Motorcycles are undeniably cool. Riding one requires skill and bravery to master, and their design is a perfect minimalist blend of form and function. That goes especially for vintage motos, where form and function are met with classic styles and analog charm. For those who only want the look, retro-inspired motorcycles are a huge part of the market โ but in many ways they miss the point, foregoing the raw, mechanical nature of the classics for efficiency and optimized performance.
And thatโs okay, unless you want the real deal. Thereโs something to be said about the loud, rumbling and dirty experience that is riding an old motorbike. Sure, the convenience of electric starters and fuel injection are gone, but rejetting carbs and kick-starting your ride is part of the experience. Whatโs more, older bikes can cost thousands less than their modern counterparts, making them ideal weekend playthings. Thereโs no shortage of great vintage motorcycles you can get on the cheap, but these five are some of the very best, sporting timeless looks and visceral old-school mechanics.
Honda CB550F
After the success that was the Honda CB750, Honda wanted to take the same inline-four standard bike formula and downsize it. Honda created the CB350F and CB400F, which technically fulfilled their goals but were criticized for their lack of power, and as such didnโt last long on the market. Hondaโs slightly bigger CB550F hit the sweet spot using a four-cylinder SOHC engine and front disc brakes like in the CB750, but weighed in at around 60 pounds less than the CB750, making the CB550 a better-handling bike.
Years Built: 1974 to 1978
Engine: 544cc inline-four
Expect to Pay: $2,500 to $5,000