Cafe Racers - Buying Decisions (Photo Heavy)

[Gargamel]

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

[Gargamel]

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]

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.

[Gargamel]

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 you are supposed to be helping.....

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

[Gargamel]

That Guzzi look beautiful....

Then I see the photo below.

[Gargamel]

Just seen this in a dealers round here... half the price of a Thruxton R...

[Gargamel]

Sure, but loving the suggestions, some lovely looking bikes out there.

Will arrange some rides, I want to sit on the BMW racer just to see whether it’s too much.

I won’t be riding this every day, and roads here in Switzerland are smooth, not that crowded and with some lovely bends. But not the place for speeds... ( I go Italy for that !)

[Gargamel]

This is tempting, but probably a pain to import.

[Gargamel]

The Guzzi shop is 3 km from me, and I am cycling past a V7 Carbon everyday.

The Thruxton looks lovely, but ,ayebazibwe that should be my next bike, I haven’t ridden in a while and the Guzzi just looks a bit easier to handle.

[Gargamel]

Yeah I am in Zug too, have pm'd you