The 15 Best Retro-style Motorcycles You Can Buy

You can buy a BMW GS or Ducati Monster, as well as many other motorcycles that belong to the 1960s.

Retro motorcycles appeal to both old and young. The retro motorcycles give bikers a chance to ride a motorcycle with retro designs and also have modern features.

In order to be a truly authentic retro-style motorcycle, the components and technology of the motorcycle must be old fashioned, and the design must be timeless. It is not enough to just buy a stock 1970s or 1980s style motorcycle and paint it.

The Best Retro-Style Motorcycles You Can Buy

Since we focus on vintage bikes, our guide has been compiled based on the following criteria: build quality, reliability, classic vintage aesthetics, and whether or not it was available to buy at the time we were writing the guide.

You’ll find our list of 15 best retro-style motorcycles you can buy below.

15. Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Revival

The Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Revival is the first bike in the iconic Milwaukee-based brand’s new Icons Collection, modeled on their vintage motorcycle from 1965. That motorcycle was built on the Glide platform and was the first in a series of bikes Harley-Davidson calls Icons.

Oh yeah, this bike is for sure.

French, German, and Italian bikes are common, especially in the US.

There is a slight increase in height as compared to the original, giving riders a feeling that they are sat in the clouds. This gives riders the feeling that they are sat up in the clouds, transforming the riding experience from the classic low-slung configuration.

The addition of a shock absorber makes it ideal for taller people, while the suspension fork makes it a great ride over longer distances.

A Harley-Davidson Electra Glide is a brand of motorcycle that dates back to the 1920s. It was originally a model designed to be ridden around in the country and is now used to travel long distances.

14. Indian Chief

The Indian Chief retro bike is a street legal cruiser motorcycle produced by Indian Motorcycles, modeled on the same name bike first released way back in 1921.

This latest iteration delivers an array of innovative technology features, including keyless ignition, and three unique ride modes that bring it into the 21st century.

The bike offers 108 foot-pounds of torque. It has a TFT display, which shows the rider current speed, turn-by-turn navigation, and other useful information.

This bike is designed in 2016 with an aluminum frame. It is lighter and more durable than the bicycle in the past.

The suspension isn’t drastically affected, yet the Indian Chief is a little more likely to jolt over bumps when on the rougher side, which is slightly disappointing, as I’d love to feel more stable on rough roads.

13. Kawasaki W800

The smooth curves and exposed engine of the Kawasaki W800 motorcycle demonstrates the core appeal of retro bikes, where comfort and engineering meet the classic look.

The Kawasaki W800 is the result of a collaboration between Kawasaki Motors Europe, Kawasaki Motors, and MTM. It was one of the first motorcycles to receive a three spoke wheel.

It comes with plenty of torque to go around town and it is the kind of bike that allows you to dodge busy city traffic.

The Triumph has a solid build that is built to last, plus it’s comfortable for road trips in the back seat.

Kawasaki is an Japanese motorcycle manufacturer with a very large sales team. In the United States, they make motorcycles like this, The Z1.

12. Suzuki Katana

The Katana is considered a predecessor to the Ducati Diavel, which was released in 2013. It’s considered to be more of a high-class, premium model, as opposed to the Diavel, which is more budget-friendly.

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In the end, I didn’t have to spend a lot of money, and since I was doing it on my own, I got to decide more about what to do.
And now I have a nice bike that I have ridden a lot in the past few years.

An unusual and well-constructed rig is sure to turn heads, and as it has no rear shock, it rides better than most standard rigs.

its 999cc long stroke, inline four cylinder motor gives more torque than its predecessor and comes with a lightweight cast aluminum chassis for extra kick throughout the full range of revs.

It is one of the most popular motorcycles in the world after Harley-Davidson. It is one of the most popular bikes in the world after Harley-Davidson, and the most reliable.

11. Ducati Scrambler Icon

A motorcycle with less than ten grand is a low-cost bike, but the Ducati Scrambler Icon has a high cost to quality ratio.

In addition to providing comfort, this model comes with a suspension seat post that increases shock absorption, enabling you to travel freely and safely.

In the USA Ducati make a lot of bikes but not enough riders so here there are lots of sales! In the USA Ducati make lots of bikes, but not enough customers. In America Ducati make lots of bikes, but not enough riders.

This motorcycle brings in a new engine type for the BMW Motorrad range, the air-cooled engine, and is a direct competitor to the Ducati 1199 Superleggera and the Kawasaki ZX-14.

It’s a thing of beauty and it looks fantastic with that beautiful Ducati red paint job. The whole bike is just so damn beautiful, like one of those Italian paintings you’ll find in some museum.

