Quirkiest Motorcycles In Production From Around The World
Highlights
- The Brough Superior SS100 screams retro
- X-ADV, a motorcycle that looks like a scooter
- Three-wheeled motorcycle, yes it exists
Motorcycle designs have come a long way from being basic-looking commuters to bodies of extravaganza. In fact, the first-ever motorcycle built back in 1885 would not even qualify to be a motorcycle in this era. Not only did it come laden with stabilisers but was also made entirely of wood. Over time, by good fortune, we found better materials to build motorcycles. And cut to this day, we are witnesses to two-wheel embodiments of technology, physics, art and innovation. But, some motorcycles stick out a mile with their unusual design. Here we list out four of the quirkiest looking motorcycles from around the world that are still in production.
Brough Superior SS100
Brough Superior was called the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles back in its glory days. Every motorcycle shone with quality, innovation, handling, speed and beauty. And it's the early 1900s we're talking about. They were also the most expensive, making it all the more desirable. The brand hit the sack in 1940 and what survived became collectibles selling for figures ending in more zeroes than you can count. Come 2016, the Brough brand was revived and the first motorcycle, the SS100, created a stir among enthusiasts and collectors alike. It draws inspiration from the 1920s with a polished aluminum tank, Fior-type front-end, a wacky Beringer four mini-disc front brake set-up, exotic Ohlins rear monoshock and, well, the list goes on. All in all, it's quirk and more.
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Yamaha Niken
Is there a better way of adding quirk to a two-wheeler than turning it into a three-wheeler? We don't think so. Although it is a matter of debate whether the Yamaha Niken can be called a motorcycle or not, apart from the three wheels, it is out and out a motorcycle. There have been a fair share of three-wheeled motorcycles in the past but the Niken is the most dramatic one of the lot. In flesh, it is the popular Tracer 900 triple but with a front end that employs two suspension set-ups that hold a 15-inch wheel each.
Ariel Ace Iron Horse
The Ariel Ace Iron Horse looks like it's right out of a robotic sci-fi movie. This British cruiser hot-rod is an ode to the magnificence of the historic Ariel bike brand that was revived in the early 2000s in the form of a super-light sports car. Bikes were introduced soon after and the first motorcycle, the Ace, featured an exposed skeletal alloy chassis similar to those of its cars. However, the cruiser version of it caught the most attention with its Hossack-style front suspension and an aggressively chopped-down rear, taking the quirk quotient a notch ahead.
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Honda X-ADV
First, the Honda X-ADV catches your attention and then it confuses you. A scooter-style adventure motorcycle with a six-speed dual clutch transmission, it gives the rider the convenience of a fully automatic transmission that scooters enjoy, but with a switchable six-speed gearbox. And it can go anywhere; quite literally. Employing a 745cc parallel-twin engine, it's too ballsy to be called a scooter but with its aggressive looks and sharp beak, it looks like the Africa Twin got a maxi-scooter makeover.