All motorcycles are ace, but some motorcycles stand out in a field of otherwise cookie cutter machines. These are the bikes that we should all have a go on, at least once in our lives.
Today’s ever tightening emissions laws have seen a changing landscape in the bike industry, with bigger capacity engines the norm and electronic aids playing an increasing role in every day riding. And while we implore any biker to take up any opportunity they get to ride a sporty old two-stroke, or a classic British motorbike, for now here are five modern bikes you can buy right here, right now, and which we think you need to try before you hang up your helmet. They might not be around forever in this ever changing market place, so take the opportunity while you can…
Ducati Scrambler
There’s something really special about Ducatis, especially the ones with their traditional 90-degree V-twin engine and desmodromically operated valves.
It’s a format the Italian manufacturer has moved away from in recent years. The V4 configuration they introduced in MotoGP some two decades ago has filtered its way down to its range of road bikes, while even the V-twins have started using conventional valve train, rather than desmodromics, which has led to longer service intervals and lower running costs.
There are still some ‘Desmo’ twins in the range, most notably the Monster, but if you want the most traditional of offerings, jump on the Scrambler while you can. It ticks all the classic Ducati boxes, with an air-cooled, 803cc, version of the V-twin motor featuring the iconic Ducati valvetrain.
It’s a fun, light and hugely accessible way into the world of the Ducatisti, and a trip back to the days when motorcycles were simple and didn’t need to have radiators. Euro5 has taken some of the noise and character from the Scrambler, but it’s still one of the few air-cooled motorcycles you can buy today – so try it before they go the way of the dinosaurs.
Read our review of the latest Ducati Scrambler here.
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Can you remember the vitriol many bikers used to throw at Harleys?
To be fair, 20 years ago they were slow, expensive and outdated in their technology, but they did exude a character all of their own, and had an image and riding experience which won a legion of fans. It’s a shame they were derided so much, because although they might not have been for everyone, these American icons needed to be ridden to be understood. Which is why we’re saying riding a Harley should still be on your bucket list. Modern Harleys are far more sophisticated than the rattlers of old, but they are still unique and still gain undeserved hate from those who’ve (usually) never ridden them.
We’re picking the Fat Boy, one of the most iconic H-D designs, but take your pick as to which one you want to try. Better still, why not go the whole HOG (geddit?) and hire a Fat Boy for that once in a lifetime trip on one of those all-inclusive trips down Route 66. Sure it’ll cost a fortune, but it’s on the bucket list, right?
Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa
The late 1990s was a time when power and top speed mattered.
Kawasaki’s ZZR1100 was one of the world’s first hyper bikes, with its 180mph top speed. The Honda Blackbird followed, then Suzuki’s GSX1300R ‘Hayabusa’ came along to trump them all in 1999.
Promising a 200mph top speed, the ‘Busa was named after a peregrine falcon which famously preyed on blackbirds. It was built to be the fastest bike around and featured distinctive streamlined bodywork which divided opinion but helped thrust it close to the headline making top speed.
And headlines were made, although they were often not positive. Faced with governments clipping their wings and imposing power limits, the Japanese manufacturers made a pact to stop the speed wars and to limit their bikes to 186mph. The Hayabusa remained, but only the first two years of production saw truly unrestricted performance.
Tastes changed around the turn of the century anyway, with lighter and more agile sportsbikes finding favour with the riding public. R1s, GSX-Rs and Ninjas became the flavour of the day and, one-by-one, the Japanese companies dropped their hyper bikes with each passing round of emissions laws.
All except Suzuki, who even updated their iconic Hayabusa in 2022.
Middle aged plastic surgery and a raft of electronic aids make the current ‘Busa feel more mature than those first generation bikes. This legend on the comeback trail is long and heavy compared to pure sportsbikes of today, not to mention less practical than an adventure bike, but there’s still something special about riding a 190bhp inline four. The ‘Busa is a legend and, even in its twilight years, provides a memorable riding experience.
Check out our review of the latest Suzuki Hayabusa on our website.
Triumph Rocket 3
First introduced in 2004, the Triumph Rocket 3 (or Rocket III as it was known at launch) created headlines as the world’s biggest capacity production motorcycle. With it’s 2.3 litre three cylinder engine, this brutish British power cruiser attracted a whole new audience to Triumph – including many former ‘Busa owners who always knew that biggest was best. It’s a big and heavy bike, although the lowish seat makes it less intimidating than you might think.
The second generation Rocket was introduced in 2019. Where the originals were blunt instruments, the latest Rocket 3 is far more sophisticated. The engine remains the centrepiece but it is now complemented by some modern day electronics, which give a far more refined riding experience.
That said, the engine remains epic – to be honest its more epic than ever. It’s still all about the torque. With 221Nm on tap at 4000rpm, you can pick a gear and surf that torque curve, but the engine (which is now an incredible 2.5 litres) has been heavily modified and now has a peak power of 180bhp. It truly is a unique motorcycle – which is why you absolutely need to try one someday.
Want to know more, here’s our review of the 2024 Triumph Rocket 3 GT Storm.
Zero DSR/X
Electric motorbikes get a bad rap, often from those who’ve never ridden them, but don’t knock them until you’ve tried them we say.
Sure they have their limitations, especially around range and charging times (and let’s not even mention the prices) but don’t try to tell us they’re not fun to ride. The Zero DSR/X is probably the best of the breed and the hit you get when all that 225Nm of torque kicks in instantly will stay in your memory for a long, long time. The way the power and torque is delivered is completely different to any internal combustion engined bike and while we get why many bikers think the idea of no gears and no engine sound is terrible, in reality it’s not like a petrol engine without soul – it’s just a totally different riding experience with instantaneous power delivery.
Recent history has seen a number of electric motorbike manufacturers go bust. The market for electrics, especially powerful and expensive ones, doesn’t seem to be coming and American brand Zero remains as the last man standing. We could have suggested an old school Guzzi (air-cooled and shaft drive V-twin) as one of our must-ride bikes but a powerful electric is just too unique an experience to miss out on. If nothing else we implore you to book a test ride, engage Sport mode and twist that throttle. We don’t know if electric is the future or not, and they too might not be around forever, so at least give one a go before passing judgment.
Read about the time we went touring on a Zero DSR/X.
