Motorcycle manufacturers come out with their much-awaited lists of model lineups each year. Of course, a new bike or two always gets all of the attention. This list is not about those bikes, though. They get enough attention from the industry, news, and enthusiasts. Instead, this list is about the unsung workhorses of the lineup. These are the bikes that get produced year after year and continue to be popular. Some bikes just work. They resonate with riders for their perfect blend of design and functionality. Because of this, they have become some of the longest-production bikes that delight riders for decades. Here is a list of 10 such bikes that have been around for the longest time.
Royal Enfield Bullet (1948-present)
As one of the oldest bikes on this list, Royal Enfield first began continuous production on the Bullet in 1948. The bike was first produced in 1931, but this was in the UK market. When it first hit the market, it was one of the fastest motorbikes riders could buy. What makes this bike even more unique is how unchanged the bike has been over the years. The only change has been to the engine. The first bikes had a four-stroke engine with exposed valve gear. The latest models have an all-alloy engine with electric fuel injection. The first bike were 346 and 499cc. The latest models are 500 and 650cc.
Harley-Davidson Sportster (1957-present)
The modern Sportster is popular among shorter riders and women. Harley first began production of the Sportster in response to the multitude of British motorcycles that were entering the market at the time. The original bikes have some similar elements to the modern version. However, there have been many upgrades and developments over the years. One of the most notable changes is the change from the Ironhead engine to the Evo in 1986. The bike remains popular because of its reliability, fun handling, and comfortable seat position. There are also models for everyone, with engine sizes ranging from 883cc to 1200cc.
Honda C50/70/90 (1958 -present)
The Honda Cub changed the motorcycle market landscape. It has perfect balancing, making it easy to ride with only one hand on the handlebars. This made it incredibly popular in Japan. Riders would use one hand to steer and another to hold a tray of noodles. To accomplish this, the bike doesn’t use the standard clutch system. The design is also more like a scooter than a motorcycle. Unfortunately, their popularity wasn’t nearly as strong in the west. They may no longer have a presence in the United States, but that didn’t slow down the 100 million bikes produced worldwide.
Harley-Davidson FL Electra Glide (1965-present)
This hefty touring bike has become incredibly popular among American riders. The FL Electra Glide is powered by the trusty Panhead engine from Harley. However, it has an electric start, making it significantly easier to get going. This made it competitive in a changing market. While the bike has experienced some changes over the years, it is still very close to the original. Many of the changes were needed to improve the bike's performance, such as cylinder head lubrication and external oil lines. Because of the bike’s large size, it is perfect for cruising long distances.
Honda CB750 (1969-2007)
The CB750 gained popularity because it first debuted on the racetrack. It took a year of development before Honda felt confident enough to produce it for the mainstream market. At the time of its first production, it was one of the most sophisticated bikes available. Its sporty design made it more competitive than comparable British bikes. Riders and industry professionals first used the term “superbike” to describe it. This is thanks to it having the first modern four-cylinder machine. Over the course of the ten production years, Honda made 400,000 bikes. It probably could have made more, but it vastly underestimated the bike’s popularity.
Honda CG125 (1976-present)
There are some bikes that you can literally run into the ground, and they will just keep running. You can put them through anything, and they won’t quit. This is one of those bikes, which is why it has lasted for so long. Honda was having problems with its smaller bikes needing frequent oil changes. This wasn’t feasible for owners, and it resulted in a lot of seized engines. The CG125 was the answer. The bike runs on olive oil if necessary. While the bike has seen a few changes over the years, the overall design stays true to the original cafe racer style.
Yamaha SR500/400 (1978-Present)
The large and long seat of the SR500 makes it an incredibly comfortable bike to ride. The moved back handlebars give you a relaxed riding position, making it the perfect bike for short or long rides. The original bike was on-trend. Then the bike lasted for so long that it transitioned into a retro-inspired bike. To stay true to the bike’s roots, it is still air-cooled and has a kickstarter. Many riders enjoy this bike because it gives them a classic motorcycle experience. It vibrates and shakes with a sporty handling response. Unfortunately, this is one of the few bikes on this list that has decreased in CCs rather than increased.
Kawasaki ZZR600 (1990-2007)
This classic sportbike is one of the first on the market with a modern design of fairings. The Kawasaki ZZR600 became popular among enthusiasts and managed to last longer than all of the other water-cooled Japanese motorcycles. This is partially because the bike was genuinely fast. It managed to hit 160 miles per hour in a time when this was just a dream. The bike is also incredibly comfortable, which isn’t a term you often hear when describing a sportbike rider position. Because it has now been out of production for many years, you can find quality models for an affordable price.
Yamaha XJR1200/1300 (1995-present)
It is strange to think of this bike as being in production for a long time. If you are like most people, 1995 doesn’t seem that long ago. However, the Yamaha XJR has been in production for over 20 years. This jumps to over 30 years when you consider that the bike was originally called the FJ1100. This bike has gone through the most changes over the years. It started out as a sportbike and then transformed into a sport touring bike. Despite the engine losing a lot of its power, it is still a commanding force on the road. Despite all of the changes, Yamaha has stayed true to its roots by continuing to produce the air-cooled four-cylinder engine.
Kawasaki Z750 (1979-2004)
This is the Kawasaki that has flown under the radar for the majority of its production life. Kawasaki has made a name for itself on the track and with its race-ruling performance capabilities. However, that is not what the Z750 offers. Instead, it is the bike for those wanting reliability and easy maintenance. This is the bike that you hop on to commute to work every day. You know it will work as expected every time you fire up the engine. One thing Kawasaki has done well with this bike is continually modernizing it to fit with current design trends.