Through the thousands of motorcycle models produced over the years, a handful of models have risen above the pack to become truly iconic. Each of these classic motorcycles had something a little different–a mechanical innovation here, a killer style there. Some just happened to have the right combination of features in the right market at the right time. All of them contributed to the rich lineage of today’s best speed machines.
So, without further ado, here they are (in no particular order): the 13 most classic motorcycles in history.
1. Honda CB750
If you love your Kawasaki Ninja or Suzuki Hayabusa (two bikes we’ll discuss later), remember to show respect to the Honda CB750, the great-granddaddy of them all. The CB750 popularized the inline four engine design that gives sport bikes their signature power today and became an instant bestseller, thanks to its innovative design.
A classic 1977 Honda CB750.
The CB750 spawned an entire segment of the motorcycle market: the Universal Japanese Motorcycle, or UJM. These bikes’ easy customization and versatile design made them massively popular, and they were the precursors to the endlessly customizable Japanese bikes we know today. And thanks to the unbeatable Honda reliability, many riders still rev up their CB750s as if they were brand new.
2. Harley-Davidson Softail
Unless you like feeling like you were worked on by an unlicensed back-alley chiropractor after every ride, you probably ride a motorcycle with a rear swingarm suspension. The Harley Softail didn’t invent the rear swingarm, but it damn near perfected it in its current form and it was the first motorcycle to provide the swingarm in the stylish hidden package that it usually appears in today.
The archetypical cruiser: a Harley Softail.
And, of course, the Softail remains one of Harley’s most popular and iconic motorcycles even now. It’s also a great example of a versatile platform that’s seen an array of cool evolutions like the Harley Softail Bob, Fat Boy, Springer and more. Much like a motorcycle helmet communication system, many riders found that once they’d ridden with the soft rear suspension, they just couldn’t ride without it.
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3. Triumph Bonneville
You can’t keep a good bike down, and the Triumph Bonneville is living proof. Despite near-constant changes in ownership and a devastating factory fire, Triumph lives on and the classic design of the Bonneville is one major reason why. Named after the popular proving ground for land speed record attempts, the Bonneville is a just-minimal-enough roadster with the sleek appeal of a cafe racer but a slightly more comfort-first design.
When the owners of Triumph began plotting the brand’s revival in the mid-aughts, the Bonneville’s classic design made it a natural choice for appealing to young hipsters and old heads alike. And the new Bonnevilles are no joke. The base model alone comes packing a 1200cc engine that’s guaranteed to wow anyone who steps astride it.
4. Honda Super Cub
For many people around the world, a motorcycle isn’t a hobby–it’s a daily transportation vehicle that provides access to food markets, medical services and other basic needs. The Honda Super Cub is the king of this utilitarian market, and the proof is in its 60-plus years of continuous production and hall-of-fame sales numbers–100 million units sold throughout the model’s lifetime.
The Super Cub exemplifies many underrated characteristics of the motorcycle as a vehicle. It’s extremely fuel-efficient, simple to work on and rock-solid reliable, not to mention tons of fun to tool around on. But it’s also had cultural significance to match its sales: Honda used the Super Cub as a centerpiece of their “You meet the nicest people on a Honda” campaign in the early ’60s, a campaign which is widely credited with increasing acceptance of Japanese motorcycles and motorcycles in general in the U.S.
5. Suzuki Hayabusa
Many riders consider the Suzuki Hayabusa to be the archetypical modern superbike. Its name comes from the Japanese word for “peregrine falcon,” a bird famous for executing precision dive bombs at terrifying speeds. Upon the Hayabusa’s launch in 1999, its ridiculous 1300cc engine and sub-10-second quarter mile revolutionized the entire production superbike market, to the point that many motorcycle manufacturers entered an informal agreement to cap the power of their bikes to avoid triggering a regulatory crackdown.
Today, the Hayabusa is running over 20 years strong as one of the most impressive motorcycles out there. It’s still among the fastest stock motorcycles currently in production, its body design still looks like a giant robot from a mecha anime and it will still make you a magnet for state troopers anywhere you go, so easy on that throttle.
