Everything about Cafe Racers
The cafe racers are a different breed in the motorcycle world. And that is what makes them so fascinating. This type of motorcycle sprouted in the 1950s, when there were still few sporty motorcycles on the market.
The sport bike trend followed a little later, while there was already a great demand for them in the early 1950s. We probably don’t have to tell you, that most human beings naturally aren’t that patient. So one didn’t wait until manufacturers provided them with sporty motorcycles. And made them themselves. They turned their standard motorcycles into sporty racing machines.
CAFE RACERS
ONE OF A KIND
It is still somewhat of a mystery where the name ‘cafe racer’ came from. It is said, that the nickname finds its roots in the fact that standard motorcycles were build into a sporty version of it. When the bike was done, one rode it from cafe to cafe. Or rather raced it from one to the other.
THE ACE CAFE
BIRTHPLACE FOR MC'S
On other occasions, it is said that the name ‘cafe racer’ finds its roots at “The Ace Cafe”. This was a diner in the UK that was in business in the 50s and was extremely populair among motorcyclists. Many English motorcycle clubs were founded here.
BASIC PRINCIPLES
SPEEDY LIGHTWEIGHTS
The basic principle of a cafe racer is to make the motorcycle lighter and faster. One wanted to achieve the ‘ton up’. This means to reach at least 100 mile per hour, or 160 km per hour.
On an average cafe racer, you can find at least the following specifications or characteristics: clip ons or low handlebars, a single seat, a relatively small fuel tank and often a slightly raised muffler (or two). The bike would get stripped down of all unnecessary things. Only the essentials would be left behind.
In case you didn’t conclude it yourself yet; the overall riding comfort often left something to be desired, due to those modifications. But that wasn’t what this type of motorcycle was built for. It was all about speed.
ONE OFF
THE CAFE RACER THING
So many cafe racers were a one off bike, since a standard motorcycle got rebuild by the owner into a unique and sporty machine. You do notice a preference for certain frames and motorcycle models within the cafe racers culture. For example, the combination of the engine of a Triumph Bonneville with the frame or a Norton Featherbed.
These days, you can just buy a cafe racer straight from the factory. Motorcycle manufacturers like Moto Guzzi and Triumph build new cafe racers, often based on custom bikes from the old days.
Nowadays, the café racers don’t just roll off the assembly line. Relatively new sport bikes are also increasingly being converted into café racers. Consider, for example, a converted Yamaha R1 Café Racer.
SUBCATEGORIES
OF THE CAFE RACER STYLE
Within the big category ‘Café racers’ you have several subcategories. Sometimes you can’t see the wood for the trees. Let us lend you a hand. Subcategories of the cafe racer include;
– The Scrambler; often to be recognized by its wide tires with a coarse profile, a higher seat and wider and higher handlebars
– The Tracker; also recognizable by a pair of tires with a coarse profile, though those tires are often less broad then the ones on a Scrambler. The Tracker also often has a wider and slightly raised steering bar and hosts a single-cylinder engine
– The Brat; easily recognized by the long and flat seat. As a result, the seating position on the Brat is slightly upright. Therefore it is less sporty than the classic cafe racer.
SEAT HEIGHT OF CAFE RACERS
NOT TOO BAD
Because café racers are mostly older converted street bikes, the seat height is often relatively low. This makes them ideal for the smaller motorcyclist. Does that mean that this type of motorcycle is not suitable for tall riders? Absolutely not! It depends entirely on which motorcycle is used as a basis. For example, the Triumph Thruxton is not such a punishment to ride as a taller rider.
COMPARE SEAT HEIGHTS OF CAFE RACERS
WITH THE COMPARISON-TOOL
Do you want to know how tall a certain cafe racer is? In our overview below you will find all specs related to seat height, weight and power. In search of a cafe racer with a low seat height? Or are you a tall motorcyclist and looking for the biggest one? Find out which one suits you best below! Or compare two cafe racers. It is up to you.
Now, because cafe racers are often custom builds, we added the modern classic segment to this overview as well. We know they are not the same thing, but the modern classic segment does honour the charm and looks of bikes from the same era. Do you have any great tips for us in terms of which cafe racers to add? Please feel free to let us know!
