It packs a 1,000 cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine, producing 78 horsepower and 65 lb-ft of torque. This is more than enough for the average user. Who cares about the power of a bike that looks this good??
