The best classic motorcycles. Road classic motorcycles

A motorcycle is a vehicle created for true men. Today, there are many different types of this equipment: sports, road, enduro, semi-sports, classic, etc. All of them are in great demand and interest among a huge number of people all over the world. However, as with all things, in this variety of motorcycles there are those that will never die - classic motorcycles. Classics from various countries are very interesting to modern people, and now we will try to understand why motorcycle enthusiasts like them so much.

Classic will never die

As they say, a classic never dies - it's true. This expression applies to everything, including motorcycles. Developed in the 60-80s, iron horses remain popular and beloved to this day. Road classic motorcycles of that time are in demand, despite their age, and the value of such equipment is growing every year before our eyes. Classics lovers all over the world are chasing some exclusive models and trying to reconstruct dying species.

With all this, it is worth saying that almost all modern manufacturers, in addition to producing modern types of motorcycles, also produce classic iron horses. They make a huge contribution to keeping this species afloat. This is why road classic motorcycles will never die in people's minds. At least, this will be the case until they come up with something more modern and original.

The best is the enemy of the good: 10 old-timer motorcycles

In the modern world, a rare motorcycle is able to last on the assembly line for more than 7-8 years, during which several restylings and facelifts usually occur. Fashion and consumer tastes change too quickly. However, there are exceptions to this rule - devices that have been produced virtually unchanged for several decades. We have selected the most prominent representatives of the old and not so old schools, which we will now talk about.

Yamaha SR400

The most striking phenomenon in the world of modern motorcycles is the SR400. And even though the model entered production “only” in 1978, in the line of a manufacturer that has traditionally been at the forefront of progress, the motorcycle looks like a real paradox.

The Yamaha SR400 motorcycle has been produced since 1978

On the other hand, the classic machine has long become a cult car: air cooling, no alternative kick starter, spokes, drum rear brake - old school fans don’t need pseudo retro, they are willing to pay for real classics. By the way, the price tag is not bad - in Europe they ask for about 6,000 € for a motorcycle, but in Russia this device is rarely found.

Jawa 350

Another old-timer is the good old “Java”, however, its long assembly line life is due not so much to a love of tradition as to the difficulties with creating new models.

Jawa 350 "Style" version

And although the plant is working on updates, periodically delighting fans with new products, the main product is still the two-stroke 350 cc “single-barrel”, which entered the assembly line in 1987. The motorcycle was repeatedly updated externally, but inside everything remained the same, which is why it has not passed any European environmental requirements for a long time, but it can be bought in Russia.

Honda Super Cub

The Japanese scooter, whose production began back in 1958, became not only a cult model, giving its name to an entire class of equipment and spawning hundreds of copies from other manufacturers, it also became the most popular vehicle on the planet.

More than 100 million Super Cubs were produced during the model's existence.

The number of original “Cubs” produced under the Honda brand alone has exceeded 100 million copies! However, it is impossible to say that the Super Cub is being produced completely unchanged, and you can only find the original new “Cub” in some Asian markets.

Moto Guzzi V7

But you can buy the Italian legend in Russia without any problems. On the one hand, the motorcycle is new, because its production began already in 2008, however, it is based on the power unit that appeared on the Moto Guzzi V50 already in 1977.

Motorcycle Moto Guzzi V7 Speciale

Of course, it has evolved somewhat, however, unlike the same Triumph Bonneville, the engine of which retained the engineering delights of the past only as design touches, the Italian engine remained real. That’s why it’s okay to call the relatively new V7 an old-timer.

Why are classic motorcycles so popular?

Is it really unpleasant to drive and feel the wind, the perfect combination of layout and shapes underneath you, hear the rumble of a classic low-revving power unit and feel like the king of the road? I think everyone will agree that this is cool! Classic motorcycles have a certain magic; they make you fall in love with them and fascinate their owner with their grace and at the same time special notes of brutality. This technique is a lot of fun. They are comfortable to ride.

