City streets, racetracks and small-town garages in 1959 saw a lively mix of new machines as manufacturers balanced performance, economy and rider comfort across different markets. The year’s models reflect postwar engineering shifts and the tastes of riders from commuters to weekend racers.
There are 40 1959 Motorcycle Models, ranging from 175 CSTL to YD2. For each entry the data are organized as Manufacturer,Engine (cc, type),Market(s), and you’ll find below.
How complete is this list for collectors or restorers?
The list focuses on main production models released in 1959 across major markets and is a good starting point for identification; for restoration or parts work, cross-check engine codes, submodels and market-specific variations with factory records, vintage catalogs or specialist registries.
Can I sort the entries by engine size or market?
Yes—because each row uses the Manufacturer,Engine (cc, type),Market(s) format you can quickly scan or import the list into a spreadsheet to filter or sort by displacement, engine type or the countries where a model was sold.
1959 Motorcycle Models
| Model | Manufacturer | Engine (cc, type) | Market(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportster XLCH | Harley-Davidson | 883cc OHV V-twin | USA |
| Duo-Glide FLH | Harley-Davidson | 1,200cc OHV V-twin | USA, Global |
| Bonneville T120 | Triumph | 650cc OHV parallel-twin | UK, USA, Global |
| TR6 Trophy | Triumph | 650cc OHV parallel-twin | USA, UK |
| Twenty-One 3TA | Triumph | 350cc OHV parallel-twin | UK, Europe |
| Tiger Cub T20 | Triumph | 199cc OHV single | UK, Commonwealth |
| Gold Star DBD34 | BSA | 499cc OHV single | UK, USA, Europe |
| A10 Super Rocket | BSA | 646cc OHV parallel-twin | UK, USA, Global |
| C15 Star | BSA | 249cc OHV single | UK, Commonwealth |
| Bantam D7 | BSA | 175cc two-stroke single | UK, Commonwealth |
| Dominator 99 | Norton | 597cc OHV parallel-twin | UK, USA, Commonwealth |
| Manx 30M | Norton | 499cc DOHC single | Global (Race Circuits) |
| Jubilee | Norton | 249cc OHV parallel-twin | UK, Europe |
| Square Four Mk II | Ariel | 997cc OHV square-four | UK, Commonwealth |
| Leader | Ariel | 249cc two-stroke twin | UK, Europe |
| Constellation | Royal Enfield | 692cc OHV parallel-twin | UK, USA |
| Bullet | Royal Enfield | 499cc OHV single | UK, India, Commonwealth |
| Matchless G12 | Matchless | 646cc OHV parallel-twin | UK, USA, Commonwealth |
| AJS Model 31 | AJS | 646cc OHV parallel-twin | UK, USA, Commonwealth |
| Velocette Venom | Velocette | 499cc OHV single | UK, Commonwealth |
| Velocette Viper | Velocette | 349cc OHV single | UK, Commonwealth |
| R69 | BMW | 594cc OHV boxer-twin | Europe, USA |
| R50 | BMW | 494cc OHV boxer-twin | Europe, USA |
| R26 | BMW | 247cc OHV single | Europe, USA |
| Supermax | NSU | 247cc OHC single | Germany, Europe |
| KS601 | Zündapp | 597cc OHV boxer-twin | Germany, Europe |
| Falcone Turismo | Moto Guzzi | 498cc OHV horizontal single | Italy, Europe |
| 200 Elite | Ducati | 204cc OHC single | Italy, Europe, USA |
| 175 Sport | Ducati | 175cc OHC single | Italy, Europe, USA |
| 175 CSTL | MV Agusta | 175cc OHC single | Italy, Europe |
| 300B | Gilera | 305cc OHV parallel-twin | Italy, Europe |
| Settebello 175 | Moto Morini | 175cc OHV single | Italy |
| C71 Dream | Honda | 250cc OHC parallel-twin | Japan, USA, Europe |
| C92 Benly | Honda | 125cc OHC parallel-twin | Japan, Asia, Europe |
| Super Cub C100 | Honda | 49cc OHV single | Global |
| YD2 | Yamaha | 247cc two-stroke parallel-twin | Japan, USA |
| Colleda TT | Suzuki | 247cc two-stroke parallel-twin | Japan |
| Jawa 354 “Kývačka” | Jawa | 344cc two-stroke twin | Eastern Europe, Global |
| SGS 250 | Puch | 248cc split-single two-stroke | Austria, Europe, USA |
| Chief | Indian | 692cc OHV parallel-twin | USA |
Images and Descriptions
Sportster XLCH
The “Competition Hot” Sportster was a stripped-down, magneto-fired beast. It defined the American performance bike of the era with its raw power and minimalist style, becoming a true icon of speed and rebellion.
