If you look in the right places on Pinterest these days you can find no end of café-racered bikes. Even old Jap bikes from the 70s look super cool. It really seems to be the trend. For example: Return of the Cafe Racers | Custom and classic motorcycle news I’m all in favour of this. Out goes uber performance which you can’t use on the road without going to prison, in comes huge amounts of cool. Of course, things can get out of hand, like fitting those amusing chunky front tyres which must surely ruin the handling, but generally, I think this is a trend that makes a lot of sense. It’s got to be an age thing, surely. As bikers get more and more ancient, we hark back to the bikes of our youth but want something that still handles and stops and with some more power please (not going to get too excited about 60 bhp). Ducati were close with the Sport Classics but about 10 years too early. Now would be the time for a reintroduction of something similar. What do you think? Would you buy something like this or do you still prefer 150+ horses or a bike which could theoretically cross continents?
I'm heading this way. I'm convinced I'll probably have more fun on a slower machine than a hyper-bike. My next purchase will be along these lines.
Something light or middleweight for me next time round. Ducati aren't currently producing something that appeals to me but it turns out that KTM is (thanks, @CRYSTALJOHN for showing me your interesting little 390 )
I did it. I went from the1098 to the sport classic and once you get used to the power it's mucho fun, much better on our country roads and very capable of showing bigger bikes the way.
There probably isn't one single bike that would keep me happy. I'll always want more than one and if I can't afford more than one I'll always keep changing it. I've never been a fan of sports bike for the road because of the riding position, so supernakeds were made for me and I wouldn't be without a big power supernaked. I also like sweet-handling uprights for touring because they're incredibly practical and comfortable but can still be fast and agile. To partner a big supernaked and an upright, a cafe racer definitely appeals. It would have to be be one of the less extreme riding positions so I could actually ride the thing all day but as a back road scratcher they make perfect sense and look cooler than cool. You need to build your own though. As soon as the manufacturers (and the Euro Stazi) get hold of a bike they festoon it in needless plastic, shite and restrictive rubbish. Custom cafes are the way to go. Minimalist but rideable. Yes please. On looks alone, Guzzi cafes really appeal for some reason. This sort of thing does it for me:
I love the cafe racers. Really regret not getting a sport classic when I had the chance and they were selling for bugger all. Could definitely see me adding one to go with the mutley at some point....
I love having the two styles of bikes both from a performance PoV and also aesthetically. My Panigale means I can enjoy and get my fix for speed and razz around with friends on sports bikes. Also to my eyes it's a thing of beauty. The Scrambler takes me back to the olden days when I was a young kid lusting after bikes. And the ride is so much fun and means I can explore places all on my own, and at a more sedate pace. I've seen much more scenery around where I live since I got the scrambler. The scrambler and Pani give me the best of both worlds.
Honda super cub cafe racer is kind of cool and definitely not over whelmed with power. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This is my old Triton. It is the only bike that, when I sold it, I had a tear in my eye as I watched it disappear with the new owner. It rattled and shook itself to bits at times but I loved it. Would I want it back? Yes. Would I have it in preference to my DVT? No. But as a second bike, yes.
I could see a Thruxton R in my future at some point. There is usually something interesting cafe racer'ish for sale on the Bike Shed's classifieds... New Bikes | the Bike Shed
Try the 690 Duke R. But you will loose your license. Not because its powerful (though its got the same power, torque and revs as the MT07 with less weight and half the cylinders - How?) but because it is absolutely impossible to obey sub-60 mph speed limits. There seems to be no discernible cornering inertia, it defies gravity and changes direction like a swallow and however tight and twisty, you will ride it flat out everywhere - just because you can.
I've gone the same way, not only does the Triumph look good it's easier to ride than any Ducati I've ever owned. Clever design too, you'd never no it was water cooled. Ive owned a few SC's, loved them and still do but they were just hard work.
