Retro motorcycles are as much modern performance machines with old-school charisma as they are statement pieces. For 2026, these retro bikes will be sharper, lighter, better equipped, and more powerful than any retro models before them. Manufacturers have figured out the magic formula: combine real sporting capability with nostalgic design language, then add premium components and modern electronics.
Whether you’re into 70s naked bruisers, 80s endurance-racer fairings, or 90s superbike vibes, 2026 is stacked with neo-retro machines that actually rip on real roads. Here are some sporty retro motorcycles with fairings (either full fairings or a small bikini one) you’ll be able to buy next year, proving that classic style and modern performance can absolutely coexist.
2026 BMW R 12 nineT
BMW’s R nineT has always been one of the best-handling retro roadsters, but the new 2026 R 12 nineT takes the formula even further. Its air/oil-cooled 1170cc boxer still brings that unmistakable BMW feel, but now the chassis has been redesigned with a stiffer frame, revised geometry, and sharper steering response. This is easily the sportiest classic-style boxer BMW has ever made, and it’s clear the brand wants it to be a true back-road weapon, not just a style bike.
Everything riders complained about on the previous generation, from slightly sluggish turn-in to outdated electronics, has been addressed. The new model features updated ride modes, better fueling, improved rider-assist tech, and premium suspension that gives it real corner-carving credentials. Retro charm aside, this is a genuinely capable sports roadster that can hold its own against modern naked bikes in the right hands.
2026 BMW R 12 nineT Key details:
- Engine: 1,170cc air/oil-cooled boxer
- Power: ~109 hp
- Chassis: New frame, stiffer geometry, sharper turn-in
- Suspension: Premium USD forks + adjustable rear shock
- Brakes: Brembo radial setup
- Electronics: Updated ride modes, TC, ABS Pro
- Design: Retro roadster silhouette, brushed metal options, minimalist proportions
2026 Kawasaki Z900 RS Cafe
Kawasaki’s Z900 RS has dominated the neo-retro market for years, and the returning 2026 Z900 RS Cafe brings back the iconic bikini fairing and endurance-racer stance riders have been begging for. Its 948cc inline-four delivers smooth, muscular torque that feels far more old-school than its rivals, yet it’s backed by modern engineering that makes the bike genuinely quick in real riding conditions. Kawasaki continues to refine the Z900RS platform, and the 2026 Café carries over its sport-tuned suspension and predictable handling.
With a long tank, ducktail rear, and a sculpted half-fairing that channels the Z1-R and early endurance racers, the Z900 RS Cafe’s styling is pure nostalgia. Make no mistake, though, this isn’t some cosplay bike. The Z900 RS Cafe has real sporting chops and a throttle response that makes every canyon blast addictive. Few retro bikes are able to blend charisma, sound, and performance this seamlessly.
Key details:
- Engine: 948cc inline-four
- Power: ~111 hp
- Chassis: Revised geometry for better agility
- Suspension: Reworked sport-tuned front and rear
- Brakes: Radial calipers, dual front discs
- Electronics: Ride modes, traction control, ABS
- Design: 70s/80s-style cafe fairing, heritage paint, classic ducktail
2026 Honda CB1000F
Honda’s upcoming CB1000F is shaping up to be the brand’s most exciting retro since the CB1100R days. Based on the CB1000R platform but heavily reworked, Honda says the new CB1000F’s 998cc inline-four is tuned for sharper response, echoing the brand’s superbike heritage. When equipped with the Sport package, the CB1000F gets a retro superbike fairing that pulls straight from 80s Honda endurance racers. This is a liter-class neo-retro bike that promises superbike-level performance, and what’s not to like about that?!
Expect premium suspension, tight handling, and some of the sharpest braking performance in the retro segment. What makes the CB1000F special is how well Honda blends modern precision with heritage styling.
2026 Honda CB1000F Key details:
- Engine: 998cc inline-four
- Power: ~140 hp (Fireblade-influenced tune)
- Chassis: CB1000R platform with sportier geometry
- Suspension: Showa SFF-BP / high-end rear shock
- Brakes: Radial Nissin/Brembo setup
- Electronics: Full IMU suite, power modes, TC, wheelie control
- Design: 80s endurance-racer fairing, twin headlights, throwback livery
2026 Suzuki GSX-8TT
The Suzuki GSX-8TT might be the most unexpectedly cool retro machine of 2026. Built on the GSX-8S platform, it pairs Suzuki’s smooth and torquey 776cc parallel twin with styling inspired by the GS1000S Wes Cooley “Superbike” era icon. The new half-fairing shape and tall stance give the 8TT a proper retro-sportbike style.