For example, Suzuki SX750 Inazuma. You don’t want to get off this one - it doesn’t hurt your body like a sports motorcycle, there are no such roars and terrible overloads, vibrations. Once you ride it, you won’t want to trade it for anything else. This is why everyone loves classic motorcycles so much. There is no desire to exchange them for other types; they are comfortable and easy to use. And although the best classic motorcycles cost a lot of money, people are willing to spend money on them because the comfort, emotions, and special character of this equipment are worth paying for.

Classic motorcycles of China

It’s worth starting with the fact that China only produces modern classics with small engine sizes. Such motorcycles may only be suitable for a beginner. Chinese classic motorcycles are SYM, Stels and others. They are perfect for learning how to drive a classic. They are not picky in operation, however, they are not reliable enough in their technical part - but this disadvantage is compensated by the low price of such equipment. These are not recommended for more experienced motorcyclists, although they won’t even look at them themselves. In addition to purely Chinese motorcycles, there are also joint developments, for example, Sagitta. Such motorcycles are already better known, and thanks to Italian spare parts they are famous for their comfort, elegance and reliability. Classic motorcycles jointly produced by these countries are very popular in Europe and East Asia. Having talked a little about Chinese technology, it’s worth moving on to the producing countries of true classics - the USA and Japan.

Two-wheeled classic from the USA

You might be asked: What are the best classic US motorcycles? And without a doubt everyone will answer that this is a Harley-Davidson. This manufacturer is the largest manufacturer of heavy-duty road motorcycles in America, dating back to the company's founding in 1903. It is this company that produces the best classic motorcycles of all time. Even the famous Japanese or Honda ones cannot compare with the American classics, the dream of every motorcycle enthusiast.

Today, among many different models, this company has several that are worth mentioning:

Harley-Davidson Breakout, a model released in 2013, combines the concept of classic and modern.
Harley-Davidson Deluxe - the style of the 30s of the 20th century makes you feel like the king of the time and plunge into the history of the motorcycle industry of those years.
Harley-Davidson IRON 883 - aggressive looks, unbridled power, authentic style - all this applies to this exceptional king of all American roads.

There are many more different models, both older and modern, that captivate the eye and make you fall in love at first sight.

Secrets of choosing 400 cc motorcycles

The best producers of this category of motor vehicles were and remain brands from the Land of the Rising Sun. And most importantly, the “four hundred” are not created for export. Where then do they appear on the roads of the Russian Federation and how to become the owner of this budget and dynamic bike? Japanese auctions come to the aid of everyone. A huge number of new and used motorcycles are available in the Synergosmoto catalog. All used models have no mileage on Russian roads.

Considering that this category of motorized transport for many is a transitional one before purchasing a heavy configuration, it is planned to ride it for a couple of seasons. This means that the price should be affordable. Lots on Synergosmoto are presented with an initial and probable sale price. Moreover, the price already includes delivery to your city. You can choose the bike you like, and entrust the paperwork to the company’s employees.

Japanese traditions: Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki

Japan has an equally rich history of motorcycle technology development compared to the United States.
At the current stage of development, this country produces excellent, modern, classic motorcycles. Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki are proof of this. Each of these concerns has a fairly extensive range of motorcycles. These manufacturers are global giants producing motorcycle equipment, including classic motorcycles. I think it’s worth presenting one model from each motorcycle manufacturer and talking a little about them. Kawasaki W650 is a classic motorcycle that has excellent appearance and technical characteristics. The slightly lowered suspension makes it quite stable, the gentle growl of the engine is simply mesmerizing to the ear, and the excellent landing makes it very comfortable even for long daily trips.

The CB750 Cyclone represents classic Honda motorcycles. This model is interesting because it is very reminiscent of a real retro motorcycle from the 1970s: pleasant curves of the wings, a sign on the front fender, the shape of the seat, the instrument panel - all this makes it very pleasant and interesting. This motorcycle cannot disappoint. The 750 cc engine is capable of taking you to any distant distance.

Classic Yamaha motorcycles will be presented by the XJR1300 model. She is notable for the fact that, in addition to her excellent appearance and good driving characteristics, she has a large number of horses in stock that are eager to get out. The motorcycle is very agile, and not everyone is able to conquer it.

