You may’t go improper with a Honda. However if you happen to’re searching for one thing with traditional character, nothing says, ‘I’m a badass with nice style’ like a classic Honda bike.
Ever because the legendary Japanese agency began producing bikes again in 1949, Honda has been on the forefront of two-wheeled innovation. The model is accountable for the foundational styling of lots of the trendy bikes that we all know and love.
But when trendy plastics and ridiculously overpowered engines aren’t your factor, why not search for a classic Honda as an alternative?
The Distinction Between Vintage, Classic, & Retro
Earlier than we take you on an odyssey by way of our favourite classic Honda bikes, let’s outline what “classic” really means. This phrase can get bandied about a bit too liberally. All of it comes right down to interpretation, to a level. However in different industries, there are pretty strict floor guidelines regarding what can bear a “classic” label.
We’re going to use these guidelines, and never simply to be pedantic.
An merchandise labeled “vintage” by dictionary definition, and in response to customs legal guidelines for many nationwide authorities, needs to be at the least 100 years previous. That alone guidelines out a whole lot of bikes.
As of right this moment, there aren’t any vintage Honda bikes in existence.
“Retro,” then again, is tougher to outline. Merriam-Webster has this to say in regards to the phrase: “regarding, reviving, or being the types and particularly the fashions of the previous: fashionably nostalgic or old school.”
With that in thoughts, one thing like Honda’s CB1100RS is what we’d name “retro.” It’s one thing trendy designed to appear like it was old school or from the previous.
We’re right here for classic Honda bikes, however “classic” isn’t precisely simple to outline both. The phrase comes from the Anglo-French “vendange,” which is described as “grapes picked throughout a season.”
The fashionable English phrase can imply many issues, from describing an period, denoting a size of time, or indicating the age of one thing.
By way of describing classic bikes, it ought to check with a mannequin that’s at the least 20 years previous and that’s recognizably connected to an period, like a ’70s Honda or an ’80s Suzuki. A bike described as classic needs to be of a sure age and never a contemporary illustration.
A 1971 Ducati Scrambler is classic, whereas a brand new Ducati Scrambler is retro.
What Makes a Classic Honda Particular?
Classic Hondas are nice bikes to purchase for quite a lot of causes. They arrive in sensual, curvy shapes, produce a noticeably traditional sound, and, most significantly, they’re fairly rattling dependable.
Even if you happen to do encounter issues, there’s no scarcity of spare elements, aftermarket options, and tutorial literature to beat the problem.
After all, there’s additionally the truth that Honda has actually constructed thousands and thousands of bikes. Even their most sought-after fashions are available and for cheap costs, too.
10 Classic Honda Bikes You Ought to Personal
An excellent previous Honda may be precisely what you want if you happen to like your bikes to really feel extra analog than digital, armed with loads of soulful character, and dressed within the charismatic finery of yesteryear. These classics even have greater than sufficient efficiency and energy to wrestle with trendy site visitors and put a smile in your face.
Under are 10 legendary Hondas to get you began. Hearth up eBay, ignore your financial institution steadiness, and end up one in every of these classic bikes on the market.
Honda NT650 Hawk GT
The Honda Hawk is a cult bike requiring no introduction. It was first launched in 1988 and solely managed to outlive for 3 years till it was axed in 1991.
On the floor, it doesn’t have the identical romance as a late ’60s or ’70s Honda. Nevertheless it has a distinct model of high quality, giving it cult standing. The Hawk was inexpensive, utilitarian, and, above all, an absolute blast to experience.
It may not appear like it, however the Honda NT650 Hawk GT is a blinder of a bike and makes for a well-liked monitor day bike today. Geared up with a rock-steady 647cc 4-stroke, V-twin engine, the Hawk may produce a claimed 58 horsepower and a tidy 31 pound-feet of peak torque on the rear wheel.
