The Rise of the Classic-Styled Modern-Retro Bikes
As the international motor show season begins it’s interesting to see a wide-range of classic-styled retros in the ranges of all the major manufacturers.
BMW has takes cues from its 2013 Concept 90 and come up with the BMW RnineT Racer and RnineT Pure. The Racer features a bikini fairing, a 17-liter fuel tank, 110 horsepower engine and spoked wheels as an option. The Pure is a stripped-down version sans fairing.
Honda has launched two new versions of the CB1100, while likely only one will be available in Thailand. Both the CB1100EX and the CB1100RS get an assist and slipper clutch and smaller silencers, both models also feature engine upgrades and a redesigned fuel tank. The CB1100RS is the tricker of the pair and runs with 43mm Showa forks, 17 inch cast aluminum-alloy wheels and ‘modern’ radial Tokico brakes. The Honda CB1100EX runs more traditional 18 inch spoked wheels, non-radial brakes ans Showa suspension front and rear.
Triumph shows that it’s going from strength-to-strength, especially with its modern classic. The new Triumph T100 Bonneville range still uses the 900cc engine from the Street Twin. There is also a Triumph Street Cup – which is a revised Street Twin with some cool bolt-ons from Triumph’s bulging parts catalog. Finally, there is the much-lauded 76 horsepower, 1200cc parallel-twin Triumph Bobber, essentially a T120 Bonneville, but with a stripped-back look, with single, sprung seat.
Yamaha will be bringing its Harley-Davidson esque SCR950 to some new markets for 2017. The motorcycle has been sold in the USA, but for next year the motorcycle (basically a belt-drive XV950 with new handlebars, rims, spoked wheels and different seat) will be available in several new markets.
I look forward for a few of this models to make it onto the Thai motorcycle market. Test out a few modern retros to see how they stack up against another...