Road 400 cc motorcycles for the city and travel

Lightweight, small-capacity bikes are an excellent solution not only for sports, but also for city trips and even long trips.

This is proven by the TOP road models:

Yamaha XJR 400 is a classic bike equipped with a 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled engine. Over the 16 years that the model was produced, it went through a series of restylings. During this time, the torque indicator was increased to 38 Nm, a digital instrument panel was added, the gas tank volume was increased to 20 liters, and an immobilizer was added. Production ended with the introduction of new environmental standards, which the model no longer complied with. However, ready-made versions continue to be in demand, both at home and in the CIS countries.

Yamaha Drag Star 400 is a cruiser with a 2-cylinder 4-stroke engine, cardan drive and 5-speed gearbox. It has a smooth ride and accelerates to one hundred in 11.2 seconds. At Japanese auctions you can also find lots with automatic transmissions. The touring Yamaha is designed for confident riding without aggression or super speed. Can accelerate to 135 km/h. This is a fairly economical version, consuming 2.28 liters. fuel every 100 km. It is distinguished by maneuverability due to the center of gravity shifted downwards and low weight (240 kg).

Suzuki Gladius 400 is a naked bike with an elegant, discreet exterior. Equipped with a 4-stroke engine, ABS system, ISC (start at low temperatures), 6-speed gearbox, classic chain drive and friction clutch discs. Weighing 206 kg, the model consumes 2.5 liters of fuel per hundred. The triangular frame guarantees balance and confident handling. And the driver will need 5.6 seconds to accelerate the “iron horse” to hundreds. The manufacturer also took care of the passenger by equipping the seat with a comfortable handrail.

Suzuki GSR 400 - after releasing the GSR 600 for export, Suzuki began producing a 400 cc motorcycle with similar characteristics, but for the domestic market. Equipped with an injector, 16-liter gas tank, aluminum frame, adjustable suspension. The 4-stroke engine has 4 cylinders and liquid cooling. The GSR 400 looks larger and more aggressive than its siblings, and is suitable for even tall drivers. Reliable and timely stopping is ensured by 4-piston brakes.

Kawasaki ER-4N is a road naked version that is aesthetically and technically attractive. Allows you to drive at speeds up to 170 km/h. Considering the absence of a windshield, this is quite enough to make the driver feel comfortable. Equipped with a chain drive, injector, digital ignition, 15-liter gas tank, steel frame. In 5.5 seconds you can accelerate to hundreds. Due to its comfortable fit, the 209-kilogram road bike is suitable both for moving around the city and for long trips.

Modern classics – quality and style above all!

Today, classics are created primarily because a huge number of motorcyclists prefer modern classic motorcycles. They prefer traditional appearance, comfort, pleasant engine sound and much more. As we have already found out, such equipment is now produced by the Americans and the Japanese. Classic motorcycles from Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Harley-Davidson are united not only by a big name, but also by high quality products. Each part produced by these brands is carefully checked and absolutely precisely installed in its place when assembling the motorcycle. All companies, both eastern and western, try not to miss the notes of style and design that have been defined over the years, with which this or that brand of motorcycle is associated. So, for example, “Harley” can be associated with a brutal appearance, a rough and tough character, while “Kawasaki” can be described as follows: a discreet, fit and aggressive iron horse. It is clear that the flight of design ideas is endless, but one thing in this flight must remain unchanged - these are classic road motorcycles. This is what the manufacturers follow.

The best 400cc motorcycles for sports

The correct choice of the “iron horse” occupies an important place in teaching motorsports. It should be light and dynamic. And if you don’t believe in the capabilities of 250 cc sports bikes, you should pay attention to these “four hundred”:

Honda CB 400 SF - according to owner reviews, this bike is easy to ride and reliable. It's not scary to ride it for the first time and it's easy to learn how to operate it. The CB 400 SF is equipped with a 4-cylinder 16-valve engine, the operation of which accelerates the design to 190 km/h. It is this model that is used for riding training in many motorcycle schools in Japan. The high-revving engine (9500-11000 rpm) is liquid cooled, has dual brakes at the front and a dual shock absorber at the rear. All this makes even daring driving quite confident and safe.

