Are you a fan of both vintage motorcycles AND new-age technology? Motorcycles have been around since 1885. In that time, they have developed from simple machines with the little suspension to complex hyperbikes that can exceed 180 miles per hour given enough smooth pavement.
Since the beginning of the early 1900s, motorcycles have continued to evolve to what they are today. Some motorcycles are considered the pioneers in style, new technology, and leading the charge in old-school cool. But, think about how they started; They were essentially bicycling with a combustion engine powering them. Low horsepower, limited gearing options, and not very easy to maintain. Over the next few decades, refinements made motorcycles better-fitting, faster for longer travel distances, and easier to maintain. Since then, bodywork has become popular and turned into as much fashion as it is function.
What Makes a Motorcycle Vintage, Retro, or Old-School?
If you made a list of what makes a vintage motorcycle distinctive, it would be quite different depending on who you asked. Some would say it has personality, a low seat height, and heritage behind the model. Others may offer that it needs sex appeal, styling that hasn’t been duplicated, or a design that motorcyclists still talk about today.
Whether you’re a new rider looking for your best option, or a seasoned veteran looking to switch up your ride, it’s hard to deny the rule of cool that old-school bikes seem to fulfill.
However, all will most likely agree that modern motorcycles are still as captivating as their retro counterparts while adding new technology that weaves the past into the future. Conveniences such as fuel injection, anti-lock brakes, and storage capacity for cargo are three easy items to identify a modern motorcycle compared to a retro motorcycle. In addition, today’s motorcycle employs more technology than many deem the vintage breeds of yesteryear need.
Which Retro Motorcycle Is Best?
The process of getting a modern-retro can be a very interesting experience, though one that is much more in line with buying a regular new motorbike than it is purchasing an actual vintage bike. This is because contemporary bikes are purposefully done up to resemble like motorcycles of decades past. Twelve of the most important factors to take into account when looking for a retro-style motorcycle are briefly discussed here.
Engine
The heart of every motorbike, whether it be a modern, antique, or modern-retro model, the engine determines the motorcycle’s overall performance and riding characteristics. Modern retros are powered by a variety of engines, ranging from modest displacement singles to some of the largest some manufacturers have ever manufactured, so regardless of your level of talent or expertise, there will be something out there for you.
Additionally, just like with any other type or class of motorbike, it’s critical to choose a bike that is the right size, weight, and power output for your degree of experience.
Genre
Modern-retros come in just about every type of motorcycle under the sun, as was already mentioned before. Because of this, choosing the standard motorcycle genre that best suits your needs and wants should be your first step in your search for a retro-style bike. From there, you can explore the various modern-retro bikes that are offered within that genre.
Style
Quite literally, appearance is the only factor that distinguishes standard new production models from contemporary retros. Therefore, it’s well worth your time to examine the wide variety of styles that are accessible within that category once you’ve decided which genre(s) best suit your needs. A good number of manufacturers also offer huge catalogs full of enhanced parts and accessories to customize and personalize these already highly stylized motorcycles, in addition to the fact that many of these machines are available in a variety of liveries.
Motorcycle Parts for All Makes and Models
Everything from basic to high-end. Motorcycle parts that will fit your bike and budget.
Top 10 Brand New, Old School Motorcycles
There are motorcycles that mix modern conveniences with more vintage styling. Deemed as modern classics, they are a great blend of today’s technology with yesterday’s fashion. We’ve picked out 10 brand new, old school motorcycles that we think are worth considering when you’re ready to purchase a retro-style motorcycle.
