There are some pretty famous motorcycle names out there. From the Honda Fireblade to the Triumph Bonneville, iconic motorbikes come in all shapes and sizes. And if you want a legendary bike, but don’t necessarily want an older classic motorcycle, there are plenty of bikes you can buy new, which carry a fabled nameplate and years of history behind them.
So, we thought, just for fun, why not find some modern day bikes celebrating landmark anniversaries in 2024? Here are five brand new bikes you can buy today, but which carry some of the most significant names in motorcycling history…
Honda Gold Wing
It’s almost 50 years since Honda’s iconic Gold Wing first rolled off the production line.
Although designated a 1975 model, the first bikes were shown in September 1974 – first to American dealers and then to the public at the 1974 Cologne motorcycle show.
Unashamedly built for the US market, the Gold Wing was an instant hit with its intended audience. The first Gold Wing, the GL 1000, featured a flat four engine, shaft drive and plenty of comfort. With Harley-Davidson enduring something of a slump at the time, it was just what its target market wanted.
The second-generation model, launched in late 1979, saw a capacity increase to 1100cc and the addition of a large touring fairing on the fully loaded Interstate model. With air suspension, full luggage and the option of a stereo system, the GL 1100 confirmed the legend of the Gold Wing and created the basis of the bike we know today.
Although a large and imposing touring bike, the low seat and high handlebars make it a relatively simple machine to ride. Often dubbed a two-wheeled car, the latest ‘Wing has been pared back a little since the excesses of the 1990s Aspencade models, but it is still a hugely distinctive machine.
Now powered by a 1833cc flat six engine, the Gold Wing retains a huge cult following as it reaches its golden anniversary. Riding a Gold Wing is a way of life and purchasing one buys you in to a very active and loyal biking community.
Triumph Speed Triple
What started out as a bit of a parts bin special has turned out the be one of Triumph’s most enduring and successful models.
The year was 1994 and Triumph’s range was still built around a modular design, with a range of similar three and four cylinder machines sharing the same basic frame and cycle parts. The Speed Triple took most of the components from the sporty Daytona, as well as the long-stroke 900cc triple which was considered the best version of the first generation of Hinckley triple.
The name was derived from the legendary Speed Twin of 1938 and, without the Daytona’s fairing, it took on a café racer vibe with its round headlamp and clip on handlebars. It proved a big success, even enjoying a brief but high profile spell on the race track with the Speed Triple Challenge race series. The second generation model, derived from the T595 Daytona, came along in 1997 and took the model down a streetfighter path with its raised ‘bars and twin headlamps.
Today’s model continues that theme. The 1160cc motor of the 1200 RS pumps out 180bhp, making it the most powerful Triumph production bike of all time and, although there are plenty of other alternatives in the high-end naked class, the Speedy’s soulful three cylinder motor still provides a unique experience.
Yamaha R7
Ooh, a controversial one!
Yamaha’s YZF-R7 was born in 1999 with one objective in mind – to win the Superbike World Championship.
The super exclusive R7 (only 500 were produced) was the most advanced 750cc four-cylinder superbike ever made and although Noriyuki Haga came close (finishing second in 2000) the domination of the 1000cc V-twins was too big a hurdle to cross. Yamaha pulled out of the superbike series, in favour of the new four-stroke MotoGP championship, and the original R7’s racing career was over.
Fast forward 25 years and there’s another R7 in Yamaha’s range. Sure the decision to reuse the iconic R7 nomenclature didn’t go down too well with some Yamaha fans, who felt the MT-07 derived model didn’t deserve such a storied title.
Either way, the current Yamaha R7 is a more affordable and accessible motorcycle than Haga’s rocket. The 689cc parallel twin mill pumps out 72bhp and provides more than enough entertainment on the road, while they’re also going to be a fairly common sight on racetracks too, as the new ‘Sportbike’ championship starts to gain popularity in the British championship races.
Triumph Rocket 3
Triumph’s second entry in our list celebrates an emerald anniversary this year. The Rocket 3 (nee Rocket III) was a massive statement of intent from the previously conservative Triumph when it was launched in 2004. With a 2.3-litre, inline three cylinder, engine and Triumph’s then signature bug eye headlights (shared with the Speed Triple) the Rocket was brash and excessive, and took a completely fresh approach at creating a power cruiser.
It grabbed sales as well as headlines, and proved hugely popular with bikers around the world on its launch. An update in 2010 created the Rocket III Roadster, which was less cruiser and more a mean and moody street rod. With 146bhp and 220Nm of torque, the Roadster was the highest performing Rocket to date.
It slipped out of the range in 2017, a victim of dwindling sales and tougher emissions laws, only for a heavily revised model to emerge in 2019.
Now called the Rocket 3, rather than III, the new bike has an enlarged, 2458cc motor with even more power and torque, as well as some modern day electronics. There’s no doubting the latest Rocket 3 is more sophisticated and better finished than previous generation models, but if you’re looking for a brute on two wheels, there’s still nothing to come close.
Honda Grom
From one extreme to the other, Honda’s 125cc Grom is a mini bike which couldn’t be further away from the Rocket 3 if it tried.
Like the Gold Wing, the Grom is another Honda cult bike, with a huge following and massive modification scene.
Launched 10 years ago, the little Honda was known as the Grom only in America – while it wore the less memorable MSX125 moniker in the rest of the world. Whatever Honda called, the Grom name stuck and when the bike was updated to the latest version in 2022 it was finally marketed as the MSX125 Grom, which is an extreme sports term.
The Grom remains one of the most fun and democratic bikes on sale today, appealing to everyone from learners and commuters, to experienced bikers looking for a weekend plaything. A deserving modern classic.