Step 1: FIND MOTORCYCLE NUMBER ONE
| Model | Seat height | Weight | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benelli Leoncino 800 | 80,5 cm | 222 kg | 76,2hp (56kW) |
| Benelli Leoncino 800 Trail | 83,4 cm | 234 kg | 76,2hp (56kW) |
| Benelli Leoncino 500 | 81,5 cm | 207 kg | 47,6hp (35kW) |
| Benelli Leoncino 125 | 79,5 cm | 164 kg | 12,8hp (9,4kW) |
| BMW R nineT Scrambler | 82 cm | 223 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| Ducati 1100 Tribute Pro | 81 cm | 211 kg | 86hp (63kW) |
| Ducati Urban Motard | 80,5 cm | 196 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Ducati 1100 Sport Pro | 81 cm | 206 kg | 86hp (63kW) |
| Ducati Nightshift | 79,8 cm | 196 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Ducati Desert Sled | 84-86 cm | 209 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Ducati Icon | 77,8-79,8 cm | 189 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Triumph Scrambler 1200 | 215 cm | 144 kg | 90hp (66,2kW) |
| Triumph Scrambler 900 | 79 cm | 233 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Benelli Imperiale 400 | 78 cm | 205 kg | 21hp (15,5kW) |
| BMW R nineT | 80,5 cm | 221 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| BMW R nineT Pure | 80,5 cm | 219 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| BMW R nineT Urban G/S | 85 cm | 223 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| CF Moto 700CL-X Heritage | 80 cm | 196 kg | 75hp (55kW) |
| CF Moto 700CL-X Sport | 79,5 cm | 205 kg | 75hp (55kW) |
| Energica EsseEsse9 | 79 cm | 260 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| Harley-Davidson Nightster | 70,5 cm | 221 kg | 89hp (66kW) |
| Harley-Davidson Sportster S | 76,5 cm | 228 kg | 121hp (90kW) |
| Indian FTR | 78 cm | 233 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Indian FTR Rally | 81,5 cm | 240 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Indian FTR S | 78 cm | 233 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Indian FTR R Carbon | 78 cm | 232 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Kawasaki Z900RS | 83,5 cm | 215 kg | 111hp (82kW) |
| Kawasaki Z650RS | 82 cm | 178 kilo | 68pk (50,2kW) |
| Kawasaki W800 | 79 cm | 221 kg | 48hp (35kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber 850 | 78,5 cm | 210 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer 850 | 81,5 cm | 210 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 850 | 78 cm | 211 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V7 Special 850 | 78 cm | 217 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Norton V4CR | 78 cm | 194 kg | 185hp (135kW) |
| Triumph Thruxton RS | 81 cm | 211 kg | 105hp (77kW) |
| Triumph Speed Twin 1200 | 80,9 cm | 216 kg | 100hp (73,6kW) |
| Triumph Speed Twin 900 | 76,5 cm | 216 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster | 70,5 cm | 263 kg | 78hp (57,5kW) |
| Triumph Bonneville T120 | 79 cm | 236 kg | 80hp (58,8kW) |
| Triumph Bonneville T100 | 79 cm | 228 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Voge 500AC | 79 cm | 204 kg | 46,2hp (34,5kW) |
| Voge 300ACX | 80 cm | 175 kg | 29hp (21kW) |
| Voge 300AC | 80 cm | 174 kg | 29hp (21kW) |
| Yamaha XSR900 | 81 cm | 193 kg | 119hp (87,5kW) |
| Yamaha XSR700 | 83,5 cm | 188 kg | 73,4hp (54kW) |
| Yamaha XSR125 | 81,5 cm | 140 kg | 15hp (11kW) |
STEP 2: FIND MOTORCYCLE NUMBER 2
| Model | Seat height | Weight | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benelli Leoncino 800 | 80,5 cm | 222 kg | 76,2hp (56kW) |
| Benelli Leoncino 800 Trail | 83,4 cm | 234 kg | 76,2hp (56kW) |
| Benelli Leoncino 500 | 81,5 cm | 207 kg | 47,6hp (35kW) |
| Benelli Leoncino 125 | 79,5 cm | 164 kg | 12,8hp (9,4kW) |
| BMW R nineT Scrambler | 82 cm | 223 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| Ducati 1100 Tribute Pro | 81 cm | 211 kg | 86hp (63kW) |
| Ducati Urban Motard | 80,5 cm | 196 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Ducati 1100 Sport Pro | 81 cm | 206 kg | 86hp (63kW) |
| Ducati Nightshift | 79,8 cm | 196 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Ducati Desert Sled | 84-86 cm | 209 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Ducati Icon | 77,8-79,8 cm | 189 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Triumph Scrambler 1200 | 215 cm | 144 kg | 90hp (66,2kW) |
| Triumph Scrambler 900 | 79 cm | 233 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Benelli Imperiale 400 | 78 cm | 205 kg | 21hp (15,5kW) |
| BMW R nineT | 80,5 cm | 221 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| BMW R nineT Pure | 80,5 cm | 219 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| BMW R nineT Urban G/S | 85 cm | 223 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| CF Moto 700CL-X Heritage | 80 cm | 196 kg | 75hp (55kW) |
