Cafe Racers - Buying Decisions (Photo Heavy)

Cafe Racers - Buying Decisions (Photo Heavy)

Author
Discussion

Gargamel

Original Poster:

14,957 posts

260 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
Ok, so the Norton is out of my price range, But I am having trouble staying out of bike shops at the moment. Getting one is inevitable now.

I suppose I am a born again biker, I had a 600 before kids, and now I am out the other side I'd like to get back to it. I am nothing special as a rider, and I would still have a car - so a nice bit of garage jewelry, with a few Alpine passes chucked in on a warm day.

Also - and I know this is wrong for a racer, but ideally I'd fit some young lovely on the back every now and then. I assume for all these there is a two up option ?


Which one ? and why ? Did I miss any other serious contender ?



Moto Guzzi - The best value - 9500 chf new.



Thruxton - the most British thing I could do, and a 1200 lump. But 13,200 new...



BMW Racer - Best looking of the lot - 12,900chf new - could I live with the riding position ?



BMW Scrambler - It a heck of a machine...OK its heritage, but not a true cafe racer. bit of dealing around 13,500 new

The Selfish Gene

5,470 posts

209 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
ok - so I have driven all of those except the motog

If you're considering the BMW Scrambler - consider the Triumph Street Scrambler. I'm on my second. I use it every day and it's literally fantastic. (I actually went off road in it all day Sunday and it 'scrambled' spectacularly well.

Also check out the Ducati Scrambler - it's fab too.

The BMW café race thing - I have to say, I spent a day on it, and I didn't like it. Really uncomfortable, even after ten minutes. I wouldn't even buy one as a track bike. Its a compromise in all directions and in the wrong way.

I mean, engine is fab, and handling good and looks amazing. It's just for the money you can get a proper café racer and accept it's a track bike. Hopefully that doesn't sound too harsh.

Don't feel too gloomy about the Norton - beautiful but over priced, and unreliable and terrible customer service (from what I've been told of those that have bought them)

So, from your options if I wanted a Café Racer I would go for the Thruxton R...............if I wanted a Scrambler I would go for the Triumph Street (twice)................

If you have space - check out the Bikeshed motorcycle club classifieds _ i'm fairly sure you will be able to get a very reasonable Café Racer from them...........and get a second hand Scrambler like mine or the BMW, or Ducati for the same money and have the best of both worlds biggrin



Edited by The Selfish Gene on Monday 17th September 17:06

spoodler

2,072 posts

154 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
You could try the Harley 1200 Roadster - basically a rubber mount Sportster with drop bars, higher spec' suspension and brakes etc. Every one I know who has tried one has enjoyed the experience, and they do make nice "garage jewellery".
Of course, if you really want the proper old fashioned cafe racer experience, Conti' Gt Enfield - probably a bit weedy for what you want tho'...

The Selfish Gene

5,470 posts

209 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
I personally love the Harley Roadster and I tried hard not to - they've made a great bike there.

I rode a new Enfield from Sydney to Melbourne (the scenic route via laps of Bathurst)

I definitely wouldn't buy - it's gorgeous looking thing but it was rattling my teeth out at 60 +

200Plus Club

10,668 posts

277 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
I was in two minds about a Norton but there are lots of stories of parts and breakdown nightmares. I bought a Thruxton R new when they were £11.5k and it's been fabulous.
I don't ride in winter and have managed to keep it in tip top shape as the polished engine cases and alloy rims soon get marked by road grime/ trf etc. There are a few bikes out there looking scruffy around those bits where people haven't kept on top.
Handling and power are superb, its geared for about 130mph really so 100mph is quick at 6k revs or so. The engine braking and torque are fab on lanes/bends.
Unless you have a fat ass you'll find the std seat is too hard and thin, comfort seat so much better.
Mine has clip ons, cafe racer fairing, and has been faultless really. Second hand are now £9.5k and up. Mine outside the now defunct cat n fiddle

CousinDupree

779 posts

66 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
Also look at the Ducati Sport Classics, now climbing slowly in value.

They just look right and have that lovely air cooled L twin with so much character.

Gargamel

Original Poster:

14,957 posts

260 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
CousinDupree said:
Also look at the Ducati Sport Classics, now climbing slowly in value.

They just look right and have that lovely air cooled L twin with so much character.
Any chance you could point me at the model you mean, lots of Ducati’s out there.

That pic of the Thruxton makes me want one really bad... plus I quite like the sound of the bigger engine.

OTOH that bike shed classified section has some lovely bikes. However I am in Switzerland and getting a custom through testing system may be a little tricky/expensive.

Gargamel

Original Poster:

14,957 posts

260 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
This for example looks hilarious.

http://classifieds.thebikeshed.cc/details/1504

I suspect it isn;t to different form my old Honda 600, though probably more bits falling off it from time to time.

Janluke

2,552 posts

157 months

Monday 17th September 2018
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 ?

