![]() The lion’s share of modern retro bikes also takes visual inspiration from models of the 1960s and 1970s, though there are outliers that are modeled after 1980s machines, as well as prewar-era motorcycles. This means getting to cruise the streets with a vintage-style bike, without having to worry about the shortcomings of drum brakes, finicky carbs, and antiquated wire wheels. Offering what a great many riders consider to be the best of both worlds, these motorcycles afford nostalgia-inducing looks backed by thoroughly modern performance and amenities, including modern electronics packages and rider aids. With this in mind, we’ve thoroughly broken down the segment, delving into what qualities characterize this type of bike and what to look for when shopping, as well as our picks for the best retro-style motorcycles currently available in showrooms.Īs its name suggests, modern-retro motorcycles are contemporary production models that are styled after vintage machines, while possessing modern-day engines, frames, and componentry. With so many marques all vying for a piece of the old-school-inspired pie, the market has become increasingly oversaturated with bikes, and while this gives buyers a plethora of options to choose from, it’s also made it somewhat difficult to sort through the endless sea of offerings to find which model is right for you. Ducati Motor’s idea to combine contemporary powertrains and running gear with unmistakably old-school aesthetics would ultimately serve as the basic formula that today’s entire modern retro segment is based on.įast forward approximately two decades to the present day, and the modern-retro sector is now one of the most popular classes in all of the two-wheeled realm, with yesteryear-inspired offerings now being produced by the vast majority of major motorcycle manufacturers - and accounting for a substantial portion of overall sales. ![]() ![]() In 2001, Triumph would rerelease its iconic Bonneville model, just a few years before Ducati pulled the cover off of its Sport Classic - a Pierre Terblanche-designed bike modeled after the Italian firm’s 1973 750 Sport that boasted modern performance, safety standards, emissions, and reliability in a decidedly vintage-styled package. Shortly after the turn of the millennium, two things happened that would forever alter the course of motorcycle history. ![]()
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