Retro Bikes of the UK — 16 Machines and 30 Roads That Will Change How You See Britain and Ireland

The UK is one of the world's great motorcycle countries because the roads rarely let you switch off. A single ride can move from moorland to seaside, from stone villages to industrial history, and from a fast A-road to a lane barely wider than the bike. Add a deep British engineering tradition, a huge modern-classic scene, and weather that keeps every trip interesting, and you have a perfect home for retro motorcycles.

This guide covers motorcycles sold in the UK market, from small urban classics to big touring machines. Prices are indicative new-bike reference prices in GBP and vary with dealer offers, registration costs, options, and model year. The Republic of Ireland is included in the riding destinations, though the motorcycle pricing references are UK-based.

16 Retro Bikes Available in the UK

1. Honda Monkey 125 — approximately £4,000–4,500
The Monkey is tiny, cheerful, and far more capable than its proportions suggest. It is perfect for city errands, coastal lanes, and short scenic rides where the point is to enjoy every bend rather than cover huge distances.

2. Royal Enfield Hunter 350 — approximately £4,000–4,500
A compact 349cc roadster with a low seat, easy handling, and classic proportions. The Hunter is especially well suited to British towns, weekend B-roads, and riders who want a forgiving first modern classic.

3. Triumph Speed 400 — approximately £5,000–5,500
Triumph's 398cc single-cylinder roadster delivers approachable performance with unmistakable Hinckley styling. Its light weight makes it ideal for narrow lanes, city traffic, and short-notice rides into the countryside.

4. Royal Enfield Classic 350 — approximately £4,500–5,000
The Classic 350 brings a proper old-school silhouette, relaxed ergonomics, and a simple single-cylinder character. It is built for riders who prefer an unhurried pace and enjoy stopping in every market town along the way.

5. Triumph Scrambler 400 X — approximately £5,500–6,000
The taller 398cc Triumph adds longer suspension travel, a wider handlebar, and more rough-road confidence. It is a smart choice for lanes that deteriorate into gravel, grassy viewpoints, or the occasional farm track.

6. Honda CL500 — approximately £6,500–7,000
The 471cc twin-cylinder scrambler has enough performance for motorways but remains friendly on wet, narrow roads. Its upright riding position and practical range make it an excellent all-weather UK travel bike.

7. Kawasaki Z650RS — approximately £8,000–9,000
The Z650RS combines a 649cc parallel-twin engine with the lines of a classic Kawasaki Z. It is light, quick, and easy to live with, making it one of the strongest all-rounders in the UK modern-classic market.

8. Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 — approximately £6,500–7,500
The Interceptor's 648cc parallel twin has enough punch for fast roads while preserving the easy-going rhythm that suits a Sunday ride. It is also one of the most custom-friendly motorcycles in the segment.

9. Triumph Speed Twin 900 — approximately £9,500–10,500
A 900cc parallel-twin roadster with classic proportions and modern brakes, suspension, and electronics. The Speed Twin is happy on city streets, but its real strength appears on flowing Welsh, Scottish, and southwest English roads.

10. Moto Guzzi V7 — approximately £9,000–10,500
The transverse 853cc V-twin, shaft drive, and elegant Italian shape make the V7 stand out in a sea of parallel twins. It is a beautifully characterful machine for quiet lanes and long café-to-café days.

11. Triumph Bonneville T100 — approximately £10,000–11,000
The 900cc Bonneville T100 is a polished, comfortable modern classic that works for commuting and touring alike. It has the classic tank, twin-shock stance, and broad usability that made the Bonneville name famous.

12. BMW R 12 — approximately £14,000–16,000
BMW's 1170cc boxer roadster offers stripped-back styling, strong torque, and a substantial amount of custom potential. It is a premium choice for riders who want traditional boxer character without a full touring fairing.

13. Triumph Bonneville T120 — approximately £13,000–14,500
The 1200cc T120 is the long-distance Bonneville. It brings generous torque, a comfortable riding position, and enough presence for a full UK tour without losing the familiar classic outline.

14. Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE — approximately £13,000–14,500
With a 1200cc twin, long-travel suspension, and serious ground clearance, the Scrambler 1200 XE is built for UK routes that refuse to stay perfectly paved. It is equally convincing on moorland roads and urban streets.

15. Indian Scout Bobber — approximately £13,500–15,500
The 1250cc liquid-cooled V-twin gives the Scout Bobber strong acceleration in a low, minimalist cruiser package. It brings a distinctly American silhouette to Britain's winding roads and coastal routes.

16. Triumph Rocket 3 — approximately £21,000–24,000
The 2458cc triple is one of motorcycling's great statements. The Rocket 3 is heavy and physically imposing, but its low centre of gravity and enormous torque make it a spectacular machine for open roads and big-mile touring.

30 UK and Ireland Roads and Destinations

England

1. North Coast 500, Scotland
One of the UK's signature motorcycle loops, travelling around the northern Highlands through sea lochs, rugged coastline, castles, and open moorland. Ride considerately and avoid treating local villages as racetracks.

2. Hardknott and Wrynose Passes, Cumbria
These steep, narrow passes in the Lake District deliver serious gradients, tight bends, and outstanding views. Conditions can be damp even when the surrounding valleys look dry.

3. Snake Pass and the Peak District
The road between Glossop and Ladybower Reservoir cuts through dramatic Pennine scenery. Combine it with the smaller roads around Bakewell, Castleton, and Hathersage for a full Peak District day.

4. Cat and Fiddle, Cheshire and Derbyshire
A classic high road between Macclesfield and Buxton, with moorland views and long, flowing bends. Weather changes quickly, and the route is best enjoyed with a calm pace and good visibility.

5. Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire
Ride around Hawes, Reeth, Leyburn, and the Buttertubs Pass for dry-stone walls, open valleys, and excellent connecting roads. The Dales reward exploration away from the obvious tourist route.

6. Northumberland and the Borders
From Hadrian's Wall to the Cheviot Hills, northern England offers quiet roads, big skies, and fewer crowds than the better-known national parks. The B6357 and roads around Kielder Forest are strong starting points.

7. Lincolnshire Wolds
Rolling countryside, small villages, and lightly trafficked lanes make the Wolds ideal for a relaxed retro-bike ride. It is a useful reminder that a great motorcycle road does not need dramatic altitude.

8. Norfolk Coast and the Broads
Combine the coast around Cromer and Wells-next-the-Sea with the quiet roads through the Broads. The riding is gentle, scenic, and full of villages where a long lunch is part of the itinerary.

9. Cotswolds and the Fosse Way
Stone villages, rolling farmland, and old Roman-road alignments define this central England route. Visit early or late in the day to enjoy the roads without peak tourist traffic.

10. Black Mountain Pass, Wales
The A4069 across the western Brecon Beacons is one of Britain's most celebrated motorcycle roads, with smooth bends and open mountain views. It is popular, so ride with restraint and expect changing conditions.

Wales

11. Brecon Beacons, Wales
Use Brecon as a base for the roads around Pen y Fan, Talybont Reservoir, and the Usk Valley. The region delivers a dense concentration of enjoyable roads within a relatively small area.

12. Elan Valley, Wales
A network of reservoirs, open hills, and narrow connecting roads makes the Elan Valley perfect for a quiet day on a modern classic. The scenery is spacious, remote, and deeply Welsh.

13. Evo Triangle, North Wales
The triangle around Betws-y-Coed, Cerrigydrudion, and Llangollen has become a rider favourite for its flowing roads and mountain scenery. It is best treated as a scenic loop, not a timed circuit.

14. Snowdonia and the Lleyn Peninsula
Ride around Eryri's mountain passes before following the coast toward Abersoch and Porthmadog. The combination of peaks, beaches, slate villages, and sea air is hard to beat.

15. Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales
Southwest Wales offers cliff roads, fishing villages, beaches, and winding inland lanes. Base yourself near St Davids or Tenby and build a route that leaves time for walking and exploring.

16. Black Mountains and the Golden Valley
Quiet roads around Hay-on-Wye, Crickhowell, and Abergavenny offer a less crowded alternative to the most famous Welsh routes. The landscape is ideal for a relaxed 350cc or middleweight classic.