Despite the nostalgic look, the GSX-8TT is a genuinely capable street machine. Lightweight, agile, and beginner-friendly but still fun for experienced riders, it’s the middleweight retro sportbike Suzuki desperately needed. Think of it as a more accessible sibling to Kawasaki’s Z900 RS, a bike that brings retro sportiness to the 800cc middleweight class. Unfortunately, its biggest competition is Suzuki’s own GSX-8S, as it’s practically the same bike, but much cheaper without the retro styling.
2026 Suzuki GSX-8TT Key details:
- Engine: 776cc parallel-twin (GSX-8S engine)
- Power: ~82–84 hp
- Chassis: GSX-8S steel frame with sport-tuned geometry
- Suspension: USD forks, preload-adjustable rear shock
- Brakes: Dual front discs, radial calipers
- Electronics: TC, ride modes, modern rider assists
- Design: 80s superbike-style bikini fairing, retro colors, upright sport ergonomics
2026 Yamaha XSR900 GP
Yamaha’s XSR900 GP is pure 1980s Grand Prix nostalgia, except it handles like a modern superbike. Inspired by the YZR500 racebikes ridden by Lawson, Rainey, and Roberts, it features a full retro GP-style fairing, clip-ons, and a riding position far more aggressive than the standard XSR900. Under the skin is Yamaha’s incredible 890cc CP3 triple, one of the most character-rich and versatile engines on the market.
With full IMU electronics, advanced traction systems, and some of the sharpest suspension ever fitted to a retro bike, the Yamaha XSR900 GP is a monster built to devour twisty roads. Apart from the throwback GP bodywork, this is essentially a modern sportbike, which makes it a proper homage that actually lives up to the performance legacy it’s referencing.
2026 Yamaha XSR900 GP Key details:
- Engine: 890cc CP3 triple
- Power: ~117 hp
- Chassis: Deltabox-inspired frame with stiffened swingarm
- Suspension: Fully adjustable sport suspension
- Brakes: Radial master cylinder + top-tier calipers
- Electronics: Full IMU (TC, slide control, wheelie control, ride modes)
- Design: 80s GP-style fairing, clip-ons, retro race paint
2026 MV Agusta Superveloce 800
If exotic, sensual, and unashamedly dramatic is your vibe, the 2026 MV Agusta Superveloce 800 is easily the most beautiful retro sportbike on the planet. It combines classic Italian racing aesthetics with a wildly capable 798cc triple that screams to the heavens. Every detail, from the round headlight to the sculpted fairing and the leather tank strap, oozes romance.
Beneath the couture-level design is a razor-sharp middleweight supersport. Packing premium electronic suspension, lightweight wheels, and a chassis built for maximum feedback, the Superveloce is as much a serious performance machine as it is a stunner to look at.
2026 MV Agusta Superveloce 800 Key details:
- Engine: 798cc triple
- Power: ~147 hp
- Chassis: F3-derived frame with sport geometry
- Suspension: Marzocchi / Öhlins premium units
- Brakes: Brembo Stylema
- Electronics: Full IMU, launch control, multiple maps
- Design: 70s/80s GP silhouette, carbon fiber details, boutique craftsmanship
2026 Suzuki Katana
Suzuki’s modern Katana revival earned instant cult status, and the refreshed 2026 version pushes the concept further. Based on the GSX-S1000 platform, it brings liter-bike performance into a neo-retro wrapper that still respects the radical geometry and lines of the classic model.
The 999cc inline-four packs a potent punch, and the improved rider aids let you exploit its power more confidently. Suzuki’s latest Katana is a legitimately quick and refined street weapon that captures the rebellious, futuristic attitude that made the original legendary.
2026 Suzuki Katana Key details:
Engine: 999cc inline-four (GSX-S1000 engine)
Power: ~150 hp
Chassis: Updated GSX-S1000 frame + stiffer tuning
Suspension: Adjustable USD forks / rear monoshock
Brakes: Brembo radial brakes
Electronics: Quickshifter, ride modes, TC, cornering ABS (new)
Design: Iconic Katana silhouette, angular bodywork, metallic paint schemes
Should You Buy A Retro Bike In 2026?
If you’re into this style of bike, you’ll be happy to know that 2026 is shaping up to be the best year retro motorcycle enthusiasts have seen in decades. Manufacturers are finally giving riders the perfect blend of heritage and performance, with bikes that look nostalgic but ride like modern weapons. Whether you want boxer torque, liter-bike fury, GP nostalgia, middleweight versatility, or Italian exotica, next year’s lineup definitely has something worth getting excited about.
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