Best Retro Motorcycles Money Can Buy

Retro motorcycles honor long motorcycling history by combining modern-day engineering with a traditional, vintage design. They evoke a certain sense of nostalgia, which is at an all-time high in motorcycling, as manufacturers delve into their histories and their heritage to inspire today’s models. More than reviving memories of older buyers, these retro models are finding a new audience with young buyers who are attracted by the style, while the performance of some of these so-called ‘modern classics’ is equally desirable.

Ever since Triumph popularized the whole movement at the beginning of the 21st century, every manufacturer worth its salt has jumped onto the bandwagon to the point where retro models are rapidly becoming some of the more successful models in the lineups. Some models are thinly-disguised modern motorcycles, while others have copied not only the style but the engineering of past models, albeit with a modern twist. So, without further ado, here are some of the best retro motorcycles on the market.

UPDATE: 2024/03/18 14:15 EST BY UTKARSH SOOD

The retro motorcycle market continues to grow, with manufacturers making retro offerings more accessible and enjoyable for all riders. With newer and even more progressive models coming out every year, we have updated this article to keep our readers up to speed with all the latest info. Older entries have been updated with the latest details like new MSRPs and specifications and new motorcycles have been added to make sure all information is timely.

In order to give you the most up-to-date information possible, the data used to complete this article was sourced directly from the manufacturer’s website alongside authoritative sites. The models are listed in terms of their MSRPs, from the lowest to the highest.

10 Royal Enfield Interceptor

MSRP: $6,149

In the immediate post-war period, British motorcycle manufacturers were rushing to keep up with Triumph and its parallel twin engine introduced before the war. Royal Enfield might be better known today for its single-cylinder Bullet model, but the company also revealed its own parallel twin engine in the Interceptor, Continental, and Super Meteor models. Today, none is as celebrated as the Interceptor name that comes with the brand’s 650cc parallel twin.

Perhaps the most honest of recreations, the Interceptor won’t burn up the road. But thankfully, it now includes much-needed modern touches with the new updated model that has arrived in the USA. Royal Enfield has watched motorcycle fashions come back round to its way of thinking and doing things, which is one of the best stories in motorcycling today. There is no denying that it looks the part and is the closest thing you will get to the 50s in the 2020s.

Performance Specifications

Pros

• An inexpensive Triumph alternative.
• The parallel twin engine is full of character.
• Comes with ABS and fuel injection as standard.

Cons

• Bargain components make it heavy.
• Lacks power compared to others on the list.

9 BSA Gold Star 650

MSRP: $8,658 (as per £6,800)

The original BSA Gold Star was such an iconic motorcycle – possibly even more desirable in its day than a Bonneville – that to resurrect it was a brave undertaking. Cleverly, Classic Legends (a branch of the Mahindra empire) didn’t try to copy the sporting pretensions of the original Goldie, but chose to go down a pure nostalgia route and turn it into a much softer roadster, perfect for the type of customer BSA is hoping to attract. If it lacks any of the dynamics of the Triumph Bonneville range, that doesn’t mean that it’s not a lovely ride. If it lacks electronic sophistication, then that means it’s not overly complex, and if it’s not terribly fast, it has an over-abundance of character and charm.

Performance Specifications

Pros

• Comes from the OG retro motorcycle company
• 45 horsepower from a single cylinder is impressive.
• Stylish and well-designed.

Cons

• Top speed of only 103 mph.
• No modern conveniences.
• The single cylinder could get buzzy.

8 Yamaha XSR 900

MSRP: $10,299

You could look at the XSR 900 as a cynical attempt to cash in on the retro craze, but that would be to ignore its undoubted talents. Instead, look at it as a way of moving the ‘modern classic’ movement by being inspired by the past but with a clear eye on the present and future. Of course, the XSR 900 is basically the MT-09, complete with its 117 horsepower triple cylinder engine and modern electronics, albeit dressed up in a neo-classic attire. It’s just that the styling happens to be more from the 80s than the 60s, which makes the XSR 900 sufficiently different to merit inclusion on this list.

Performance Specifications

Pros

• Easy to accessorize.
• Powerful engine.
• The reliability of Yamaha.

Cons

• Not exactly retro other than the design.

7 Ducati Scrambler

MSRP: $10,995

No one really saw this one coming but, thinking about it, it was completely logical decision which has been hugely successful for Ducati, giving it the financial shot in the arm that the Monster gave back in the 90s. As with the BMW R nine T, the Ducati Scrambler gave the old air-cooled V-Twin engine a stay of execution, and it has turned out to be the perfect engine for this application, where mounting an unsightly radiator would have completely spoiled the effect. The current lineup includes 800cc models like the Icon, Nightshift and Full Throttle. But as aslways, the beauty about owning a Ducati scrambler is in the many ways you can customize it.

Performance Specifications

Pros

• One of the best-looking scramblers.
• Modern rider aids, including riding modes and cornering ABS.

Cons

• Higher price point compared to others in its segment.
• Limited fuel range for long-distance touring.
• Ownership costs are on the higher side due to desmo valves.

