• 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.

Modern Cafe-Racer?

streetfighter2

streetfighter2

Foofighter
Joined
Jul 24, 2008
Location
San Jose
Moto(s)
2005 Ducati 999, 20010 RSV4, 2010 BMW S1000RR, 2006 Honda CBR1000RR
I love Cafe-Racer (street-racer) style bikes, but they're mostly older bikes and expensive to get, and maintain. What are some modern Cafe-racer bikes available out there? So far I know there're Duc Sport Classic 1000, and Speed Tripple...again too expensive. What else available out there?

I currently own a Ducati S2R monster-not quite a Cafe-racer...

BTW, I hate bikes with fairings, and no track, street only,...I know, it's not a popular statement. But, that's how i feel, so don't jump on my ass.

Cheers,
 
Last edited:
Yeah, I'm pretty partial to old school also, i've seen some badass tail cowls that make the bike look real cafe racer ish, just put on some clip ons on the duc, should get ya close. I like the look of cafe racers, but my s2r set up the way it is is way too fun to get rid of.
 
LabbeDDS said:
Yeah, I'm pretty partial to old school also, i've seen some badass tail cowls that make the bike look real cafe racer ish, just put on some clip ons on the duc, should get ya close. I like the look of cafe racers, but my s2r set up the way it is is way too fun to get rid of.
Click to expand...

That's funny We've got the same looking bike...same taste. cool:thumbup
 
larry kahn said:
Guzzi V-11 Sport, Thruxton,...
Click to expand...

+1 was gonna say Thruxton...

I've been thinking about this same thing myself lately.. a friend of mine got a cb900 for free and is fixing it up, that old school look is pretty sweet.
The more I ride, the more I'm able to appreciate the diversity that exists in motorcycling.
 
jrbruin said:
+1 was gonna say Thruxton...

I've been thinking about this same thing myself lately.. a friend of mine got a cb900 for free and is fixing it up, that old school look is pretty sweet.
The more I ride, the more I'm able to appreciate the diversity that exists in motorcycling.
Click to expand...

The Thruxton looks kinda nice, not cheap though...What about other Japanese bikes? I kinda like the FZ1 naked version, which is not available in the US...
 
This is mine:twofinger Very nice ride - but hurt my back in traffic :| But still love it!

2766352429_e88c5acf80.jpg
 
BTW, saw another Sport 1000 up at the Wall today. It is kind of unusual to have two Sport Classic showing up at the same time...

2790991049_ca5122ce92.jpg
 
streetfighter2 said:
The Thruxton looks kinda nice, not cheap though...What about other Japanese bikes? I kinda like the FZ1 naked version, which is not available in the US...
Click to expand...

You really don't have to buy a NEW Thruxton you know. A used one will sell for right about 5k and is likely to already have all the good stuff done to it.

The Thruxton is the closest you're going to get to a retro-cafe bike without building your own. The Duc is stunning, great to ride and spendy - while not really being that much of a retro bike (excepting the tank shape). I can't get over the HUGE gap between the top of the rear tire and the rear fender. Wonky.

Option B - build your own from a Honda 599, or a used Bonneville or an ol' Hon/Yama/Kawa/Suz.

I don't have pics yet but these three are currently under way in my garage -

www.islemann.com

Specifications are there, I'll have pictures when I get them closer to 'done'.

Cheers!
 
This ones not retro, but I think it's cool, Buell 1125CR. Maybe different mirrors?
 

Attachments

  • black-rfa-default.jpg
    black-rfa-default.jpg
    41.4 KB · Views: 32
islemann said:
You really don't have to buy a NEW Thruxton you know. A used one will sell for right about 5k and is likely to already have all the good stuff done to it.

The Thruxton is the closest you're going to get to a retro-cafe bike without building your own. The Duc is stunning, great to ride and spendy - while not really being that much of a retro bike (excepting the tank shape). I can't get over the HUGE gap between the top of the rear tire and the rear fender. Wonky.

Option B - build your own from a Honda 599, or a used Bonneville or an ol' Hon/Yama/Kawa/Suz.

I don't have pics yet but these three are currently under way in my garage -

www.islemann.com

Specifications are there, I'll have pictures when I get them closer to 'done'.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Option B may not be too bad. However, you'd need to spend times and money...in the-end it may cost as much as buying a new or used Thruxton.

How's the cost of maintenance to own a Thruxton ( or other Triumphs)? Probably the same as owning Ducatis?...

Cheers,
 
The riding position on the sport 1000 is pure cafe. no compromises. Thruxton will save you some bucks but expect a heavier bike with no Brembos to be had.
 
You might want to look at a VTR 1000 F Superhawk, that Honda comes with a seat cowl and a 3/4 fairing that hides the radiators. If you pull the rear pegs and stocker cans off and set it up with a TBR exhaust it will pass as a sport cafe, especially with the stickers stripped off.
 
Triumph Speed Four, if you can find one....
xl+2004_triumph_speed_four_600+front_side_lean_view.jpg
 
Last edited:
streetfighter2 said:
Option B may not be too bad. However, you'd need to spend times and money...in the-end it may cost as much as buying a new or used Thruxton.

How's the cost of maintenance to own a Thruxton ( or other Triumphs)? Probably the same as owning Ducatis?...

Cheers,
Click to expand...

The cost of owning a Triumph is _substantially_ less than the cost of owning a Ducati (unless you do your own valve adjusts). Both are great motorcycles, both offer a superb riding experience. Triumph has a very well earned reputation for superb engineering, high build quality and excellent durability.

Comparing the Thruxton with a Ducati Sport 1000 is kind of like comparing apples to oranges. They're different. Sure, they're fruit...but they're still very different. The Ducati is very much a modern motorcycle, with modern motorcycle handling and performance. The Triumph is the _essence_ of a classic cafe' bike. It offers classic handling, and classic performance. The Thruxton is a much lower pressure ownership experience, in my opinion. Wait a second! That's what these bikes are all about!

The truth of the matter is - one persons 'perfect' cafe' bike is another persons "Oh my GAWD! That thing SUCKS" cafe' bike. Cafe' bikes are individual, personal, The best ones are usually home built and cafe' bikes tend to attract a unique type of motorcyclist, not the "Hey, I want one of 'those!', and here's my credit card" types.

As to the three bikes in progress in my garage - I frankly don't care if they cost as much to build as a new Duc Sport 1000 or Triumph Thruxton. That's not why I'm building them. I'm building them because, I can.

By the way, I'll be stunned if it costs me more than $2500 each to build any of them . Remember, I do the work. I'm not paying someone else to do it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top