Today’s motorcycle designs seem to fall into two categories: space-age (inspired by science fiction) or minimalism (with a bid to appear professional and appeal to the widest audience). The space-age design philosophy is present in pretty much every motorcycle that is designed to go fast. All sports bikes are massive fans of it, and a lot of naked bikes are as well. But there is a counterpoint as well: the retro design. These are motorcycles that choose to look retro without letting go of modern conveniences, thus offering the consumer the best of both worlds. Here are ten such examples.
Yamaha XSR900
Price: $10,599
The XSR900 is Yamaha’s flagship motorcycle in its neo-retro series. It is a great combination of new technology from the MT-09, on which it is based, and retro elements. Yamaha has retuned the engine for better torque across the range in line with its looks. It also has a longer tank, which means you have to crouch a little more than on the MT to reach the bars. However, we still wonder why the XSR900 GP kit isn’t on sale here, because it converts the XSR900 from a good-looking retro motorcycle into one that turns every single head wherever it goes.
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Engine Type |
Crossplane I3 |
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Displacement |
889 cc |
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Max Power |
117 HP @ 10,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
68.6 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle
Price: $12,995
The Scrambler might be the least powerful Ducati on sale today, but it isn’t what it is about. It prefers instead to be more of a ‘character’ type motorcycle. Another point that works in its favor, or against it, is the fact that it uses an air-cooled engine with two valves per cylinder and a Desmodromic valve train. It does have modern features like a by-wire throttle and a TFT display, which makes it a great combination of the old and new Ducati. Ducati purists will surely feel sad to see this L-twin engine disappear once emission norms catch up with it.
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Engine Type |
90° V-twin |
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Displacement |
803 cc |
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Max Power |
73 HP @ 8,250 RPM |
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Max Torque |
48.1 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
Kawasaki Z900RS
Price: $13,299
If you rue Yamaha’s missed opportunity by not providing the XSR900’s GP kit, Kawasaki has your back with the Z900RS Café. You can have it either with or without the old-school quarter fairing; either way, it is very reminiscent of the motorcycles of the ’70s and ’80s with its inline-four engine design and power output. The Z900RS focuses on torque rather than power, despite its multitude of cylinders. Under the skin, it has modern tech like a six-axis IMU and a by-wire throttle.
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Engine Type |
I4 |
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Displacement |
948 cc |
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Max Power |
110 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
72.3 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
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Triumph Bonneville T120
Price: $13,995
The Bonneville is one of those products that does not need updating because Triumph got it right a long time ago. The proportions, touches of chrome, and color choices are spot on. Under the skin, however, it is quite modern. The parallel-twin engine now has a 270-degree firing order, and Triumph has updated it with a six-axis IMU. There are some quality components from KYB, Brembo, and Nissin. Overall, details like the spoke rims and the twin-pod analog instrument cluster all appeal to those who like retro design.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
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Displacement |
1,200 cc |
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Max Power |
79 HP @ 6,550 RPM |
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Max Torque |
77.4 LB-FT @ 3,500 RPM |
BMW R 12 G/S
Price: $16,995
If you like old-school scramblers, then you can’t do much better than the R 12 G/S. It harkens back to the original adventure motorcycle, the R 80 G/S. The retro styling, long-travel suspension, and spoke rims are all present, but it isn’t as serious an off-road vehicle as the F 900 GS or the R 1300 GS. The smaller 1,170 cc boxer twin engine and chassis can take you off-road, thanks in part to a full electronics suite. The price might seem a little high considering its displacement, power output, and the fact that it is a scrambler, but it is a BMW.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal boxer twin |
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Displacement |
1,170 cc |
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Max Power |
109 HP @ 7,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
85 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic
Price: $19,999
A big part of the draw of Harley-Davidson motorcycles is the way they look, and the Heritage Classic is one of the best of them. It genuinely looks like it came through a time machine from 50 years in the past. But go up close, and you will see that it has modern levels of quality and finish. Also under the hood is the Milwaukee-Eight V-twin engine, tied with ride-by-wire throttle and six-axis IMU. These provide cornering traction control, ABS, and drag-torque slip control. It’s a pity that the spoke rims cost extra for a motorcycle with a style like this; Harley should just provide them as standard, along with the two-tone paint job and studded leather.
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Engine Type |
45° V-twin |
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Displacement |
1,917 cc |
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Max Power |
98 HP @ 4,600 RPM |
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Max Torque |
120 LB-FT @ 2,500 RPM |
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Indian Chief Vintage
Price: $19,999
There is possibly no other motorcycle that combines nostalgia with modern tech as well as the Indian Chief Vintage does. It has an amazing heritage to pull from, and does so amazingly well. The running gear is quite nice as well, with the air-cooled Thunderstroke engine providing massive torque at low revs. It is equipped with a by-wire throttle and technology like rear cylinder deactivation. There is also a six-axis IMU. For under $20,000, we do not think there is a better-looking cruiser.
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Engine Type |
49° V-twin |
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Displacement |
1,890 cc |
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Max Power |
~89 HP |
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Max Torque |
120 LB-FT @ 2,900 RPM |
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price: $22,599
If you are willing to up your budget a little over the Chief Vintage, then the Fat Boy can give it a run for its money because it, too, has a lot of heritage to draw from and does so just as well. Unlike the Chief Vintage, it is more modern than retro, but no matter what angle you look at it from, it is recognizable as a Fat Boy. It gets one of the better tunes of the Milwaukee-Eight engine with oil cooling for the heads. There is also a six-axis IMU and ride-by-wire throttle, so Harley-Davidson’s full safety suite is present. At this point, the Fat Boy is more than just a motorcycle; it is a design icon.
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Engine Type |
45° V-twin |
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Displacement |
1,917 cc |
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Max Power |
104 HP @ 4,800 RPM |
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Max Torque |
126 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM |
Honda Gold Wing
Price: $25,500
It’s the Gold Wing Tour that grabs all the headlines with its motorcycle airbag and a throne for the pillion seat. However, the fact remains that the bagger is definitely the one who offers more value. Honda has left out nothing that you will need on a long ride, while saving you a few thousand dollars. You still get the same chassis, suspension, and driveline as the full-dress tourer, which means a silky smooth flat six engine, the option of the world’s only seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, and double wishbone front suspension.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal flat six |
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Displacement |
1,833 cc |
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Max Power |
124.7 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
125.3 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM |
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Indian Roadmaster Thunderstroke
Price: $33,999
The Roadmaster is a massive full-dress tourer in the mold of the traditional American long-distance bike. Thanks to its Thunderstroke air-cooled V-twin engine, it offers big low-end torque. At the same time, there are modern features like a six-speed gearbox, six-axis IMU, by-wire throttle, and rear-cylinder deactivation. There is also a seven-inch TFT screen, an adaptive headlamp, an electrically adjustable windscreen, and seats that are both heated and cooled. This is one of the best combinations of nostalgic looks and modern tech today, but it sure commands a very modern price!
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Engine Type |
49° V-twin |
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Displacement |
1,890 cc |
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Max Power |
92 HP |
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Max Torque |
126 LB-FT @ 2,900 RPM |
Sources: Harley-Davidson USA, Indian Motorcycle