Europe is where the motorcycle became a cultural object before it became a lifestyle accessory. A century of racing, design, engineering, café culture, and long-distance touring has left the continent covered in roads that seem designed for two wheels. You can ride a Mediterranean coast before lunch, cross an Alpine pass in the afternoon, and finish in a medieval town where the same stonework has watched riders arrive for hundreds of years.
This list focuses on retro and modern-classic motorcycles sold across continental European markets. Prices are indicative new-bike reference prices in euros and vary by country, VAT, registration fees, options, promotions, and model year. The UK will get its own article in this series, so this guide leans toward the Eurozone, Scandinavia, Central Europe, and the Balkans.
16 Retro Bikes Available in Europe
1. Honda Monkey 125 — approximately €4,500–5,000
The tiny Honda is one of Europe's most charming modern classics. Its 125cc single, low weight, and compact dimensions make it perfect for city exploration, village lanes, and a surprising number of mountain roads where speed is less important than character.
2. Vespa GTS 300 — approximately €6,000–7,000
Europe's great urban classic remains a serious travel tool. The 278cc engine, weather protection, under-seat storage, and relaxed riding position make the GTS ideal for Italian lakes, Mediterranean coastlines, and old cities where a full-size motorcycle can feel like overkill.
3. Royal Enfield Hunter 350 — approximately €4,500–5,000
A compact roadster with a 349cc single-cylinder engine and easy-going manners. The Hunter is happy filtering through city traffic, but its upright position and approachable handling also suit the tight roads of Portugal, Spain, Greece, and the Balkans.
4. Royal Enfield Classic 350 — approximately €5,000–5,500
The Classic 350 brings its unmistakable old-school silhouette to modern European roads. It is a relaxed machine for riders who prefer a steady rhythm, simple controls, and the ability to stop often for photographs, coffee, and another medieval village.
5. Honda CL500 — approximately €7,000–7,500
The 471cc parallel-twin scrambler combines Honda reliability with a practical upright riding position. The CL500 is especially useful for European routes that mix smooth highways with rough farm lanes, gravel lookouts, and unplanned detours.
6. Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 — approximately €6,500–7,500
One of the best-value middleweight modern classics in Europe. Its 648cc twin has enough performance for fast roads, while the neutral riding position and generous aftermarket make it a favourite for everything from café builds to long Alpine weekends.
7. Kawasaki Z650RS — approximately €8,500–9,500
The Z650RS borrows the visual language of Kawasaki's classic Z motorcycles and pairs it with a modern 649cc parallel-twin chassis. It is a strong all-rounder for riders who want retro style without giving up light weight or everyday usability.
8. Moto Guzzi V7 — approximately €9,000–10,500
With its transverse 853cc V-twin, shaft drive, and unmistakably Italian profile, the V7 is one of Europe's most characterful roadsters. It feels at home on lake roads, mountain passes, and the quiet provincial routes that connect the famous destinations.
9. Ducati Scrambler Icon — approximately €9,500–11,000
The 803cc L-twin and relaxed scrambler stance give the Icon a lively personality without making it intimidating. It is equally happy on a coastal road in Croatia, a city street in Bologna, or a dry backroad in southern Spain.
10. Moto Guzzi V85 TT — approximately €12,000–13,500
A distinctive 853cc shaft-drive adventure tourer with strong retro design. The V85 TT is built for riders who want to cross Europe in comfort while keeping the route open to unpaved mountain roads and smaller border crossings.
11. Triumph Speed Twin 900 — approximately €10,000–11,500
The 900cc parallel-twin roadster blends classic proportions with modern brakes, suspension, and electronics. It is an excellent choice for a European loop because it can handle daily city use without feeling ordinary on a fast mountain road.
12. BMW R 12 — approximately €14,000–16,000
BMW's latest classic boxer roadster uses the 1170cc twin and a deliberately stripped-back design. It brings modern German engineering to the relaxed, custom-friendly world of the classic boxer, with enough torque for long days across borders.