Honda CBR 400 RR - the bike was produced from 1987 to 1999 and was a successor to the cross-country Honda CBR400 Aero. However, even today the exterior looks quite modern. “Adult” representatives, namely those that left the assembly line before 1993, produce 59 horsepower. Post-93 versions were produced according to updated Japanese legislation and provide 53 hp. Powering the bike is a 4-cylinder engine. The speed that can be reached is 180 km/h. Acceleration to 100 occurs in 4.5 seconds.

Honda 400 X is a 400cc sports touring motorcycle introduced in March 2013. The two-cylinder engine produces 46 hp. and consumes 3.5 liters of gasoline per 100 km. Every year this Honda is updated, receiving upgrades in performance and appearance. In 2016, the bike is equipped with a higher windshield, adjustable suspension and steering wheel, as well as LED optics. Another year later, the exhaust system was improved here. Last updated March 22, 2019. Some of the changes: the ABS system has been improved, the steering angle has been increased by 6 degrees, the LCD panel now has clear visibility. The windshield has become 20 mm longer. The 400 X is available in two colors: Grand Prix red and matte black metallic.

What is better - a motorcycle or a car?

When wondering what is better - a classic motorcycle or a car, you should first determine your priorities, determine the boundaries of freedom that you set for yourself. A motorcycle is a vehicle for romantics, thrill-seekers who crave maximum freedom and independence. However, it is immediately worth mentioning that the iron friend is a seasonal mode of transport. You can't ride it in winter. A car is an ordinary tin can, in which you will not feel the wind of freedom, you will not hear the noise of the engine, you will not get caught in the warm summer rain. As always, the choice is up to you - will you seek more freedom or hide behind greater security. The best option for any man is to have both a car and a motorcycle. Moreover, each of them must be chosen with soul, because a person will not get pleasure from those things that he does not like or are unpleasant.

Choosing a classic motorcycle

When buying a motorcycle, it is very important to imagine in advance what it will be like - this is necessary in order to find exactly the motorcycle that will become your best friend and can take you anywhere.

Classic motorcycles represent a fairly large category of iron horses that are universal in their qualities. This class is intended exclusively for comfortable movement on highways and rough terrain. All models, to a greater or lesser extent, have a classic appearance - they do not have sporty shapes. Such models are divided into two types - old model and new. Retro models are perfect for lovers of the ancient and unusual. The new models are perfect for connoisseurs of simplicity and overall uniqueness of the vehicle; each new model is unique and interesting in its own way.

When choosing a classic road motorcycle, you need to decide on its power - after all, the engine power of such a device can reach 150 horsepower. And here it is important to understand that inexperienced motorcyclists cannot cope with such a technique. When choosing a classic, you need to feel and say: “This is exactly what I was looking for.”

Types of road motorcycles

Cruiser

A calm, confident motorcycle with a straight seat, raised pegs, a low seat, chrome parts.

Flaws:

somewhat limited maneuverability;
relatively low horsepower.

Advantages:

pleasant engine sound;
high torque at low speeds;
comfort.

Sportbike

This type is considered the most technologically advanced, with effectively combining power and weight. Motorcycle for lovers of adrenaline and high speeds.

Advantages:

fast acceleration - in 3 seconds to 100 km/h;
power from 40 to 230 hp. With.

Sports tourism

A combination of a sport bike and a touring bike. A universal motorcycle with excellent handling, light weight, powerful engine, wind protection, but less comfortable than a tourist.

Streetfire

This is practically a sportbike without plastic, with an unusual design. The motorcycle has good speed characteristics, but the engines are not so powerful. Inexpensive materials are used in manufacturing, so the motorcycles themselves are economical.

Tourism

Touring bikes are very comfortable and convenient for long trips. Models with a comfortable fit are good - straight, with a large tank, good wind protection. The main advantages are solidity, reliability, safety.

Custom

Motorcycles of this category are unique, real masterpieces of motorcycle art. Most often they are made in a single copy with exclusive configuration and design.

