Moto Guzzi introduced the V7 in the late 1960's. The V7 would go on to pave the way for all future Guzzis. In 2008 Moto Guzzi payed homage to their icon with the new V7. With the new V7 Moto Guzzi joins Triumph and Harley in the retro game.
Ducati loves making replica race bikes. Shortly after the limited Mike Hailwood Evoluzion Ducati intorduced the Sportclassic line. The most interesting of the line was propably the Paul Smart edition, which imitates the 750 Super Sport Ducati raced in the 1970's. It's difficult however to pick which bike is more beautiful.
One of the first models Kawasak introduced in the United States was the W model. The W was little more than a copy of any of the popular English twins of the day. In the late 1990's Kawasaki released a the retro W650. Conincidentally the W650 came out around the same time as Triumph's new Bonneville.
The Honda CB750 continued long after it was introduced in 1969. The model finally died out in the 1990's. Last year however Honda displayed the CB1100 concept which maybe put into production soon.
Another modern inturpritation of a Honda classic is the CB1300 Bol Dor edition which celibrates Honda's early 80's racer the CB900 Bol Dor.
Norton was one of the last of the English twins. The company continued with the Commando through the seventies and experimented with rotaries in the eighties and ninties. Eventually the company went under. In the 1990's an Oregon based frim began producing a modern version of the Commando. The operations recently switched to a UK based firm.
The Triumph has to be the most successful marque revivals, in fact is has to be one of the only successful marque revivals. Trimuph's most famous model the Bonneville recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, so here's a 1959 Bonneville and a 2009 Bonneville.
Vincents are among the most disireable classic motorcycles in existance. The Vincent Black Shadow was the pinicle of motorcycles in its day, yet it was produced for only a short amount of time. In the late 1990's a California based revival introduced a modern Black Shadow with a Honda V twin from the RC51. Unfortunately these machines don't seem to be available anymore.
Vincents are among the most disireable classic motorcycles in existance. The Vincent Black Shadow was the pinicle of motorcycles in its day, yet it was produced for only a short amount of time. In the late 1990's a California based revival introduced a modern Black Shadow with a Honda V twin from the RC51. Unfortunately these machines don't seem to be available anymore.
Harley-Davidson is retro. The company has made a lot of money making motorcycles that look exactly like their 40-50 year old ancestors. The best example I know of is the Sportster, which recently had it's 50th birthday. So here's the oringinal, a 1957 Sportster and a 2007 model.
Indian is the king of the comebacks. The poor name has bounced from owner to owner, yet no one has been able to live up to the reputation of the once-largest motorcycle manufacture of the world. Here's a comparison of a 1941 Indian Chief and the current revival's attempt at an Indian Chief.
Indian is the king of the comebacks. The poor name has bounced from owner to owner, yet no one has been able to live up to the reputation of the once-largest motorcycle manufacture of the world. Here's a comparison of a 1941 Indian Chief and the current revival's attempt at an Indian Chief.
1885 First gasoline powered "motorcycle" - Daimler and Maybach
1893 First multi-cylinder motorcycle - Millet
1898 First American production motorcycle - Orient Aster
1907 First eight cylinder motorcycle - Curtiss
