Today, a lot of motorcycles look like they register numbers rather than names. Many can be just the company name, then a mix of letters and numbers with the occasional title like a Rebel or Tiger. That may seem a missed opportunity as motorcycles are great machines, and giving them names meant to show that power off would be better. Many riders will nickname their rides, but a lot of bikes don't have monikers nearly as great as their performance.
That makes it notable when a bike does, in fact, boast a fantastic name. Some are the same as some cars, yet they seem better mixed with a bike. Some bikes may not have been successful or even legendary yet still boasted some impressive names. Then there are bikes whose names are...well, pretty silly, yet somehow they stuck. Here are nine great motorcycle names and one utterly hilarious as a reminder of how names are better than numbers for a great hog.
10 BSA Thunderbolt
Names attached to storms are always good. The Thunderbolt has the bonus of bringing to mind images of the Greek god Zeus and his ability to bring down storms at a moment's notice.
Naturally, the BSA Thunderbolt was a sister to the Lightning, and the 650 cc twin cylinder didn't have the same vibration issues as other BSA models. Sadly, like other BSA bikes, the Thunderbolt was undermined by poor production near the end of its life to mar a perfect name.
9 Velocette Viper
Snake-themed names lend themselves well to vehicles. A Viper is better for a motorcycle than a car as the actual snake is small but fast and capable of quick strikes that no one expects.
This Velocette entry wasn't as popular as other models yet still possessed a fun 350cc-powered engine capable of good speeds and handled well on the road. That name aided its reputation as the Viper was overlooked but able to make its mark.
8 Spitfire
In England, the Spitfire is a revered name. It was the moniker for World War II's fighter jets and the title is a reminder of a small but sharp fighter that can overcome the odds. It's telling both BSA and CCM used the name for some fine bikes.
BSA was known for bikes with a lot of flash and chrome, but the Spitfire possessed a 654cc air-cooled OHV parallel twin for a reported 55 hp. It could vary depending on the "Mark" model, yet, like its namesake, the Spitfire packed more firepower than it seemed.
7 Norton Commando
Commando can have several meanings to different people. It can be anything from the standard special ops soldier to a wild Arnold Schwarzenegger film. Yet it's a cool name with a nice military aura and Norton thought it would be good for their Bonneville rival.
It didn't last as long as other Norton models, yet the Commando had a good 750cc two-cylinder for 58 hp, and that made it one of the better British bikes of the '70s. That lived up to the name of a tough ride.
6 Triumph Thunderbird Storm
The Thunderbird is a classic muscle car name, so it's easy to overlook it's also used for Triumph's own great speed machine. The company is known for its skill in crafting fine motorcycles, and the Thunderbird name has been used in various generations.
The Thunderbird Storm balanced elegance with fantastic power for a gorgeous ride. The name is also great, adding the drama of a storm to the Thunderbird name. Sadly, it was discontinued but the name alone makes it a marvel.
5 Interceptor
"Interceptor" is a name that lends itself well to a fast machine like a fighter jet. Both Honda and Royal Enfield have used the name for different yet still terrific bikes.
The British offering is a lithe and smooth ride while Honda's is one of the better "big bikes" around. No matter which nation it comes from, the name alone is guaranteed to intercept attention.
4 Kawasaki Ninja
It may seem cliche for a Japanese company to name a product "Ninja." But the name has fascinating mythology that's more exciting to people in other countries than in Japan itself. The bike is terrific as either a racer or a tourer, and they try to make the body look like a ninja's: Sleek, lithe, and powerful.
True, the brighter colors for some models may not be what a ninja would wear, but the name remains a classic, and thus, the Ninja is a fighter on the road.
3 Velocette Venom
It's notable how this great name isn't for a Harley but a 499 cc single-cylinder four-stroke British bike. Yet the Velocette Venom has terrific style, and its record at the Munich Mammut still holds 50 years later.
Its 38 hp may seem low, but it handled like a dream and later inspired the even better Thruxton models. The Venom had plenty of bite on the road for a beautiful ride.
2 Vincent Black Shadow
It's hard to find a more iconic "superbike" than the Vincent Black Shadow. It's been over 65 years since the last one rolled off the line but classic bike buffs still hail it for its performance and the awesome look.
It set new speed records and paved the way for scores of sleek, fast bikes to follow. They're also a technical marvel yet the name is what draws folks in. That great moniker sold the Shadow as a fine ride that continues to impress today.
1 HILARIOUS: Genial Lucifer
"Genial" is defined as friendly and cheerful. Those aren't exactly words you associate with the Prince of Darkness. But yes, the Genial Lucifer existed in France from 1928 to 1956. Over a dozen models fell under the main label and not too bad in terms of power and style.
Yet it's the name that's so offbeat, how they thought linking a cheerful persona to the Devil was going to work. The name was more notable than the bike itself.
Sources: motor.com, motorbiscuit.com, hagertys.com, motorcycle.com