13. Triumph Bonneville T120 — approximately €14,000–15,500
The 1200cc Bonneville is the mature long-distance member of the modern-classic family. Its strong low-end torque, comfortable seat, and substantial build make it ideal for touring through France, Italy, Spain, and the Alpine countries.
14. BMW R nineT — approximately €17,000–19,000
The air-and-oil-cooled 1170cc boxer, exposed mechanical details, and enormous custom scene have made the R nineT a European modern classic in its own right. It is a premium roadster with the range and chassis confidence for serious touring.
15. Harley-Davidson Nightster — approximately €12,000–14,000
The 975cc Revolution Max turns the Nightster into a lighter, sharper European touring option than its name might suggest. It keeps the low-slung American silhouette while adding modern performance for winding roads beyond the city.
16. BMW R 18 — approximately €20,000–25,000
BMW's 1802cc big boxer is a rolling piece of industrial sculpture. It is heavy, broad, and deliberately old-school in feeling, but the low centre of gravity and enormous torque make it a surprisingly compelling machine for open European highways and grand touring.
30 European Roads and Destinations
France, Spain, Portugal, and the Pyrenees
1. Route Napoléon, France
From Grenoble toward Grasse, the Route Napoléon links dramatic Alpine scenery with fast, flowing bends and historic towns. Ride it outside peak summer traffic for the best combination of visibility and rhythm.
2. Route des Grandes Alpes, France
This classic Alpine traverse runs from Lake Geneva toward the Mediterranean, crossing legendary passes such as the Iseran, Galibier, and Bonette. Check seasonal closures because snow can outlast the calendar.
3. Verdon Gorge, France
The roads around Europe's Grand Canyon deliver limestone cliffs, turquoise water, and tight technical corners. The loop near Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is one of France's finest day rides.
4. Corsica, France
Corsica's narrow mountain roads, granite peaks, cliffside coast, and villages reward a light, agile motorcycle. Ride slowly, allow extra time, and expect the island's distances to feel longer than they look on a map.
5. Picos de Europa, Spain
Northern Spain offers dramatic limestone peaks, green valleys, and wonderfully empty roads around Fuente Dé, Cangas de Onís, and the Covadonga Lakes. It is a cooler, quieter alternative to Spain's Mediterranean routes.
6. N-260, the Trans-Pyrenean road, Spain
The N-260 crosses the Spanish Pyrenees through a sequence of high passes, gorges, and remote villages. Combine it with a crossing into France for a multi-day route with almost no dull sections.
7. Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarras, Spain
Ride south from Granada into the white villages and steep valleys of the Alpujarras. The roads range from smooth sweepers to tight mountain lanes, with the Mediterranean visible on clear days.
8. Douro Valley, Portugal
Portugal's N-222 along the Douro is a must-ride route through terraced vineyards and river bends. Continue toward Pinhão and Peso da Régua for scenery that changes constantly without demanding extreme speed.
Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and the Alps
9. Stelvio Pass, Italy
Its famous hairpins are only part of the attraction. The surrounding South Tyrol roads, Umbrail Pass, and Bormio valleys offer better flow and less traffic when the main viewpoint becomes crowded.
10. Dolomites Great Road, Italy
Ride through the Sella Ronda and passes such as Gardena, Pordoi, and Falzarego. The pale rock towers, polished asphalt, and compact distances make the Dolomites a perfect modern-classic playground.
11. Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, Italy
Use the lakes as a base for narrow shoreline roads, hillside villages, ferry crossings, and Alpine viewpoints. The best rides are often the small roads that leave the water and climb into the hills.
12. Amalfi Coast, Italy
The SS163 threads between cliffs, villages, and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Go early, expect traffic, and remember that the experience is about the scenery and atmosphere rather than setting a personal best.
13. Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria
Austria's famous toll road climbs toward the country's highest mountain through immaculate switchbacks and glacier views. It is usually seasonal, so verify opening dates before building a trip around it.
