Motorcycles – photos of models in retro style

Yamaha XSR900

What happens if you give a naked Yamaha MT-09 into the golden hands of the famous American customizer Roland Sands? Blank for a serial retro lighter! It was with the Faster Wasp custom that the history of the XSR900 began. By adding several elements from their Bolt cruiser, Yamaha received an original motorcycle with non-standard solutions for the Japanese school: a cast aluminum frame and a 3-cylinder engine. The XSR900 is easy and fun to drive every day. The high ground clearance makes driving in the city problem-free, but because of this, the motorcycle’s seat height is quite high – 830 mm.

Travel options

Of course, you need to start with the classics, and then, as you gain experience, you can change the bike to a “universal” one. It received this name because of the ability to travel on it not only along city streets, but also over rough terrain. The advantages of the new generation models are that they are equipped with “electronic” assistants. The ABS anti-lock braking system will facilitate the situation during emergency braking and will prevent wheel locking or, in other cases, slipping of the rear roller tire during drifting.

Let's look at the most popular types of motorcycles.

Moto Guzzi V7 III

The classic V7 has been in the model range of the Italian company Moto Guzzi for more than 50 years. The last major update took place last year: the 750 cc engine increased power and began to comply with Euro-4 standards, and ABS and proprietary track control began to be installed on the motorcycle by default. The V7 has an excellent chassis that allows even a novice driver to feel confident behind the wheel and enjoy cornering. Also a plus will be a large 21-liter tank and a cardan drive, which will require less frequent maintenance from you.

Enduro

The name of the class comes from the English word endurance - endurance. This is a class of motorcycles designed for riding on bad roads, or even off-road. Depending on the specialization, there are several types that have common characteristics.

The main features of the class are:

Motorcycle design with long-travel suspensions designed to overcome rough off-road conditions;
Spoked wheels with a dual-purpose tread pattern, that is, designed for driving not only on asphalt, but also on the ground;
Most enduros have a 1-cylinder engine, tourist enduros with a cubic capacity of 650 cm³ have a 2-cylinder V-shaped engine with a cylinder camber angle of 45-60 degrees. The exceptions are the Yamaha with a 2-cylinder inline engine and the BMW with a 2-cylinder boxer engine;
High and wide handlebar with crossbar and hand protection, half-duplex frame;
A large front wing designed to protect the driver from dirt flying in the face.

There are several types of motorcycles in the enduro class, which differ markedly from each other in design. These are motocross motorcycles, enduros, touring enduros, so-called “parquet” enduros, motards, and trial motorcycles.

2001 Honda CR-125

Motocross bike

— a child of motorcycle racing over rough terrain, or even off-road, its operation on public roads is prohibited. Peculiarities:

Long-travel rigid suspensions that can withstand jumps and ride anywhere the pilot wants to go;
Minimum plastic - wings, lining, tank. The plastic is made elastic so that it does not shatter when hitting obstacles;
Large spoked wheels (front up to 21 inches, rear up to 19 inches), “evil” tires with large lugs;
Engine only 1-cylinder, 2-stroke with a volume of 50, 65, 85, 110, 125, 250 cm³, or 4-stroke 4-valve with a volume of 125, 150, 250, 450 cm³, liquid cooling with a “dry” sump - lubrication occurs from the oil tank (this is done so that oil starvation does not occur in any position of the engine);
A long hard seat, designed for the fact that the route is walked while standing on the pegs, a small tank;
There are no lighting equipment and instrument panel, weak simple brakes (on the ground they are enough);
Direct-flow exhaust system, on 2-stroke motorcycles - with a resonator (volute). Motocross motorcycles have very loud exhaust;
Motocross motorcycles are built to minimize weight. Therefore, they do not have an electric starter or battery - only a kick starter.

Honda XR-250R 2004
The hard enduro class (hard enduro) is close to motocross motorcycles. The differences lie in the greater suitability of hard enduro for civilian use - the presence of minimal lighting equipment, an instrument panel, and some models have an electric starter. Otherwise, everything is the same - rigid suspension and sporty orientation. Hard enduros are also available in 400, 450, 600 and 650 cm³ capacities, while large capacity engines are sometimes air-cooled.

Yamaha XTZ-250 Lander

Ordinary “civilian” enduros differ from sports models in that they are more adapted for dual purposes - also for use on public roads. Therefore, civilian enduros, which are similar in appearance to cross-country motorcycles, differ from them in the following:

The suspensions are softer, designed for riding while sitting on a seat rather than standing on the pegs;
Dual-purpose tires, designed for driving both on the ground and on asphalt (knobby dirt tires are almost impossible to control on asphalt);
Less forced engine, designed for a long service life, lubrication system with oil in the crankcase, exhaust system with a normal muffler;
Full set of lighting equipment, electric starter and battery;
More powerful brakes, often with petal discs;
The presence of a trunk, the seat is adapted for riding by two, a larger tank;

Civilian enduros are available with 4-stroke 1-cylinder engines with a volume of 125, 200, 250, 400, 450, 650 cm³.

