• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

cafe racer style bikes?

Soulfresh

Soulfresh

Chair sitter
Joined
Jul 28, 2012
Location
California
Moto(s)
street triple
hey guys im relatively new to riding. but i was wondering what you fellow riders think of cafe racer style bikes. the only ones i could find seem to be the triumph thruxton, boneville, moto guzzi v7. also what do you guys think comparing brands? such as pros and cons.
 
Ducati had a few models recently as well.

I think I would quite enjoy riding a Moto Guzzi V7, even though it's not all that fast. If I were like Stan23, I'm sure I would own one - or would have owned one.

One of the Ducatis I'm referring to:
255660764_09a7dd7191.jpg
 
IMO the best Cafe bikes are the ones that have been built.
Hit the Dirt Bag Challenge today :party
There are a few projects going on right here on the BARFs.
Check out these threads, get to know these guys, they'll learn you a bunch about bikes cafe and otherwise!
Gabe's Cafe Build Thread
Dreamy Cafe Bikes

There are a bunch more my connection is too slow to post them all but have fun in your quest!
 
They are all good choices. Sit on them and pick one. If going used you might also like the Yamaha W650/W800. Check out the Triumph Scrambler too. if your buying new, most Euro dealers offer test rides with M1 in hand.

They make really good starter bikes, IMHO they are always great bikes to ride :thumbup
 
It's not about speed, it's about attitude. Yes they're called racers, but they are'nt. they are street bikes that are representative of a bygone era. But are they fun... Now you're asking the right question!
 
day004 said:
It's not about speed, it's about attitude. Yes they're called racers, but they are'nt. they are street bikes that are representative of a bygone era. But are they fun... Now you're asking the right question!
Click to expand...

Yes, today that is true but that is not what a Cafe Racer was about. Back in the day it was all about the speed. The idea was to make a race bike for the street. Today all the sport bikes are what a Cafe bike was trying to be.
 
Tydive said:
They are all good choices. Sit on them and pick one. If going used you might also like the Yamaha Kawasaki W650/W800. Check out the Triumph Scrambler too. if your buying new, most Euro dealers offer test rides with M1 in hand.

They make really good starter bikes, IMHO they are always great bikes to ride :thumbup
Click to expand...

Fixed!

Or a Yamaha XS650, which might be what Tydive was actually thinking of. Or not. :laughing

(And neither the W650, OR the XS650 are what we would have called a true 'cafe', back in the day. )
 
Well, as far as Cafe goes, when I was 16, I took my MC drivers test (in 1976) on a Kawasaki Triple with clip-ons, my first street bike. Yes, passed it first try, and no, I didn't die on that bike, even though there weren't 250 Ninjas in those days.
 
My bike is going to be a "cafe" style bike. Currently it's stripped down and getting a 125cc bump in displacement, shedding extra weight and getting all the cafe goodies. You can buy one (Thruxton, V7, etc) but it's fun to build one yourself. I'll probably have 3k in my GS-550 but it'll outperform both those bikes and I'll have the satisfaction of doing it myself.
 
russ69 said:
Yes, today that is true but that is not what a Cafe Racer was about. Back in the day it was all about the speed. The idea was to make a race bike for the street. Today all the sport bikes are what a Cafe bike was trying to be.
Click to expand...

really?

i thought it was during an era where there was nothing to do so they raced their 50-75HP street bikes between cafes, hence the name?

wouldnt this Sym be considered a cafe racer?

6982852954_88701d0662_c.jpg
 
the custom built ones look awesome but i dont know anything when it comes to building bikes as i am new. is there one that is powerful enough and comfortable for 2 people?
 
auntiebling said:
no, it's a standard.

put some clipons or clubman bars on, delete the fender and you're on the right track

IMO<<<< everyone's O is different
Click to expand...

ah ok, i looked up some pics. neato! it looks like from what i found that engine size is irrelevant - but does sound like during its era was the sport bike of this generation.
 
crick said:
[edited].....a cafe racer?

6982852954_88701d0662_c.jpg
Click to expand...

no, but a decent visual beginning [ignoring the teensy engine....]

what my vintage eyes behold is a pleasant bitza of my own era's influences:

RD200 tank
CB400-4 seat [minus kick-up]
CB160 F fender [chromed & de-stayed]
Radian "velocity stack"/sidecover
'50s Brit pea-shooter muff [under the heat shield]
H-D tail-lite
 
Soulfresh said:
the custom built ones look awesome but i dont know anything when it comes to building bikes as i am new. is there one that is powerful enough and comfortable for 2 people?
Click to expand...

Sit on them with your GF, it's different for every couple. IMHO the Triumph Scrambler is your best bet. You may need to do some suspension work, I recommend Catalyst Reaction.

Sorry I got the W650/800 brand wrong. But any of the bikes can be easily made to look like a "cafe racer".

You other guys can discuss what makes it "real" all you want. :twofinger
 
i just saw a picture of the kawa w800. fell in love with the looks then found out it is not sold in the USA. fml
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top