Throughout the years there have been some really great motorcycles that have been developed by BMW, Ducati, Honda, Indian, and other motorcycle manufacturers.



BMW motorcycles wear a blue-and-white logo designed to conjure up a spinning airplane propeller. Learn why that's an apt symbol by linking to the BMW motorcycle articles below. The 1994 BMW R1100RSL is among the classic motorcycles from the renowned German company. BMW motorcycles were born from precision-minded German aircraft builders, a legacy of engineering that continues today. These pivotal bikes that established BMW motorcycles as the definition of two-wheel refinement and balance such as the 1965 R-27, 1981 R65, 1990 K-1, and 1994 R1100RSL

Ducati motorcycles roared from the ashes of World War II to embody the highest principals of efficient motorcycle design and exotic looks. The 1994 Ducati 916 sport bike is just one of the classic motorcycles from Italy's foremostmotorcycle manufacturer. The Ducati story is one of a war-devastated Italian electronics firm that remade itself as builder of some of the world's most desirable motorcycles. The earliest Ducati motorcycles were basic transportation, but before long they were winning races and wowing the most discriminating riders. These great bikes that by the 1970s were certified works of motorcycle art such as the Scrambler 350, Model 900SS, Hailwood Replica, 750 F1 Montjuich, 851 Desmoquattro, Superlight, Model 916, Model 750 Monster, and the ST2.

Honda motorcycles changed the image of the motorcycle in the 1960s, and not a moment too soon. The 1990 Honda RC30 was a road rocket and one of the classic motorcycles from this respected Japanese company. Motorcycles in the early 1960s suffered an image problem. They were identified with society's outsiders, but thanks to friendly little bikes like the 1969 Honda Dream 305, motorcycles were suddenly welcome on suburbia's driveways. Not only did Honda domesticate the motorcycle, it raced to the other end of the spectrum to create some of the world's hottest power bikes, which helped instigate an entire motorcycle cult as maker of the remarkable Gold Wing series such as the CB750, Dream 305, CB400, GL1000 Gold Wing, CX500, CBX, MB-5, CX650T, Nighthawk 700S, GB500 Tourist Trophy, RC30, and the Valkyrie.

Indian motorcycles are rivaled only by those from Harley-Davidson for the sense of Americana they inspire. The 1946 Indian Chief typified the classic motorcycle presence carried by bikes from this legendary American motorcycle maker. Chain direct-drive, swingarm rear suspension, dozens of color choices, aluminum cylinder heads, and even their slogan, "You can learn to ride it in five minutes," helped distinguish early Indian motorcycles from their many rivals. Indian motorcycles enjoyed their glory days before World War II, when these big bikes were renowned for their power, styling, and high-speed stability. The Indian Chief models of the immediate postwar years carried on that proud tradition such as the 61 Twin, Prince, Chief, 440, 741, 841, and the Chief.

The 1940 Crocker, built in in California and one of the fastest bikes of its era, is among the dozens of classic motorcycles. Pioneers like the 1904 Marsh, emblematic of an era when a motorcycle was little more than an internal combustion engine bolted to a bicycle frame and all the other advances that led to boulevard bullies like the 1940 Crocker, which could show its taillight to most anything on wheels, two or four. Followed by the outlaw romance of bikes was the Vincent Black Shadow and the 1964 Vespa.