For the purist, a classic motorcycle must be at least twenty-five (or more) years old. The definition of a classic, whether it is a motorcycle, a work of art or a novel, is subjective. But based on the original Latin (classicus) definition: belonging to the first or highest order, sums up what a classic motorcycle should be.
For this article, we will consider a modern classic as one produced after 1987 (fitting the twenty five-year-old rule).
Within those twenty-five years have come some exceptional designs, some considered classics by journalists before the first machines hit the dealers’ show rooms.
Older motorcycles are easy to give the title of classic to; they have, after all, stood the test of time and have proven they’re right to be called a classic. But modern bikes can be considered classics too; in fact many of the manufacturers have models in the line-up styled in the classic (retro) look, Triumph motorcycles being a good example.
Triumph Bonneville
Besides having a motorcycle considered a classic in the truest sense (older than 25 years) Triumph has a modern range of the same bikes listed as their classic range.
The modern Bonneville follows the design and styling of its predecessor closely. Its parallel engine is now a 790-cc unit (the original being a 650-cc) with four valves per cylinder and fuel injectors instead of carburetors. Interestingly, the new Triumph is some 100 lbs heavier than its predecessor.
The 2012 Bonneville carries a retail price of $7699 plus destination fees and taxes.
Ducati 888
Another example of a modern motorcycle that was being called a classic very early in its production run was the Ducati 888. Designed by a team of Ducati engineers and led by Massimo Tamburini, the 888 was an instant success with its beautiful lines and outstanding performance.
The 888 was a development of the 851 superbike. With water cooling, fuel injection and four valves per cylinder, the 888 went on to back-to-back World Superbike titles with American rider Doug Polen in 1991 and 1992.
An early example (1993) is valued around $13,000.
Electric Bikes
When Michael Rutter (son of famous UK motorcycle racer Tony Rutter) lapped the IOM TT course in 2011 at an average speed of 99.64 mph on the electrically powered MotoCzysz, everyone took notice. And as expected, just one year later on June 6th 2012, Rutter broke the 100 mph barrier on an electrically powered bike for the first time with a 104.056 mph lap.
As any racer with TT experience will testify, lapping the IOM at the ‘magic ton’ is no small feat for man or machine. To do this on an electrically powered bike was incredible.
For this reason alone, the MotoCzysz can be considered a modern classic, but the machine designed and built by the Portland, Oregon, Company has classical good looks in the sport bike class and has excellent performance too. No doubt in twenty-five years time classic enthusiasts will be collecting this machine.
Honda CBR600 F2
The F2 CBR from Honda set new standards in small capacity sports bikes. Producing power and speed that could match Grand Prix racers from just a few years ago the CBR was an outstanding performer.
The F2 was a new design to replace the CBR600F (or Hurricane as it was named in the US). The inline four cylinder engine of the Hurricane produced around 85 bhp, whereas the new bike (F2) produced 100 bhp, a power output that was embarrassing for many bigger capacity machines of the day.
With numerous wins in the extremely competitive 600-cc super sports category, the Honda proved to be a highly sought after machine. Today, an early (1991) example will fetch around $3,000.
Yamaha Road Star
For many manufacturers, taking market share from Harley Davidson was critical to their overall competitiveness. However, for the Japanese manufacturers in particular, designing a motorcycle that was better in every respect to the Harley cruisers was a challenge. The Harley customer, in general, is not looking at the performance figures, or the mechanical specification, s/he is buying into a club where only one name is accepted. For another manufacturer to break into this club, they had to produce an exceptional motorcycle.
Although other Japanese manufacturers had attempted to produce a cruiser to rival Harley Davidson, few managed to copy the spirit or soul of the American brand. One of the closest to making its presence felt was the Yamaha Road Star.
Introduced in 1999, the Road Star is still in production today. The original model had a 1602-cc engine but this was enlarged for the 2004 version to 1670-cc. Other changes for the 2004 model included aluminum wheels, improved brakes and a more comfortable passenger seat.