10. Yamaha XSR 900

Yamaha is a company that builds everything from keyboards and amplifiers to tornado-proof upright pianos.

They’re not strangers to motorcycles, but the retro-inspired Yamaha XSR 900 proves the point.

XSR 900 is a versatile bike for everyday riding. It has lots of accessories, parts and options so you can customize it to your liking. It is fast, stable and fun when used on the track. It could be faster if it was lighter.

The high-end hydraulic brakes give the GSX-R1000 incredible feel and responsiveness, while simultaneously delivering up to 150% more braking force than the comparable bike. The combination of the lightweight, easy-adjusting Öhlins S50 front forks and the multi-link rear shock delivers outstanding handling – even on the most difficult terrain.

The XSR 900 also offers a choice of two drive modes for varying performance characteristics: Sport and Eco. The two modes are selected by the rider through the lever positioned behind the left side fairing, and the XSR has a manual throttle for controlling the engine speed as well. The Eco mode is a low-performance, fuel-efficient setting.

9. Norton Atlas

The Norton Atlas is a motorcycle designed for the rider that wants something different – something a little bit bigger, but without necessarily going to the extremes of a custom bike like the Triumph Bonneville or Ducati Multistrada. The Norton Atlas is a nice motorcycle as a motorcycle.

Thankfully, this comparative scarcity hasn’t driven up the price to the extreme levels found with the most expensive guitars. Also, it can be had for about $16,000 dollars at the time of writing.

This bike looks like it’s from the 1970s, which is what scramblers are meant for. This bike comes with a 650cc engine, and it looks like it was inspired by 1970’s-inspired bikes.

The off-road version of the Norton Atlas takes the same basic design principles as the road bike, but adds different components and more rugged hardware.

An electric bike is great for short commutes and for getting around town and for getting some exercise. But what if you really wanted to get out of town and make your commute that much more enjoyable? What if you could have a bike that could go places that none of the electric bikes could? This is what you have here with the Purolator.

8. Triumph Speed Twin

Triumph’s new Speed Twin is a true Thruxton replica that brings additional comfort to the table while improving a range of other factors, including stopping power, poise, and overall ride quality.

The Speed Twin’s updated appearance isn’t too different from the last version, but the revised engine is really the star of the show here, as the new 1200cc engine has gained more power for less fuel.

We’ve tuned the engine slightly to give it a bit of additional punch for riders of medium power needs. The engine is lighter than the Thruxton, and provides more torque down the lower ranges, it’s able to deliver 99bhp.

It should include some of the new safety features for today’s rider and passenger such as lane departure warnings, blind spot sensors, and adaptive headlights.

7. Royal Enfield Continental GT 650

Another retro motorcycle that takes on the look of a classic café racer is the Royal Enfield Continental GT650, an excellent value motorbike, geared towards riders looking for something to get them where they need to be, within a budget.

The Continental GT 650 is a motorcycle manufactured by Royal Enfield, which takes its inspiration from the 1950s and ’60s Continental GT 250. The Continental GT 650 features an updated version of the original engine, a humped café tail, knee-dented tank, and headlight cowl. It is available in two colors–Black and Blue.

Its price is not cheap, it’s an old retro motorcycle with considerable performance capabilities, it’s an air and oil-cooled engine that brings in 48bhp.

ABS brakes are used. Frame is constructed by Harris Performance. Piggyback rear shock is gas charged.

Riding position is best from the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650, and while it’s more suitable for Sunday outings in quiet countryside rather than long stretches of flat roads if you need to put in some miles doing so won’t leave you sore.

Another retro bike that should be on your radar is the Kawasaki ZZR1000. While this isn’t exactly a single-seater, the ZZR1000 only seats one rider, so there’s no question of any confusion.

6. Honda Monkey

Honda was forced to rebrand the Monkey as the Z50, and the little pocket rockets soon caught on among the American street racing crowd. The retro bike is based on an actual Z50 road bike.

The new motorcycle replaces the original 50cc standard engine with a air-cooled 124.9cc single-cylinder engine with fully manual transmission.

Its handlebars are a tad too small for taller riders, but no matter if you’re just a casual rider or an old-school bike enthusiast, the old school look of this bike will bring a smile to your face.

As a result of its diminutive size, small displacement engine and narrow wheelbase, the Mini Cooper delivers a truly compact and agile driving experience.

The Honda Monkey is a classic design that has been in production since 1987. It is one of the cheapest motorcycles to buy. It is only $3,999. It has an impressive fuel efficiency at an average of 35 miles per gallon.

5. BMW R18

BMW is a German brand of premium cars. It has collaborated with some of the best artist in the world in order to enhance their brand.

