Café Racers are the game-changing breed of motorcycle that is the halfway house of the naked and the classic. The featherweight of the motorbike industry is a tier below the standard bike division but a world above in performance. Of late, riding solo has become the escapism juggernaut, and if you’re of the monoculture of folks who fetishize about coasting through life on a two-wheeled beast, then the cafe racer may be right up your alley. So we here at AMERiders give you a list of the best 10 Off the Show Room Floor Café Racers You Can Buy.
But what is a Café Racer?
According to Wikipedia’s definition, a café racer is a lightweight motorcycle that is optimized for speed and handling rather than comfort. The definition stands correct. These little bikes have a lot of history behind them, especially their name. The original term started to develop around the 60s among British riders, who would strip their motorcycles off extra parts and race between cafés. These quick rides served as races between young riders and hence the term was born; café racer.
Why are Café Racers so popular?
- The Café Racers styling is straight from the 1950’s making them bang on trend with the retro scene.
- Its stripped down minimalistic look is also very much in vogue.
- Their design makes them lightweight and fast, ideal runarounds for towns and cities.
- The look is one of the easiest and cheapest styles to recreate so they are popular with self builders.
- Manufacturers have latched on to the Cafe Racer boom so they are now available to those unable to build their own.
And now the list for you all you guys.
10.Triumph Street Twin
Triumph has left no stone unturned to make the heads turn with their bikes. The Street Twin is a distinguished racer boasting a parallel-twin four-stroke engine and is a modern classic best-seller with premium style and detailing. It has minor aesthetic overhauls and major engine revamps than its previous designs. The engine is now more aggressive and quicker in its acceleration and gives a smooth performance thanks to its Twin 900cc Bonneville engine.
Motor: 900cc
Max torque: 80 Nm
Fuel capacity: 12 L
Top speed: 180 km/ 110 mph
9. Kawasaki W800 Cafe
Kawasaki needs no introduction. The motoring manufacturing behemoth’s W800 Cafe is only a tribute to its tradition. While riffing on the style of the ’60s W1 model, riders will immediately gravitate towards the cafe racer’s novel design and promising performance. Its lightly sprung assist-type clutch offers smooth engagement and fueling is spot-on. Coupled with its crank inertia that makes starting off on an upslope a cinch. The hallmarks of this beast are its throaty exhaust note and nimble handling.
Motor: 773cc
Horsepower: 47 hp
Fuel capacity: 15 L
Top speed: 180 km/ 110 mph
8. Husqvarna Vitpilen 401
The Vitpilen 401 is the premium cafe racer of the sub-500cc world. It’s the Swedish manufacturer’s golden boy that possesses futuristic design elements, aggressiveness, and a more ergonomic character. With its 373cc single-cylinder engine and 17-inch wheels, you can tackle any urban and rustic road. The roadster is accessible to a variety of riders and its lightweight construction means the power-to-weight ratio is that of a Harley. While its design oozes European motoring flavor, it’s a stand-out from rest.
Motor: 373cc
Max torque: 37 Nm
Fuel capacity: 9.5 L
Top speed: 160 km/ 100 mph
7. FB Mondial HPS125
No one pays attention to detail more than FB Mondial. Their HPS125 strikes the eye of flanking drivers and pedestrians. Their detailed study of the seat position now enables the rider to drive a classic motorcycle and enjoy the safety and reliability granted by its technology; which cinches the best driving experience on the highway, on small roads, and on city journeys. The design of HPS 125 is the premium mix of the iconic F.B Mondial models and the novel technology of its 125cc liquid-cooled engine.
Motor: 125cc
Max torque: 10.5 Nm
Fuel capacity: 9.5 L
Horsepower: 14.8 hp
6. Cleveland CycleWerks Misfit 2
Cleveland continues to pump out motoring masterpieces and the Misfit 2 is a testament to this. While the Misfit Gen 1 is the embodiment of the ‘60s motorcycle culture of the 250cc GP bikes, the Misfit Gen 2 honors the past and couples it with newfangled features. Boasting top-grade chassis dynamics, deft handling, and a sleek exterior a la Harley Davidson at a cut-rate price tag, you’d be bonkers for not mulling about owning this cafe racer. The Misfit is interestingly a sporty motorcycle that’s primed for the city, highways, and backend streets.
Motor: 250cc
Max torque: 16.0 Nm
Fuel capacity: 15 L
Top speed: 137 km/ 85 mph
5. AJS Cadwell Clubman 125
The AJS Cadwell Clubman 125 is the pride of the Heritage range from the motoring brand. The Clubman encapsulates the ‘50s and ‘60s era of the classic and speedy cafe racers. Its scintillating gearbox, gentle power delivery, and responsive brakes offer a surreal riding experience. Consider though, if you live in a place where this racer will be required to spend a heck of a time at max speed on roads, you won’t get the most out of its performance. It’s the back roads, towns, and cities where you’ll find its full potential.
Motor: 125cc
Max torque: 9.5 Nm
Fuel capacity: 11.2 L
Top speed: 97 km/ 60 mph
4. Yamaha XSR700
To say that the XSR700 is one of Yamaha’s greatest production feats, would be an overstatement. But when you suss out its timeless style and specifications, it’s hard not to hyperbolize. The XSR features a compact 2-cylinder engine that provides a unique power character with its outstanding torque and throttle response. Its compact, sporty design has a sport-oriented geometry to achieve deft handling with its minimalist weight and ergonomics.
Motor: 689cc
Max torque: 68 Nm
Fuel capacity: 14 L
Top speed: 195 km/ 120 mph
3. Honda CB300R
Honda’s CB300R is light, aggressive and an economical stroke of genius that’s a cut above its contemporaries. The motoring wonder is the mishmash of features that enable riders to experience the ultimate cruise for smooth and rough roads. This small street race bike borrows plenty of cues from the CB1000R. It has classic styling with plenty of modern touches. In addition, it’s around 60-percent thinner than the outgoing one, giving it more engine rpm, speed and a higher fuel level.
Motor: 286cc
Max torque: 27.5 Nm
Fuel capacity: 10.2 L
Top speed: 145 km/ 90 mph
2. Moto Guzzi V7 III Racer Le
Marking half a century since its debut racer, Moto Guzzi gives you the V7 III Racer Le. The third generation cafe racer has been sharpened up to increase desirability and riding efficacy. The V7 is a standout of the product range and embodies the Italian company’s ethos. The racer is the result of Moto Guzzi’s modern passion and craftsmanship. With its 744cc twin-cylinder, it’s a considerably different and more enjoyable bike to ride; giving riders more oomph when accelerating.
Motor: 744cc
Max torque: 60 Nm
Fuel capacity: 21 L
Horsepower: 52 hp
1. Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer
Looking for a cafe racer with a sporty visage but that’s fit for any road? Look no further. The Scrambler Cafe Racer is the sportiest and most aggressive of the family from an ergonomics perspective. The gold on the wheels isn’t overpowering, it’s a light shade that is matched by a pinstripe, like the detail on the tank sides. Its dark leather seat is elegantly crafted with the cowl featuring the same deep paint as the tank.
Motor: 803cc
Max torque: 67 Nm
Fuel capacity: 13.5 L
Top speed: 195 km/ 120 mph
~And as always…
~Live Free Ride Hard~
~AMERiders
and
AMERiders brings you the List of 10 Best Off the Show Room Floor Speedy Café Racers You Can Buy.
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