Honda additionally gave the Hawk a number of cool options together with an aluminum field body, a separate bolt-on rear subframe, and a single-sided swingarm. It grew to become one of many first trendy bare road bikes to go on sale.
It might not be the primary bike to spring to thoughts once you consider classic Honda bikes, however if you happen to see one up on the market in good situation, don’t hesitate. You may forgive excessive mileage on these bikes, and if you happen to seize one on the proper worth, you’ll not remorse the acquisition.
They’re in no way unique, however there’s a very good purpose why riders maintain them in such excessive esteem; they’re good at no matter job you set them to.
Honda VF1000R
First launched within the States in 1985, a full 12 months after it made a splash in Europe, the Honda VF1000R may not have been as quick because the Kawasaki GPZ900R or as maneuverable because the Yamaha FJ1100. Nevertheless it got here with head-turning attractiveness, bucket a great deal of torque, and the Honda seal of approval.
This traditional V4 is commonly ignored by patrons looking for iconic classic Honda bikes. Admittedly, it’s inferior to its extra touring-savvy VF1000F Interceptor stablemate, however what it lacks in out-and-out energy, it makes up for in consolation.
Not all riders will really feel snug on the VF1000R. It’s an actual ache to steer and turning is a exercise. For those who can lean it into a quick nook with out fearing to your life, you’re clearly superhuman. Cornering apart, for straight-line stability at velocity, no different bikes within the VF1000R’s class may come shut.
The VF1000R was able to reaching high speeds of round 149 mph, and its beefy 998cc DOHC, liquid-cooled, 90-degree V4 engine may produce an admirable 117 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and a 63.7 pound-feet of torque at 8,000 rpm. That’s fairly spectacular contemplating it boasted an total moist weight of 610 kilos.
Yep, that makes it a full 50 kilos lighter than the Kawasaki GPZ900R. The VF1000R must go quick and go straight, which makes it nice for freeway driving however not splendid if you wish to cruise round city.
Honda CX500
Honda’s CX sequence lasted from 1978 to 1983. Although it may not have loved the longest lifespan, the CX500 remains to be very a lot alive and kicking on the trendy customized scene. It has emerged as an uncommon and sought-after donor machine for all types of customization, and for superb purpose.
On the floor, the CX500 was able to reaching high speeds of round 149 mph. It’s a water-cooled, shaft-driven, V-twin bike wrapped in an uncommon and unattractive body.
That’s what’s on the floor. In reality, the CX500 is extremely dependable, laughably low-maintenance, and an absolute blast to experience. And it doesn’t include the collector’s worth like old-school CBs, making the CX500 a really enticing prospect for these looking for an inexpensive previous Honda bike.
The CX500 was powered by a 497cc water-cooled, longitudinal OHV 80-degree, V-twin engine (much like the configuration utilized by Moto Guzzi), good for 48 horsepower — except we’re speaking concerning the beastly turbo variant that reportedly elevated the facility output to a huge 82 horsepower.
Both means, the CX500 got here with quite a lot of attention-grabbing options, like dual-CV carburetors to scale back emissions and a novel electrical begin system. Modular rims meant the CX500 was the primary manufacturing bike to sport tubeless tires.
After all, it additionally got here with Honda’s world-famous reliability and sturdiness, in addition to an inexpensive price ticket. So far as classic Honda bikes go, it’s an oddball, however one that may serve you effectively in any of its six current 500cc variants.
Honda XL250
A few of the greatest classic Honda bikes are their off-road choices. They don’t include the identical romance stage that older street bikes do, however Honda’s off-road equipment from the golden age of enduro racing has monumental collector attraction. They usually’re nice enjoyable to experience, too.
The XL250 is among the most simply recognizable Honda filth bikes. It got here with a 4-stroke 250cc engine manufactured from 1972 all the best way as much as 1987. In actual fact, it was the primary mass-produced 4-valve bike and the primary trendy 4-stroke enduro bike. That helped pave the best way for the enduro wave that swept the globe after the mannequin’s introduction.