I love the look and had a ride on one last week. Very light and flickable and plenty fast enough for me

itcaptainslow

3,694 posts

135 months

Monday 17th September 2018
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Honda CB1100RS. I love mine smile

CousinDupree

779 posts

66 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
Gargamel said:
Any chance you could point me at the model you mean, lots of Ducati’s out there.

That pic of the Thruxton makes me want one really bad... plus I quite like the sound of the bigger engine.

OTOH that bike shed classified section has some lovely bikes. However I am in Switzerland and getting a custom through testing system may be a little tricky/expensive.
Sure, have a look here: https://www.bike-urious.com/1-of-100-2007-ducati-s...

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/ducati...

There are many different variants, biposto, monoposto, half faired, Paul Smart etc.

Mr Dendrite

2,301 posts

209 months

Monday 17th September 2018
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I can only echo 200plus club’s views above, The Thruxton is just a joy. I have the standard version and unless you are a riding god, or really need the shiney toys, or just prefer the look of the R then the standard is great. I prefer the look of the standard personally. I tried the R nine T before I got mine and have ridden the BMW cafe racer and they are great as well.

200Plus Club

10,668 posts

277 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
The torque low down of the triumph 1200 just suits the bike and tyres and it hauls itself out of bends. The brakes are fabulous, its a very capable bike. It also only cost £138 fully comp on a limited mileage policy, can't groan at that. 2yr service just done was £228.

Gargamel

Original Poster:

14,957 posts

260 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
Mr Dendrite said:
I can only echo 200plus club’s views above, The Thruxton is just a joy. I have the standard version and unless you are a riding god, or really need the shiney toys, or just prefer the look of the R then the standard is great. I prefer the look of the standard personally. I tried the R nine T before I got mine and have ridden the BMW cafe racer and they are great as well.
So... all three then smile you are supposed to be helping.....

Thanks, I guess I should get some test rides in.

BowieMS

37 posts

81 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
I'm in a similar fix - test ridden all of them minus the Guzzi, but also tried the RnineT pure and some of the other 1200 Bonneville range. For me the Honda CB1100RS (if you really need aircooled) is top, equal with the Z900RS.

I really wanted a Triumph but the Thruxton was too uncomfortable for big miles, the Bonnie was like steering an armchair, and the Bobber was hilarious but had a 90 mile tank. I really want to see what the new 1200 Scrambler looks like when it emerges, might be the sweet spot.

PH01

820 posts

167 months

Monday 17th September 2018
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The V7 Guzzi is a very different beast to the other Beasties. It is hugely underpowered in comparison but the reality is that it makes for a better ride and a much nicer bike to own.
Yes, I'm biased but it's much more satisfying to ride a bike at eight or nine tenth's of it's potential than two or three tenth's which is realistic apart from short bursts as these are road bikes.

Mr Dendrite

2,301 posts

209 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
Gargamel said:
Mr Dendrite said:
I can only echo 200plus club’s views above, The Thruxton is just a joy. I have the standard version and unless you are a riding god, or really need the shiney toys, or just prefer the look of the R then the standard is great. I prefer the look of the standard personally. I tried the R nine T before I got mine and have ridden the BMW cafe racer and they are great as well.
So... all three then smile you are supposed to be helping.....

Thanks, I guess I should get some test rides in.[/quote

The correct answer is Thruxton (R) biggrin

klootzak

622 posts

215 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
Take a look at the Ducati Scrambler Café Racer too. If you can live with the st suspension (uncomfortable but the handling is okay) it's really good fun and a way better choice than the standard Scrambler if only because it has a 17" front wheel so you can run proper tyres.

Objectively, the Thruxton R is almost certainly a better bike, but the Duc is lighter, smaller and weirdly feels faster even though it has way less torque. Probably because you have to wind it up a bit to get it going, that's half the fun though.

k

Edited to add ... the only Duc Cafe Racer review you need to watch ... https://youtu.be/nfK72LACS9I


Edited by klootzak on Monday 17th September 22:31

JiggyJaggy

1,449 posts

139 months

Monday 17th September 2018
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200Plus Club

10,668 posts

277 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
BowieMS said:
I'm in a similar fix - test ridden all of them minus the Guzzi, but also tried the RnineT pure and some of the other 1200 Bonneville range. For me the Honda CB1100RS (if you really need aircooled) is top, equal with the Z900RS.

I really wanted a Triumph but the Thruxton was too uncomfortable for big miles, the Bonnie was like steering an armchair, and the Bobber was hilarious but had a 90 mile tank. I really want to see what the new 1200 Scrambler looks like when it emerges, might be the sweet spot.
If you went for the stock Thruxton R without clip ons and fairing the riding position is much comfier and with a comfort seat you could ride all day.
Mine with the lower clip ons is acceptable for a couple of hours now I swapped seats. Tank range is only 130m or so generally anyway so it makes sense to ride and have a break for fill ups.
Edit to add this pic, as they are just gorgeous...


Edited by 200Plus Club on Monday 17th September 23:10