Some motorcycle models have a special place in the heart of two-wheeler enthusiasts. Their history, their design, their performances or the riders who were riding them have marked us personally and have marked the history of the motorcycle. Even if some are unanimous or almost unanimous, each of us will have more affinities with some, for his own reasons. This is what we wanted to highlight, since the beginning of the brand, with our “Legendary” series where we sketched bikes that we particularly like.
This article is purely exhaustive and aims to highlight five legendary motorcycles and discover why they are considered, at least for us, as icons in the world of motorcycles.
Choosing only 5 was very delicate, this is why we probably will not stop here, and will maybe make another TOP 5 soon with other “legendary” bikes in our eyes…
Our Legendary Motorcycles Top 5
Husqvarna CR 400
The Husqvarna CR 400 is a true icon of the motocross and enduro world. It marked a time when off-road motorcycles were in full evolution, and it played a central role in this revolution. Equipped with a 400 cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine, the CR 400 delivered impressive power, allowing drivers to dominate off-road circuits. Its lightweight chassis and powerful suspension made it a formidable competition bike.
Legendary riders such as Bengt Åberg and Malcolm Smith drove the Husqvarna CR 400 to win numerous victories and establish the Swedish brand’s supremacy on the international stage. Steve Mc Queen is also very much associated with this bike and especially thanks to the legendary cover of Sport Illustrated magazine.
The Husqvarna CR 400 remains a motorcycle revered and coveted by collectors and enthusiasts, testifying to the golden age of motocross and enduro.
MALCOLM SMITH
Malcolm Smith is a legendary motorcycle rider from the United States, famous for his versatility and success in various motorcycle disciplines including motocross, enduro and off-road. He left his mark on the history of motorcycling thanks to his exceptional skills and his commitment to the sport.
Malcolm Smith was associated with the Husqvarna CR400 motorcycle in the 1970s. He played a major role in popularizing this iconic motorcycle in the United States. His victory in the Baja 1000 in 1971 on the handlebars of a Husqvarna CR400 helped to establish the reputation of this bike as a high-performance off-road machine.
There is nothing better than Malcolm Smith himself to introduce us to his motorcycles and his anecdotes:
Triumph Desert Sled
At the time, the “Desert Sled” were off-road versions of motorcycles designed for the road. Most of the Desert Sled type motorcycles were made on the basis of Triumph type motorcycles Triumph TR6 or Bonneville. The history of the Desert Sled dates back to the early 1960s, when bikers eager to explore the deserts and rugged terrain began customizing their Triumphs to make them more suitable for off-road driving.
Triumph seized this trend and, in 1962, officially launched the Triumph TR6SC, often called “Scrambler”. It was based on the TR6 Trophy and was specially designed for off-road use. The TR6SC evolved into the legendary Triumph Desert Sled, equipped with a 650 cc parallel twin-cylinder engine.
The Desert Sled has achieved notable success in motocross and enduro competitions and especially desert races, helping to forge Triumph’s reputation in the off-road world. It was appreciated for its versatility, its power and its ability to face various terrains. Although production of the original Desert Sled came to an end, Triumph relaunched the model in the 2010s, building on the legacy of this iconic motorcycle to meet the growing demand for retro off-road style motorcycles. Today, the Triumph Desert Sled continues to delight classic motorcycle enthusiasts looking for an off-road bike with a retro style and adventurous soul.
BUD EKINS
Bud Ekins was an outstanding driver and stuntman who performed as a backup in the cinema of his close friend Steve McQueen. He played a key role in popularizing the Desert Sled.
In 1962, Bud Ekins competed at the ISDT in Germany, where he won a memorable victory riding a specially prepared Triumph TR6SC. This victory helped establish the Desert Sled’s reputation as a high-performance off-road motorcycle. In 1964, he was part of the very first US team to participate in the ISDT, along with, among others, his brother Dave and Steve McQueen. Bud Ekins also directed some of the most famous stunts in cinema, including the famous closing jump scene in the movie “The Great Escape” with Steve McQueen.
Bud Ekins became an iconic figure of the off-road motorcycle and helped make the Triumph Desert Sled a symbol of adventure and competition.
Rickman Metisse
Rickman Metisse motorcycles are also legendary machines that also marked the history of off-road motorcycles in the 1960s and 1970s. The British brothers Derek and Don Rickman, themselves passionate drivers and competitors, founded the company Rickman Brothers in 1960. Their goal was to design innovative and high-performance off-road motorcycles.
The Rickman Metisse, a French term meaning “crossbreeding”, was characterized by its lightweight steel tubular frame, inspired by racing motorcycles, and its telescopic front suspension. It was designed to accommodate various engines, mainly those of British brands such as Triumph, BSA and Norton, thus offering great versatility to riders.
The Rickman Metisse quickly gained a reputation for quality, lightness and handling on motocross and enduro circuits. It was used by many famous drivers, including Steve McQueen, who helped popularize the brand. Rickman Metisse motorcycles were also highly sought after by custom motorcycle enthusiasts.
