Old-School Bikes With Speed Supreme
It's mind-boggling that we live in an era where motorcycles effortlessly produce over 240 horsepower while weighing less than 400 pounds. But in the 1900’s, this wasn’t the case. So, continue reading if you’re interested in uncovering old-school bikes that were surprisingly fast.
Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 100
You could hear a Sportster coming long before you saw it - that’s how distinctive the 1972 XLH’s rumble was. The 1,000cc engine delivered power that made even experienced riders grin behind their windshields. Through innovative engineering, Harley-Davidson created a machine that balanced raw excitement with remarkable rideability.
Honda CB750F Super Sport
If you thought the original CB750 was impressive, the Super Sport variant would have blown your leather boots off. The 77 horsepower engine screamed to 9,000 rpm, thanks to higher compression ratios and improved breathing.
Triumph X75 Hurricane
Limited to just 1,200 units worldwide, the X75 Hurricane emerged as Britain’s answer to the question: “What if we let an American stylist go wild?” Craig Vetter created a striking 740cc engine that produced 58 horsepower, but nobody bought a Hurricane for the specs sheet - they bought it because it looked like nothing else on two wheels.
Kawasaki H2 Mach IV 750
If you’ve ever wondered why they called it the “Widowmaker,” just grab a handful of throttle and hold on tight. The 748cc two-stroke triple delivered 74 horsepower with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Street racers quickly learned to respect—and sometimes fear—their explosive power delivery.
Moto Guzzi V7 Sport
The V7 Sport proved that Italians could build a motorcycle as reliable as it was beautiful. Beneath the sculptured tank, the 757cc engine produced a dependable 71 horsepower. Italian engineering delivered a 0-60 mph time of 5.2 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 13.5 seconds.
BMW R90S
You knew you’d made it when you rolled up on an R90S - nothing else said “sophisticated speed” quite like that smoke-silver paint. The 898cc boxer twin produced 67 horsepower, enabling cross-continent trips that would leave other bikes begging for mercy.
Kawasaki KZ1000
The KZ1000 was the kind of motorcycle that made you reconsider your life insurance policy – in the best possible way. The 1,015cc inline-four delivered 83 horsepower through a bulletproof transmission that laughed at abuse. Raw power translated to a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 11.9 seconds.
Norton Commando 850 MK1A
Ever wonder what British engineering brilliance felt like? The Commando’s innovative Isolastic mounting system proved that vibration was optional, even with a massive parallel twin. The 828cc engine delivered 60 horsepower with surprising smoothness – a feat that had riders checking to see if their fillings were still intact.
Moto Guzzi LeMans 850
If you wanted to feel like an Italian racing legend, the LeMans 850 delivered that fantasy in spades. The 844 cc V-twin produced 71 horsepower, channeled through a shaft drive that wouldn’t leave you stranded in the Alps. The Italian stallion delivered 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds with a quarter-mile time of 12.8 seconds.
Kawasaki Z1B
Think of the Z1B as the Z1’s smarter, more sophisticated sibling. The 903cc engine now developed 82 horsepower, thanks to engineering that made the original look like a rough draft. Not bad for such an old-school bike!
Kawasaki KZ900
Remember when motorcycles were simple enough to fix with basic tools and colorful language? The KZ900 represented that sweet spot between power and practicality. The proven 903cc power plant delivered 81 horsepower while maintaining mechanical sympathy for shade-tree mechanics.
Suzuki GS1000
Ever wonder what Grand Prix technology feels like without the sponsor stickers? The GS1000 brought racetrack engineering to your local roads. The 997cc engine produced 87 horsepower - enough to make your local speed enforcement officer consider a career change.
Ducati 900SS
You haven’t truly experienced Italian engineering until you’ve heard a 900SS desmodromic valve system at full song. The 864cc L-twin engine made 79 horsepower the old-fashioned way - with precision engineering and a healthy dose of mechanical symphony.
Laverda 3C
Only 1,900 lucky riders ever experienced the distinctive growl of a Laverda triple in their garage. The 981cc engine generated 80 horsepower with a sound that made other European triples sound positively ordinary.
Yamaha XS11
When Yamaha decided to go big, they really went big. The 1,102cc inline-four produced 95 horsepower—enough to make you question your commitment to speed limits. Yamaha’s muscle bike dominated with 0-60 mph times of 3.4 seconds and quarter-mile runs of 11.78 seconds.
1979 Honda CBX1000
Six cylinders of engineering excess - exactly what motorcycling needed in 1979. The 1,047cc engine incorporated 24 valves and produced 105 horsepower, numbers that had riders checking their glasses prescriptions. Six cylinders launched the CBX from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds.
1978 Honda CBX1000
Picture yourself explaining to your friends why you needed six cylinders – the original CBX1000 made that conversation worth having. The revolutionary 1,047cc power plant produced 103 horsepower through a mechanical orchestra of 24 valves.
