South Africa is one of the rare places where a single motorcycle trip can include ocean cliffs, vineyards, high mountain passes, red desert, wildlife country, and roads that seem to continue until the horizon gives up. The country rewards riders who are willing to leave the obvious highway. A retro bike is particularly good here because it turns every fuel stop, farm stall, mountain pass, and small town into part of the story.
This guide focuses on motorcycles sold through established South African dealers or commonly available local channels. Prices are indicative new-bike references in South African rand and can vary with dealer promotions, registration, accessories, and model year. Some destinations extend into Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe, so check border requirements, insurance, road conditions, fuel distances, and current travel guidance before setting out.
16 Retro Bikes Available in South Africa
1. Suzuki GN125 — approximately R30,000–40,000
A lightweight 125cc single with a classic standard-bike shape and easy maintenance. The GN125 is a practical choice for city riding, shorter regional trips, and riders who want inexpensive access to the southern African motorcycle scene.
2. Honda CB125F — approximately R35,000–45,000
Honda's economical 125cc roadster is simple, frugal, and approachable. It is well suited to urban commuting and quieter back roads where travelling lightly is more important than travelling fast.
3. Royal Enfield Hunter 350 — approximately R70,000–80,000
The compact 349cc Hunter feels at home in Cape Town traffic, Johannesburg suburbs, and the winding roads outside smaller towns. Its manageable weight makes it a strong entry point into modern classics.
4. Royal Enfield Classic 350 — approximately R75,000–85,000
The Classic 350 delivers traditional styling, a relaxed single-cylinder rhythm, and a comfortable riding position. It suits riders who want to take the scenic route through the Karoo, Midlands, or Cape Winelands.
5. Triumph Speed 400 — approximately R85,000–95,000
A 398cc single-cylinder roadster with excellent low-speed manners and enough performance for national roads. The Speed 400 is light enough for urban use but polished enough for a long weekend away.
6. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 — approximately R100,000–115,000
The 452cc single, long-travel suspension, and upright ergonomics make the Himalayan a natural fit for South Africa's mixture of sealed roads, corrugations, gravel, and mountain passes.
7. Honda Rebel 500 — approximately R120,000–135,000
The 471cc parallel twin gives the Rebel a friendly, flexible character, while the low seat and cruiser stance make it easy to handle. It is a strong option for coastal touring and open-road travel.
8. Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 — approximately R105,000–120,000
The 648cc twin is one of the region's best-value modern classics. Its neutral ergonomics, broad aftermarket, and relaxed engine make it equally useful for daily riding and multi-day trips.
9. Kawasaki Z650RS — approximately R145,000–160,000
The Z650RS brings classic Kawasaki styling to a modern 649cc parallel-twin platform. It is light enough for technical mountain roads and fast enough for the long connecting sections between destinations.
10. Triumph Speed Twin 900 — approximately R170,000–190,000
The 900cc Triumph has the balance that makes it so useful in South Africa: enough torque for open roads, a manageable chassis for mountain bends, and classic styling that never feels costume-like.
11. Ducati Scrambler Icon — approximately R180,000–205,000
The 803cc L-twin and upright riding position make the Scrambler a lively choice for the Cape, Garden Route, and inland back roads. It is a road bike with enough attitude for unpaved viewpoints and farm lanes.
12. Moto Guzzi V7 Stone — approximately R180,000–205,000
The transverse 853cc V-twin and shaft drive give the V7 a distinctive mechanical feel. It is a stylish long-distance roadster for riders who enjoy a measured pace and plenty of character between corners.
13. BMW R 12 — approximately R280,000–320,000
BMW's 1170cc boxer roadster combines classic proportions with a modern chassis and strong torque. It is built for riders who want premium finish and long-distance ability without a full adventure-bike profile.
14. Triumph Bonneville T120 — approximately R220,000–245,000
The 1200cc Bonneville is a substantial touring classic with strong low-end torque and a comfortable riding position. It is particularly convincing on the Garden Route, Karoo highways, and long coastal transfers.
15. Harley-Davidson Sportster S — approximately R240,000–270,000
The 1252cc Revolution Max brings modern performance to the low-slung Sportster shape. It is a muscular choice for wide roads and coastal cruising, with enough engine to make every overtake effortless.
16. BMW R 18 — approximately R400,000–450,000
The 1802cc big boxer is an enormous, beautifully finished modern classic. Its low centre of gravity and huge torque make it suited to grand touring, provided the rider respects its weight on gravel and slow manoeuvres.
30 Southern African Roads and Destinations
Western Cape and the Cape interior
1. Cape Peninsula and Chapman's Peak
Start in Cape Town and loop through Hout Bay, Chapman's Peak, Noordhoek, Cape Point, and the False Bay coast. Go early for lighter traffic and clearer mountain views.
2. Cape Winelands
Ride through Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, and the surrounding mountain passes. The roads combine vineyards, historic towns, dramatic granite peaks, and excellent places to stop for lunch.
3. Route 62
From Montagu through Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, and Oudtshoorn, Route 62 crosses some of the country's best dry-country scenery. It is a brilliant retro-bike road because the pace naturally stays relaxed.
4. Swartberg Pass
The gravel crossing between Prince Albert and the Cango Caves climbs through spectacular folded mountains. Check conditions before attempting it, especially after rain, and choose tyres and luggage accordingly.
