Modern motorcycles are more advanced than ever, but for many riders, technology alone doesn’t stir the soul. What makes a bike truly special is character, the kind of charm you get from classic machines of the past. Retro bikes are today’s answer to that nostalgia. They offer timeless styling cues like round headlights, chrome details, and upright riding positions, but underneath they’re powered by reliable engines, modern brakes, and suspension that won’t beat you up on a long ride. In Canada and the US, these bikes have become favorites because they deliver both looks and usability, giving riders the cool factor of the 60s and 70s without the headaches of maintaining an antique. Here are twenty of the best retro bikes you can buy right now.
Triumph Bonneville T120
The Bonneville T120 is as close as you can get to stepping back into the golden age of British bikes. With its twin shocks, wire spoke wheels, and classic chrome accents, it’s instantly recognizable as a Bonneville. Yet its 1200cc parallel twin delivers smooth, modern torque and excellent reliability. For Canadian riders, it’s the kind of bike that feels just as good on a city cruise as it does on long back roads. It’s retro done with refinement.
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
Royal Enfield struck gold with the Interceptor 650. Styled like a 1970s standard, it nails the look of an old school twin while packing modern engineering like fuel injection and ABS brakes. It’s affordable, friendly for new riders, and has surprising charm that wins over even seasoned veterans. In North America, it has become a popular choice for those who want vintage cool without vintage prices.
Moto Guzzi V7
The Moto Guzzi V7 looks like it hasn’t changed much since the 1970s, and that’s exactly the point. With its transverse V twin poking out of the sides and a shaft drive setup, it’s unmistakably Italian. The latest versions add better suspension and electronics but retain that quirky personality. Riders love its unique engine character, and it stands out at any bike meet because it doesn’t look like anything else on the road.
Kawasaki Z900RS
The Z900RS is Kawasaki’s tribute to the legendary Z1 superbike. With its round headlight, teardrop tank, and paint schemes pulled straight from the 70s, it’s a rolling piece of history. But under the skin, it packs a modern 948cc inline four that delivers thrilling performance. Riders in Canada appreciate that it offers everyday reliability with retro appeal, while still being one of the quickest bikes in its class.
BMW R nineT
BMW’s R nineT is more than just a retro roadster — it’s a blank canvas. With its classic boxer twin, round headlight, and exposed metalwork, it oozes heritage. But it also invites customization, with riders around the world turning them into café racers, scramblers, and brats. It balances old school cool with German engineering, making it a favorite for those who want style with substance.
Yamaha XSR900
Yamaha’s XSR900 takes the company’s brilliant triple engine and dresses it in vintage inspired clothing. The tank shape, retro round headlight, and color schemes recall Yamaha’s past, while the engine is all modern muscle. It’s one of the most powerful bikes in the retro category, which makes it ideal for riders who want retro looks but don’t want to compromise on speed.
Triumph Thruxton RS
The Thruxton RS is Triumph’s modern café racer. Clip on bars, rear set footpegs, and a tank design that begs you to tuck in behind it make it a throwback to the days of British riders racing between cafés. Its 1200cc twin delivers plenty of punch, and the suspension is up to track use. For enthusiasts, it’s proof that retro bikes don’t have to be slow or soft.
Ducati Scrambler Icon
The Ducati Scrambler Icon is playful, stylish, and approachable. With its minimalist design, exposed trellis frame, and upright ergonomics, it’s one of the most versatile retro bikes on sale. Riders in Canada and the US love it for city riding and weekend fun. It’s a motorcycle built to look cool and make every ride feel like an adventure, without ever taking itself too seriously.
Honda CB1100
Honda’s CB1100 is a love letter to the CB750, the bike that started the superbike era. Its air cooled inline four, polished chrome, and simple design scream retro, but it comes with the reliability Honda is known for. It’s a bit heavier than some of its rivals, but that solid feel makes it a comfortable choice for riders who want a big bike with timeless looks.
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650
Where the Interceptor is a standard, the Continental GT is a café racer. With clip on bars, a long tank, and a crouched riding position, it recalls the golden age of British racing machines. It’s not intimidating, which makes it accessible to riders who want retro style without the high costs of a custom build. It’s pure nostalgia delivered in a modern package.
Triumph Street Twin
The Street Twin is Triumph’s most approachable Bonneville. It retains all the classic styling — peashooter exhausts, twin shocks, and upright ergonomics — but comes in a smaller, more manageable package. It’s ideal for city riders or those new to motorcycling, offering retro charm without feeling overwhelming. Many Canadian riders pick it as their first “serious” bike.
Kawasaki W800
The W800 is Kawasaki’s homage to its original W series, itself inspired by British twins of the 1960s. With polished engine fins, upright geometry, and retro paintwork, it nails the vintage look. Underneath, it’s powered by a reliable parallel twin that makes it a joy for casual cruising. It’s not fast, but it nails the style perfectly.
Suzuki SV650X
The SV650 is a legend among starter bikes, and the X version adds retro flair. With a small bikini fairing, café racer styling cues, and clip on bars, it looks vintage while keeping the practicality and fun of the SV650. It’s one of the most budget friendly retro styled options, but still manages to look like it belongs among pricier bikes.
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled
The Desert Sled is Ducati’s take on the 60s and 70s desert racing look. With long travel suspension, knobby tires, and high fenders, it blends retro style with real off road ability. In North America, it’s perfect for riders who want a bike that looks cool in the city but is happy to tackle dirt trails on the weekend.
Triumph Scrambler 1200
The Scrambler 1200 is Triumph’s ultimate retro adventure bike. It has high pipes, wire wheels, and styling that looks straight out of a Steve McQueen film, but it’s loaded with modern electronics and off road capability. Canadian riders love it because it handles long distances and rough terrain while still looking like it rolled straight out of the 1960s.
Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber
The V9 Bobber is Moto Guzzi’s stripped down retro cruiser. With fat tires, blacked out details, and the classic transverse twin engine, it has attitude in spades. It’s not about outright speed — it’s about style and character. For riders who want something a little different, it’s one of the most distinctive retro bikes on the market.
Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight
Harley’s Forty-Eight looks like it was pulled from the 1950s and given a modern engine. With a peanut tank, chunky tires, and a low stance, it has raw appeal. Riders love it for its simplicity — it’s just a tough looking bike that rumbles with attitude. It’s retro Harley at its finest.
Yamaha XSR700
The XSR700 is Yamaha’s smaller retro machine, built on the MT-07 platform. It’s lightweight, playful, and easy to ride, with styling that nods to Yamaha’s past. Canadian riders like it for its versatility — it’s just as happy on a daily commute as it is blasting down a winding country road.
Benelli Leoncino 500
The Leoncino 500 is Benelli’s take on a modern classic. With clean lines, a round headlight, and Italian design cues, it’s a budget friendly way into the retro category. It’s not as powerful as some of its rivals, but it offers big style for the money.
Triumph Bonneville Bobber
The Bonneville Bobber looks like a custom build straight from a workshop, but it rolls right out of Triumph’s factory. Its floating solo seat, wide bars, and torque rich engine make it one of the coolest retro bikes available today. In Canada and the US, it’s become hugely popular because it delivers custom style with factory reliability.
Why Retro Still Works
Retro motorcycles are more than nostalgia machines. They offer the cool factor of classic design with the practicality of modern engineering. For Canadian and American riders, that means being able to enjoy the look of a 60s café racer or 70s scrambler without dealing with unreliable carbs or outdated brakes. They are machines you can ride daily and still feel like you’re part of history. Every ride becomes more than transportation it becomes a style statement.
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