The Most Revolutionary Motorcycles in History
Some motorcycles don’t just stand out; they change everything. From engineering breakthroughs to cultural icons, these bikes reshaped the motorcycle world in ways that still matter today. Whether you're a seasoned rider or just love the legends, these machines helped define the roads we ride on now.
Ducati 900SS
The Ducati 900SS has definitely earned the right to make the list of iconic motorbikes that changed the industry forever. This bike is listed in celebration of its old-school heritage, the gutsy growl of the engine, and the wonderful nostalgic memories it evokes.
Suzuki GSF 1200S Bandit
Nicknamed the hooligan for its rugged looks and performance, this machine’s reputation was enhanced because it was a bike favored by stunt riders. Relatively cheap to buy and easy to tune, this super Suzuki was a must for our breakdown of great motorbikes from the 90s.
Honda CBR900RR
Credited with being the machine that changed the way sports bikes were built, the Fireblade wasn’t the most powerful machine on the starting grid, but because it was so much lighter than the rest of the competition, it knocked spots off them in terms of handling and maneuverability.
Honda GL 1500 Goldwig Aspencade
Another Honda, the Goldwing, had a super smooth flat six-cylinder engine and, novel for touring bikes of the day, a reverse gear. It was the first mass-produced six-cylinder motorcycle and is a worthy nominee in our list of iconic motorbikes.
Suzuki DR650
A second Suzuki, cheaper than most of its rivals, it was incredibly well put together, tough and reliable, and pretty fast when it needed to be. It’s still in the Suzuki line-up and is a tried and tested staple with more tech and revisions being added through the years.
Kawasaki ZX-9R
The ZX-9R is a very sporty sports-tourer. It’s a great-looking machine, and it performs as good as it looks. An early member of the Ninja family of bikes, and didn’t we all love a Ninja? With this in mind, it's understandable as to why this bike made this list.
Triumph Thunderbird 900
The Thunderbird is as popular today as it was back when companies first started doing great insurance deals. Crazy, right? With a big three-cylinder unit, a lot of sparkling alloys, and retro styling, Thunderbirds really are a go! And fit for our list of iconic motorbikes.
Ducati 916
Temperamental? Unreliable? It won a shedload of World Superbike titles with Carl Foggarty on board and was the crowning glory of designer Massimo Tamburini’s incredible career. It looked beautiful in 1994 and looks even more so today.
Kawasaki KX250
A middleweight off-roader for intermediate and experienced riders, the KX250 has been in production for an impressive 46 years. With that sort of pedigree, you know it’s going to be good, whether on the dirt or adapted and street-legal.
BMW R1100GS
Comfortable and eminently capable, the R1100GS was a shoo-in for this list of iconic motorbikes of the 90s. Boasting a 1,085cc flat-twin boxer engine and air and oil cooling, this beast will run and run.
Triumph Daytona 675
We love a Triumph and the Daytona 675 was a stand-out in the naughties. The smallest of the Triumph triples, the 675 proved to be remarkably light, nimble, powerful, and rather easy on the eye. It still looks good today.
Ducati Monster 696
An incredibly popular bike, in 2005, Monster sales accounted for over half of Ducati’s worldwide sales. Motorcycle News said the Monster had gone down in folklore as ‘the bike that saved Ducati’ due to its popularity and cheap development costs.
Ducati Hypermotard 1100
Another Ducati but different. The Hypermotard serves up all the fun and excitement you are looking for at the same time as being light and easy to handle. So, this bike offers the best of both worlds; how can you go wrong?
Suzuki DRZ400S
Much loved, the dual-purpose Suzuki makes our list of iconic motorbikes because it’s another tough and durable machine, and when you need them, spares are as cheap as chips. Who doesn’t love a high-performing, yet still affordable, vehicle?
Kawasaki ZX-10R
Always one of the faster 1000cc superbikes on the market, the ZX-10R complements power with pristine handling capabilities, making it a dream to ride. Kawasaki is famed for making motorbikes that are pretty much bomb-proof; this is no exception.
KTM Superduke 990
With its torque and power-to-mass ratio, the Superduke is streets ahead of most naked bikes on the market. Despite its size and awesome power, it’s a comfortable ride and offers a perfect blend of off and on-road performance.
Triumph Tiger 800XC
A dual-sport bike launched in 2010, the Tiger 800 XR is a road bike, while the 800 XC, which has been plumped for in our list of iconic motorbikes, has a more aggressive look and is designed for off-road excursions. Let the fun begin.
KTM EXC 350
The KTM EXC 350 has become the best-selling 4-stroke competition model ever. Since its launch, it has improved significantly in performance and torque, as well as handling and agility.