Duo-Glide FLH
The “King of the Highway” for 1959, the Duo-Glide featured hydraulic rear suspension. The high-compression FLH was the top performance touring model, setting the standard for powerful American-made cruisers for decades.
Bonneville T120
The legendary 1959 “pre-unit” Bonneville was born. Named after the Utah salt flats, its twin carburetors and high-performance made it one of the fastest bikes of its day, instantly creating a performance icon.
TR6 Trophy
The single-carb, high-pipe “desert sled” was a favorite among American off-road and street riders. Its versatile performance and rugged good looks made it a best-seller for Triumph in the crucial US market.
Twenty-One 3TA
The first of Triumph’s unit-construction twins, this model was notable for its fully enclosed rear bodywork, earning it the “bathtub” nickname. It was a modern, clean, and practical commuter motorcycle for its time.
Tiger Cub T20
A lightweight and versatile machine, the Tiger Cub was a popular choice for new riders and commuters. Its simple, reliable design also made it a successful platform for trials and scrambling competition models.
Gold Star DBD34
The ultimate evolution of the legendary clubman’s racer. The 1959 Gold Star was a hand-built, high-performance single capable of over 110 mph, representing the pinnacle of the British “thumper” design.
A10 Super Rocket
BSA’s top performance twin, the Super Rocket, was a direct competitor to the Bonneville. It featured an alloy cylinder head and high-compression pistons, offering thrilling performance for road riders and racers alike.
C15 Star
A brand new unit-construction lightweight for 1959. The C15 was an affordable, reliable, and economical commuter that became an enormous sales success for BSA, introducing thousands to motorcycling.
Bantam D7
An evolution of one of Britain’s most successful motorcycles, the D7 Bantam was a simple, reliable, and cheap-to-run commuter. Millions were produced, making it a ubiquitous sight on British roads for decades.
Dominator 99
Combining Norton’s powerful 600cc twin-cylinder engine with the legendary Featherbed frame resulted in a superb handling and fast motorcycle. The Dominator 99 was a connoisseur’s choice for high-speed touring and spirited riding.
Manx 30M
A pure, over-the-counter production racer, the 1959 Manx was the weapon of choice for privateer Grand Prix riders. While not a road bike, it was a catalogued production model representing the peak of racing single technology.
Jubilee
Named to celebrate Norton’s 60th year, the Jubilee was the company’s first unit-construction lightweight twin. Unfortunately, early models suffered from reliability issues that tarnished the reputation of an otherwise sweet-handling motorcycle.
Square Four Mk II
A unique and luxurious gentleman’s tourer, the “Squariel” was famed for its incredibly smooth 1,000cc four-cylinder engine. 1959 was the final year of production for this iconic and complex motorcycle.
Leader
A revolutionary design for 1959, the Leader featured a pressed-steel frame and fully enclosing bodywork for weather protection. Its innovative features and futuristic styling earned it the “Motorcycle of the Year” award in the UK.
Constellation
One of the fastest production motorcycles of its era, the Constellation was Royal Enfield’s superbike. Its big 700cc twin was known for immense torque and performance, though it also had a reputation for strong vibration.
Bullet
A true survivor, the 500cc Bullet was a versatile and robust single. Praised for its reliability and success in trials competitions, its design proved so enduring that its production legacy continues in India to this day.
Matchless G12
The top-of-the-range twin from Associated Motor Cycles (AMC). The G12 was a solid, handsome roadster known for its good handling and comfortable ride, offering a refined alternative to its more sporting rivals.
AJS Model 31
The AJS-badged version of the Matchless G12, the Model 31 shared the same excellent 650cc twin-cylinder engine and chassis. It was a well-regarded and capable machine for touring and everyday riding.
