Motorcycle history is full of both successes and failures, some of which are really unsuccessful and we don’t know why. However, there are many bikes that would be popular if they were brought back. Let’s take a look at some of these bikes…
Now that it’s officially new motorcycle season, bikers everywhere are wondering which new models will be released soon. We’re eager to get a first look at upcoming models like the Triumph Tiger 660, and can’t wait for bike shows like EICMA. Some new models, like Suzuki’s GSX-S1000GT sports-tourer, have already been released – but we’re always on the lookout for more.
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This got us thinking about not just new motorcycles, but also old ones that were famous flops the first time around. Maybe they would have a better chance if they were launched today. Take Suzuki’s infamous B-King, for example. The supposedly supercharged (it wasn’t in the end) super naked show bike which, when finally put into production in 2007, spectacularly failed to live up to expectations simply because it was hyped up so excessively.
Gilera’s CX125 of 1990 was a radical design that looked like something from the movie Tron. However, the bike was very expensive and only 1000 were built before the company stopped production less than a year later. Some bikes that have been revived might find their niche among riders – here are our Top 10 requests.
Ducati Sport Classic
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The Sport Classic has been praised as a visionary bike – one that was ahead of its time. And now, with Ducati’s current retro roadster line-up being so limited in comparison to Triumph, there is a stronger argument than ever for Ducati to bring back the Sport Classics.
No wonder they’re so in-demand used… The Sport Classics were first launched in 2005 with the faired Paul Smart Limited Edition and the unfaired, more affordable Sport 1000. Both being 992cc, air-cooled V-twins with impressive style, handling, and a decent 92bhp. The twin seat GT arrived a year later. With hindsight, all models were brilliant. The trouble was, they didn’t sell.
The Sport Classics were initially launched in 2005 with the faired Paul Smart Limited Edition and the unfaired, more affordable Sport 1000. Both being 992cc, air-cooled V-twins with great style, handling, and a 92bhp output. The twin seat GT arrived a year later. All of these features made for a great bike but they unfortunately didn’t sell well.
The Sport was solo only and uncomfortable, the Smart expensive, the more practical GT less of a looker and, besides, retro bikes had yet to catch on. Ducati meddled with the recipes over the next few years finally coming up with versions that were stylish, practical and affordable all at the same time but by then, 2010, it was too late and Ducati pulled the plug.
MV Agusta Brutale 920
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How many chances does MV Agusta need to get it right? The company has come close a few times, but its closest attempt was with the ultra short-lived Brutale 920 of 2011-2012. Developed during Harley-Davidson’s brief tenure, the 920 was intended as the ‘entry-level’ Brutale with a more basic spec. This probably put people off because if you’re going to buy an MV, you probably want to buy the maddest, most extreme version available. But that’s not necessarily the right approach.
The 920 was a fantastic bike – its refined 130bhp engine was more than enough power for a roadster, it handled and rode much better than most MVs, it looked great, and it was affordable. With the 920, MV Agusta should have been able to make a big splash in the mass market – but Harley got cold feet and offloaded it back to the Castiglionis for a Euro. The Castiglionis then went back to their old ways of producing extreme exotica that nobody wanted to buy…
Harley-Davidson XR1200
The XR1200 was a Harley Europe led project to build a decent-handling performance motorcycle that would still be inspired by H-D’s legendary XR750 flat track racer. The XR1200, in 2008, was the result, with tuned 1200 Sportster V-twin power, decent handling and great looks. However, the XR1200 failed to sell well, particularly in the US.
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An updated XR1200R followed in 2010, with improved multi-adjustable suspension. However, the project was cancelled in 2012 due to lack of power and support from Harley USA. It’s a shame as the XR1200R wasn’t a bad bike, it just didn’t have enough horsepower to compete against its European rivals.
However, with HD USA’s recent experience with global bikes (as proven by the PanAm and LiveWire), they have the potential to create a retro roadster XR1250 that could be fabulous. With a new 120bhp, liquid-cooled Sportster S as its base, the XR1250 has the potential to be a great bike.
Buell 1125 CR
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Erik Buell’s “‘pipedream'”, as it was called by some, was a bold move that didn’t quite work out in the end… especially when Harley-Davidson took over and wedged in its Sportster V-twin engines. However, there were some good ideas that came from it. Buell’s last-gasp, Rotax-powered, 146bhp 1125R sportster was a really quite good (if odd looking) road sportster that never got a chance because Buell rushed the press launch with flawed bikes.
By the time fuelling sorted itself out, Buell’s 1125 CR super-naked bike (with much better and more distinctive styling than its sister bike) was available and performed even better, being more competitive. Sadly, that bike never really caught on in the US due to being sold uncomfortably through Harley dealers and the whole Buell operation was shut down after the CR had barely been around for two years.
Buell is back for a third time and looking better than ever!