6. Harley-Davidson Sportster
Some consider the Softail to have the slight edge as the iconic Harley V-Twin, but the Harley-Davidson Sportster is the bike that has introduced one generation of riders after another to the magic of the hog. It’s been in continuous production in one form or another since 1957, and it remains one of Harley’s most consistent sellers.
For Harley riders who like their bikes light and zippy, the Sportster is a common choice over many heavier hogs. The Sportster’s smaller frame also led it to become popular among Harley’s women riders, a demographic that’s become increasingly important for Milwaukee’s finest. Its current iteration is the Iron Series, two trim-bodied beauties that are built for versatility, power and that most important of Harley qualities: attitude.
7. Honda Gold Wing
The Honda Gold Wing redefined what it means to cruise in the lap of luxury. Although it started life as a large sport bike meant to be a sequel to the CB750, the Gold Wing quickly evolved into the king of the “couch on wheels” full-fairing baggers. Now it’s the preferred choice of many hardcore touring riders (or, at least, of the hardcore touring riders who aren’t permanently on Team Harley).
Honda has continued to double down with the luxurious feature sets in its later Gold Wing models, adding features like Apple CarPlay and precision-molded seats for a pampered posterior. If you’re the type to pack a whole wardrobe for your motorcycle road trip and curate a 200-hour playlist to enjoy in your motorcycle Bluetooth headset, the Gold Wing might be just your type of experience.
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8. Kawasaki Ninja
The Ninja has been Kawasaki’s main sport bike platform for well over 30 years, and in that time, it’s no exaggeration to say that it has spanned the entire spectrum of what’s possible in the format. In the process, it’s set the standard for entire market segments in ways that continue to be relevant today.
Consider this: The Ninja 250R and its sequels have been the go-to starter sport bikes for one generation after another of new riders. But on the other end of the spectrum is the Ninja H2, a 200-horsepower speed demon that’s one of the Hayabusa’s only true competitors as the crown jewel of street-legal Japanese superbikes. It’s that incredible level of versatility and longevity that’s made the Ninja come out on top again and again.
9. Ducati Desmosedici RR
Rarer than a black pearl and as refined as the best Italian wines, the Desmosedici RR redefined the meaning of both luxury and performance for a production motorcycle. Although Ducati already had a long history of producing iconic motorcycles both for the consumer market and for professional MotoGP racers, this was the first time they’d ever brought the two worlds together in a street-legal production replica of a MotoGP track bike.
The result was the jaw-dropping and instantly legendary Desmosedici RR, which could hit a screaming top speed of 188 mph and retailed for an astonishing $72,500. Although its extreme exclusivity meant that it didn’t cause any particularly revolutionary changes in the market, the RR remains perhaps the ultimate example of a motorcycle that’s as much art as it is a consumer product.
10. Vincent Black Shadow
The world’s first superbike, the Vincent Black Shadow, seemed like something out of a fever dream when it arrived in 1948. It instantly caused a stir, thanks to its beefy 900cc engine and its then-unheard-of top speed of 125 mph. Hunter S. Thompson himself, the ultimate connoisseur of the extreme, wrote the bike into Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as part of that book’s madcap haze of excess.
The Black Shadow’s impressive performance didn’t translate into a long lifespan for its manufacturer. Vincent only produced the model from ’48 to ’55 before exiting the motorcycle market entirely to focus on industrial engines and oddball projects like the ill-fated Amanda water scooter. But its legacy lives on today in the Vincent Owners Club (VOC), an ultra-dedicated group of hobbyists who bring the magic of Vincent’s vintage models to bike shows and events across the UK.
11. Royal Enfield Continental GT
The cafe racer is a motorcycle style with its own unique history rooted in a mid-20th century European cafe scene that included a whole lot of motorcycle racing. One of the most famous models to emerge from that scene was the Royal Enfield Continental GT, a snappy-looking British bike that was first demonstrated in a 22-hour road race from the northern tip of Scotland to the southern tip of England.
