You’d have to agree that there is something fascinating about the 70s and 80s. Maybe it feels so because those years served as a push for technology and innovation after the world was done with its wars and whatnot. The charm of that era in almost every aspect sets itself apart from the world we live in today.
Well, for the same reason, it would be quite obvious for manufacturers to create motorcycles inspired by the ‘golden era’. The heightened sense of nostalgia serves as a paperweight for all the marketing and advertising plans to follow. Regardless, we aren’t complaining.
Here, we’ll be exploring the top 5 neo-retro motorcycles on sale in India. These bikes bring together timeless design and modern engineering in an attempt to offer the best of both worlds. Whether you are seeking to be part of a legacy or something unique, we have an exciting list in store for you.
To begin with, let’s look at the latest entrant into the segment- the Triumph Speed 400. The Bajaj-Triumph partnership sure managed to blow our minds with the pricing which we expected to be close to Rs 2.60 lakh. But as a curveball, the Speed Twin is priced at Rs 2.33 lakh, ex-showroom. And it looks to marry the heritage of the British brand with modern tech like a ride-by-wire throttle, traction control, ABS and a slipper clutch too.
It derives its design from the Speed Twin, so the Speed 400 gets minimal bodywork featuring a sculpted fuel tank, classic round headlamp, and tasteful chrome accents, capturing the essence of its timelessness.
Underneath, the motorcycle is powered by a 398cc, single-cylinder engine capable of producing 39.5bhp and 37.5Nm. Now, the Speed has the traits of a KTM by being quick on its feet but it is also relaxed with a predictable throttle and while there are vibes, it isn’t much to complain about. Speaking of which, the Triumph also offers good ergonomics for shorter riders who would find it easy to mount thanks to its tapered seat.
Would you consider buying this or….
Harley-Davidson X 440
Another entry to the small-capacity neo-retro segment is the Harley-Davidson X 440 which has been the talk of the town for a while now. It is by far the most-affordable Harley-Davidson you can buy by a huge margin with a starting price of Rs 2.40 lakh for the base variant that comes in this bright yellow colour and spoke wheels.
If you are willing to shell out more, there is another variant with alloy wheels and slightly premium colours costing Rs 2.60 lakh. However, the creme de la creme is the S variant that fits in at Rs 2.80 lakh. The USP of the X 440 other than the brand name is its styling. Unlike most of its rivals, the Harley looks hefty with a styling derived from the XR1200X. Its 440cc engine neatly packed into the trellis frame churns out 27bhp and 38Nm. What we were impressed by was how peppy and enjoyable the motor is. Even its handling is involving and predictable. But apart from its slightly big-bike feel, the Harley would impress you with its comfy ergos right from the time you get on it.
It also has a fair bit of modernity to its package. It comes with full-LED lighting, and a TFT instrument cluster. You would get features like turn-by-turn navigation, music as well as call and message alerts on the top-end variant. That said, the Harley-Davidson X 440 is the first motorcycle in its segment to get an auto-headlamp function that turns on the headlamp when it senses a change in brightness.
Honda CB350
Next up, we have the Honda H'ness CB350, which marked Honda's entry into the modern classic segment in India. The CB350 takes inspiration from Honda's iconic CB series of the 1960s and 70s, infusing modern elements to a retro design.
Introduced to take on the long reigning king of the segment, the Honda CB350 is powered by a 348cc, single-cylinder motor with close to 21bhp and 30Nm on tap. While these figures are not as high as the Triumph Speed 400 or the Harley X440, the Honda offers a comparatively more refined and vibe-free engine. It is not as peppy as the other two either but gets a strong mid-range and impressive tractability.
On the Honda, you’d get full-LED lighting, ABS and a semi-digital cluster as well as traction control and slipper clutch as standard. To make the CB350 unique, Honda recently introduced kits for the motorcycle that would transform it into a better tourer or even a cafe-racer if you fancy it.
Well, with that said, you also have the option of buying a slightly more sporty version in the form of the CB350 RS. While it uses the same engine, the motorcycle comes with different colour schemes and slightly aggressive ergonomics. The entire package will cost you Rs 2.09 lakh for the base version while the DLX Pro Chrome will set you back by Rs 2.15 lakh. On the other hand, the prices of the kits and accessories differ based on what you pick.
Jawa Classic
Moving on, we have the Jawa Classic and as you’d realise, we’re slowly inching towards more classic-inspired motorcycles. Now Jawa has been a revered name that has come back to cater to the nostalgia-seeking motorcyclists in India. And we feel the brand has done an excellent job at preserving the original’s heritage when it comes to design and appeal.
The Jawa classic sports a tear-drop-shaped fuel tank and circular headlamp, a distinctive-looking flat seat and twin exhaust pipes too. Most of the motorcycle is done up in chrome for its retro charm- but then again that depends on which of the five colours you choose.
Classic Legends, which also has the Yezdi brand name under its umbrella has plonked in a 294cc, single-cylinder motor that produces 26.9bhp and 26.8Nm and comes mated to a six-speed gearbox. This mill offers a punchy low to mid-range and isn’t the most refined of the lot. However, it does sound good-almost similar to the original. But in a bid to make it a classic, Jawa has missed out on equipping it with features. It only comes with ABS and a small digital cluster as standard. Now the price of the Jawa classic starts at Rs 1.81 lakh and goes up to Rs 1.96 lakh for the blacked-out versions.
So does the Jawa Classic appeal to you or would you go for…
How could a list of popular modern classics be complete without the Royal Enfield Classic 350? The motorcycle has incessantly been at the top of the segment for years and is an icon in the segment. It only received an update recently with the J-platform. Gone are the days when you’d get off the Classic 350 with numb hands. While one might argue that it has lost its thump to the emission standard, the new model with its revised 348cc mill is smooth and nearly vibe-free.
The chassis has also been revised so it handles better and above all it is comfortable to be on for long distances too.Priced between Rs 1.93 lakh and Rs 2.25 lakh, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 is slightly more expensive than the Jawa Classic and comes with the brand’s Tripper Navigation system. It still misses out on modern tech like LED lighting or ride-by-wire but the current package will not disappoint you either.
While the entry of the Harley and Triumph offerings disrupted the Classic’s market share, the brand continues to lean on its strong heritage and wide range of customisation options to reign as the top-choice in the modern-classic segment as of now. That said, it will soon be joined by the updated Bullet 350 which is scheduled to be launched in India next month.
So there you have it, our list of the top 5 modern-classic or neo-retro motorcycles in India. Each of these bikes offers a unique experience that caters to different riders. Whether you are drawn to the nostalgic charm of the past or the excitement of fast paced modern technology, there is something for your taste.