BMW is taking things a step further and re-imagining the classic motorcycle from the 1930s, which is the basis for the R18 retro bike concept unveiled today. The R18 has a more than two-and-a-half meter long retro-modernistic design, and is an exclusive special-edition limited-edition model.

Â The Â R18 is a long time coming, released in the spring of 2021 to enthusiastic responses from bike lovers worldwide impressed with its 1802cc boxer engine capable of 89bhp & 117ft lbs.

I like I love the vehicle, and have a lot of fun with it. However, there are some drawbacks to this vehicle. My biggest gripe would be fuel. I like to cruise through town with my foot on the brake and be in the green, but with this vehicle, the fuel economy sucks. Other than that, this is an awesome vehicle for people who are looking for a cool towing machine.

This is a great piece of kit with a fantastic build quality and if you’re after a mid-range machine that will serve your purposes perfectly, this is well worth considering.

4. Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer

A motorcycle from the 1960s merged with modern fuel injection and ABS would be a pretty cool motorcycle, except it only costs $10,000.

The engine is fully air-cooled, and to comply with Euro4 regulations, the engine features a single-cam head with variable valve timing. The engine comes standard with a wet clutch, and the gearbox is a five-speed manual.

The bike is well suited to new riders. It is also considered sporty. It is positioned to work well as a racing frame.

Besides being a stylish and cool bike, the Guzzi V9 Roamer is well equipped with many riding features to make your riding more comfortable and convenient.

The V9Roamer is an iconic retro motorcycle. It offers class-leading performance, with a power output of 100 horsepower and a torque of 87 lb-ft–making it the most powerful motorcycle in its class.

3. Triumph Bonneville T120

Bonneville is returning to England for the first time since the early 1990’s with the most recent model being the T120 in the class of ’70s Triumphs.

Triumph has blended modernity with charm for the Bonneville T120, a luxury bike that you’ll love to ride with all the stylish styling you’d expect to see from this iconic brand.

The engine purrs open a little louder and the engine has a little bit more kick, but the bike handles with ease, which makes it one of the best in its category.

A powerful four-stroke engine with a high output and high torque makes the 2019 Yamaha Motorcycle XSR500 a reliable, comfortable and a fun motorcycle to ride.

As for the details, the bike is in excellent condition with only 39km on the odometer. We don’t know if it’s a one of a kind, but we know that the owner has just finished his first year of college.

2. BMW R Nine T

BMW’s modern revival of the classic R nineT is the ultimate sports bike. The engine is as potent as ever with superb performance and the looks are just as striking as the original.

It handles well at low speeds and it has an air/oil-cooled twin-cylinder 1170cc displacement engine. You’ll really want to open up that throttle whenever possible.

The car starts off just as it should, with a few gentle twitches and no warning before it explodes into action.
With a few easy steps, it’s off, and you’re into a bit of a flurry from there.
And once you’ve got the hang of how to use the throttle, the manual can be left behind.
A satisfying surge of power on the front wheels, and a delicious bit of torque steer on the rear, means that you can use the car as you see fit, whether that’s just winding it out on the road or launching it into corners.

I’ve always known that BMW could take a ride from the factory and turn it into a great cruiser, just look at the 740i. This new 600i is almost a whole different animal, riding on a completely different type of suspension.

A bit on the intimidating side, but the traction control, ABS, and dynamic engine braking can make it a lot more manageable, especially with a longer reach and lower bars.

1. Kawasaki Z900RS

Kawasaki has released a new version of the Z900RS, called the Z900RS Retro. It is made with the same attention to detail and quality that has made the Z900RS a best seller.

This is the most powerful Kawasaki I have ever ridden. Its engine is so strong I have no worries of my legs giving out on me. I am afraid that I will break my bike before I reach the end of the ride.

The Z900RS also gets other improvements with the introduction of a new braking system and the inclusion of electronic stability control.

It’s aimed at safety, too. From the ABS, traction control system to delivering a light clutch lever. It’s also a bike that helps you maintain your balance when you start to fall!

Kawasaki has taken every effort to bring a bike that is as close to 1969 as possible. The bike is as close as possible to a classic bike. The bike is designed to be a retro bike.

Summary

Biker culture is not the exclusive preserve of old men and women. There are many people who are into motorcycles and they also like to ride them.

We can’t cover every single one of them. From the retro bike you have to consider the budget. It’s not only about the brand, but also the price. A decent retro bike will cost you at least $500.

This site will keep you up-to date with all the latest retro computer models being released as they come onto the market.

Retro means that they are based on motorcycles that are at least 40 years old and are still being produced. To qualify as retro, the bikes must have a classic look and style, which means no plastic or brushed metal accents or other non-traditional materials.