Very few things embody the word freedom like a motorcycle does. That open-air ability to defy gravity and maintain balance at the same time is simply unmatchable, bonus points if you're riding a vintage bike. There is something unexplainably stylish about riding a vintage motorcycle. Maybe it's the feeling of rolling back the years or just a desire to explore something from the past.

Many petrolheads would tell you that a motorcycle can only attain classic status after twenty-five years. While there are different sides to this argument, one thing remains sure; certain motorcycles have changed the landscape of the biking world forever. Here, we pick ten motorcycles that any biking enthusiast would be proud to have in their garage.

10 Honda CB77

Honda-1966-CB77
Via Yesterday.nl

If you were wondering which motorcycle ruled the streets in the early 1960s, you probably want to meet the king of the Honda clan – the CB77. Built for those who had mastered the art of biking, the Honda CB77 had a top speed of 100 mph and came with telescopic forks, two beautiful shoe brakes with twin carburetors giving you an aura of control.

Honda-CB77-Superhawk-1
Via MedPharmRes

The CB77, when introduced in 1961, was Honda’s most significant motorcycle design as it was pioneered an extraordinary generation of Honda’s sports bikes.

9 Kawasaki Z1

1975 Kawasaki Z1
Via mecum.com

For riders in their '60s, the Kawasaki Z1, which was code-named ‘’New York Steak,’’ will definitely ring a bell and bring back memories. Debuting in 1972, this beautiful masterpiece gave the world a peek into what constituted a superbike. The Kawasaki Z1 recorded a quarter-mile time of 12.83 seconds at 101.7 mph with a 5-speed transmission.

Kawasaki Z1
Via MecumAuctions

With a top speed of 132 mph, the Kawasaki Z1 was dubbed ‘’King of the Road’’ as it was the first-ever motorcycle to hit such dizzying speeds. The Z1 was not only noted for its speed, but it also won hearts as one of the most reliable superbikes of its time.

RELATED: These Vintage Motorcycles Cost A Fortune

8 BSA Gold Star Clubman

BSA Gold Star Clubman
Via MecumAutions

When British rider Wal Handley lapped the Brooklands circuit in 1937 at over 100 mph with a BSA Empire Star, the BSA thought about producing the BSA Gold Star in reference to the traditional gold star pins awarded to winners.

BSA Gold Star Clubman Side View
Via MedPharmRes

The BSA Gold Star went on to become one of the most iconic bikes ever made. Light, powerful, and bulletproof, the Gold Star Clubman had some serious off-road credentials too. The bike became a hit instantly despite its archaic design. When BSA finally halted production in 1963, it was by far the most successful motorcycle ever produced by the brand.

7 Harley-Davidson XR750

Harley-Davidson-XR750-Shown-1
Via MecumAuctions

Having a beautiful bike manufactured in less than a year is one of the most incredible things done in the history of motorcycle manufacturing. In 1970, the Harley racing department was forced to meet the changing AMA dirt-track rules, which had favored Harley-Davidson bikes for so long. The Harley-Davidson XR750 was a compilation of parts and designs merged instead of a brand new design.

Harley-Davidson XR750 in a parking
Via mecum.com

Fortunately, this worked for the brand, as the bike went on to dominate the racing tracks, picking up an impressive 29 wins at the AMA Grand National Championships from 1972 to 2008. Every bike enthusiast would surely love to have the bike with the most racing wins in their garage.

RELATED: Hemmings Find: Vintage 1948 Indian Chief

6 Norton Commando

Norton Commando
Via Bonhams

Built from 1967 to 1977, the Norton Commando was one of the most popular bikes in its ten years of production. To buttress this point, the Commando won the Machine of the Year award by Motorcycle News for five years, from 1968 until 1972.

Norton Commando 850
Via BennetsInsurance

But, what made the Norton Commando so famous? Well, apart from the fact that different police units were interested in the bike, the Commando was a capable racer. With victories at the 1970 Thruxton 500, 1971 Isle of Man TT, and impressive records at other racing events, it is not difficult to see why the bike became so popular.

5 Brough Superior SS100

Brough Superior SS100
Via Bonhams

Rightly called the ‘’Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles,’’ the Brough Superior SS100 was a definition of class. Designed by George Brough in 1924, only sixty-nine units of the motorcycle were built. Each of the bikes was customized to meet the client's specifications, although they could all hit speeds of 100 mph.

Brough Superior SS100 Shown
Via MecumAuctions

The SS100 hit 130 mph in 1928 and 130.6 mph a year later, with George Brough behind the handlebars. Perhaps, the most notable event involving the SS100 happened when Lawrence of Arabia crashed his bike and subsequently lost his life six days later. This, in turn, contributed immensely to the advocacy for crash helmets.

RELATED: 19 Vintage Motorcycles That Are Actually Really Cheap

4 1923 BMW R32

1923 BMW R32
Via eatsleepride.com

After World War I, German aircraft makers were stranded as the German air force was banned from producing military vehicles. One of the hardest-hit firms was BMW. After trying its hand in manufacturing industrial engines, BMW produced its first motorcycle under the BMW marque in the early 1920s.

BMW R32
Via BMWDean

The BMW R32 was launched in 1923 at the Paris Motorcycle Show and impressed onlookers with its thoughtful design and build quality. A major highlight of the R32 was the use of BMW's shaft drive, which the company continued to use till 1994

3 Harley-Davidson WL

1942 Harley Davidson WL
Via Yesterdays.nl

Although the Harley-Davidson WLA, which was built for the US army, gets a considerable chunk of the spotlight, the civilian WL motorcycle laid the framework for its success. The WL was constructed with a single rider in mind and used a 45-cubic-inch flathead motor.

1948 Harley DAvidson WL
Via Mecum

The WL was only available for a short period and was an efficient motorcycle off-road. Due to its sturdy nature, over 90,000 units of the bike were adapted for the military during and after World War II, and another variant with heavier components was developed for the Canadian army.

RELATED: 15 Incredible Images Of Vintage Motorcycles

2 Suzuki RG500

Suzuki RG500
via rideapart

First introduced in 1974, the Suzuki RG500 Gamma was based on racing motorcycles from Suzuki's factories. Te motorcycle would go on to win the 500 World Grand Prix seven times, earning legendary status in the process. In 1986, a street variant of the bike was released, but sales were limited, as the motorcycle still maintained a significant portion of its racer roots.

racing Suzuki RG500 at a parking
Via pocketmags.com

Near-perfect handling, incredible power, and precise brakes were the hallmarks of this performance-oriented motorcycle. The bike's light weight and how well it tackled corners are features that endeared every gearhead to the CBR600F.

1 1987 Honda CBR600F

1987 Honda CBR600F
Via MecumAuctions

In 1987, when the sportbike game was hotting up, Honda released the 1987 CBR600F, a bike that would revolutionize the industry. The middleweight bike could hit an impressive 137 mph and took on the quarter-mile in 12.1 seconds.

1987-Honda-CBR600F
Via Raresportsbikesforsale

An exciting mix of weight, power, and balance ensured the CBR600F had a composure lacking in most bikes at the time. No matter the rider's height, the bike was comfortable, and along with its sleek handling and powerful engine, the motorcycle put Honda back at the top of the sportbike game.