The slim, sporty styling of the Continental GT created a template that many cafe racer models after it would follow. Its drop handlebars, rear-set foot pegs and swept-back exhaust all brought the features of the thriving UK motorcycle racing scene into the households of average Britons. Today, the Continental GT lives again as one of the revived Royal Enfield’s flagship models and, by all accounts, it’s just as fun and zippy as it’s always been.
12. Buell XB12R Firebolt
If any motorcycle designer ever earned the title of “mad genius,” it’s Erik Buell, and many motorsport enthusiasts consider the XB12R Firebolt to be his magnum opus. The XB12R was a 1200cc naked bike that became one of the first “streetfighter”-styled models to find mainstream success. It was light and maneuverable thanks to its aluminum frame and powerful thanks to its brawler of a V-Twin engine–and, best of all, it was under $10,000.
Unfortunately, despite its innovative designs, Harley killed the Buell brand in 2009 in what many saw as a baffling and unfair business decision. All wasn’t lost, though. With the February 2021 announcement that Buell would be revived as an independent brand, it just might be that Erik Buell will get one more chance to stun the world.
13. BMW R32
We couldn’t finish out this list without a Beamer bike somewhere, and the BMW R32 makes the cut, thanks to its trailblazing design. Introduced in 1923, the R32 is one of the oldest motorcycles on our list, but you wouldn’t know it from the fact that the basic design of its powertrain is still in use nearly a hundred years later.
Several years before they even began building cars, BMW began to produce motorcycles. The R32 was a smashing success out of the gate, thanks to its reciprocating boxer twin engine and use of a drive shaft, a configuration with the same fundamentals as the one that BMW still uses for many of their most popular models today. The boxer twin remains a well-loved engine design, and BMW and its chief designer, Max Friz, deserve credit for the incredibly forward-thinking innovation that would soon come to be commonly associated with BMW.
The great thing about being a motorcycle enthusiast is that new models are always arriving on the scene to inspire adoration, controversy and lots of great riding. For more information on the leading lights of motorcycling today, be sure to see our complete guide to motorcycle manufacturers. And whether you’re riding something new or classic, Cardo Systems’ motorcycle communication systems will make your ride safer, more connected and more fun.
Image Credits
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FAQs
1958 Honda Super Cub
Honda's 50 cc C100 Super Cub is the biggest selling motor vehicle in history, having racked up 100 million sales in the last 63 years, and is still going.
What is the most sought after Honda CB? ›
Honda CB Series
But Honda's original superbike, the Honda CB750, is one of the most popular classic models on Bring a Trailer, backing up Honda as the most popular listed manufacturer.
What was the first motorcycle to go over 100 mph? ›
1925 Brough Superior SS100
Each bike was test ridden prior to delivery, certifying its ability to meet spec. The SS100 is credited as the first production bike to achieve 100 mph.
What was the 1st motorcycle made? ›
The first internal combustion, petroleum fueled motorcycle was the Daimler Reitwagen. It was designed and built by the German inventors Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in Bad Cannstatt, Germany, in 1885.
What is the most American made motorcycle? ›
While Harley Davidson is indeed the quintessential “all-American motorcycle company”, America has produced a number of important, notable, and otherwise influential motorcycle manufacturers. Indian comes to mind, but they are not the only ones.
What is the rarest type of motorcycle? ›
It's called the Traub motorcycle, and it is the only one in existence. Sure, there are plenty of classic bikes and one-offs out there, but what makes the Traub the rarest motorcycle is its brilliant engineering, and it's the sole one of its kind. Its construction was well ahead of its time, and it still runs today.
What is the best-selling Honda in history? ›
A half century later, with sales approaching 30 million globally and now in its 11th generation, Civic is the longest-running automotive nameplate in Honda history and the best-selling Honda automobile of all-time.
What does CB stand for Honda? ›
—often stand for something in particular, often a phrase that denotes the bike's purpose or inspiration. Suzuki's GSX-R supposedly stands for “Grand Sport eXperimental- Racing”, Honda's CB stands for “City Bike”, and CBR is short for “City Bike Racer” (or “racing”) not for “cross beam racer”.
What was the top speed of the cb750k in 1976? ›
During its 10 year production run, the CB 750 changed relatively little. Performance remained competitive with 67 bhp, a 13 second quarter mile and a 125 mph top speed.
