Some of the most popular bikes of modern times aren’t ‘modern’ at all – instead, ‘retro-style’ motorcycles, while being bang up to date in terms of engineering, performance and reliability, instead take their styling cues from the past – and it’s not hard to see why they appeal.
Among the first were Kawasaki’s Zephyrs of the 1990s, which were ‘old school’ style bikes inspired by Kawasaki’s classic Z1 900 of the 1970s but brought up to date with modern brakes, wheels, clocks and so on with the result having the flavour and looks of the classic Kawasaki but the reliability of a modern machine. British brand Triumph then also entered the ‘retro-sphere’ with its 1995 Thunderbird 900, which was based on the modern Trident 900 but fully restyled to remind of classic Triumphs of the 1960s.
But this new category really took off with another Triumph, the Bonneville 800 of 2001 which this time was a ground-up new design but 100% intended to mimic the style and character of the brand’s most famous bike of the ‘60s and ‘70s. It worked, too, proving such a hit it spawned a whole family of Triumph ‘modern classics’ with which the Hinckley marque leads the category to this day.
That popularity prompted a host of imitators: Ducati with its Scrambler family, as launched in 2015; BMW with its RNineT launched 2012, Yamaha with its XSRs, Kawasaki with its Z-RSs, and many more. Today you can buy ‘retro’ roadsters from 125 to 1200cc and from under £4000 to over £14K.
What all deliver, to greater or lesser degree, is a charming, comparatively gentle and novice-friendly evocation of the past, both in style and ride, but with modern performance, reliability, chassis components and reassurance. If you want your bike to have today’s performance but the character of a golden, gone-by age, a retro roadster is for you. Here’s our pick of the current best, in price-ascending order…
10. Honda GB350S – £3,999
One of the most affordable, smallest and arguably best of all current ‘retro’ was only launched in the UK in 2025 and immediately became a best-seller for its combination of value, cute looks, easy manners and proven Honda quality and reliability. First available as a Japan-only bike in 2023, the GB is about as pure and simple as bikes get, with its single-cylinder air-cooled engine and no-frills twin shock chassis. Nor with its mere 21bhp is it exactly a thrilling ride or capable of long distances or two-up touring. But as a short-haul, sunny Sunday toy perhaps as a first big bike or second machine, it’s delightful.
9. Yamaha XSR125 – From £4,500
For some reason, retros tend to be much rarer in the learner/A1licence/125cc category, largely, probably, because 17-year-olds are less likely to identify with the ‘70s or ‘80s – but one bike stands out.
Yamaha’s junior XSR (the Japanese brand previously has offered retro XSR versions of its MT-07 and MT-09 roadsters) is effectively a restyled version of its sporty, liquid-cooled MT-125 and, with proven mechanicals, class-competitive performance and more than a few classy touches to go along with its restyled tank, seat and more, offers the best of both worlds – credible, class-competitive 125 performance, decent brakes, suspension, dash and so on (which is more than can be said for some of the cheap, Chinese 125s with similar styling) yet also a retro charm all its own which is likely to appeal both to ‘little Johnny’ – and his dad!
8. Triumph Speed 400 – £5,245
Despite dominating the retro market for over a decade with its ever-growing ‘modern classic’ family, as based on the Bonneville T120 (see below), Triumph stunned the motorcycling world with its all-new 500cc junior version in 2024.
In fact, there were two models: the conventional roadster, the Speed 400, and the slightly more expensive ‘scrambler’ version, currently £5845 (and trail bike style ‘scrambler’ versions of retro roadsters are almost as popular as the originals). It’s impressively done, too, enough for it to again become an instant best-seller. Despite ‘only’ being a 400cc single, it’s liquid-cooled, good for a class-leading 40bhp and is genuinely thrilling to ride. In typical Triumph style, its chassis is similarly competent and it’s also classy, well-built and impressively versatile. If you like the style, it’s one of the most dynamic of all, especially considering its capacity – but you do pay a slight premium for it.
7. BSA 650 Scrambler – £5,995
Historic British brand BSA, which went bust back in 1973, was revived for 2023 under new Indian ownership with its first bike being a credible, stylish and effective re-incarnation of its legendary 1950s Gold Star single which remains one of the best ‘retro’ you can buy for £6399. That bike was followed up in 2025 first by the Scrambler 650, using the same 45bhp single-cylinder engine, then by the all-new Bantam 350, which again revives a famous BSA name from the past for just £3499. Both are worthy of inclusion here but we’re focusing on the 650 which for our money retains all the dynamics of the Gold Star but in a more appealing ‘60s/’70s trail bike style yet at an even more affordable price. True, it can’t quite match the quality and performance of rivals such Triumph’s recently updated Scrambler 900 twin. But the BSA’s just as good looking, great fun around town and, at over £3000 less, far better value.
