The Most Iconic Motorcycles in History. I have been a motorcycle importer for decades and I have come across timeless bikes that have turned a handful of motorcycles into icons. These bikes have a mix of style and groundbreaking technology that has been used for decades to influence the future of motorcycles. Look at the 1936 Harley-Davidson EL, it is the bases of some cool heavyweight cruisers manufactured today. They have inspired motorcycle designs across the globe from America to Europe and Japan.
1936 Harley-Davidson EL
This was the very first design template in the heavyweight cruiser generation. The originator of the famous Knucklehead V-twin. It had a powerful overhead-valve engine designed to make it visually appealing that it was the bike’s focal point. The loping exhaust cadence that is still Harley’s heartbeat to date started with this 1936 model. Even competitors couldn’t keep away from using the tank-mounted speedometer console and the tear drop fuel tank with twin filler caps.
1959 Triumph T120 Bonneville
You want to know the debut of British motorcycle performance and style? Well, the apex was the 1959 Triumph T120 Bonneville. At Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats this piece of art topped 100 mph during the speed trials. Even Steve McQueen couldn’t help but use it in 1963 for “The Great Escape,” movie. Also, in 1967, Evel Knievel used it to jump over Caesar’s Palace fountains in Vegas. We can see the Triumph series still designing great bikes.
1969 Honda CB750 Four
I can’t avoid mentioning the ‘universal Japanese motorcycle’ that had a disc brake capable to stop on a dime. The arrival of this Honda made the American and British twin-cylinder motorbikes obsolete. It was not only reliable but exotic and nothing could compare to its performance. Also, it had an electric start and to the manufacturer, an affordable venture. You only needed 13 seconds to cover a quarter-mile distance. The plus was you could also have a passenger with you.
1970 Honda CT70 Trail
Most baby boomers started their riding journey on the Trail 70. This bike was small enough for kids to enjoy it but also powerful enough for an adult to ride. It’s built street smart but that didn’t stop you from conquering trails with it. If you were a dare-devil, this was the bike durable enough for your stunts. According to Honda, they sold over 100000 pieces in 1970 alone and they produced them until 1994.
