Best Modern Retro Motorcycles 2020

A simpler time. The good ol’ days. The golden era. However you describe periods of motorcycle history, there’s no escaping the fact that nostalgia is driving the development of numerous motorcycle models from just about every major manufacturer. Thankfully, in a lot of cases these bikes are more than just PR kitsch. They’re well-designed new motorcycles with modern tech that provide all the aesthetic satisfaction of a retro bike without the mechanical gremlins that often accompany the real deal. So with that in mind, we’re going to share some of our favorite retro modern bikes of the year below.

Triumph owns the retro modern space. Other manufacturers will sometimes have one or two offerings in this segment whereas Triumph has an entire line of modern classics that are integral to the brand’s identity. The Bonneville T120 is a flagship of this line and a great model to start this rundown with because it embodies the best of what a retro modern can be. Its authentic style is enhanced by impeccable build quality, making it more than just a pretty face. It packs a modern, liquid-cooled 1,200cc parallel twin that pulls hard. Handling is light and responsive, brakes are better than average, and its more modern elements are cleverly integrated into the design of the bike to keep it looking as authentically retro as possible. It’s a fantastic example of what retro moderns aim to be.

The expansion of Honda’s minibike line was prompted by the huge success of its Grom. Honda followed up with a revival of one of its most recognizable machines, the Honda Monkey, a nod to its Z series of bikes popular in the ’60s and ’70s. More than a nod, in fact. The latest Monkey looks like an authentic retro bike. Get a little closer and you’ll see modern touches like LED lighting, LCD instrument display, and current braking and suspension components. But, as with the Bonneville, the design of the Monkey incorporates these contemporary elements seamlessly, providing a town bike that is both head-turning and a blast to ride. Honda’s Super Cub is another option for those looking for a more scooter-like experience.

BMW has achieved something unique with its forthcoming R 18 cruiser. The company has simultaneously paid homage to design elements of its past while also writing a new chapter in the brand’s history. The massive 1,802cc flat twin engine was designed with elements derived from some of its earliest boxer engines, and the looks of the bike are decidedly nostalgic from the wide, backswept bars to the tank to the bobber styling of the tailsection. It’s packed with BMW tech but retains the clean finish of an uncluttered retro bike. The new chapter bit comes from the fact that it’s the first large-bore cruiser to roll off BMW’s line. This creative reworking of heritage elements into a brand-new package and platform make the R 18 unique among retro moderns. Plus, the execution is really beautiful and the bike promises to be a real joy to ride.

Triumph’s latest Scrambler 1200 comes in two variants, the more road-friendly XC and more off-road-biased XE. We choose the XE for this rundown because it stands as a phenomenal example of what riders in the ’60s were aiming to achieve with their TR6s, namely off-road dominance. The XE is a beautiful, high-piped machine with Triumph’s potent 1,200cc parallel twin hung high above the ground thanks to tall, long-travel modern suspension. The 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel setup is ideal for dirt, and modern touches like traction control, six ride modes, cornering ABS, along with a bevy of additional rider aids make this a truly modern machine.

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The W1 heritage of the new Kawasaki W800 is hard to miss, from the airy internals, tank, seat, bars, and finish. It’s a really clean retro modern execution and features like the slipper clutch, ABS, and modern braking and suspension components give the machine a modern feel on the road. Unlike many of the models we’ve covered so far, the W800 retains an air-cooled design for its 773cc twin engine. You can get a W800 in two versions currently, the classic standard version pictured above or a Cafe edition that provides a completely different, but still appealing, retro look.

Royal Enfield has stepped up its game lately, and the latest Continental GT is a prime example of how engine and design enhancements have made its models more attractive to riders. The updated 648cc is more powerful and efficient, the six-speed gearbox accords with what contemporary riders expect, modern braking and suspension packages provide a more refined feel on the road. It’s a simple yet dialed machine. Styling is definitely nostalgic and the base $5,999 MSRP is hugely attractive.

Moto Guzzi’s V7 line is like a living time capsule, a model which traces its roots back to the late ’60s in Italy. The V7 Racer is a gorgeous example of what Guzzi is doing right with this long heritage. It’s a breathtaking machine, with looks and personality to spare. You will get a bit more of an “authentic” heritage ride experience than you will on some of the more modernized models we’ve already reviewed, but that has a certain appeal to some riders that prize character over contemporary refinement.

The Indian Scout is a little out of place on this list because it’s not necessarily trying to replicate the retro look (unless you get a hold of one of the 100th Anniversary editions). But it’s a heritage name from a heritage brand that has an undeniably influential place in motorcycling history. The latest version of this memorable machine provides decidedly modern power and performance, standing up to its competition in the segment with grace as a neutral, composed, and infinitely manageable motorcycle. Owning a new Indian Scout puts you into a motorcycle lineage, and the popularity of the updated machine is evident in the fact that Indian offer variants like the Scout Sixty and Scout Bobber for riders desiring a little more approachable MSRP (Scout Sixty) or a bit more aggressive styling (Bobber).

The new 2020 Suzuki Katana is sort of a new breed of retro modern, in that instead of replicating the UJM look of the ’60s and ’70s it pays homage to an ’80s- and ’90s-era machine that was loved by riders all over the world. The ’20 version is quite contemporary in its looks, apart from nods to the original Katana at the front of the machine. It’s an agile, responsive bike with a great sound and impressive performance. It’s a nod to a unique time in motorcycling and a revival of an iconic name from Suzuki, and though it doesn’t quite fit the retro modern mold as we’ve come to understand it, it’s a worthy addition to the rundown for the respect it pays to its forebears.

Back in 2014, Ducati let the press loose on its Scrambler, a revival of a machine Ducati offered in the States through the ’60s and ’70s. The machine was an instant hit with riders, and the four versions offered during its initial launch were a portent of things to come. Now, there are twice as many versions available in different styles and displacements and an entire lifestyle brand has been cultivated around the Scrambler. It’s a highly customizable machine with decidedly modern tech, but it retains a classic look that is appealing without feeling overdone.