Classic

You can't get by on the roads without classics. All-round bikes with an upright riding position, telescopic forks, round headlights, and dual shock absorbers on the rear suspension are always a good choice. Such bikes are unpretentious and not capricious.

Neoclassical

Like classic models, it is distinguished by a direct fit, versatility, and the absence of fairings. The difference with the classic is the rotated fork, ellipsoidal headlight, and monoshock absorber.

Trike

A three-wheeled motorcycle, usually with a car engine, a chopper front end, and attachments. Very attractive motorcycles, although not so practical.

Enduro

The symbiosis of cross-country and touring bikes has increased comfort, a large tank, protection in falls and ease of landing.

Minibike

The simple design of the minibike does not involve springs and shock absorbers, which makes it unstable on the road, but this is compensated by its efficiency in fuel consumption.

Classic price

There are many manufacturers around the world who create classic motorcycles. Prices for such transport depend on many factors, such as:

brand;
driving performance;
engine power;
quality of materials used;
quality and availability of additional options, etc.

All this greatly affects the price. But we can say that on average a good motorcycle will cost about $8,000-11,000. The price may change in one direction or another, depending on the wishes of the buyer and the level of equipment of the motorcycle.

Cruisers and choppers

The typical cruiser is a heavy and archaic bike, so 400cc. see, it’s simply not enough to carry such a weight while maintaining dynamics. At the same time, such models are not too different in size from their heavier and more powerful counterparts. Their main advantage is the price! But don’t forget that all this beauty moves in space very slowly, and the presence of a passenger kills the last remnants of accelerating dynamics.

Examples

Yamaha XVS 400 Drag Star . Unified with the 650cc version in many areas. It looks stylish and drives slowly. It has a reliable cardan drive instead of a chain drive, typical of most 400s.
Yamaha XV 400 Virago . The ancestor of the “Drag Star”, structurally similar in many ways, but differing in some way towards road bikes. The landing is straight, like on a classic. The main advantages are light weight and low price on the secondary market.
Honda Steed 400 in one modification or another. In many respects it is unified with the Steed 600, and partly with the VT 400 Shadow. Loved by bikers around the world for its stylish appearance, inspired by the Harley-Davidson Softail.
Honda VT400 Shadow . A cousin of the Steed, and like it, it is equipped with a chain drive. It exists in different modifications, differing mainly in appearance.
Kawasaki VN400 Vulcan . Not the most frequent guest in Russia. A solid average in all respects.
Kawasaki EN400 . A peculiar device with an in-line “two” instead of the classic V-twin. Equipped with a belt drive, just like some Harley.
Kawasaki ZL400 Eliminator . An even rarer motorcycle. The engine is a slightly derated inline-four from the classic. Loves high speeds, is voracious, reaches speeds of up to 180 km/h. Spare parts are very difficult to find, since the model was discontinued a long time ago.
Suzuki VS400 Intruder . A reliable and durable motorcycle, for the maintenance of which it is advisable to be an octopus. Because otherwise, it will be very difficult to perform some service operations.
Suzuki LS400 Savage . An archaic 1-cylinder cruiser with sluggish acceleration dynamics. But it is very light and easy to operate. There are also fresh copies, however, already under the name Suzuki Boulevard S40.
Lifan LF400 . A good Chinese 400cc motorcycle, structurally an almost exact copy of the Yamaha 400 Virago. In Russia it was also sold under the name Stels 400 Cruiser, which differed from the Lifan in that it was assembled in Russia instead of in China.

Tips for caring for a classic motorcycle

It’s not easy with a motorcycle, just like with a car, and perhaps even more difficult. You need to take care of this type of equipment very carefully. The motorcycle cannot be left in the open sun, in the rain, in the cold, etc. This means that it definitely needs a garage. In addition, each modern motorcycle is demanding in its own way when it comes to fuel - it must be clean and have a high octane number. All technical components of the motorcycle must be constantly lubricated and kept clean.

The main attention should be paid to the brake systems, they should always be clean and in working order. In addition to the brakes, pay attention to the condition and lubrication of the chain - constantly check its tension, check the play and the condition of the wheel bearings. All these components are very important, since your life and health depend on their serviceability.