Because of its dual-sport nature, this street-legal filth bike grew to become an extremely standard selection for riders eager to expertise the fun of driving roads with out sacrificing the exploratory nature of a filth bike.
The Honda XL250 got here with a robust 250cc 4-stroke engine that might produce 24 horses on the wheel, and 16.85 pound-feet of torque, making fairly a potent bundle for the time. The engine was tucked into an insanely slender chassis solely 12 inches at its widest level. Minus the handlebars, after all.
In complete, this filth bike weighed in at a svelte 288 kilos. Because of its peppy engine, streamlined chassis, and light-weight weight, it was a really enticing experience for budding enduro riders.
Sadly, the XL sequence was dropped and changed with the less-inspiring NX fashions. Honda noticed the error of its methods and finally launched the XR sequence, which was closely impressed by the XLs however got here with out the attraction.
Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
The Honda Goldwing is among the most recognizable bikes ever made. It’s large, brash, and swollen in each sense. Nevertheless it wasn’t all the time such an obese monster. When the unique GL1000 Gold Wing first rolled onto the scene in 1974, it was in a way more user-friendly configuration.
Unveiled on the Cologne Motorbike Present, the Gold Wing grew to become the blueprint for street touring fashions, finally evolving into the hulking behemoths that command legions of loyal followers everywhere in the world. For those who choose your bikes with much less heft, then the unique first-generation GL1000 needs to be your traditional Honda of selection.
The center of the legendary GL1000 is an iconic liquid-cooled flat-four SOHC 998cc engine. This particular engine boasts a gear-driven generator that contra-rotates to offset the engine’s {powerful} torque response, mated to a shaft-driven transmission.
The unique Gold Wing got here with an electrical starter in addition to a reserve kick-start choice, courtesy of a detachable kick-start lever that might be saved within the bike’s dummy fuel tank.
The actual fuel tank was positioned beneath the seat to assist enhance the bike’s heart of gravity. In any case, it was a heavy lump weighing in dry at 584 kilos.
Regardless of the load, the 80 horsepower and 63 pound-feet of torque have been a hit. Honda offered over 13,000 items within the U.S. in its debut 12 months, making it some of the profitable classic Honda bikes ever made.
Honda Sport 90
This previous Honda goes by a number of names: the Tremendous 90, S90, or Sport 90. It’s an immediately recognizable traditional that first appeared in 1964 and was produced till 1969, although bigger engine fashions and quite a lot of variants continued being manufactured till lengthy after.
The S90 was the quickest mannequin in Honda’s 90cc line-up, making it a far superior sporty different to the CT90, CL90, CD90, and the traditional C90, regardless of that all of them shared the identical engine.
Although the engine may be the identical, the driving fashion and total form have been remarkably completely different. The S90 was constructed for velocity, in contrast to the remainder of the 90cc vary.
The engine is a 90cc air-cooled SOHC unit with a guide 4-speed transmission that may be operated with a clutch, in contrast to the semi-automatic C90 derivatives.
In line with Honda, the S90 has a claimed high velocity of 64 mph, although it’s questionable if anybody ever achieved that with a inventory 8-horsepower S90.
Even so, the S90 was quicker than the remaining, due to its light-weight body design. It featured a pressed metal one-piece body as an alternative of a standard tubular metal association. Coupled with slender handlebars and a slim profile — together with the small however potent engine — you’ve acquired a recipe for achievement.
The S90 is one in every of many comparable sport variants that Honda produced, but it surely’s arguably some of the well-known.
Honda CMX250 Insurgent
The Honda Insurgent might need loved a much-needed replace, however for the overwhelming majority of its life, the common-or-garden Insurgent remained largely unchanged. The unique CMX250 arrived on the scene again in 1985 and was an apparent game-changer from day one.
