Ducati 916
Seeking improved aerodynamics and faster tire swaps in the pits, Massimo Tamburini unwittingly penned a squinty-eyed racer with an underseat exhaust and single-sided swingarm that exuded sex — the Ducati 916. Powered by a Desmodromic L-twin engine, this new Duc was down on power compared to the Japanese inlines, but its omnipresent torque made corner exits its bitches and left everyone behind to admire a beautiful back-end. Not only did the Ducati 916 capture four of five World Superbike Championships in the late ‘90s, it also beat out Pamela Anderson for poster space on many a teenage wall. The Ducati 916 was also featured in The Art of the Motorcycle exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum. Bellissima!
Honda Super Cub
The Honda Super Cub is the most popular selling motorcycle in the world. A 55-year production will do that. So will a bulletproof single-cylinder engine and a low cost of ownership. Found everywhere throughout Asia, Africa and South America and available in multiple iterations, the Super Cub has been compared to the Ford Model-T and Volkswagen Beetle for its influence on motorized transportation. The Cub is currently produced in fifteen countries around the world and won’t be disappearing anytime soon — to help celebrate its 50th anniversary, Honda churned out its 60 millionth unit.
Brough Superior SS100
So exacting was the individual tailoring of each Brough Superior SS100 that they gained explicit permission to be dubbed the “Rolls Royce of motorcycles”. A marvel of craftsmanship and engineering, each SS100 was guaranteed to hit 100 MPH — no great feat by today’s standards, but this was in 1924. By 1928, the Brough Superior SS100 would hit 130 MPH in the standing kilometer with George Brough in the saddle. T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, owned three Brough Superiors in his life and famously died due to head injuries sustained when swerving to avoid two young cyclists. Lawrence’s death would eventually lead to the requisite use of crash helmets for motorcyclists.
Honda CB77
The CB77, or Superhawk, is sportbike genesis for Honda. The 305cc parallel twin powering the CB77 could freely rev to nine grand and easily send riders over the ton (100 MPH) set by the British big twins. It was the Honda’s reliability, however, that established and cemented the Japanese manufacturer’s reputation in the Western world. The frame was crafted out of tubular steel rather than pressed, with the motor doubling duty as a stressed member, thereby shedding precious pounds and making the CB77 incredibly flickable. The Honda Superhawk is also the ride of preference for Robert Pirsig during his philosophical journey documented in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
Ducati Monster
Not content to solely cause drooling with their fully faired offerings, Ducati decided to get naked with the Monster. Originally intended as an effort to give Bar and Shield buyers a different destination for deposits, Ducati inadvertently created a whole new segment. Twenty years of production later and the Italian marque has put more sultry nudes within the grasp of mere mortals than Hefner and Google combined. The Testastretta-powered S4RS is the most lust-worthy in our eyes. And much like every Playmate since 1953, the Monster’s most recognizable assets have remained constant and in full view since their debut; the exposed and slender trellis frame, aggressive yet welcoming stance and European allure all combine to deliver a complete package that anyone would be pleased to call his own.
Harley Davidson Sportster
The Sportster is the best selling bike branded with the Bar and Shield and has been on the market since 1957. Originally intended for flat-track racing, the fast and nimble Sporty found favor with riders seeking speed over the comforts usually afforded by Milwaukee’s finest. Harley Davidson has smartly done very little with the Sportster recipe. Power has always come in the form of a 45-degree V-Twin which was, until 2004, rigidly mounted to deliver its signature responsive ride. With a factory-forged variant to suit almost every style (five different versions are currently available) and Harley’s typically limitless catalogue of bolt-ons, the success of the Sportster should keep thundering on.
Honda Gold Wing
You may not believe that the Honda Gold Wing started life without fairings or saddlebags, but it did. Since its spartan beginnings, however, the Gold Wing has gone on to become one of the most luxuriously appointed and recognizable bikes in the world. Integrated GPS, heated seats (front and rear), airbags and even a reverse gear can be optioned to create the ultimate in on-road comfort. Powered by a 1.8-liter flat-six and tipping the scales at just under 1,000 pounds, the big Honda is surprisingly agile and swallows interstates like Joey Chestnut does hotdogs. Over one million Gold Wings were assembled during its thirty-year run in Marysville, Ohio before production moved back to Japan in 2012.
BMW R1200GS
The BMW R1200GS was designed to handle any terrain. Long travel suspension, wide, flat foot-pegs and an upright seating position mated to BMW’s punchy boxer twin combine to create the ultimate getaway tool — this is the swiss army knife of bikes. It’s also the Motorad division’s best seller. Ewan and Charlie may have helped move some extra metal, but BMW’s GS bikes have long been a favorite for riders of paths less traveled. This potential alone makes it a bucket-list bike for most of us around the office, and its take-no-prisoners looks don’t hurt either.
Kawasaki EX500 (Ninja)
Crotch-rocket looks and gutsy performance in an inexpensive, rider-friendly package: this is the Kawasaki EX500. An easy choice for new riders and veterans alike, the entry level Ninja even spawned its own racing class that still clips apexes today. The 498cc parallel-twin developed a broad and usable powerband to propel the bikini-faired Ninja into a market of its own. Comfortable ergonomics, a wide, flat seat and amazing fuel economy meant long days on the road were a relatively painless affair; it even had a six-speed transmission. Sadly, this little Ninja disappeared in 2009 — undoubtedly to avenge a master’s death.
Triumph Bonneville
Icons cannot be killed. Production of Triumph motorcycles has ceased three times and yet the Bonneville thrives. Whether it’s an early Triumph Engineering effort, a Norton Villiers Triton, a Devon Bonnie or a new model from Hinckley, the Bonneville oozes cool from every angle. Brando, Dean and, of course, McQueen have all swung legs over this plucky Brit, escalating a status originally earned at the track. Its parallel-twin engine has grown from 650cc to 865cc and carburetors have given way to injection, but its silhouette remains as constant as our desire to be seen riding one.
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