Scotland

17. Applecross and Bealach na Bà, Scotland
The climb to Applecross includes one of Britain's most dramatic passes, with tight hairpins and views across the Inner Sound. Check weather and road conditions because the pass is exposed and occasionally closed.

18. Isle of Skye, Scotland
Skye combines mountain roads, sea cliffs, dramatic rock formations, and ferry or bridge approaches. Give yourself multiple days because the best experience comes from exploring beyond the main viewpoints.

19. Cairngorms National Park
Ride through the A939, the Lecht, and the roads around Braemar and Aviemore. The high plateau scenery feels enormous, while the nearby villages provide reliable stops and fuel.

20. The Rest and Be Thankful, Argyll
This famous viewpoint sits on a winding road through some of western Scotland's best scenery. Continue toward Inveraray, Lochgilphead, and the Kintyre Peninsula for a quieter extension.

21. North Coast 500's west coast section
If the full loop is too ambitious, focus on the route from Inverness through Torridon, Applecross, Ullapool, and Assynt. This section delivers the Highlands at their most dramatic.

22. Outer Hebrides, Scotland
Ferries, white-sand beaches, machair, and single-track roads make the islands ideal for slow travel. Wind is a constant companion, and the limited services reward careful planning.

23. Mull and the west coast islands
Ride from Oban across to Mull and explore Tobermory, the Ross of Mull, and the island's rugged coast. The ferry crossings turn the motorcycle trip into part road tour and part expedition.

Northern Ireland and Ireland

24. Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
Cliffs, sea stacks, castles, and the Giant's Causeway line this spectacular northern route. Extend it through the Glens of Antrim for quieter bends away from the main tourist stops.

25. Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland
Roads around Newcastle, Rostrevor, and the Mournes combine forest, coast, and mountain views. The region is compact enough for a rewarding day loop from Belfast or Dublin.

26. Sperrin Mountains, Northern Ireland
Less visited than the Causeway Coast, the Sperrins provide open roads, dark-sky landscapes, and a peaceful rural atmosphere. It is exactly the kind of place where a retro bike's slower rhythm makes sense.

27. Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
Ireland's west coast offers thousands of kilometres of cliffs, beaches, villages, and exposed headlands. Choose a section rather than trying to rush the full route, especially in changeable weather.

28. Ring of Kerry, Ireland
A classic Irish loop through mountains, lakes, coastline, and historic villages. Start early, take the smaller roads where practical, and leave time for the Skellig coast viewpoints.

29. Connemara, Ireland
Ride west from Galway through bogland, mountains, lakes, and stone-walled valleys. The roads around Clifden and Kylemore Abbey are ideal for a comfortable middleweight classic.

30. Wicklow Mountains, Ireland
Just south of Dublin, the Wicklow roads offer fast access to mountain scenery, forest, lakes, and historic sites. The Sally Gap and nearby valleys make a perfect first or final ride on an Ireland tour.

Ride in the Right Kit

For riders who know that the best British road is usually the one just beyond the signpost.

• Thrill of the Hunt Lion Art Back Print Streetwear Tee — India
• Thrill of the Hunt Lion Art Back Print Streetwear Tee — International

Explore the full Streetwear Collection for more pieces made for the long ride.

Xavi's Thrill of the Hunt Lion Art Back Print Streetwear Unisex Tshirt - Xavi's World

Search Terms and Topics

Hashtags: #RetroBikesUK #BritishMotorcycleRoads #NorthCoast500 #BlackMountainPass #WelshMotorcycleRoads #ScottishHighlands #LakeDistrictRide #PeakDistrict #YorkshireDales #CausewayCoast #WildAtlanticWay #IrelandMotorcycle #RoyalEnfieldUK #TriumphBonneville #TriumphScrambler #KawasakiZ650RS #MotoGuzziV7 #BMWR12 #ModernClassic #ClassicMoto #BritishBikes #MotoTravel #MotorcycleTouring #RideScotland #RideWales #RideIreland #BikerLife #RetroRider #ThrillOfTheHunt #StreetwearCollection