What is the fastest ever recorded motorcycle? ›
The fastest motorcycles that are also street-legal have top speeds of around 250 mph. But all that is nothing compared to the motorcycle land speed record of 376.363 mph! The current record was set by rider Rocky Robinson on September 25, 2010, in Utah. Read on to learn how Robinson made motorcycle history.
The first official Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) record was set in 1920, when Gene Walker rode an Indian on Daytona Beach at 104.12 mph (167.56 km/h). Since late 2010, the Ack Attack team has held the motorcycle land speed record at 376.36 mph (605.69 km/h).
What is the old fastest bike? ›
Fastest production motorcycles
| Make & model | Model years | Top speed |
|---|
| BSA Rocket 3/Triumph Trident | 1968–1975 | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
| Harley-Davidson XLCH Sportster | 1958–1971 | 122 mph (196 km/h) |
| BSA Gold Star Clubman | 1956–1963 | 110 mph (180 km/h) |
| Vincent Black Lightning | 1949–1952 | 150 mph (240 km/h) |
35 more rowsThe first production motorcycle in the US was the Orient-Aster, built by Charles Metz in 1898 at his factory in Waltham, Massachusetts.
What was the 1st 4 stroke motorcycle? ›
The Dream E-Type was Honda's first 4-stroke machine. The Japanese motorcycle industry had become more competitive about a year before, and bikes with 4-stroke engines were produced for the first time. The market started to show preference for 4-stroke rather than 2-stroke bikes.
What is the oldest motorcycle company in the US? ›
Indian Motorcycle - America's First Motorcycle Company.
What is the fastest motorcycle sold in USA? ›
10 Fastest Production Motorcycles Currently On Sale
- 8 Suzuki Hayabusa - 186 mph.
- 7 Honda CBR 1000RR-R Fireblade SP - 186 mph.
- 6 Yamaha YZF-R1M - 186 mph.
- 5 BMW S 1000 RR - 188 mph.
- 4 Aprilia RSV4 - 191 mph.
- 3 Ducati Panigale V4 R - 198 mph.
- 2 Damon Hypersport Premier - 200 mph.
- 1 Kawasaki Ninja H2R - 249 mph.
Harley Davidson is the most popular brand of bikes since it sells the most motorcycles in the U.S.
What is the USA famous motorcycle? ›
Harley-Davidson is the foremost motorcycle manufacturer in the US market. The company's key competitors include Polaris Industries, Audi's Italian subsidiary Ducati, Germany-headquartered BMW, and Asian companies like Honda and Yamaha.
What motorcycle is the hardest to steal? ›
Triumph Tiger Explorer: Why it won't be stolen: The biggest adventure bike that weighs 271kg has provisions to fit panniers at the sides making it inches wider than the Gold Wing. Hence, forget stealing it, even owners find it difficult to take it off the stand and ride it.
Which bike is very rare? ›
An extremely rare 1908 Harley-Davidson motorcycle has earned itself the title of the most expensive motorcycle ever to have been sold in the world, fetching about £767,355 (approximately Rs 7.6 crore).
The most expensive motorcycle ever — a 1908 Harley — sold at auction for $935,000.
What is the most sold vehicle of all time? ›
What is the best selling car of all time in the US? ›
The Ford F Series is America's best selling vehicle, so it's no wonder it's also one of the best selling vehicles of all time. Introduced in 1948, the F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the United States and remains super popular up to this day.
What is the most popular car of all time in the US? ›
America's most popular model is the Ford F-Series truck
While pickup trucks were originally used for work (most popularly in the construction industry), in the 1950s Americans began purchasing them for lifestyle reasons. Since then, you'd be hard-pressed to find any U.S. roadway without one.
What does Suzuki GS stand for? ›
The G and S in GS stands for Grand Sporting, and in the late 1970s Suzuki produced a number of machines bearing the GS moniker, varying in size from 400-1000cc. However, at that time, Suzuki was world-renowned for its production of two-stroke engines, and was busy winning world championships both on and off-road.