Velocette Venom
A classic British high-performance single, the Venom was renowned for its quality and high-speed cruising ability. In 1961, a factory-tuned version set the 24-hour world speed record for a 500cc motorcycle.
Velocette Viper
The 350cc sibling to the Venom, the Viper shared the same high-quality construction and sporting pedigree. It was a beautifully made and sweet-handling motorcycle, appealing to riders who valued refinement over raw power.
R69
The pinnacle of German engineering, the R69 was a high-performance sport-touring machine. Renowned for its Earles front fork, shaft drive, and incredible build quality, it was an expensive but highly sought-after motorcycle.
R50
Sharing the same high-quality chassis and build as its larger siblings, the R50 was a smooth and reliable touring motorcycle. Its 500cc boxer engine was perfectly balanced for solo riding or use with a lightweight sidecar.
R26
A beautifully crafted and reliable single-cylinder motorcycle. The R26 featured an enclosed shaft drive and Earles front fork, offering a premium experience in a smaller, more economical package than its larger twin-cylinder siblings.
Supermax
An advanced design for its time, the Supermax featured a pressed-steel frame and a sophisticated overhead camshaft engine driven by connecting rods. It was known for its smoothness, reliability, and high-quality construction.
KS601
Nicknamed the “Green Elephant,” the KS601 was a powerful and robust motorcycle built for hauling heavy sidecars. Though production was winding down, it remained a symbol of post-war German heavyweight engineering.
Falcone Turismo
The classic “big single” from Moto Guzzi, the Falcone was an icon of Italian motorcycling. The Turismo model was a comfortable and reliable road bike, famous for its external flywheel and distinctive horizontal engine layout.
200 Elite
A masterpiece of design and engineering, the Elite combined stunning “jelly mould” tank styling with a potent overhead-cam engine. It set a new standard for performance and style in the lightweight class.
175 Sport
A beautifully styled lightweight, the 175 Sport laid the groundwork for Ducati’s sporting reputation. Its overhead-cam “jelly bean” engine was lively and reliable, making it a favorite among enthusiasts in Italy and abroad.
175 CSTL
While MV Agusta was famous for racing, the 175 CSTL was their popular road-going tourer. It offered riders a piece of the brand’s prestige with a reliable OHC engine and quality construction, making it a desirable machine.
300B
A sophisticated and well-engineered twin-cylinder motorcycle. The 300B was known for being exceptionally smooth and quiet, offering a refined riding experience that set it apart from many of its contemporaries in the middleweight class.
Settebello 175
A legendary name in Italian lightweight racing, the Settebello (“Beautiful Seven”) was a high-performance production racer available to the public. It dominated its class on the track and was a highly aspirational road bike.
C71 Dream
One of the bikes that launched Honda onto the world stage. The C71 Dream featured an advanced overhead-cam twin, electric start, and a pressed-steel frame, showcasing the innovative engineering that would define the brand.
C92 Benly
The Benly brought twin-cylinder, overhead-cam sophistication to the 125cc class. Like its larger Dream sibling, it featured a pressed-steel frame and electric starter, offering unparalleled features for its size.
Super Cub C100
The motorcycle that changed the world. The Super Cub’s friendly step-through design, automatic clutch, and utter reliability made motorcycling accessible to millions. It is the best-selling motor vehicle in history.
YD2
An important evolution of Yamaha’s first motorcycle, the YD2 was based on the German Adler design. This 250cc twin was known for its lively performance and reliability, establishing Yamaha as a major player in the market.
Colleda TT
The Colleda TT represented Suzuki’s growing confidence and engineering ability. It was a stylish and capable 250cc twin that showed the company was serious about competing with its domestic and international rivals.
Jawa 354 “Kývačka”
Known as the “Swinger” for its pivoting fork rear suspension, this Jawa was a robust and popular machine. Its simple two-stroke twin and enclosed chain made it a practical workhorse exported worldwide from Czechoslovakia.
SGS 250
The “Twingle” used a unique split-single engine with two pistons sharing one combustion chamber. This design provided excellent torque and efficient scavenging, making the SGS a distinctive and popular motorcycle.
Chief
After the original Indian factory closed, the name was used on rebadged Royal Enfields. The 1959 “Chief” was essentially a 700cc Royal Enfield Constellation, a powerful but controversial machine for brand purists.