5. Cederberg and Wupperthal
North of Cape Town, the Cederberg offers red rock formations, mountain tracks, rooibos country, and long empty stretches. Some roads are rough and remote, so carry fuel and water.
6. West Coast National Park
A gentle coastal ride from Cape Town toward Langebaan, with lagoon views, spring flowers in season, and open Atlantic landscapes. It works well as a short trip on a small or middleweight classic.
7. Namaqualand
Head north toward Springbok and the Richtersveld region for vast granite landscapes and extraordinary wildflowers after winter rain. Distances are long, and services become increasingly sparse.
8. Meiringspoort and the Great Karoo
The route through Meiringspoort cuts between dramatic cliffs before opening into the Karoo's vast, quiet interior. It is one of the best places to understand South Africa's sense of scale.
Garden Route and Eastern Cape
9. Garden Route
From Mossel Bay through Wilderness, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Storms River, the N2 corridor links forests, lagoons, cliffs, and beaches. Use the old roads and mountain detours where time allows.
10. Prince Alfred's Pass
One of the country's legendary mountain roads, linking the Western and Eastern Cape through forest, river valleys, and gravel. Weather and surface conditions can change quickly.
11. Baviaanskloof
A rugged protected area east of the Karoo with remote valleys, dramatic rock walls, and challenging gravel sections. Travel with appropriate equipment, spare fuel, and local route information.
12. Addo Elephant National Park
Use Gqeberha or the Sundays River Valley as a base and combine the park with the surrounding Eastern Cape roads. Wildlife areas require strict speed and road rules, but the greater region offers excellent riding.
13. Wild Coast
The coast north of East London is a slower, more remote ride through rolling hills, villages, forests, and ocean viewpoints. Some sections are better suited to dual-sport motorcycles than heavy roadsters.
14. Sunshine Coast
Between Port Alfred and Port St Johns, the coast offers quieter beaches, river crossings, and small-town roads. It is a strong alternative to the busier Garden Route.
KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, and Mpumalanga
15. Midlands Meander
Between Pietermaritzburg and the Drakensberg, the Midlands combines rolling green hills, craft studios, historic sites, and excellent café stops. It is an easy, rewarding weekend loop.
16. Sani Pass and the southern Drakensberg
Sani Pass climbs toward Lesotho with spectacular views and rough terrain. The upper section is not suitable for every motorcycle, so confirm access rules and conditions and consider a capable guide.
17. Northern Drakensberg and the Amphitheatre
Ride around Harrismith, Bergville, and the approaches to Royal Natal National Park. The escarpment scenery is immense, with a good mixture of fast roads and quieter local routes.
18. Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Sandstone cliffs and high grassland create a very different colour palette from the coast. The roads around Clarens and the park make an excellent highland riding weekend.
19. Panorama Route
From Sabie and Graskop toward God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and the Blyde River Canyon, this is one of South Africa's most scenic paved riding areas.
20. Lowveld and Kruger approaches
Ride through the roads around White River, Hazyview, and the western approaches to Kruger National Park. Outside the park, the region offers forests, plantations, and warm-weather riding.
21. Mpumalanga highlands
The roads between Dullstroom, Lydenburg, and Sabie cross cool highlands, trout country, and mountain passes. They make a good escape from Gauteng during the warmer months.
22. Waterberg, Limpopo
North of Johannesburg, the Waterberg offers wide roads, bushveld, sandstone hills, and private reserves. It is a relaxed region for riders who want wildlife country without extreme remoteness.
Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe
23. Lesotho's A1 and highlands
Cross into Lesotho toward Mokhotlong and the high mountain valleys. Roads and weather can be demanding, so carry warm layers, confirm fuel stops, and check border and road conditions.
24. Eswatini mountain loop
Eswatini's compact size makes it possible to link Mbabane, Malolotja, the Ezulwini Valley, and the southern highlands in a short trip. The roads are varied, scenic, and generally easy to combine with KwaZulu-Natal.
25. Namibian Highlands and Windhoek to Swakopmund
The route west from Windhoek crosses open highlands before reaching the Atlantic coast. Namibia's distances are serious, so plan fuel, tyres, water, and accommodation in advance.
26. Namib Desert and Sossusvlei
Ride toward Sesriem and the giant dunes through stark desert scenery. Many access roads are gravel or sand, and park rules may restrict where motorcycles can go, so verify conditions before setting out.
27. Fish River Canyon, Namibia
The road south through the Karas region leads to one of Africa's great geological landscapes. It is a long-distance route with limited services but enormous rewards for prepared riders.
28. Botswana's Chobe and Makgadikgadi region
Use Kasane or Nata as a base for wide, flat roads, wildlife country, salt pans, and huge skies. Wildlife, sand, heat, and long distances require conservative planning and local advice.
29. Victoria Falls and the Zambezi corridor
Victoria Falls can be reached as an extension from Botswana or Zimbabwe, with roads through woodland and river country. Confirm border, insurance, and current regional access requirements before crossing.
30. Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands
Roads around Nyanga, Mutare, and the Bvumba mountains offer cool air, forest, waterfalls, and highland scenery. Check current local conditions and allow extra time for border and road logistics.
Ride in the Right Kit
For riders who believe the best road is the one that keeps changing shape.
• Thrill of the Hunt Lion Art Back Print Streetwear Tee — India
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