Kawasaki VN900 Custom
The VN900 Custom has remained virtually unchanged in its 13 years of production. It was a joy to ride back in 2007, and it’s a joy to ride today. Yes, it’s basic, but that’s part of its beauty and part of the reason why everyone likes it so much and included it in their celebration list of iconic motorbikes.
Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa
In production since 1999, it was credited as being the world’s fastest production motorcycle, with a top speed of 303 to 312 km/h (188 to 194 mph). That led to a deal between Japanese and European manufacturers to restrict the top speed of their motorcycles. The bike is, quite simply, a legend.
Kawasaki H2
Another Ninja derivative, the H2, is a “supercharged supersport” bike. The track-only variant, the H2R, is the fastest and most powerful production motorcycle on the market and is worthy of our list of iconic motorbikes.
Ducati Panigale V4
Motorcycle News described their 2018 Sportsbike of the Year as a “stunner”. Producing more than 200bhp, MCN said it was a “hugely fast bike that can intimidate anyone short of a MotoGP test rider when you push it hard”. Well, we are in complete agreement with that view.
Ducati Multistrada 1200S
This is really the bike for all seasons. It is incredibly versatile, and Ducati boasts it is actually four bikes in one: sport bike, tourer, daily rider and enduro, depending on which drive mode you fancy. What mood are you in today?
Yamaha YZF-R6
This bike (the YZF-R6) has been included in our list of iconic motorbikes because it is a sports bike that really flies. Launched in 1999, it has enjoyed at least half a dozen updates to squeeze out yet more mph. The latest version has improved aerodynamics and styling.
Triumph Thruxton 1200R
It has a racy image, but the Thruxton R is one of those bikes that’s just a good ride, even when you are poodling around. But don’t be fooled, it has enough top-end power to thrill at every turn. It’s a cafe racer with charisma in spades!
Triumph Bonneville T120
We had to have a Bonny somewhere in their list of 30 iconic motorbikes, and here it is. It offers a refined ride, comfort, classic style, a great engine, and overall, it is a very practical retro bike for bikers who appreciate a bit of old-world charm.
KTM 690 Enduro R
Almost in a class of its own, the 690 Enduro R is capable of 100mph on and off-road — that makes it equal whether you are using it off the beaten track or on the weekly supermarket run. It’s a grand bike and worthy of a list of 35 industry-changing bikes.
Indian Scout
The Scout is a cruising bike that takes you back in time with its classic styling of headlight, seat, tank, wheels, and fenders, giving a nod to the cruisers of days long since passed. But it’s a blast to ride and a definite head-turner.
Kawasaki Z1000
The Z1000 is a four-cylinder motorcycle introduced in 2003. It’s a real muscle machine and is the most recent generation of machines, having been around since 2014. The latest Z1000s have an uprated engine, more power, more torque, and a lot more muscle than their predecessors.
Harley-Davidson Roadster
You didn’t think this carefully made list of 35 motorbikes that changed the industry forever would finish without at least one Harley-Davidson, did you? Our pick is the powerful and rakishly good-looking Roadster. It’s a really great bike and a really great ride. What more is there to say?
Vincent Black Shadow
The Vincent Black Shadow was first built in 1948 and was groundbreaking for its incredible aluminum engine. It was made by hand and became a racing motorcycle thanks to its 998 cc engine, which gave it great power. They became the best-selling motorcycles for almost 20 years.
Norton Commando
A British bike, the Norton Commando was named 'Motorcycle of the Year' for five consecutive years, from 1968 to 1972. Its innovative Isolastic system, which reduced engine vibration, revolutionized the world of motorcycles. Even the Interpol bodies used this model! In addition, its 850cc made her a great cruiser.
Honda CB750
Every so often, a bike comes along that significantly impacts not only their respective segments but the industry as a whole. While the Vincent Black Shadow, Kawasaki Z1, and BMW R80 G/S were all game changers in their own way, few bikes left such an indelible mark on motorcycling history as the Honda CB750.
BSA A10 Super Rocket
BSA has been big news in biking circles ever since its re-emergence under the ownership of Indian brand Mahindra and the release of its modern retro Gold Star model. The A10 Super Rocket was a BSA mid-capacity roadster that proved highly reliable, which bolstered its popularity.
Honda CB450 Black Bomber
It may be hard to imagine a time before Japanese motorcycles were as popular as homegrown bikes. Still, long before Honda's CB750 revolutionized affordable large-capacity motorcycles, its CB450 was making waves as one of the first two-wheelers to tap the American market.