Utilizing big-cruiser styling however powered by a laid-back and non-aggressive 250cc engine, Honda used the Insurgent to draw a wholly new era of riders onto two wheels.
America’s youth noticed the attraction of a powerful-looking, cost-effective entry-level bike that didn’t include intimidating efficiency specs or any alienating jargon and subculture. In essence, the trendy beginner-friendly bike was born. And nothing has ever actually changed it since.
So what made it so particular? Other than its apparent cruiser-inspired aesthetic, the Insurgent CMX250 packed a bulletproof 234cc air-cooled, parallel-twin engine. It produced a decent 16 horsepower and 12 pound-feet of torque.
That roughly interprets to a primary, no-nonsense bike that may hit a high velocity of 70 mph if you happen to actually push it. And also you’re in all probability not going to die within the course of.
The engine was mated to a user-friendly 5-speed transmission which was easy and straightforward to function. That made it splendid for learners. It’s nonetheless an MSF learner bike of selection.
Although it’s not a method icon, the Insurgent is small, sturdy, dependable, and enjoyable sufficient. And as an integral a part of Honda’s line-up, it’s a traditional whether or not you class it as one or not.
Honda CR125M Elsinore
The early ’70s introduced an entire new self-discipline to the world of motorcycling: motocross. Path driving, enduro racing, off-roading… You identify it; it was taking place.
Bikes had advanced into greater than a easy mode of transport and have been quick turning into leisure autos. And due to motion pictures like “On Any Sunday,” everybody needed in on the motion.
Honda needed to hitch the get together too. Sadly, the perfect motocross bikes of the day have been small-displacement 2-stroke machines, and Honda had no expertise in engineering two-stroke motors. Nonetheless, they put their heads down and labored on a 2-stroke of their very own.
The consequence was a 250cc that was finally scaled down, refined, and unleashed on the American public. The 1974 CR125M Elsinore had arrived.
The brand new 125cc model had a bore and stroke of 56mm x 50mm and got here with a cool two-ring aluminum piston etched ever so barely to retain oil. The engine circumstances have been made out of magnesium alloy which helped preserve the general weight down.
The Elsinore’s body was additionally made out of chrome moly tubing for additional weight financial savings, and the physique was plastic.
When all was stated and executed, the Elsinore may produce a peak energy output of just below 17 horsepower and hit speeds as much as 60 mph. It was quick, {powerful}, and extremely maneuverable due to the Showa suspension system’s distinctive journey.
And guess what? Small scramblers are again in trend, making the Elsinore some of the sought-after classic Honda bikes right this moment.
Honda CB750
The world’s first superbike needed to make this checklist. For a lot of, this isn’t simply some of the vital classic Honda bikes; it’s some of the vital bikes ever. The CB750 arrived in 1969 after Honda guessed {that a} large-capacity bike modeled on their already profitable CB450 unit can be a success.
There have been loads of causes for the world to be excited concerning the CB750. It might grow to be the primary commercially accessible, trendy 4-cylinder bike from a significant producer.
The CB got here with extra trendy options than the general public was used to together with an electrical begin, flashing flip indicators, superior brakes, and extra. And it carried out much better than anybody may have dreamed, trouncing any competitors from Europe.
The engine was a fearsome 736cc air-cooled inline-4 producing 68 horses at 8,500 rpm, 44 pound-feet at 7,000 rpm, and will hit high speeds of 125 mph. The specs have been mind-blowing.
However the secret to the CB750’s success got here right down to its user-friendliness. It wasn’t laborious to experience, all the pieces labored, and it was snug.
After all, it additionally regarded exceptionally good and was comparatively inexpensive. Many take into account the CB750 to be one of many biggest bikes ever made and a high quality instance of what a classic Honda needs to be.
Usually, that may be sufficient to catapult it into the primary slot. However there’s one other Honda on the market that has by no means gone out of trend and by no means did not impress us.
