Top 5 Modern Classic Motorcycles: Triumph Bonneville, Honda Cb1100, Moto Guzzi V7, Kawasaki W800, Royal Enfield Continental GT

Vintage motorcycles — the coolest machines — are making a comeback. They look sexy and are easier on the wallet. However, they are not everyone’s cup of tea. They run slower, stop slower, need regular maintenance, and are generally less reliable than their modern counterparts.
Good thing is, motorcycle manufactures have recognized the market need for classic motorcycles and they are producing modern bikes in vintage garb. No need to own an old, carburetor-driven, kick-start motorcycle from the 70s to quench your thirst for retro things.

We have assembled a list of five hot modern-classics that we love.

#5: Honda CB1100

To kick of the list, we have Honda CB1100. Honda, now mostly known for their sports motorcycles, has ventured back into classic machines that they used to make in the 60s and 70s. The new incarnation, known as CB1100, which made its debut in early 2013 has all the new machinery in the classic Honda styling that was all the rage back in those days. It’s modern, it’s classic, and promises the reliability that Honda is known for.
The motorcycle comes in two flavors — standard and deluxe: the deluxe version comes with ABS and adds twin exhaust pipes, a larger fuel tank, and a stitched-look seat.

Specifications
Engine: 1140cc
Power: 88.5HP at 7,500 RPM
Engine Type: Air and oil-cooled inline four-cylinder
Front Tire: 110/80-18
Rear Tire: 140/70-18
Seat Height: 31.2 inches
Weight: 556 lbs
Price: $10,399/11,899(Deluxe)
Website: Honda CB1100

#4: Royal Enfield Continental GT

Royal Enfield, one of the oldest motorcycle companies in the world, made a comeback recently with Continental GT. The once-British company was acquired by Eicher Motors, an Indian automobile company, in 1994. The Indian-built Continental GT blends the vintage cafe-racer look with modern features like fuel-injection and disc brakes.
Priced at affordable $5,999, the handsome motorcycle comes with an air-cooled 535cc engine. It looks great and runs well, but with 535cc engine, many will find it underpowered. The motorcycle is not made for performance and Enfield acknowledges it. They call it “a post-performance era” machine.
That said, it can be a great starter or secondary motorcycle.

Specifications
Engine: 535cc
Power: 29BHP at 5,100 rpm
Engine Type: Air-cooled
Front Tire: 100/90-18
Rear Tire: 130/70-18
Seat Height: 31.5 inches
Weight: 406 lbs
Price: $5,999
Website: Royal Enfield Continental GT

#3: Kawasaki W800

Available only in Europe, at number 3 is Kawasaki W800. W800 is a retro style motorcycle based on hugely popular [Kawasaki W series] that shares several characteristics of classic British vertical-twin standard motorcycles. Kawasaki revived the series in 2011 with W800. From far, it looks like a classic British motorcycle.
This modern classic comes with chromed mudguards, a side stand, and a center stand. It is designed really well, and reading the reviews, it seems it performs equally well. It is not yet available in USA and Kawasaki has not confirmed when it will be.

Specifications
Engine: 773cc
Power: 48HP at 6,500 rpm
Engine Type: Air-cooled
Front tyre: 100/90-19
Rear tyre: 130/80-18
Seat height: 31.1 inches
Weight: 475 lbs
Price: £6,799
Website: Kawasaki W800

#2: Moto Guzzi V7 II Stone

The Italian Moto Guzzi is a very popular name in Europe. It is a very stylish motorcycle with a reasonable price tag ($8,990). The 750cc V-twin engine offers sufficient power and comes with 70 percent all-new components that deliver more low-range torque and better fuel economy.
It comes in three attractive colors — black, metal, and red. We think it is a great looking city bike.

Specifications
Engine: 744 cc
Power: 48HP at 6,200 rpm
Engine Type: air-cooled
Gearbox: 6-speed
Front wheel: 18″, 100/90
Rear wheel: 17″, 130/80
Seat height: 31.1 inches
Weight: 417 lbs
Price: $8,990
Website: Moto Guzzi V7 II STONE

#1: Triumph Bonneville T100

At the top is the British classic Triumph Bonneville T100. Originally built exclusively in England, the new Bonneville is produced at the company’s Thailand manufacturing facility, which also makes components and accessories for various Triumph motorcycles. The new Bonneville comes with modern engineering, but resembles the earlier models in style — so much so that it comes with dummy carburetor to retain that classic Bonnie look.

Bonneville comes in two editions — Base and T100. Both have similar engine and power specs, but T100 is a bit taller and bigger and comes with spoke wheels and pea-shooter exhaust for the more classic look.

Specifications
Engine: 865 cc
Power: 66HP at 7,500 RPM
Engine Type: air-cooled
Gearbox: 5-speed
Front wheel: 19 x 2.5in
Rear wheel: 17 x 3.5in
Seat height: 30.5 inches
Weight: 496 lbs
Price: $9,599
Website: Triumph Bonneville T100