What does SP mean in bikes? ›
Sp means smart power in honda also known as (esp)enhanced smart power technology maximizes performance and fuekl efficiency by reducing friction. 2 Reply. Srikant | 1 year ago. Sp means smart power in honda also known as (esp)enhanced smart power technology maximizes performance and fuekl efficiency by reducing ...
What does CL stand for in Honda motorcycles? ›
Honda used the “CL” model prefix to denote their scrambler series, engine sizes ranged from 50cc all the way up to 450cc, and typically the CL model was a scramblerized version of the parallel street model with a “CB” designation.
What was the fastest production motorcycle in the 70s? ›
The Honda CB750 of 1969 is widely acclaimed as the first 'modern' super bike – four cylinders, disc brakes and with a 125mph top speed, it was arguably the fastest machine you could buy.
What was the fastest production bike in 1976? ›
Motorcycle News named the Kawasaki Z1 900 its “Machine of the Year” for three straight years—from 1973 to 1976. The bike handled like a champ. Its double-overhead camshafts produced 82 bhp through its four 28 mm Mikuni carburetors. The top speed was 132 mph.
What was the fastest motorcycle in 1955? ›
The Triumph Bonneville concept was set in motion on the heels of Johnny Allen setting the world record in 1955 at 193.3mph for the world's fastest motorcycle on his Triumph.
The Kawasaki GPz900R Employed A 908cc, Four-Cylinder Engine
It produced 115 horsepower and 83Nm (61 pound-feet) of torque, all of which helped it breach 150 mph.
Who was the first motorcycle to go 300 mph? ›
CredR - The first rider to ever go over 300 mph was Don Vesco in 1975, on a 1496cc Yamaha-engined streamliner.
What is the fastest 1 4 mile motorcycle? ›
By quarter-mile time, 12 seconds or less
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R, 9.47 sec. Ducati Desmosedici RR, 9.49 sec. Suzuki Hayabusa, 9.7 sec. 1981 Suzuki Katana, 11.32 sec.
What motorcycle can outrun cops? ›
Any bike with reasonable handling and 100bhp or more will outrun the cops on roads with plenty of straights, especially if overtaking is required. Pretty much any bike will outrun the cops if the pursuit hits heavy traffic or the rider heads onto footpaths where the cops can't follow.
What is the fastest stock street bike? ›
If you are looking for the fastest set of wheels that money can buy, here is our list of the fastest street bikes in 2021:
- BMW K1200S. ...
- Aprilia RSV 1000R Mille. ...
- MV Agusta F4 1000R. ...
- Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R. ...
- BMW S1000RR. ...
- Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird. ...
- Kawasaki Ninja H2R. ...
- MTT Turbine Superbike Y2K.
Ninja ZX-4R SE.
What is the most advanced bicycle ever made? ›
The Factor 001, dubbed “The most advanced bicycle in the world,” by its makers, BERU F1 Systems, is a road bike with a difference - incorporating the latest electronic systems to provide laboratory-grade technical information on a cyclist's performance, gathered on the road.
What bike goes 200 mph? ›
Ducati Superleggera V4: 200 mph
The 998 cc V4 engine produces 234 horsepower, which is a mighty amount for the carbon-fiber heavy body, which weighs just 335.5 pounds with the available racing kit.
Who is older Harley or Indian? ›
Indian Motorcycle® was launched first in 1901 and Harley-Davidson followed soon after in 1903. Both companies saw several decades of early success. In 1953, however, Indian Motorcycle® folded.
What motorcycle did the US military use? ›
Harley Davidson WLA
Harley Davidson military motorcycles are the most well-known bikes that are and were used in the military. Designed by Harley Davidson, the WLA is known as the most iconic military motorcycle, as over 90,000 of these motorcycles were produced for the military during World War II.
When is a motorcycle a classic? Classic, vintage or antique motorcycles are generally at least 25 years old and look the way they were intended to when first manufactured or built. Depending on the insurer, classic bikes as young as 20 years old can be considered vintage, but this isn't always the case.
What is the rarest 2-stroke motorcycle? ›
The World's Rarest 500cc 2-Stroke Motocross Bike!!
