Top 5 Retro Bikes We Wish Were Launched In India

  • Published August 24, 2025
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We yearn for these beauts with old-school charm blended with new-age tech

Top 5 Retro Bikes We Wish Were Launched In India highlights

Retro-styled bikes are all the rage these days. They have the visual charm of bikes from a bygone era, but with all the technology from the modern bikes. Their simple, tasteful designs remind us of the joyous days of the past, and the nostalgia makes our hearts go aflutter. For enthusiasts who have grown up looking at poster bikes from the 80s and the 90s, these new bikes hark back to simpler times. India has its own healthy share of retro bikes, but as they say - there’s no end to desires, so here are 5 retro-styled bikes that we think should be launched in India.

Yamaha XSR155

The Yamaha XSR155 is essentially an MT-15 stripped of its muscular bodywork and given retro styling. It was once rumoured to be launched in India (but those were quickly brushed off with the launch of the FZ-X). 

Yamaha XSR155

The XSR155 looks neat, wouldn’t have been that expensive if it were made here. Afterall, Yamaha anyway makes its modern siblings, the R15 V4 and the MT-15 V2 here. It would have given Yamaha fans in India a modern-day spiritual successor to the iconic Yamaha RX 100. A win-win for all, isn’t it? But then again, some decisions are better understood only behind closed doors of corporate offices.  

Honda CB190SS

Just like the XSR155, The Honda CB190SS is essentially a different version of a bike already on sale in India; this one shares bits with the Honda Hornet 2.0.

Honda CB190SS

Its retro-scrambler aesthetics would certainly appeal to the growing scrambler segment in India. There’s a huge potential for Honda to capitalise on this, if they just tweak the bits that are used on the Hornet. The engine is almost the same, and so is the chassis. But then again, all wishes and fantasies.

Kawasaki W230

While Kawasaki might have gotten away with the ZX-4R, they clearly missed an opportunity with the W230. This could have been their golden ticket instead of the W175. They are already localising the KLX230 in India, which uses the same 233cc engine as the W230.

Kawasaki W230

The W230 would have given Kawasaki a fighting chance against the likes of the Royal Enfield Hunter 350, TVS Ronin and the Honda CB350RS. If only we had a Rupee for every time we wished a bike came to India, we could have probably imported the next one ourselves. 

Suzuki GSX-8TT

With a name that can make any man-child giggle, the 8TT is the newest retro-modern bike from Suzuki. It’s based on the same platform as the Suzuki GSX-8R - a bike that’s already on sale in India. 

Suzuki GSX-8TT

It’s not only the bodywork that makes it look desirable, but also the graphics that make an enthusiast shed tears of happiness. With a headlight cowl that looks like it has been picked up from a spare parts bin of an 80s bike, this could very well be one of the best-looking retro bikes in the world. That is, until you gaze in wide wonder at the next one on the list.

Yamaha XSR900GP

Gonna break the fourth wall here and say that if I could sell my soul for a bike, it would have to be the Yamaha XSR900GP.

Yamaha XSR900GP

The bike is a masterstroke on how to make a retro-styled trackbike for the streets. Authentic 80s Japanese boy-racer aesthetic, colourways that turn back the hands of time, and design symmetry that makes Wes Anderson look like an intern. Alas, but all that is just a distant dream knowing Yamaha India’s track record of launching big bikes in India.

Honourable mention: Honda CB1000F

The Honda CB1000F is Honda India’s chance at making things right by the Indian retrobike enthusiasts.

Honda CB1000F

The litre-class retro-naked is quite literally a page torn from Honda’s sales catalogue from the yesteryears. Honda still has time to launch it globally and we wish they also added India to their list of potential markets. This is especially considering how well priced the recently-launched Honda CB1000 Hornet SP is, and how much these two bikes have in common.

Yamaha XSR 155 Video Review

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Yamaha XSR 155 Price in India
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Delhi Rs. 1,73,401
Kolkata Rs. 1,75,814
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Mumbai Rs. 1,78,665
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Jaipur Rs. 1,76,807
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