1997 YAMAHA XTZ-750 Super Tenere

Touring enduro

- a class that originated from the Paris-Dakar rally, for participation in which you need a fundamentally different motorcycle than for participation in one-to-three-day enduro races. This motorcycle must be designed for long-term off-road riding, and for this it must have:

An advanced plastic body kit with a windshield that protects the driver from wind and dust;
Powerful 1-cylinder engine with a volume of 600–800 cm³. or a 2-cylinder V-shaped with a volume of 750-1000 cm³ (the exception is the Yamaha XTZ-750 Super Tenere with a 2-cylinder in-line engine), which allows you to drive for a long time at high speed off-road;
High-quality lighting technology that allows you to move in poor visibility conditions;
Comfortable conditions for the pilot, allowing you to drive for a long time without getting tired, space for luggage;
spoked wheels measuring 21 inches front and 17 inches rear;
Large tank, protection of the engine and structural elements of the motorcycle.

Touring enduros, designed for long autonomous trips on bad roads and off-road, have all this. The price for long range was greater weight and reduced cross-country ability compared to small-capacity enduros. Touring enduros require a fairly highly qualified pilot, since not everyone can control a heavy sports motorcycle traveling at high speed off-road.

2008 BMW R1200GS

The passion for traveling on relatively good roads with the possibility of going onto bad ones (where it is dangerous to ride a purely road motorcycle) has given rise to another type of tourist enduro - parquet, or civilian. Their main differences from sports touring enduros:

An even more powerful engine (from 650 to 1200 cm³ on the BMW R1200GS and Yamaha XTZ-1200 Super Tenere) and, as a result, a weight of up to 200 kg or more;
The BMW R1200GS and Yamaha XTZ-1200 Super Tenere have a cardan drive, the Buell Ylusses have a belt drive, the others have a chain drive;
The suspensions are short-travel compared to other enduros, the ground clearance is lower - to improve handling on asphalt;
The wheels on many models are light alloy, all with wide-profile tires, powerful brakes, often with ABS - to improve handling on asphalt;
Developed plastic body kit covering most of the motorcycle, high windshield;
Full double seat, luggage racks with metal cases, convenient for long trips;
These motorcycles are not cheap.

The main feature of civilian touring enduros is that in terms of cross-country ability, weight and speed characteristics they are close to road motorcycles, while maintaining the ease of control and overcoming road unevenness inherent in all enduros.

Husqvarna SMR-510

In the USA, another type of enduro was created - the motard, which is an enduro with the wheels and brakes of a sports bike. It was created for a special type of competition “SUPERMOTO”, where the race takes place on both dirt and asphalt. Its main difference from classic hard enduro is 17-inch spoked wheels for standard asphalt tires and powerful brakes that make stopping the motorcycle easy. In addition, its suspensions are adapted for use on asphalt. The motard is very good for driving around the city, including through traffic jams between cars, on sidewalks, etc., but it requires sufficient qualifications from the driver. Today these motorcycles are in the lineup of most major manufacturers.

Sherco Trial 2.9

Trial motorcycle

It is created for special competitions - motorcycle trials, which involve riding on tracks of such complexity that you cannot ride there on any other motorcycle. Therefore, the motorcycle is made as light as possible, with an engine capacity of 50-80-100-125 cm³. The engine characteristics are adapted for driving over obstacles.

Ducati Scrambler 1100

The Scrambler name was already present in the Ducati line-up in the 1960s, but back then these were lightweight single-cylinder motorcycles suitable for dirt track racing. Modern models have become derivatives of the Monster series: the same L-shaped engine, but a different frame. Like any other Ducati, the Scrambler stands out with its striking appearance and spirited character. This is especially felt in the new model with a 1.1 liter engine that produces 86 hp. With. at 7500 rpm. The gearbox has a wet hydraulic clutch, which makes shifting easier. Of the options currently on display, the Special looks the best, but if you want this Ducati to really have off-road potential, then you can wait for the Desert Sled version.

"cafe racers" and "scramblers"

Cafe racers and scramblers can also be classified as standard motorcycles. A cafe racer is a motorcycle designed for walking short distances.

Often the life of a cafe racer motorcycle begins with the conversion of a standard bike into a cafe racer, while everything unnecessary is removed from the standard machine, even the tails are sawed off, converting the bike from a two-seater to a single-seater.

Its design is optimized for speed and handling at the expense of ride comfort.

The term "Cafe Racer" originated in the UK in the 60s as an ironic name for motorcyclists who pretended to be "cool" professional racers by parking their cars next to their table in a cafe.

Another cafe racer, which is very difficult to ride together...