Over the years, the Rickman brothers have continued to perfect their design, offering different versions and adaptations to meet the needs of the riders. Although the production of Rickman Metisse motorcycles ceased in the 1970s, their legacy lives on, and these custom motorcycles remain collector’s items prized by vintage off-road motorcycle enthusiasts.
STEVE McQUEEN
Steve McQueen, the legendary actor and motorcycle enthusiast, is often associated with Rickman Metisse motorcycles in the world of cinema and motorcycle. McQueen was a motorcycle collector and a talented rider. He discovered Rickman Metisse motorcycles in the early 1960s and became an avid fan.
One of the most famous Rickman Metisse bikes associated with Steve McQueen is the 650cc Metisse that he used to compete in desert races and off-road competitions. His love for this bike led him to customize several Rickman Metisse models.
Steve McQueen also helped popularize the brand by using a Rickman Metisse in the 1971 film On Any Sunday, a documentary about off-road motorcycle. His passion for Rickman Metisse motorcycles has inspired many fans and collectors, and his custom motorcycles have become cult items among fans of classic motorcycles and off-road racing.
Harley Davidson XR 750
The Harley-Davidson XR 750 is one of the most iconic racing bikes in the history of oval track racing, especially in the flat track sport in the United States. It was introduced in 1970 to replace the Harley-Davidson KR, and it quickly became a dominant force in the world of flat track racing.
The XR 750 was equipped with a 750 cc V-twin air-cooled engine, specially designed for competition. This bike has been ridden by big names such as Jay Springsteen, Scott Parker and Chris Carr, who have won numerous victories and championship titles on this machine.
One of the most iconic features of the XR 750 was its tubular steel frame, which gave it great maneuverability on oval tracks. The bike has undergone changes over the years to improve its performance and reliability.
The XR 750 played a key role in maintaining Harley-Davidson’s reputation in the motorsport world and continued to dominate the flat track for decades. She also helped to strengthen the relationship between Harley-Davidson and its loyal fan base. Even after years of production, the XR 750 remains an iconic flat track bike and continues to be used in flat track competitions to this day.
50 ANS DE VICTOIRES
The XR 750 is one of the most successful dirt track bikes in the history of competition (more than 30 titles), with many successes in AMA Grand National Championship competition. This iconic bike has dominated the flat track scene for decades and has established a long tradition of success for Harley-Davidson in this discipline.
BSA Gold Star
The BSA Gold Star is a motorcycle manufactured by BSA (British Small Arms) from 1938 to 1963. Powered by 350 and 500 cc 4-stroke mono-cylinders, it is reputed to be one of the fastest from 1939. Built by hand and equipped with individually selected parts that change the performance, each unit produced leaves the factory with its documented torque test results, allowing the owner to know the power of his machine.
The BSA 650 Gold Star was launched in 1954, following the success of the previous 500cc version. The Gold Star 650 was powered by a 646 cc 4-stroke single cylinder engine, known for its power and reliability.
The Gold Star 650 was originally designed for racing motorcycle racing, and it quickly gained a reputation for excellence on circuits and endurance races. She has won numerous victories in competition, notably on the Isle of Man and in the World Speed Championship.
In 1956, Chuck Minert won the Catalina Grand Prix on a modified Gold Star (more than 1,000 motorcycles participated in this race). Hap Alzina, BSA distributor on the US West Coast, persuaded the factory to produce a replica bearing the race name. The Gold Star Catalina was manufactured from 1959 to 1963.
Production of the BSA 650 Gold Star ended in 1963, mainly due to changes in the motorcycle industry and consumer preferences for newer models. However, the Gold Star 650 remains a very popular motorcycle for collectors and fans of classic motorcycles, symbolizing the golden age of British motorcycle competition.
After a few complicated years BSA is back on the market this year with the release of a new BSA 650 Goldstar.
CHUCK MINERT
Chuck “Feets” Minert was one of the best off-road racers in America during the 1950s.
He won the popular Catalina Grand Prix in 1956 and was a leading rider before the days of specialization. Minert excelled in all types of motorcycle racing from speedway to trials, from desert racing to scrambles, and later, in motocross. Minert rode a factory-backed BSA for much of his racing career and was loyal to the British brand long after the bikes were past their competitive prime.
Minert won a lot of Southern California races on his beloved BSAs. He rode all of the famous races of the time, such as the Big Bear and Greenhorn Enduros, the Cactus Derby, the Elsinore Grand Prix, Hopetown and of course Catalina.
It was at Catalina, in 1956, that Minert earned the biggest win of his career. The Catalina Grand Prix was one of the biggest races on the country at the time. It was a 100-mile event held on Santa Catalina Island of the coast of Los Angeles. The 10-mile course was a mixture of road, dirt fire trails, singletrack, and even went through a golf course. Cycle Magazine noted that many of the big AMA national riders skipped Catalina so as not to suffer embarrassment at the hands of Southern California scrambles riders who dominated the event.
source: AMA Motorcycle wall of fame