What do the words “retro classic” mean to you? To us, it means a bike that’s mechanically pretty modern, but with spot-on retro styling. If you like that idea, you may consider it the best of both worlds. If you don’t like that idea, you may consider it a cliché. Either way, there are quite a few options to choose from in 2022. The best bikes in this category represent a solid understanding that some things are good simply because they are GOOD, not necessarily because they’re older or newer.
Some bikes that might have made the cut in earlier iterations are conspicuously absent from this list, like Yamaha’s XSRs. While they may have totally fit the bill in previous years, the 2022 versions feature more modern styling than before—and thus, have placed themselves outside our scope for this piece. The same is true of Honda’s CB1100R. We’re sure they’re fine bikes; just not suited to the purposes of this list.