6. Royal Enfield 650 Classic – From £6,649
Indian-owned (and built) Royal Enfield has been on a huge upswing over the last 15 years or so, now has an R&D centre in the UK and today, with an ever increasing range of 350-650cc retro-inspired singles and twins is arguably the biggest rivals to Triumph’s Modern Classics family – but at a slightly lower price point. The 2025-launched 650 Classic is typical – and arguably the best of all. It’s based on the twin-cylinder Continental roadster as developed in the UK and launched in 2019 but this time with ‘50s-inspired styling to go with its thrummy 46bhp and pleasing manners. Best of all, though, it’s executed beautifully, with modern but authentic looking clocks and switchgear, deep paint and lots of neat design touches. The ‘50s vibe may not to be everyone’s taste but there’s no denying its beautifully done, is dynamically as good as any and decent value, too. Besides, if it’s not, Royal Enfield also has plenty of other styles to choose from, too!
5. Suzuki GSX-8T – £8,599
Moving away from British inspired retro-style bikes, there’s no ignoring the rise of Japanese and European takes on theme with one of the very best being Suzuki’s GSX-8T (and 8TT) as both launched in 2025. Both are based on the conventionally modern GSX-8S, a twin cylinder roadster rival to Yamaha’s hugely successful MT-07. That bike was already an impressive performer with a great, grunty engine that was let down only by its drab style. The T (and cockpit-faired TT) changes all that, however, with a new tank, seat and riding position. Styling is inspired by Suzuki’s 1970s GS (although only subtly, to be fair); quality and detailing is much improved, and the brilliant dynamics are unchanged make this one of the best-performing ‘retros’ of all. And, if that’s not enough, Suzuki also offer its revived £12,499 Katana, which is a restyled version of the modern, 150bhp GSX-S1000 naked, but with swish styling inspired by the 1980s Katana original.
4. Ducati Scrambler Icon – From £9,495
Italian legend Ducati plunged fully into the retro market with the launch in 2015 of a dedicated whole new brand – Scrambler – which comprised a family of modern, but entry-level 800cc twins (some 1200s were added later) all with off-road styling inspired by the brand’s 1960s and ‘70s singles. The core model of these remains the Scrambler Icon which was most recently updated in 2025. Although the styling is credible, in truth these are more modern machines than, say, the equivalent Royal Enfield or Triumph with liquid-cooled engines, monoshock rear suspension and more. But they’ve got bags of street cred, their performance fills an appealing middleground between the A2 class and full-on modern 1000s, there are plenty of customising options and they make a great choice as a stylish, premium-feeling first big bike – but they're not as cheap as some, either.
3. Kawasaki Z900RS – From £11,499
One of the boldest, best executed and most potent of all retros. After testing the waters with its ‘90s Zephyrs, Kawasaki fully returned to the retro category with its Z900RS launched in 2017. Like the Zephyrs, its styling was inspired by Kawasaki’s iconic 1970s superbike, the Z1. Unlike the Zephyrs, however, its base mechanicals were completely modern, being based on Kawaski’s liquid-cooled, monoshock, 109bhp Z900. It could easily have been a half-hearted mess but the restyle is hugely impressive, right down to its badging and twin analogue clocks and its dynamics are barely diluted, making this – even more so than Suzuki’s GSX-8T – one of the most potent retros of all. Complimenting the 900, a Z650RS (based on the Z650 twin) followed later, as more affordable option while there’s now also the Z900RS SE with upspecced suspension, detailing and more which lays claim to being the classiest retro of all… albeit a ‘70s styled one.
2. Triumph T120 Bonneville – £12,295
Arguably the most definitive and best retro of all. Revived Triumph’s first new Bonneville, in 2001, kickstarted the whole retro class, its success spawned a whole Modern Classic family which is the backbone of Triumph’s range today, and the Bonneville itself has been successively updated and improved to remain the retro roadster by which all others must be judged. The latest version is called the T120 (reflecting its 1200cc, but there’s also a T100 900), has just been significantly updated again for 2026 with new alloy wheels, updated electronics and more and is not only the most convincing-looking (if ‘60s British style is your preference) of all retro, with classy quality and a wealth of crafty detail touches that blend retro and modern impeccably, but also, with 79bhp, electronics, Brembo brakes and slick electronics, one of the best performing. It’s not cheap, but is arguably the best, and if you want more performance Triumph also offer versions such as the Speed Twin 1200 with even more ‘go’.
1. BMW R12 NineT – £14,500
Last but by no means least is German giants’ BMW’s take on the retro theme. Launched as a limited edition in 2014 to mark BMW’s 90th anniversary (hence the name) the NineT was essentially (like the Z900RS) little more than a restyled version of an otherwise thoroughly modern machine – in this case BMW’s then R1200R roadster. But the resultant mix – great, real world then 110bhp dynamics, comfort, handling and build, combined with a hybrid retro style c/o a new alloy tank, seat, clocks, wire wheels and more, proved such a big hit it remained in production ever since. That popularity made it the core of a new line of ‘heritage’ machines (again including café racer and scrambler versions) and led to successive updates the latest being the all-new R12 NineT in 2024. The result, however, especially if you’re not too bothered about Bonneville-style in-depth authenticity, but like the BMW badge, versatility, long distance ability, lots of accessory options, is one of the most appealing retros of all.
