The best motorcycle models for your collection

Scale motorcycle models for those with a liking for the miniature.

Man paints small motorbike model

by Jim Blackstock |

While we all – hopefully – love motorcycling, many of us also love everything to do with motorcycling. Events, racing, films, books, TV shows… there is plenty out there to satisfy us particularly when we can’t get out on the bikes. And scale models is another area where we can while away hours and indulge our passion for motorbikes and motorcycling.

We’re not just talking about collecting scale models here but also, self-assembly kits of motorcycles we’ve perhaps always hankered after and may now be out of the reach when it comes to the real world. But just because you can’t get your real-life dream bike doesn’t mean you can’t have it in 1/12 scale and realistic plastic.

There’s something for everyone out there, from authentic replicas of superbikes such as the Honda Fireblade to crazy creations and wooden oddities using rubber bands as motors. There are also greats from the likes of Lego and other plastic assembly systems and you can go modern or classic, depending on your taste.

The best motorcycle models shortlist:

Best motorcycle model for a good challenge: Tamiya 14138 Honda CBR 1000 RR-R Fireblade

Best motorcycle model for pure nostalgia: Italeri BMW R80G

Best motorcycle model with no assembly required: NewRay 57403 Model Motorbike

Best motorcycle model for a larger scale make: Tamiya 1:6 Honda CB750F

Best motorcycle model for accuracy: Aoshima Kawasaki 1000 Model

Best motorcycle model for Kids: Lego Ducati Panigale Model

Best motorcycle part model: Franzis BMW Flat Twin Engine Model

Best wooden motorcycle model: UGears Kit

Best metal motorcycle model: Piececool 3D Model

Here are a few of the kits we quite fancy getting our hands on in the last few days before we’re allowed back out on our bikes purely for fun. But, whatever you do, don’t call them toys…

1. Tamiya 14138 Honda CBR 1000 RR-R Fireblade Model

Best motorcycle model for a good challenge

Description

A blending of icons - the exceptional Japanese kit manufacturer Tamiya and the latest version of

Tamiya 14138 Honda CBR 1000 RR-R Fireblade motorbike Model

2. Italeri BMW R80G Model

Best motorcycle model for pure nostalgia

Description

This 1:9-scale replica of the BMW R80 G/S that won the 1985 Paris-Dakar Rally ridden by Belgian

Italeri BMW R80G Model

3. NewRay 57403 Model Motorbike

Best motorcycle model with no assembly required

Description

If you like scale models of motorcycles but donu2019t fancy the prospect of actually assembling a

NewRay 57403 Model Motorbike

4. Tamiya 1:6 Honda CB750F Model

Best motorcycle model for a larger scale make

Description

I actually had this kit when I was a kid (though in the smaller 1:12 scale, not the enormous 1:6)

Tamiya 1:6 Honda CB750F Model

5. Aoshima Kawasaki 1000 Model

Best motorcycle model for accuracy

Description

For motorcyclists of a certain age, Saturday evenings were all about CHiPs, the adventures of

Aoshima Kawasaki 1000 Model

6. Lego Ducati Panigale Model

Best motorcycle model for Kids

Description

The motorcycle worldu2019s collective jaw dropped when Lego unveiled its Technic version of the

LEGO Technic Ducati Panigale V4 R

7. Franzis BMW Flat Twin Engine Model

Best motorcycle part model

Description

Not strictly a bike model and certainly not cheap, this visible model of the legendary BMW

Franzis BMW Flat Twin Engine Model

8. UGears Kit

Best wooden motorcycle model

Description

So this wooden kit isnu2019t really a replica of a proper bike but it is made from pre-cut wooden

UGears kit

9. Piececool 3D Model

Best metal motorcycle model

Description

Another kit that eschews authenticity for novelty, this kit is made from pre-cut sheets of

Piececool 3D Model

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