Ducati 750 Super Sport
Want to know what Paul Smart felt like at Imola? The 750 Super Sport got you closer than anything else on the street. The 748cc L-twin, featuring a desmodromic valve system and Dell'Orto carburetors, produced 72 horsepower, embodying pure racing heritage.
Kawasaki Z1R
If Batman rode a motorcycle in the ’70s, this would have been it. The 1,016cc engine developed 90 horsepower, but the real story was that futuristic fairing; the first Japanese manufacturer to make it a factory option.
Kawasaki KZ1300
The bike that answered the question, “What if we took everything we learned and turned it up to 11?” The six-cylinder flagship demolished 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds and the quarter-mile in 11.4 seconds.
Norton Commando 961 CR
The first bike on the list that is perhaps the most expensive to maintain and the most exclusive of the lot, and it’s the British cafe racer, the Norton Commando 961 CR. Norton has quite literally risen from the ashes, and thanks to TVS, it’s going in the right direction, and the 961 CR is a testament to that.
Indian FTR Carbon
Were you expecting this list to be full of café racers? Well, Indian FTR is here to prove you wrong. The FTR is a tribute to old-school flat trackers, but it’s through-and-through modern with its 123 horsepower.
Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro
Ducati makes a wide variety of motorcycles; almost all belong to the fastest lot in the segment, and the Scrambler 1100 Sport Pro is no different. This Scrambler looks more muscular than its smaller siblings, and the only thing holding it back will be your torso when gunning for top speed - we can only imagine the windblast at nearly 130 mph!
BMW R NineT
BMW is known for its boxer engines, and perhaps the best home for it, apart from the legendary R 1250 GS, is the R nineT. This drool-worthy motorcycle is retro-cool and gorgeous, and despite its old-school design, it’s packed with modern features, including a 1,170 cc engine.
Triumph Thruxton RS
The Triumph Thruxton RS is the quintessential café racer whose predecessor set the standard for road-going race bikes back in the 1960s, and this café racer adheres to that heritage. Its 1,200 cc engine, which produces up to 103 horsepower, makes it a solid performer among top old-school bikes.
Kawasaki Z900 RS
Let’s move to the other end of the world, and you have the Kawasaki Z900 RS, which pays homage to older UJM motorcycles. This neo-café racer is based on the Z900 but differs in the impressive specs of a 948 cc engine that produces 109 horsepower.
Yamaha XSR900 / GP
You may not be a fan of the XSR900’s styling - the retro aesthetic somehow doesn’t fit in with the bike’s modern skeleton - but no one can deny just how amazing the XSR900 is to ride. It's hard not to be in awe of its 117 horsepower.
Suzuki Katana 1000
When the Suzuki Katana saw its first sunrise back in 1982, it was a controversial motorcycle for its design, but that didn’t stop Suzuki from reviving the moniker in 2019. This original Katana had a horsepower of 150, not bad for the 80's!
MV Agusta Superveloce S
Underneath this bike's neo-retro sport bike lies a fire-breathing 800 inline triple that offers enough character to give The Game of Thrones a run for its money. Speaking of running, the motorcycle is quick off the line, sharp in the corners, and an absolute blast at the top end.
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR
The Speed Triple 1200 RR offers class-leading performance, handling, and technology. Of course, it’s gorgeous (and fast with its 1,160cc engine), but what makes the 1200 RR even more special is its handling; the ultra-sharp Speed Triple chassis finally feels at home with top-spec suspension and clip-on!
Norton V4CR
We can’t talk about the fastest retro motorcycles without mentioning the Norton V4CR — the ultimate café racer ever built. This Norton is hand-built, features bespoke components, and a bonkers V4 engine that makes this bike one of the fastest on this list. Its ridiculous specs include a 1,200cc engine that can produce up to 185 horsepower.
Vincent Black Lightning
You could consider the Vincent Black Lightning as an ancestor of the Suzuki Hayabusa - it was the fastest motorcycle of its time, reaching speeds of 125 MPH, while even the fastest car, the Jaguar XK120, could only hit 120 MPH. It was years ahead of its time, thanks to its unique girder fork and cantilever rear suspension, as well as its lack of a frame.
MV Agusta 750S
The MV Agusta 750S was the final motorcycle with Count Domenico Agusta’s involvement, and it was a stunning motorcycle that pushed way above its weight class. This motorcycle was surprisingly fast for its age, capable of reaching speeds of up to 120 MPH with a 742.9cc engine.
Kawasaki Z1
The Honda CB750 may be the world’s first true superbike, but it never held a spark plug to the Kawasaki Z1. Thanks to its engine design, the motorcycle could easily cross 130 MPH, finally breaking Vincent Black Shadow’s speed record for road-going production motorcycles.
Kawasaki GPZ900R
Maverick’s style is marked with aviator sunglasses, a mustache, a leather jacket, and the most powerful motorcycle of the time. He rode the Kawasaki GPZ900R back then; that’s how you know this motorcycle is special. This glorious Kawasaki produced nearly 110 horsepower and was the first production motorcycle to break the 150 MPH record.
