“Vintage Vibes, Modern Performance: My Dream Garage List”
There’s something timeless about a motorcycle that blends the raw soul of the past with the precision of modern engineering. While sportbikes dominate headlines with lap times and horsepower figures, I find myself drawn to bikes that echo heritage — machines with character, charm, and just the right amount of rebellion. Here are my top 10 dream big bikes that reflect my love for classic-inspired motorcycles.
For riders like me who love the charm of the past but crave the power of the present, these bikes aren’t just machines — they’re legends in motion.
Image credit: Motortrade via https://motortrade.com.ph/motorcycles/yamaha-xsr900/
1. Yamaha XSR900 – The Neo-Retro Rebel
The XSR900 is the kind of bike that doesn’t ask for attention — it demands it. With its minimalist bodywork, round LED headlight, and brushed aluminum details, it’s a rebel dressed in heritage. Underneath, it packs a thrilling 890cc triple that sings at high revs and pulls with authority. It’s not just a bike, it’s a statement: that the future can still honor the past.
SRP: Php 729,000
Image credit: Motortrade via https://motortrade.com.ph/motorcycles/yamaha-xsr900/
2. Benelli Leoncino 800 Trail – The Urban Lion
True to its name (“Leoncino” means “little lion”), this scrambler roars with confidence. It wears retro styling like armor — a blend of Italian grace and rugged off-road flair. The 754cc twin purrs smoothly through tight traffic or dusty trails. Whether it’s parked outside a café or charging down a fire road, the Leoncino owns its space with quiet confidence and classic pride. An off-road soul, pure Leoncino style. Benelli introduces Leoncino 800 Trail, a motorcycle with a distinct off-road spirit, brought out by the double exhaust in a raised position and the 19” front wheel. This model extends the range of the Pesaro based manufacturer and is designed to bring out the authenticity of the Leoncino line concept.
Image credit: Benelli Motorcycle Australia via https://benelli.com.au/model/leoncino-800-trail/
3. Triumph Bonneville T120 – The Gentleman Brawler
The Bonneville is the definition of cool. Think Steve McQueen, leather jackets, and long roads. But the T120 isn’t just a showpiece — it’s a refined brute with a 1200cc engine that growls beneath its polished chrome. It’s the kind of bike that makes you want to take the long way home, just for the hell of it. The Triumph Bonneville T120 is a motorcycle originally made by Triumph Engineering from 1959 to 1975. It was the first model of the Bonneville series, which was continued by Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. The T120 was discontinued in favour of the larger 750 cc T140 in the early 1970s. Wikipedia
SRP: Php 920,000
Image credit: Triump Motorcycle PH via https://www.triumphmotorcycles.ph/bikes/classic/bonneville-t120
4. Moto Guzzi V7 Special – The Soulful Outsider
The V7 Stone feels like that old record player you keep because nothing sounds quite like it. The sideways V-twin rumbles with raw soul, and every ride feels like a page from a rider’s diary. It’s not here to win races — it’s here to make memories. Gritty, grounded, and unapologetically different.
SRP: $ 9,590
Image credit: Moto Guzzi via https://www.motoguzzi.com/us_EN/models/v7/v7-special-850-v-twin-4s-2023/
5. Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 – The People’s Classic
The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is a retro-styled, parallel-twin motorcycle introduced in 2018, designed with inspiration from the 1960s Interceptor, and is the first modern twin-cylinder motorcycle developed by the company. Here’s a more detailed breakdown: Type: Retro-styled, parallel-twin motorcycleYear Introduced: 2018Design Inspiration: 1960s InterceptorEngine: First modern twin-cylinder motorcycle developed by Royal EnfieldVariants:Standard: P446,000Special: P459,000Custom: P454,000Price: MotoDeal.com.ph states the price range for the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 in the Philippines starts at P446,000This video provides a detailed review of the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650:41sArun Ennum NaanYouTube · Jan 29, 2025
Image credit: Royal Enfield via https://www.royalenfield.com/ph/en/motorcycles/interceptor/
6. Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport PRO – The Stylish Wild Child
This Ducati doesn’t play by the rules. It’s the cool kid in leather who cuts class to chase sunsets. With Öhlins suspension, premium finishes, and a brawny L-twin engine, the Scrambler 1100 Sport PRO is as much about the ride as the lifestyle. Equal parts fashion and function, it’s a head-turner with attitude.
7. Honda CB1000R – The Silent Assassin
Quiet, calculated, and deadly effective — the CB1000R is the samurai of the neo-retro world. With sharp lines, a single-sided swingarm, and that distinctive round LED headlight, it balances brute power and sleek sophistication. It’s a sleeper hit, always ready to pounce without ever raising its voice. Never settling and always challenging the norm, Honda shakes up the sports bike category with an aggressive yet sophisticated modern icon that transcends eras – CB1000R
SRP:
8. BMW R nineT Pure – The Bauhaus Boxer
The BMW R nineT Pure is a minimalist, heritage-inspired motorcycle in the R nineT family, featuring a powerful air/oil-cooled boxer engine, a stripped-down design, and options for customization. It offers a flat torque curve, making it enjoyable for both urban and rural riding. The R nineT Pure is available in different variants, including the ABS, Spezial, and Spezial Aluminum models, with varying prices and features.
Price starts at ₱1,065,000
Image credit: Motodeal via https://www.motodeal.com.ph/motorcycles/bmw/r-nine-t-pure-1200
9. Kawasaki Z900RS – The Heritage Powerhouse
The Z900RS doesn’t just pay homage to the legendary Z1 — it revives it with full force. The candy-tone paint, teardrop tank, and ducktail rear scream ‘70s, but the powerplant underneath is all modern muscle. It’s a throwback done right, marrying nostalgia with adrenaline.
Image credit: Kawasaki via https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motorcycle/z/retro-sport/z900rs
10. Indian Scout Bobber – The Low-Slung Legend
The Indian Scout Bobber is a modern take on the iconic bobber style, featuring a stripped-down, blacked-out design, a 1133cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine, and a low-slung stance, all while delivering a powerful and comfortable ride.
SRP: Php 1,055,000
Image credit: Indian Motorcycle via https://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/scout-motorcycles/scout-bobber/
Key Takeaways: Manifesting My Dream Big Bikes
Style Matters Just as Much as Speed: Every bike on my list blends classic aesthetics with modern tech — because riding isn’t just about power, it’s about presence.
Each Bike Tells a Story: From the heritage of the Triumph Bonneville to the bold modernism of the XSR900, these bikes reflect different parts of my personality and lifestyle.
It’s About Emotion, Not Just Engine Size: The best bikes make you feel something. Whether it’s nostalgia, freedom, or adrenaline — these machines stir the soul.
Dreams Begin in the Garage of the Mind: I may not own all these bikes yet, but dreaming about them, researching them, and writing this list is the first step toward making them a reality.
Manifestation Starts with Clarity: Knowing exactly what I want — the feeling, the sound, the ride — puts me one ride closer to making these dreams real.
One day, I won’t just write about these bikes — I’ll be riding every single one of them.”
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