This super-rare Suzuki RM500 LC is a genuine one of a kind bike. This thing is so special that Motocross experts from around the globe don't even know that it exists! So we feel very lucky and very privileged to take this priceless specimen for a spin…
What was the first motorcycle with a v8? ›
The Curtiss V-8 was air-cooled, producing approximately 30 to 40 horsepower at 1,800 rpm. The motorcycle used direct drive because a conventional chain-and-belt transmission could not withstand the power of the massive engine. Curtiss took the motorcycle to the Florida Speed Carnival at Ormond Beach in January 1907.
Why are 2-stroke motorcycles banned? ›
Answer: Two-strokes left the market because they could not meet steadily-tightening EPA standards for vehicle exhaust emissions. The very feature that makes two-strokes attractive—the simplicity of having only three moving parts (crankshaft, con-rod, and piston—was also their undoing.
What is the oldest Harley dealership in the United States? ›
Farrow Harley-Davidson® Has Pages Of History
Explore our pages of history at Farrow Harley-Davidson® in Columbus and Sunbury, Ohio. We are America's oldest Harley-Davidson® dealer, we are growing each year and want you to learn more about our past, and who we are now.
What is the oldest motorcycle brand still in production? ›
Royal Enfield India had been tasked with assembling the 350cc Bullet in 1955, until it took over full production of the model after Royal Enfield sold all its components to the Indian company. Other sources claim that Peugeot Motocycles is the oldest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.
What is the biggest motorcycle company in the US? ›
Honda still leads the world in overall motorcycle sales on every (inhabited) continent, followed by Yamaha with their 20+ worldwide subsidiaries, but here in the States, Harley led all challengers with a 22.1% growth in sales. They currently hold over 31% of the American motorcycle market share.
What is the king of motorcycles? ›
Additionally, some riders may refer to a particular motorcycle model as the “king of motorcycles. ” This could include iconic models such as Harley-Davidson's Road King or BMW's R1200GS.
What do bikers call their Harley? ›
Hog/hawg: Nickname for almost any Harley, but usually reserved for the bigger bikes in the lineup (as in, not Sportsters). Also, HOG is the acronym of the Harley Owners Group.
What is the big 3 for motorcycles? ›
The Big 3. For a time, they were the last men standing in the American motorcycle industry: Harley-Davidson, Indian, and Excelsior-Henderson.
Rider: Any person who rides a motorcycle. A more neutral term that doesn't come with the cultural connotations of referring to someone as a biker.
What is the best motorcycle for the street? ›
Top 10 Best Motorcycles Of 2022
- Triumph Speed Triple 1200RS. Triumph. ...
- Yamaha MT-09. Yamaha. ...
- BMW R 1250 GS. BMW. ...
- Vespa Scooters. Vespa. ...
- Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250. Harley-Davidson. ...
- Triumph Trident 660. Triumph. ...
- Indian FTR 1200. Indian. ...
- Ducati V4 S Multistrada.
Frequently asked questions about the world's fastest motorcycle. What is the #1 fastest bike in the world? The turbine-powered MTT 420-RR is currently the fastest bike in the world with a top speed of 273 mph (439 km/h). Check our list of the fastest bikes in the world to see the full ranking.
Which motorcycle is best average? ›
The best mileage bikes in India are Hero Splendor Plus (83 kmpl), Hero Splendor Plus Xtec (83 kmpl), TVS Star City Plus (83 kmpl) and TVS Radeon (73 kmpl).
What is the most comfortable motorcycle in the world? ›
Honda Gold Wing
Rider with passenger crusing on motorcycle on highway. Riding as a passenger on the Honda Gold Wing is like sitting in a recliner. It is so comfortable that you could easily find yourself falling asleep for a little nap while out on a long ride.
What was the fastest bike in the 50s? ›
By the 50s there were several fast-ish bikes that could have taken the title, but the BSA Gold Star Clubman, with a 110mph top end, is most commonly cited as the fastest of its day.
What is the fastest bike ever? ›
What is the fastest Bike in the world? The world's fastest motorbike is the Dodge Tomahawk, which can reportedly achieve a top speed of 420 mph.