And “scramblers” are dual-purpose motorcycles, designed for both asphalt and cross-country riding.

Two of the latest 2021 Ducati Scrambler motorcycles, equipped with cornering ABS and a multimedia system for listening to music and even talking on the phone.

Scramblers have a longer wheelbase, which means greater comfort than “coffee pots”. There is also a seat for a passenger, which, although not so comfortable, is quite possible to get from point “A” to point “B”.

BMW R nineT Urban G/S

The R nineT line began with a concept of the same name, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the BMW motorcycle division, which the public liked so much that they decided to turn it into a production model. Hundreds of custom cars have already been built on the basis of this roadster with a classic Bavarian boxer engine, but there are also striking examples among the production versions. For example, Urban G/S, made in the style of the progenitor of all tour enduros, the BMW R80 G/S. The signature coloring of the tank, the red trim of the saddle, the spoked wheels - every little detail in this image is reminiscent of the legendary ancestor.

BMW F650GS

As a matter of fact, the “caterpillar” itself has the same engine, but is more expensive - $2,700. Year of manufacture 2000, 73,000 km, Dakar version.

“Normal condition, new battery, valves adjusted, pump, oil and filters replaced. Good chain, bargain."

Norton Commando 961

Norton is no less legendary British brand than Triumph. Due to the abundance of financial problems in past years, the company now has only two motorcycle platforms, but what ones! Superbikes with V4 engines and civilian models with parallel liter twins. Of the latter, you can opt for the Cafe Racer: an inverted fork and clip-ons will make its character even more sporty. But still, the models of the Commando line are products of the old school. They're not as responsive as many modern sportbikes, so if you're looking for a truly old-fashioned bike, give the Norton its due.

Honda motorcycles

This company is rightfully the leader of the global motor market; it is not for nothing that it ranks third in the list of the largest companies in Japan. It produces sportbikes for racers, enduro bikes for travelers, choppers for bikers, and so on. It's safe to say that Honda is the perfect combination of stylish design, modern technology and the highest quality.

The best Honda motorcycle models

Crosstourer is another modification of the model that is perfect for adult and confident men.

GL1800 Gold Wing is a touring bike that enjoys well-deserved popularity all over the world.

The CBR1000RR Fireblade is a powerful sportbike whose design combines many years of tradition and the latest fashion trends.

Indian Chief Vintage

Do you want a bigger motorcycle so you can go on a trip together? Built around the sonorously named 1.8L Thunderstroke engine, Indian's senior family offers every variation of classic American motorcycles, from cruisers to baggers and touring bikes. Their distinctive feature is the signature deep fenders that appeared on Indians back in the 1940s. Although the Chief Vintage is large and heavy, it is easy to handle and has enough torque to accelerate from any speed.

Modern motorcycle in retro style

As the name suggests, modern retro motorcycles are production models styled like vintage machines, but with modern engines, frames and components. Offering what many riders consider the best of both worlds, these motorcycles offer nostalgic looks backed by modern features and amenities, including electronics and rider assists. This means you can hit the streets on a vintage-style bike without having to worry about the drawbacks of drum brakes, finicky carburetors and outdated spoke wheels. The lion's share of modern retro bikes also take visual inspiration from models of the 1960s and 1970s, although there are exceptions that are modeled after 1980s machines as well as pre-war era motorcycles.

The fusion of old-school aesthetics with modern powertrains and technology ultimately defines the modern retro vibe and sets it apart from other retro models like the Royal Enfield Bullet or the Yamaha SR400 - machines that are basically just retro bikes that remained in production unchanged for many years, compared to new motorcycles with modern features that look like vintage bikes. And while there are some vintage styles, like scramblers or cafe racers, that are especially popular in the modern retro space, modern retro models are available for almost every genre of motorcycle, from mini bikes to full-size cruisers.

Triumph Bonneville Bobber

Bobber as a class of custom motorcycles originated in the USA. Previously, these were racing motorcycles for every day: the owner came to a race on a dirt track, took part in it and returned home under his own power. In order for the road bike to be effective during the race, the wings were significantly shortened, the handlebars were low and straight, and all unnecessary elements were removed to reduce weight. The new Bonneville Bobber comes as close as possible to this image. A well-hidden rear shock absorber makes the frame's silhouette look swift, and the saddle floating above it and the rear fender adds visual lightness. The model has a classic in-line 2-cylinder engine for the British brand, which is closer in behavior to a V-twin. Peak torque is already at 4000 rpm, maximum power is 76 hp. With.

Photo: Press materials

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Road Glide Limited

Dry weight 407 kg, loaded 423 kg.

As the manufacturer describes it, this is a bike for those who love the Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin engine and the Sharknose shark-head fairing.

Powerful and obediently responsive 89 hp engine. with an instant response to turning the accelerator handle, it consumes 6.3 liters per 100 km. The motorcycle tank is 22.7 liters.