10 Retro Motorcycles You Can Buy Today

These old school rides are inspired by the past but ready for the future

When it comes to motorcycle history, nostalgia isn't just a romantic notion—it's a feeling that's captured in several models you can buy straight from the showroom.

These 10 motorcycles may be inspired by old-school rides (and some are actually direct descendants of decades-old platforms), but their reliability and factory warranties make them alluring alternatives to classic motorcycles.

01
of 10

BMW R nineT ($14,995)

BMW R nineT
BMW

The BMW R nineT has classic Beemer cues, including a horizontally-opposed 1,170cc "boxer" engine and shaft drive, but this retro ride adds modern touches like ABS and spoked wheels. Just like an old school ride, it can be modified thanks to extensively customizable bodywork.

02
of 10

Ducati Scrambler ($8,495 - $9,995)

2015 Ducati Scrambler Icon motorcycle
2015 Ducati Scrambler Icon. Dennis Bratland/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0 

The Scrambler marks Ducati's return to the genre after decades of focusing on sportbikes, and this classically inspired ride adds modern touches like LED lights and an underseat USB charger. Though critics are quick to claim this Duc isn't a real scrambler because it lacks high exhaust pipes, it's actually an honest representation of its 1960s- and 1970s-era ancestors, which were equipped with low pipes.

03
of 10

Harley-Davidson Sportster ($8,399 - $11,799)

Harley-Davidson Sportster 48
Harley-Davidson Sportster 48. Basem Wasef

The ​modern day Harley-Davidson Sportster is a tried and true descendant of one of the longest continually running models in motorcycle history, which was originally launched in 1957. Though it still retains its signature architecture and air-cooled v-twin configuration, the Sportster now adds electronic fuel injection and available ABS to its repertoire.

04
of 10

Honda CB1100 ($10,399)

Honda CB1100 motorcycle
PekePon/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0 

Honda's old CB-series bikes were evocative expressions of Universal Japanese Motorcycles, the sort of standard you could "see through." The revitalized CB1100 packages that formula with a 1,142cc air-cooled engine and retro styling.

05
of 10

Indian Scout ($10,999)

2015 Indian Scout motorcycle
The 2015 Indian Scout. Basem Wasef

Though it's graced with a few modern touches, the Indian Scout convincingly recalls the brand's Harley-challenging heritage. Purists might scoff at the liquid-cooled 1,133cc v-twin, but the Scout does a solid job of straddling historic styling and modern convenience.

06
of 10

Moto Guzzi V7 ($8,490 - $10,490)

Moto Guzzi V7 motorcycle
The Moto Guzzi V7 Racer. Moto Guzzi

Moto Guzzi's rich history is recalled in many of their models, including the V7 (seen here in Racer trim). This elemental naked bike's calling card is its transversely-mounted v-twin engine, which delivers Moto Guzzi's signature wiggle (ie, torque shift) effect when you roll on the throttle.

07
of 10

Star Motorcycles Bolt ($8,290 - $8,690)

Star Bolt motorcycle
The Star Bolt. Riles & Nelson

Taking a cue from the Harley-Davidson Sportster playbook, Star Motorcycles' Bolt is a retro style ride that features a 942cc air-cooled v-twin. The C-Spec version adds café racer cues for a cool, arms-stretched riding posture.

08
of 10

Suzuki TU250X ($4,399)

Suzuki TU250X motorcycle
The Suzuki TU250X.

Suzuki's TU250X looks like a classic standard, though it adds fuel injection. California residents, however, don't get to experience this small 250cc bike's charms: the TU250X is not available there.

09
of 10

Triumph Bonneville ($8,099)

Triumph Bonneville motorcycle
The Triumph Bonneville. Basem Wasef

The Triumph Bonneville was so cool that Steve McQueen and Arthur Fonzarelli rode one. Maintaining its classic styling but adding fuel injection and more available accessories, the modern day Bonneville manages to be both appealing and practical.

10
of 10

Yamaha SR400 ($5,990)

2015 Yamaha SR400 motorcycle
The Yamaha SR400 in action. Tom Riles

Yamaha's SR400 is essentially the same bike they've sold for decades; though it adds fuel injection, this standard still has a kick starter, offering a nearly complete retro experience for those wishing to re-live the past.