14. Silvretta High Alpine Road, Austria
A compact Alpine route with excellent bends, a high reservoir, and big mountain views. Pair it with the roads around the Arlberg and Tyrol for a rewarding multi-day loop.
15. Furka, Grimsel, and Susten passes, Switzerland
This trio of Swiss passes is one of Europe's essential riding combinations. Smooth pavement, high-altitude scenery, tunnels, and glacier viewpoints arrive one after another.
16. Transfăgărășan, Romania
Romania's high road crosses the Făgăraș Mountains with sweeping corners and exposed views. Traffic and weather can be unpredictable, but the route deserves its reputation when conditions are right.
Germany, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe
17. Black Forest High Road, Germany
The Schwarzwaldhochstraße and surrounding roads move through dark forest, open ridgelines, spa towns, and classic German scenery. It is a comfortable introduction to touring in the country's southwest.
18. Romantic Road, Germany
From Würzburg toward Füssen, the route links walled towns, castles, vineyards, and Bavarian countryside. It is less about technical riding than about the pleasure of moving between beautifully preserved places.
19. Grossglockner to the Slovenian Alps
Cross from Austria toward Slovenia through the roads around Villach, Kranjska Gora, and the Vršič Pass. The transition from polished Austrian infrastructure to rawer mountain scenery is part of the appeal.
20. Vršič Pass, Slovenia
Slovenia's highest road crosses the Julian Alps through tight hairpins, including cobbled sections on some bends. Combine it with the Soča Valley and Lake Bled for a compact but spectacular trip.
21. Adriatic Magistrala, Croatia and Montenegro
The coastal road from Rijeka toward Dubrovnik and onward into Montenegro offers limestone mountains on one side and the Adriatic on the other. Ride early in the day during the busy summer season.
22. Durmitor Ring, Montenegro
A high, remote loop around Durmitor National Park, with open plateaus, dramatic canyons, and very small settlements. Fuel and weather planning matter because services are limited away from the main towns.
23. Transalpina, Romania
Romania's high mountain road crosses the Parâng Mountains with long open views and a quieter feel than the Transfăgărășan. It makes an excellent companion route when the main pass is crowded.
24. Albania's SH20, Albania
The SH20 climbs from the north of Albania into the Accursed Mountains, with modern pavement, dramatic gorges, and a powerful sense of remoteness. Conditions can change quickly, so keep the route flexible.
Scandinavia, Greece, and the Mediterranean
25. Atlantic Road, Norway
Norway's short but spectacular Atlantic Road leaps between islands and skerries with bridges that seem to float in the sea. Extend the ride through the fjords and western coastal roads for a bigger journey.
26. Trollstigen and Geiranger, Norway
Waterfalls, steep walls, switchbacks, and deep fjords make this one of Europe's most cinematic riding areas. Summer traffic is real, so patience is part of the experience.
27. North Coast 500, Scotland
Although the UK has its own article in this series, the NC500 belongs on any European riding map. The loop around Scotland's north coast combines sea cliffs, empty moorland, castles, and single-track roads.
28. Peloponnese, Greece
Ride from Athens into the Peloponnese for mountain passes, ancient sites, olive groves, and coastal roads around the Mani Peninsula. Spring and autumn offer more comfortable temperatures than high summer.
29. Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia's SS125 Orientale Sarda is one of Europe's great motorcycle roads, winding through mountains before reaching the eastern coast. Add the inland roads around Nuoro for quieter bends and dramatic landscapes.
30. Mallorca's Serra de Tramuntana, Spain
The MA-10 crosses Mallorca's rugged west coast through stone villages, cliffs, and tight bends. Start early, respect cyclists, and treat Sa Calobra as a scenic descent rather than a racetrack.
Ride in the Right Kit
For riders who take the long way through the old world.
• Thrill of the Hunt Lion Art Back Print Streetwear Tee — India
• Thrill of the Hunt Lion Art Back Print Streetwear Tee — International
Explore the complete Streetwear Collection for more pieces built around the spirit of the ride.
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