Top 100 all-time classics – the debate begins

WE’VE all got an opinion on what the most cutting edge bike is today. But what was it 30, 40 or 50 years ago?

These are the kinds of questions MCN’s sister publication Classic Bike attempts to answer this month in a special pullout supplement dedicated to the top 100 road classics.

Faced with a choice of machines limited only in so far as they must all have been made before 1973 for road use, Classic Bike technical expert Mike Jackson has undertaken the intimidating task of ranking the top 100 in order.

Each one has been judged on its technical merit, build quality, aesthetics, performance, practicality and impact.

The new edition of Classic Bike is on sale from October 23 (or you can subscribe online at http://www.ukmagazines.co.uk/motorcycling.shtml) but we’ve been given a sneak top-line preview of Jackson’s deliberations.

Read the list below and join the debate yourself by following the link to our news discussion board (right, in the related stories panel).

1 1963 BSA Rocket Gold Star

2 1959 Triumph T120 Bonneville

3 1949 Vincent Series C Black Shadow

4 1938 Norton ‘‘International’ Model 30

5 c1930 Brough Superior SS100

6 1955 BSA Gold Star DBD34

7 1968 Honda CB750

8 1968 Norton Commando

9 1960 BMW R69S

10 1939 Triumph Tiger 100

11 1938 Rudge Ulster

12 1959 BSA A10 Golden Flash

131972 Kawasaki Z1

14 1925 Norton Model 18

15 1928 Sunbeam Model 90

16 1966 Suzuki T20

17 1920 Indian Scout

18 1958 Royal Enfield Constellation

19 1939 Velocette KSS

20 1957 Harley-Davidson XL Sportster

21 1956 Velocette Venom

22 1955 Vincent Series D Black Prince

23 1936 Ariel Red Hunter

24 1969 Triumph Trident

25 1935 Vincent Series A Comet

26 1968 Kawasaki H1

27 1960 Matchless G12 CSR

28 1950 Moto Guzzi Falcone

29 1915 Triumph Model H

30 1920 Norton BS/BRS

31 1958 Royal Enfield Crusader Sports

32 1951 BSA A7 Star Twin

33 1957 Ariel Square Four

34 1956 Norton Dominator Model 88

35 1947 Vincent Series B Rapide

36 1947 Indian Chief

37 1961 Honda CB72

38 1959 Ariel Leader

39 1956 NSU Max

40 1927 Norton CS1

41 1922 AJS Big Port

42 1930 Scott Flying Squirrel

43 1914 Douglas 2¾hp

44 1950s Jawa 500cc twin

45 1936 Triumph Tiger 70

46 1922 NER-A-CAR Model B

47 1940 Indian Four

48 1969 Laverda 750GT

49 1931 Ariel 4F31 (Square four)

50 1939 DKW RT125

51 1936 Excelsior Manxman

52 1965 BSA A65 Lightning

53 1950 Douglas Mk111

54 1957 Ducati 175S

55 1962 Honda CB92

56 1971 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport

57 1972 Yamaha XS650

58 1931 Matchless Silver Hawk

59 1949 Royal Enfield Bullet

60 1920 ABC

61 1914 Excelsior (US)

62 1959 AJS Model 20 Spring Twin

63 1959 Greeves 25DC

64 1914 Indian Hendee Special

65 1923 BMW R32

66 1921 Megola

67 1933 Velocette MOV

68 1957 Triumph Twenty-one

69 1929 Henderson KJ

70 1969 Suzuki T500

71 1910 FN Four cylinder

72 1941 Matchless G3/L (WD)

73 1929 BSA S29 (Sloper)

74 1936 Harley-Davidson 61E (Knucklehead)

75 1938 Royal Enfield KX

76 1922 Triumph Fast Roadster Type R

77 1921 Moto Guzzi Tipo Normale

78 1948 Velocette LE

79 1925 P&M (Phelon & Moore) Panther

80 1912 Rudge Multi

81 1966 Honda CB450 Super Sport

82 1938 DKW SB500

83 1955 Maico Taifun

84 1957 MV Agusta Modello Sport

85 1948 BSa Bantam

86 1949 Sunbeam S7

87 1911 Triumph TT Model

88 1949 Harley-Davidson FL Hydra Glide

89 1944 Royal Enfield RE (Flying Flea)

90 1960 Puch 250 SGS

91 1925 Francis-Barnett (Straight tube frame)

92 1924 BSA Model B (Round Tank)

93 1965 Honda Cub

94 1965 Yamaha YDS3

95 1955 Vespa

96 1920 Royal Enfield Model 200

97 1965 P&M Panther 120

98 1967 Triumph Tiger Cub

99 1965 MZ Trophy 250

100 1956 Velocette Valiant