14 of the best modern classic bikes from the 1990s
Image courtesy of Yamaha
Who remembers the 1990s? Some people are looking back to the decade that gave us classic songs, like Wonderwall, Smells Like Teen Spirit and the Macarena, and classic films like Pretty Woman, Carry On Columbus and Titanic. And, of course, some amazing motorcycles that have taken their rightful place as modern classics.
Read on to discover some of Bikesure’s favourite 90s bikes that would look great in any serious collection.
Kawasaki Ninja ZZR1100
The ZZR1100 was in production from 1990 to 2001 and was the fastest production motorcycle you could buy until ’96. The first bike of its kind that used a ram-air intake, its top speed of 176mph made it a highly desirable sportsbike then, and the kind of bike that gets petrolheads all nostalgic and misty eyed now.
Honda CBR1100XX
The CBR1100XX ‘Super Blackbird’ was developed specifically to take the crown of fastest production motorcycle from Kawasaki and it did so in some style. Well,178.5mph. Despite this potential top speed, it was also able to deliver a fun yet reliable ride at lower speeds, making it a regular sight on the roads in the second half of the 90s.
Suzuki GSX-1300R Hayabusa
Image courtesy of Suzuki
The battle for fastest production motorcycle was a fierce one in the decade, but it was undoubtedly won by Suzuki in ’99 with the Hayabusa. With a top speed of a ridiculously quick 194mph, the Hayabusa was an absolute beast on the road but a beauty to look at. With a design that was refined in a wind tunnel, its undulating fairing still looks sleek and futuristic to this day.
Not just the fastest production bike of the 90s, it was the fastest bike of the 20th century. Thankfully, a combination of companies responding to new legislation limiting speed and emissions and diminishing returns on the cost of speed led to companies reaching an unofficial agreement to knock the whole fastest production bike competition on the head.
Ducati 916
During the 90s, Ducati was almost synonymous with Carl Fogarty as the racing legend kept the brand’s name in the public’s consciousness with a string of wins. His exploits helped make the 916 one of the most iconic bikes on its release in ’94. Its pin-sharp Italian design means it’s still considered one of the best looking bikes ever made nearly 30 years later.
Triumph Tiger 900
Image courtesy of Triumph
Triumph’s current golden age undoubtedly began in the 90s, and the Tiger 900 was one of the many classics that demonstrated to the world they were back at the top of their game. The Tiger is an adventure bike aimed at taking on Honda’s Africa Twin and others in that segment, and it did so in fine style. The first version was available between ’93 and ’98 and has a sleek angular design, but for our money if you’re looking for something that’s undeniably 90s, then you can’t beat the 1999 model. The sinuous bulges of the bodywork are the epitome of pre-millennial aesthetics and still look pretty funky today.
Honda CBR900RR Fireblade
Image courtesy of Honda
The 90s were the decade when fashion got rad to the max, extreme some might say. Eye-piercing dayglo colours and dramatic new forms were the order of the day, along with names that emphasised edgy modernity. You’d be hard pressed to find a more 90s name than that bestowed on the CBR900RR – Fireblade.
Released in ’92, the Fireblade was groundbreakingly lightweight for a sports bike, with a sub 200kg weight that made it extremely manoeuvrable and fast.
Suzuki Bandit 600
The Bandit was a huge success for Suzuki on its release in ’95 and saw other manufacturers scramble to replicate its affordable sports roadster stylings. The fact it was pretty affordable and also sensible enough for less experienced drivers helped too, and it retains a devoted following to this day with the Bandit owner’s club keeping the flame alive.
KTM 620 Duke
KTM are mostly known for their off-road machines, but the Duke, their first road bike, quickly found fans with its combination of speed and control, making it a mighty machine for the more adventurous commuter. Its twin vertically oriented headlights give it an unmistakably 90s look, somehow perfectly fitting the decade that gave us the shell suit, global hypercolour t-shirts and wallet chains.
Yamaha YZF-R1
Image courtesy of Yamaha
The R1 is a bike that, in its various future forms, is a natural choice for classics of the noughties and onwards too, but it all started back in ‘98. The YZF-R1 featured a powerful, compact engine that allowed it to be fitted onto a smaller-framed bike, giving it nimble handling and an entirely satisfactory 168mph top speed. Its large twin headlights and sweeping fairing give it a tough, yet friendly bug-like appearance, and the R1’s continued presence in the market proves that it’s a classic through and through.
Triumph Speed Triple
Mid-range street bikes were going through their own golden age too. The 1994 Speed Triple was one of Triumph’s contributions to this trend. With a name that paid homage to the Speed Twin of the 1930s, based on Triumph’s 750cc Triple engine, first launched in 1990.
Its lean and mean design drew inspiration from café racers, and undoubtedly helped to grow the popularity of this classic custom style. In terms of influence Triumph have always been one of the pace setters, and the resurgence in popularity of café racers and vintage styles is down in no small part to the thoughtful updates and redesigns they launched throughout the 90s.
Ducati Monster
Ducati’s naked road bike proved you don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time to make a classic motorcycle. Although the Monster’s story does also show it really helps if you can draw on the legacy of a manufacturer like the Italian giant.
Designed with an eye on getting the company into market segments other than sports bikes, the Monster used pre-existing components from Ducati models, cleverly rearranged into a streetbike aimed to be easy to ride, yet still nippy when needed.
Ducati released a 900cc version in ‘93, with a 600cc version the following year and a 750cc in ‘96. Its combination of Italian style and no nonsense engineering won it a lot of fans and the Monster, still in production, is often credited as the motorcycle that saved Ducati.
Aprilia RS125
Image courtesy of Aprilia
There’s long been a market for small capacity versions of the big sports bikes, and the RS125 was many 90s kids’ dream first bike. Launched in ‘92 with the ‘Extrema’ sub name, it became a regular sight on the streets of the UK, as well as racetracks worldwide – with Valentino Rossi winning the 125 Grand Prix on this bike in 1997.
It’s a testament to how popular they were that they’re still relatively easy to find second hand.
Italjet Dragster 125
The Dragster, first launched in ‘98, is a weird looking scooter but it’s one that really sticks in the mind. With its exposed metal frame and odd angular fairing it is the epitome of 90s style, and its aggressive sporty look is matched by its engine, which allowed you to undertake your daily commute with a degree of panache.
It’s still Italjet’s signature model, and in the years following its launch its design has become even more abstract as well as even more reminiscent of the 90s, somehow.
Honda XR650L
Honda’s street legal trail bike first hit the road in ‘92 and quickly won the hearts of bikers who wanted something as good at getting you down green lanes as it was at getting you to work. They must have been doing something right as the XR650L is still being produced and is still, a few technical tweaks and mandated-by-legislation changes aside, the same bike you could buy back when it was launched.
Want to read more about 90s bikes? Take a look at our blogs on the best motorcycles of the 1990s and 10 of the best classic 90s sport bikes.
Insurance for your 1990s motorbike
If you already own one of these classic 90s motorbikes, or are planning to invest in one, then Bikesure can offer you peace of mind with one of our tailored classic motorbike insurance policies. Call us for a quote today.
