Top 5 Retro Bikes Launched In India In 2024

Retro bikes have always enjoyed a special place in the hearts of all bike enthusiasts worldwide. Their character makes matters more engaging, whether in the form of their timeless design or in the lovely, calm and soothing riding experience they offer. Here are the top 5 retro bikes that have managed to move us in ways that we couldn’t be happier with: 

Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350

Royal Enfield was on a roll this year as the brand launched four new bikes. But the most visually captivating of all had to be the Goan Classic 350. A typical bobber characterised by bright colour options with funky names, single-seat design, and white-walled tyres – the new Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 was launched to pay homage to Goa’s “Susegad” way of life. Although based on the Classic 350, it gets a slightly different sub-frame , coupled with premium hardware like the exclusive tubeless spoke wheels — the new Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 ends up being the most expensive 350 cc bike in RE’s portfolio at ₹2.35 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Therefore, the Goan Classic 350 doesn’t pretend to be a logical affair, instead it’ll end up impressing you with its charm that you might have been searching for. 

Jawa 42 FJ

The Jawa 42 FJ pays homage to the brand’s founder – František Janeček – and boy are we impressed with the end product. Although powered by the same 334 cc, Alpha-2 series, single-cylinder engine that also does duties in other Jawa and Yezdi bikes – in the 42 FJ, it sounds deep and has a raspy undertone. Making matters all the more appealing is its beefier proportions and practical enhancement like the raised body height that aids for better ground clearance. All in all, the whole bike has come together to look handsome, and with a price range from ₹1.99 lakh to ₹2.20 lakh – it offers a much better alternative to anyone who doesn’t want to settle for the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 or commit to a more expensive and polished, Triumph Speed 400.

BSA Gold Star 650

The BSA Gold Star 650 is one of the most authentic-looking retro roadsters in India that reserves its old-school heritage immaculately. Right from those gorgeous-looking shiny body panels to that beautiful teardrop-shaped fuel tank, down to its dual-pod analogue cluster – every inch harks back to the Gold Stars of the yesteryears back in the 50s and 60s. What makes the latest BSA Gold Star 650 all the more attractive in our country is its 650 cc, single-cylinder engine. It has oodles of torque on offer, can do long-distance runs while sitting at triple-digit speeds comfortably, and last but not least will allow you to enjoy the scenic beauty that you will be passing through. Coupled with the fact that the BSA Gold Star 650 starts from ₹3 lakh and tops out at ₹3.35 lakh, makes it such a strong case against the likes of the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 – which is one of its core competitors. How does the new BSA fair against the Royal Enfield? Check out our comparison video below:

Royal Enfield Bear 650

The Royal Enfield Bear 650 might be a scrambler iteration of the Interceptor 650, but unlike the latter, the former is a lot more cheerful. On paper, the Bear 650 reads lighter, more torque-rich, and gets far more features than the Interceptor 650. Making matters more engaging are those gorgeous colour options which make the bike look oh-so substantial. The only downside to the Bear 650 is that it is almost ₹36,000 dearer than the Interceptor 650 starting from ₹3.40 lakh onwards. However, given some of the changes that Royal Enfield has made to the bike over the Interceptor 650, justifies the price hike. For a more detailed report on how the Bear 650 rides and feels, check out the video below:

Triumph Speed T4

Despite being launched at a much more affordable ₹2.17 lakh, the new Triumph Speed T4 is not a compromised version of the Speed 400. As we pointed out while riding the bike, it’s a more “sensible, calmer bike” with very easy riding mannerisms that Indians fondly associate with bikes in this segment. Sure, it produces less power than the Speed 400, which causes its top speed to drop, but these changes don’t come at any cost. And if you were to head out on a whim with the Speed T4, a short 150-200 km trip won’t feel daunting too. Instead, you might end up enjoying the bike more than ever. To know more about the Triumph Speed T4’s on-road characteristics, head to the link here.