10 Retro Motorcycles that you've never heard of

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Today we're looking at some rare, obscure retro motorcycles that you've probably never heard of

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Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."

[bradtipton]

During my high school days, back in the early 60's, I worked as a motorcycle mechanic. I worked on many of the "Old" designs and brands you mentioned in your presentation. One thing about Ducati is they did have a very high performance single cylinder motorcycle called the Mark 3 Diana that could give a lot of the big British bikes a real run. Naturally, I owned and rode some of these treasures. OH, to be young again.

[philtucker]

You’re right about Harley, they have really missed out on the mid sized retro market that has swept through Europe over the last ten years..RE and Triumph have it pretty well sewn up now…

[jeffersonwagner]

10:40 SkyTeam Ace 125: I recognize that engine model, it is used on one of my motorcycles, a Zongshen 150 commercialized in my country with a localized brand. It is a CG125 engine (I also had one identical to the Honley 125) that received a balancer shaft that greatly reduces its vibration; you distinguish it by the bulge in front of its lower part, which accomodates the balancer shaft. One serious particularity of engines of this kind is the quantity of oil necessary. Instead of the 1 liter they put on the Owner's Manual, it needs 1.4 liter to reach the top mark on the oil dipstick/level visor as recommended by the book. Thousands of bikes blew up engines after only 30, 000 km when used in road conditions here in Brazil. Using the correct amount of oil, which you discoer doing step by step the oil measuring procedure, that engine is plainly satisfactory.

[JKyle-iimz]

So glad the Kawasaki W made the list. I own a 2001 W650 and it's a great bike. Everywhere I go that bike gets attention. Although it's a bit too small for interstate use, I tend to not ride on that anyway. It's perfect for street cruising. Cheers!

[ADingoTookMyDasco]

The Skyteam Ace 125 was released here in Australia & there's usually 1 or 2 available on the used market at any given time. We were also lucky enough to get the Yamaha SRV250, SRV250 Renaissa, Honda GB400 & GB500 over here, although the GB500 is pretty rare. There's also many examples of the Royal Enfield, but here it's the Continental GT535. We're spoiled for choice when it comes to small displacement retro styled bikes.
On the retro Ducati's, I love them. They were more a modern interpretation of a classic rather than a pure retro, but still were a big influence when I got back into riding as they came out at around the same time. Due to Australian license restrictions I couldn't ride one legally, but I could ride a 600SL Pantah, which was the closest thing, so I bought one.

[Gassit]

Some very interesting bikes that I'd never heard of Bart.

Another brand you might want to look at is Royal Alloy, they do automatic scooters from 125 up to 300cc that look almost exactly like Lambrettas for the late 50's to mid 60's.

[richardanderson]

I had a 650cc Suzuki Savage thumper that was the largest engine by displacement that I ever rode (600cc BMW, 500-4 Honda, 250 Yamaha, 200 Triumph Mountain Cub, Honda 50). The Savage had a balance shaft, so was very smooth, low seat was comfortable, belt final drive, so very little maintenance. Great bike.

[Theoderich]

I absolutely love the Ducati Sport Classic 1000. The S and GT variants not so much but man what a machine.
The Classic 1000 inspired me to get my motorcycle license and is one of my all time dream bikes.

[michaelpaciorek]

my favorite is the American made Janus, their entire line up is a throw back to nearly a century ago

[rishavrakshit]

The Yezdi Roadster is a liquid cooled 334 cc engine that smokes the RE Classic 350 in performance. It has more power and is way more comfortable than the RE.

[mountainhobo]

Jawa Yezdi? In the original language (Czech), that would mean "Jawa runs" or "Jawa is still running". Coincidence? 😯

[rust]

From Malaysia here, I have heard of the Skyteam Ace 125 and seen them quite a bit on online marketplaces a few years back, I never actually seen it on the road and I could hardly find concrete reviews myself on local forums. That said, I have seen it in certain showrooms and boy do I still want one, they retailed about 1500 USD and they're not being sold anymore. You CAN get them new for 1000 USD nowadays, but those are just unsold units from back then and are few and far between.

The Malaysian market is mainly dominated by the Honda EX5 (variation of the Super Cub), so I really wanted to get something that differs from the common underbones here. Hopefully in a few years I can finally get this or some other sub 250cc motorcycle with a tank in between my legs instead of sitting on it xD.

[greatbigeye]

Some people brand new to motorcycling may not be aware of the Suzuki TU250 because it was discontinued a few years back, a bit small for anyone 6 foot and up but it’s pretty cool and will move if you pin the throttle and it has a higher top speed than the Van Van 200.

[surajtomar]

Saw Ducati Sports Classic for first time in Tron: Legacy (2010) and fell in love since. It made me love the café racer design.

[karoltakisobie]

I tried importing Suzuki Tempter in 97 and hit a brick wall in both Suzuki Canada and MTO Ontario.

[roccoffee]

I bought a new 2012 Ducati GT Sport and had the dealer install a Termi exhaust. LOVED the look & and feel of the bike…always fun to blast by a Harley. Definitely near the top of my many motorcycles.

[frankmarkovcijr]

As anyone can see a Suzuki tempter is a Suzuki Savage with a smaller displacement engine and drum brakes on the front. I would not mind a bike like that long as it had the 650 single-engine

[chrisbaker]

Back from church. Had to cut and run so I wouldn't be late. But that Yezdi Roadster looks like a bike I'd like. I don't care about fast any more, reliability is important and seating position is all important.
That Yamaha at the end, reminded me a lot of my Yamaha XV920, NOT the Virago. Styled like a 60's British bike as best they could with that big V-twin in there.

[jayluper]

The motorcycle featured in Tron: Legacy is a Ducati Sport 1000 Biposto and ever since watching that movie I have wanted one, though I have never yet seen one come available.

[themotorcyclehistorian]

The Skyteam Ace 125 is a clone of the Honda Dream 50, which is now highly collectable and a retro bike in itself of the 60s works Honda race bikes.
As well as the SRV there was also a SRX which featured a 4 valve single with 400 and 600cc variants.