A 2004 Road Star is valued at $5,000.
For this article, we will consider a modern classic as one produced after 1987 (fitting the twenty five-year-old rule).
Within those twenty-five years have come some exceptional designs, some considered classics by journalists before the first machines hit the dealers’ show rooms.
Older motorcycles are easy to give the title of classic to; they have, after all, stood the test of time and have proven they’re right to be called a classic. But modern bikes can be considered classics too; in fact many of the manufacturers have models in the line-up styled in the classic (retro) look, Triumph motorcycles being a good example.
Triumph Bonneville
Besides having a motorcycle considered a classic in the truest sense (older than 25 years) Triumph has a modern range of the same bikes listed as their classic range.
The modern Bonneville follows the design and styling of its predecessor closely. Its parallel engine is now a 790-cc unit (the original being a 650-cc) with four valves per cylinder and fuel injectors instead of carburetors. Interestingly, the new Triumph is some 100 lbs heavier than its predecessor.
The 2012 Bonneville carries a retail price of $7699 plus destination fees and taxes.
Ducati 888
Another example of a modern motorcycle that was being called a classic very early in its production run was the Ducati 888. Designed by a team of Ducati engineers and led by Massimo Tamburini, the 888 was an instant success with its beautiful lines and outstanding performance.
The 888 was a development of the 851 superbike. With water cooling, fuel injection and four valves per cylinder, the 888 went on to back-to-back World Superbike titles with American rider Doug Polen in 1991 and 1992.
An early example (1993) is valued around $13,000.
Electric Bikes
When Michael Rutter (son of famous UK motorcycle racer Tony Rutter) lapped the IOM TT course in 2011 at an average speed of 99.64 mph on the electrically powered MotoCzysz, everyone took notice. And as expected, just one year later on June 6th 2012, Rutter broke the 100 mph barrier on an electrically powered bike for the first time with a 104.056 mph lap.
As any racer with TT experience will testify, lapping the IOM at the ‘magic ton’ is no small feat for man or machine. To do this on an electrically powered bike was incredible.
For this reason alone, the MotoCzysz can be considered a modern classic, but the machine designed and built by the Portland, Oregon, Company has classical good looks in the sport bike class and has excellent performance too. No doubt in twenty-five years time classic enthusiasts will be collecting this machine.
Honda CBR600 F2
The F2 CBR from Honda set new standards in small capacity sports bikes. Producing power and speed that could match Grand Prix racers from just a few years ago the CBR was an outstanding performer.
The F2 was a new design to replace the CBR600F (or Hurricane as it was named in the US). The inline four cylinder engine of the Hurricane produced around 85 bhp, whereas the new bike (F2) produced 100 bhp, a power output that was embarrassing for many bigger capacity machines of the day.
With numerous wins in the extremely competitive 600-cc super sports category, the Honda proved to be a highly sought after machine. Today, an early (1991) example will fetch around $3,000.
Yamaha Road Star
For many manufacturers, taking market share from Harley Davidson was critical to their overall competitiveness. However, for the Japanese manufacturers in particular, designing a motorcycle that was better in every respect to the Harley cruisers was a challenge. The Harley customer, in general, is not looking at the performance figures, or the mechanical specification, s/he is buying into a club where only one name is accepted. For another manufacturer to break into this club, they had to produce an exceptional motorcycle.
Although other Japanese manufacturers had attempted to produce a cruiser to rival Harley Davidson, few managed to copy the spirit or soul of the American brand. One of the closest to making its presence felt was the Yamaha Road Star.
Introduced in 1999, the Road Star is still in production today. The original model had a 1602-cc engine but this was enlarged for the 2004 version to 1670-cc. Other changes for the 2004 model included aluminum wheels, improved brakes and a more comfortable passenger seat.
A 2004 Road Star is valued at $5,000.