Retro classics are a part of the motorcycle industry we've kept a close eye on since the founding of this magazine in the summer of 2005.
Over the years we've featured new model profiles of many of the big hitters like the myriad iterations of the Triumph Bonnevilles, Scramblers, Thruxtons and more, along with Royal Enfield Bullets, Moto Guzzi V7s and a host of retro models from other manufacturers.
Triumph started with just one model, the Bonneville, when their modern version debuted at the Munich Motorcyle Show in September of 2000. Today Triumph builds a whole line of retros, so many, in fact, that they form their own category: Modern Classics. Ten models fill out the list, some with even further trim levels and special versions. The Classics have been such a hit that it is rumored that they make up half of motorcycle sales for Triumph.
We've also featured the recent debut of the Royal Enfield 650 twins, the INT650 and the Continental GT. We're delighted to see the interest that is still growing in them today.
Our contributors and readers love them. MC contributor Joe Berk and friend Joe Gresh took a trip from California south to Baja, Mexico, aboard a Bullet and an INT650 last summer. Berk came home ready to buy a twin, and recently purchased a bright orange INT650 of his own. Heck, I'd thought about buying one myself, but I ran into a stellar deal on a 2008 Triumph Bonneville Black (another story for another day).
Motorcycle Classics
is America's premier magazine for collectors and enthusiasts, dreamers and restorers, newcomers and life long motorheads who love the sound and the beauty of classic bikes. Every issue delivers exciting and evocative articles and photographs of the most brilliant, unusual and popular motorcycles ever made!
Going back to 1950 when R.E. introduced one of the first motorcycles with a telescopic front fork suspension and a swing arm rear suspension with a 500cc twin, my friend and I rode from Indinapolis to New York City, took a freighter to Germany Received our International Drivers License then rode to Kiel to visit a relative to a friend that had been a high Nazi official, then the a very quiet person and the chief clerk in Kiel. From there to Munich to visit a friend that ran an NGO which later was revealed as CIA. Onto Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium, Hollad, and to England including the I.O.M. On our visit to the Royal Enfield factory, the engineers took our bike apart to see the evidence of about 8000 miles of travel. Also had lunch with Wilson Jones, the designer of our well traveled Royal Enfield. Got back home in Indianapolis one month late for my senior year in high school. Basically could not communicate with my high school classmates most of whom had not been outside of Indiana. Almost the same experience during my freshman year at Indiana University. Went back to Europe on a Triumph in 1960 including a two week visit in then Communist Czechoslovakia; using a journalist credential to visit Java/C.Z. motorcycle works. Regards, Steve Snyder, PhotoMedia
Going back to 1950 when R.E. introduced one of the first motorcycles with a telescopic front fork suspension and a swing arm rear suspension with a 500cc twin, my friend and I rode from Indinapolis to New York City, took a freighter to Germany Received our International Drivers License then rode to Kiel to visit a relative to a friend that had been a high Nazi official, then the a very quiet person and the chief clerk in Kiel. From there to Munich to visit a friend that ran an NGO which later was revealed as CIA. Onto Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium, Hollad, and to England including the I.O.M. On our visit to the Royal Enfield factory, the engineers took our bike apart to see the evidence of about 8000 miles of travel. Also had lunch with Wilson Jones, the designer of our well traveled Royal Enfield. Got back home in Indianapolis one month late for my senior year in high school. Basically could not communicate with my high school classmates most of whom had not been outside of Indiana. Almost the same experience during my freshman year at Indiana University. Went back to Europe on a Triumph in 1960 including a two week visit in then Communist Czechoslovakia; using a journalist credential to visit Java/C.Z. motorcycle works. Regards, Steve Snyder, PhotoMedia
My son has the smaller version and enjoys it thoroughly every week with rides throughout the pandemic providing the right note of social distancing! Old school but modern tech where it makes sense is my definition of the right stuff!
It is a great looking bike!
i would probably die right there and they call, " PLASMA/" "DOG PLASMA!" to revive me. I've drooled very politely over these Royal Enfields since a dealership opened in Minneapolis. I hope they are doing a thriving business because they are the nicest guys/people you will meet. Full disclosure: I am a 53 year old female whose greatest desire has been to have a small bike that of course looks as cool as I think I do to have fun on. I made mjy first ever bid on an auction for a 1972 Yamaha r5 350 and Holy Crap its mine. Hasnt been run in 3 years, but I was assured a little carb clean and gas blah blah and its gonna fire right up! RIGHT? I cant think of a better COVID purpose in life to give myself something to work for, as a reward for not wasting my life and money on those soul sucking substances anymore. im so excited. i just gonna stop talking and start chalking, (8ball pinball ref) Now I ride that wave of incredible luck and enter for a Royal Enfield. I
Is the Royal Enfield Contest over?