6 Kawasaki Z900 RS

MSRP: $12,149

Excellent bit of thinking from Kawasaki: take the completely modern Z900 model, with its inline four-cylinder engine and combination steel tube and cast aluminum chassis and clothe it in Z1-style bodywork. Voila, you have an authentic-looking motorcycle with completely modern underpinnings, re-creating the past perfectly. In the early 70s, the Japanese were just starting to make their presence felt and the likes of the Honda CB750 and Kawasaki Z1 were clearly the future of motorcycling, as evidenced by the fact that the template is still informing motorcycle design to this day. The Kawasaki Z900 RS is the best way of re-living the past of Japanese domination of the motorcycle market with modern levels of performance and handling.

Performance Specifications

Pros

• A perfect homage to the retro Kawas of the past.
• A good range of color options.

Cons

• It’s a little too pricey for a Kawasaki.
• The exhaust note is plane uninspiring.

5 Triumph Speed Twin 1200

MSRP: $12,995

You could argue that without the very first Speed Twin of 1938, the whole modern classic movement wouldn’t exist. After all, this was the model that introduced the Triumph parallel twin engine to the world, and it is this engine that is the mainstay of Triumph’s modern classic range. Through the 40s, 50s and 60s, the Speed Twin was definitely not the sporty model, but fast-forward to 2024, and the Speed Twin 1200 sits atop the Bonneville range as the sportiest roadster. With new liveries available for 2024, this is powered by a 1200cc engine with near-100 horsepower and 83 pound-feet of torque. It further uses Marzocchi forks and Brembo brakes to give a beguiling mix of 60s style and modern performance and handling.

Performance Specifications

Pros

• Quick and refined engine.
• A beautiful retro style.
• Feels good and planted on the road.

Cons

• Lacks any wind protection.
• Lacks modern tech.

4 Indian FTR 1200

MSRP: $13,499

Indian was already building thoroughly retro cruisers in the American idiom, complete with large displacement air-cooled V-Twins and swoopy styling. But for its next trick, Indian launched the flat-track racer-inspired FTR 1200, which was a nod to their racing past, but at the same time, completely modern. Even the styling was a mix of old and new, with an emphasis on new rather than old.

The 1200cc V-twin pushes out 120 horsepower and 87 pound-feet of torque, and if the original models took most inspiration from those flat track racers, especially in terms of wheel sizes, more street-biased versions have appeared since. This creates America’s only current roadster model. Its 2024 update that includes minor improvements and new colors at no additional cost. Isn’t that enticing?

Performance Specifications

Pros

• It is a looker!
• A big range of accessories.

Cons

• A hefty wet weight.
• Expensive.

3 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE

MSRP: $15,295

Triumph has the unerring knack of taking an existing model and then, knocking the specification out of the ballpark to create yet another milestone design with a retro style but completely modern riding characteristics and ability. The Scrambler 1200 XE has all the dynamic qualities of modern adventure bikes wrapped up in a style that owes as much to a tall enduro bike as it does the so-called ‘scramblers’ of the past. Its 1200cc parallel twin engine is the perfect power unit for this application, being full of characterful punch all the way through the rev range. The presence of Showa, Brembo and Öhlins show that Triumph means business.

Performance Specifications

Pros

• A potent 1200cc parallel-twin.
• Outstanding versatility.
• Gets top-of-the-line hardware.

Cons

• Expensive.
• The smaller 900 is a more practical bike to own.

2 BMW R nineT

MSRP: $15,945

Proof that, lurking behind the Teutonic efficiency, BMW engineers do have a sense of fun. Not only that but, for the first time, BMW decided to offer a motorcycle that wasn’t necessarily the best it could be. Instead, it’s a blank canvas waiting for you to paste your individuality onto it, with a large catalog of styling options.

The R nineT is not even a copy of a previous BMW model, although the name is a nod to the R90S of the 70s as well as celebrating 90 years of BMW motorcycle production. If you lack the imagination to create your own R nineT, BMW also offers several ready-made versions, in the form of the Pure, Urban G/S, Racer and Scrambler. It has proved so popular, that BMW even extended the life of the old air-cooled boxer twin by ten years to cope with demand.

Performance Specifications

Pros

• Unique 1,173cc boxer engine.
• A big range of styling options to choose from.
• Good fit and finish.

Cons

• Not a cheap bike by any means.
• More off-road biased Urban trim is more practical.
• Caters to a very niche audience.

1 Triumph Thruxton 1200 RS

MSRP: $16,995

A third Triumph model and why not? After all, the British brand is getting it right every time and largely leading the whole modern-classic movement. The Thruxton is a brilliant mix (as is every Triumph) of style, performance, quality and desirability that is hard to resist. As with the Scrambler, you get Showa, Öhlins, and Brembo providing the canvas upon which the punchy 103 horsepower engine can paint its lines on any road. Meanwhile, the detailing and quality is perfection.

Even the riding position isn’t overly extreme: for those who remember the good old days of doing ‘the ton’ on their home-built café racers, it is a whole dose of nostalgia wrapped up in modern accessibility, and dare we say, comfort. One of the great modern motorcycle, all the while worth to own one since it won’t be in production for too long.

Performance Specifications

Pros

• One of the best parallel-twin motors out there.
• A timeless café racer design.

Cons

• Expensive.
• Lack of comfort for long rides.
• Lacks grunt in the exhaust note.