This time around, Buell has a much better chance at success thanks to advancements in technology and changes in the market. So if you’re in the market for a new bike, be sure to check out Buell!
Moto Guzzi V11
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The V7 is Guzzi’s best-selling bike, but it only recently got the performance upgrade it should have had from the start. It remains slightly dinky and novice-friendly, which is a shame for those of us who want a more substantial, credible V9 or V11. Guzzi actually did make a V9 or V11 at one point, but it was years ahead of its time and sadly held back by the company’s off-field troubles. If it were released today, it would have a much better chance of success.
The V11 was originally launched under Aprilia ownership in 2001. It was a great-looking bike with decent performance (91bhp). It spawned a whole series of variants in different specs and styles.
It’s true that by the time the V11 was released, Aprilia was already in financial trouble. Despite improved build quality and sometimes amazing features, the V11 was released before the retro boom and never got the recognition or success it deserved. But if we wind forward 20 years, a new V11 in the same style and with the same specs would be amazing, wouldn’t it?
Yamaha MT-01
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The Yamaha MT-01 was a big, brash bike that was ahead of its time. It was misunderstood and unsuccessful when it first came out in 2005, but it has since gained a cult following. The MT-01 was initially a show/concept bike, but Yamaha decided to put it into production. It’s not entirely clear why they did this, but it’s become one of the most iconic bikes of the early Noughties.
The bike was a work of art, with a powerful 1700cc V-twin engine at its heart, housed in a beautiful roadster chassis with adjustable suspension and radial brakes. Even the dash was jewel-like. The experience was indescribable: a cacophony of rumbling grunt, an almost regal ride; a thunderous soundtrack and a sense of occasion like no other.
Sadly, some people described it as being slow, overbearing, and expensive – so no one bought one. Today, in this retro-driven world it might do better, although it would never have gotten through Euro5 emissions standards.
Husqvarna Nuda 900
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Husqvarna is a historic Swedish off-road bike brand with a few issues in its checkered past. In 1987, it was bought by Cagiva and production was moved to Italy. In 2007, BMW bought Husqvarna, but they had various difficulties, including disagreements with Italian trade unions. In 2013, KTM bought Husqvarna from BMW.
It’s a shame that the latest bikes today are nothing more than re-styled Dukes. The Nuda 900, although it didn’t sell well, was a great bike. It was essentially a forerunner of the F900R, but it was better equipped and looked better. The Nuda 900 was based on the F800, but it was enlarged, tuned to 105bhp, and fitted with Brembos and more. In short, it was pretty much exactly what the KTM 790 Duke was nearly a decade later. If you added in some Steve McQueen styling (Husky had been experimenting with that with its Moab concept bike), it would both the KTM 890 and BMW F900R.
Moto Morini 1200 Granpasso
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One of the most unsung Italian brands of the early-00s, Moto Morini was actually one of the best. Its final bike (sort of) was also among the most underrated. Moto Morini was revived in 1999 and launched its first all-new bike, the 1187cc V-twin Corsaro, in 2005. The Corsaro was a more than decent bike, with 140bhp fiery bhp and good handling. n the downside, it was let down with initially iffy fuelling, corporate underfunding and a lack of publicity and sales infrastructure.
It’s a shame that financial problems caused the Granpasso to go into meltdown, because it was ahead of its time in many ways. Even today, its performance, versatility, style and fun would stack up well against its competitors.
Honda CB1000 ‘Big One’
Do you remember the big four cylinder retro bikes that were all the rage in the late 1990s? The CB1000 ‘Big One’ was one of the best of its kind, and it beat all the other bikes to the punch. In light of how weak Honda’s current offerings are in this class, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for them to revive the CB1000 today.
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The Big One flopped when it was first released because it was expensive and people thought it was too ahead of its time. However, it was still a beautifully made product (HRC were involved, if memory serves), with a strong CBR1000F liquid-cooled four engine, great handling, and an amazing road presence due to its larger than life proportions.
If Honda could produce this bike at a competitive price point, it would be the best retro four on the market.
KTM RC8
KTM’s much-anticipated superbike version of its big V-twin motorcycle was unfortunately delayed, and when it was finally launched in 2008, it was such a failure that it was discontinued by 2010. The RC8’s timing was comically bad – it was being built with the intention to compete in the WorldSBK Championship, but a shift in regulations while it was being completed meant that it would never have been competitive, thus negating its reason for existence.
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The RC8 was KTM’s first attempt at a sportsbike, and though it was a bit of a handful, it was actually a pretty solid bike. It’s since won a cult following among motorcycle enthusiasts.
Now, however, KTM has the 1290 Super Duke R, which is based on the architecture of the winning MotoGP bike. There have been calls for an RC revival ever since the Super Duke R was released.
KTM’s other smaller RCs have great chassis design and their MotoGP machines are some of the best in the business. With the latest electronics and styling inspired by Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira’s factory machines, the new RC390 would be a sure-fire winner.
