In the US, Husqvarna is arguably best-known for its dual-sport motorcycles. But the Swedish company also has a café racer, the Husqvarna Vitpilen. However, rather like Harley-Davidson once provided engines to Buell, many of Husqvarna’s bikes are built around KTM powertrains. In the Husqvarna Vitpilen’s case, it’s based on the KTM Duke naked bikes. But …
It’s rare that classic motorcycles offer modern-level performance with their vintage style. That’s what makes classic BMW bikes popular, for example. And typically, such performance is thanks to larger, multi-cylinder engines. But the Velocette Venom didn’t need an engine the size of the Munch Mammut’s to set a world record. A record that’s still in …
The modern café racer trend arguably got its start with the Ducati Sport 1000. But Honda actually beat the Italian motorcycle company to it by a few decades. And the Honda GB500 Tourist Trophy didn’t just ape the styling of the 50s and 60s racers. In some ways, it’s arguably a more-accurate throwback than anything …
There’s a whole host of neo-classic motorcycles available today. Customers can choose from scramblers, bobbers, cruisers, a modern Honda Cub, and hand-built carbureted models based on 50s British bikes. Arguably, though, what kick-started this trend was the rise in café racers, previewed by the Ducati Sport 1000. Even Harley-Davidson is working on such a bike. …