Honda Tremendous Cub
The best bike platform ever made is well the Honda Tremendous Cub. Manufactured with displacements starting from the unique 49cc to the extra superior 125cc, the Honda Tremendous Cub is accountable for extra riders getting on two wheels than another bike on this planet. It’s the best-selling bike of all time.
Many historians liken the little Cub to the Ford Mannequin T, Volkswagen Beetle, or Jeep, calling it an icon of the twentieth century and a design landmark. They usually’re right. The little Honda Tremendous Cub is nothing in need of distinctive.
So far as classic Honda bikes go, that is the one you need in your storage. It seems cool and is all the time trendy. In a nuclear/zombie apocalypse, that is essentially the most dependable and indestructible mode of transport at your disposal.
The unique Tremendous Cub rolled onto the scene in 1958. It got here outfitted with an air-cooled, 4-stroke, single-cylinder 49cc engine producing 4.5 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and sufficient torque to hold a water buffalo. It reached speeds as much as 43 mph — if you happen to’re going downhill with the wind behind you.
You might kickstart the Cub with out placing in a lot effort. Altering gear was a clutchless affair, with a semi-automatic 3-speed gearbox, making it so easy to experience it actually took the “terror out of motorcycling.”
The Tremendous Cub spawned greater than six variants. All instructed, greater than 100 million have been produced. And positive, for a lot of, the lowly Cub isn’t motorcycle-y sufficient to get high honors. However in our opinion, this little bike turned extra folks on to 2 wheels than another.
It may not have the standing of a motorcycle made by the Harley-Davidson Motor Firm or the feisty continental nature of an previous Ducati, however there’s little question the Honda Cub is among the most vital Honda bikes ever made.
Take pleasure in These Classic Honda Bikes for Years To Come
Loads of different fashions may have made this checklist. What concerning the plucky Honda Dream? Or the celebrated Africa Twin? And even the lesser celebrated cafe racer-inspired GB500? There are a great deal of choices that might be counted as the perfect classic or traditional fashions. These 10 are our favorites.
If you are going to buy one, relaxation assured they aren’t going to exit of favor.
FAQ
The place do I purchase a classic Honda bike?
Shopping for classic bikes of any model generally is a wrestle. Generally, you want luck. The most effective locations to seek for previous bikes are on-line utilizing websites like eBay or Craigslist or looking round previous scrap yards.
Probably the greatest methods to search out undervalued traditional bikes is to ask round domestically. There are many previous classics tucked away in barns, hidden away in garages, and forgotten about by their homeowners. Ask round and preserve your ears open. You would possibly strike gold.
The place do I purchase classic Honda bike elements?
The most effective sources for sourcing classic bike elements may be discovered on-line. There’s no scarcity of high quality on-line shops with enormous catalogs of elements for classics. Nonetheless, if you happen to choose to go old-fashioned, there are many classic salvage yards focusing on older bikes. We advocate purchasing on-line for the perfect outcomes.
How do I estimate the worth of a classic Honda bike?
Begin by looking for the related mannequin and mannequin 12 months utilizing sources just like the Kelley Blue E-book and the NADA Guides web sites. These sources are wonderful beginning factors. However in the case of classic fashions they’ll solely supply a suggestion for classic bike costs.
Traditional bikes have a number of elements that may have an effect on their precise worth, from their situation to the variety of unique elements nonetheless intact. Begin with the above guides, and transfer on to area of interest boards to get a greater thought of what one thing is price and the way a lot you have to be paying.
What ought to I pay for a classic Honda bike?
The value will differ drastically relying on the situation, the variety of unique elements, and the way complete the paperwork is. For instance, an unique Honda Benly could also be marketed for a low sale worth, but it surely may be a Honda Benly restoration that solely runs due to the usage of modified or aftermarket elements.
With regards to shopping for classic bikes of any make, do your analysis. Discover out what they’re price and resolve how a lot you’re prepared to pay.
