Motorcycle Trends — You'll Never Believe What's Popular Now!

Millennials are growing up and their hipster culture is going mainstream, affecting everything from fashion to, yes, even motorcycle culture. The outlaw motorcycle rider still represents freedom, but new riders are bucking the recent trends of fat tires and raked handlebars. Instead, they’re making what is old new again with throwback trends and vintage stylings like cafe racer builds and sidecar rigs.

Motorcycle Trends

Vintage Bikes

Classic, throwback style can by found tearing up the streets at almost every bike rally these days. Motorcycles with more old-school cool than chrome accents are becoming the norm. Vintage 1970s Japanese bikes modded into 50s-era cafe racers and off-the-line factory models are nostalgically designed and reminiscent of days-gone-by.

Black accents are in. Handlebars are becoming more ergonomic and less flashy. Narrow tires on spoked wheels are winning out over aluminum and thick rubber. Minimalist designs absent of bling are king. Popular models include 1960s-era European parallel-twins, 1970s Japanese sport bikes, the classic Triumph Bonneville and Honda CB and the brand new Harley Sportster Seventy-two.

Why the big change? Blame the economy. A vintage bike is cheaper, especially if purchased used. They are smaller and take up less space than the average bike. They’re easier to build, learn on and maintain. Plus they look cool. And as a result a new subculture of riders pride themselves by looking as vintage as their bikes.

Vintage Fashion

A throwback style in motorcycle gear and apparel is making a comeback as well. Riders are wearing three-quarter helmets styled like 1970s racers. Vintage style leather lace-up boots look fabulous on men and women and are achieving high fashion thanks to their prominence in major Hollywood blockbusters (think “Mad Max Fury Road”). Designer brands like Red Wing, Frye, Roland Sands, Lucchese and Durango all offer authentic vintage stylings and accessories to match. Throwback gear like aviator goggles and scarfs pulled straight from the silver screen are making a comeback.

Sidecars

Another new trend is an old one—the sidecar, often called sidecar rigs or hacks. Popular in the early days of motorized transportation, sidecars allowed bikers to bring passengers, cargo or even pets with them on the road. They gained special prominence due to their use during WWII but the popularity of the sidecar has steadily waned up until now.

New riders want to share their passion with their family by having them join in on the journey. Big companies like DMC, Motorvation Engineering and Ural as well as small brands such as Liberty and Royal Einfeld are the leaders in sidecar sales. Sidecars can be appealing for inexperienced riders as they help keep the vehicle stable and upright at a standstill. But their true value comes from the feeling they give you when you can cruise down the open road with your loved ones at your side making lasting family memories and recruiting future riders.