| CF Moto 700CL-X Sport | 79,5 cm | 205 kg | 75hp (55kW) |
| Energica EsseEsse9 | 79 cm | 260 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| Harley-Davidson Nightster | 70,5 cm | 221 kg | 89hp (66kW) |
| Harley-Davidson Sportster S | 76,5 cm | 228 kg | 121hp (90kW) |
| Indian FTR | 78 cm | 233 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Indian FTR Rally | 81,5 cm | 240 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Indian FTR S | 78 cm | 233 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Indian FTR R Carbon | 78 cm | 232 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Kawasaki Z900RS | 83,5 cm | 215 kg | 111hp (82kW) |
| Kawasaki Z650RS | 82 cm | 178 kilo | 68pk (50,2kW) |
| Kawasaki W800 | 79 cm | 221 kg | 48hp (35kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber 850 | 78,5 cm | 210 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer 850 | 81,5 cm | 210 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 850 | 78 cm | 211 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V7 Special 850 | 78 cm | 217 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Norton V4CR | 78 cm | 194 kg | 185hp (135kW) |
| Triumph Thruxton RS | 81 cm | 211 kg | 105hp (77kW) |
| Triumph Speed Twin 1200 | 80,9 cm | 216 kg | 100hp (73,6kW) |
| Triumph Speed Twin 900 | 76,5 cm | 216 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster | 70,5 cm | 263 kg | 78hp (57,5kW) |
| Triumph Bonneville T120 | 79 cm | 236 kg | 80hp (58,8kW) |
| Triumph Bonneville T100 | 79 cm | 228 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Voge 500AC | 79 cm | 204 kg | 46,2hp (34,5kW) |
| Voge 300ACX | 80 cm | 175 kg | 29hp (21kW) |
| Voge 300AC | 80 cm | 174 kg | 29hp (21kW) |
| Yamaha XSR900 | 81 cm | 193 kg | 119hp (87,5kW) |
| Yamaha XSR700 | 83,5 cm | 188 kg | 73,4hp (54kW) |
| Yamaha XSR125 | 81,5 cm | 140 kg | 15hp (11kW) |
STEP 1: FIND MOTORCYCLE NUMBER ONE
| Model | Seat height | Weight | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benelli Leoncino 800 | 80,5 cm | 222 kg | 76,2hp (56kW) |
| Benelli Leoncino 800 Trail | 83,4 cm | 234 kg | 76,2hp (56kW) |
| Benelli Leoncino 500 | 81,5 cm | 207 kg | 47,6hp (35kW) |
| Benelli Leoncino 125 | 79,5 cm | 164 kg | 12,8hp (9,4kW) |
| BMW R nineT Scrambler | 82 cm | 223 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| Ducati 1100 Tribute Pro | 81 cm | 211 kg | 86hp (63kW) |
| Ducati Urban Motard | 80,5 cm | 196 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Ducati 1100 Sport Pro | 81 cm | 206 kg | 86hp (63kW) |
| Ducati Nightshift | 79,8 cm | 196 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Ducati Desert Sled | 84-86 cm | 209 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Ducati Icon | 77,8-79,8 cm | 189 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Triumph Scrambler 1200 | 215 cm | 144 kg | 90hp (66,2kW) |
| Triumph Scrambler 900 | 79 cm | 233 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Benelli Imperiale 400 | 78 cm | 205 kg | 21hp (15,5kW) |
| BMW R nineT | 80,5 cm | 221 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| BMW R nineT Pure | 80,5 cm | 219 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| BMW R nineT Urban G/S | 85 cm | 223 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| CF Moto 700CL-X Heritage | 80 cm | 196 kg | 75hp (55kW) |
| CF Moto 700CL-X Sport | 79,5 cm | 205 kg | 75hp (55kW) |
| Energica EsseEsse9 | 79 cm | 260 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| Harley-Davidson Nightster | 70,5 cm | 221 kg | 89hp (66kW) |
| Harley-Davidson Sportster S | 76,5 cm | 228 kg | 121hp (90kW) |
| Indian FTR | 78 cm | 233 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Indian FTR Rally | 81,5 cm | 240 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Indian FTR S | 78 cm | 233 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Indian FTR R Carbon | 78 cm | 232 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Kawasaki Z900RS | 83,5 cm | 215 kg | 111hp (82kW) |
| Kawasaki Z650RS | 82 cm | 178 kilo | 68pk (50,2kW) |
| Kawasaki W800 | 79 cm | 221 kg | 48hp (35kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber 850 | 78,5 cm | 210 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer 850 | 81,5 cm | 210 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 850 | 78 cm | 211 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V7 Special 850 | 78 cm | 217 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Norton V4CR | 78 cm | 194 kg | 185hp (135kW) |
| Triumph Thruxton RS | 81 cm | 211 kg | 105hp (77kW) |
| Triumph Speed Twin 1200 | 80,9 cm | 216 kg | 100hp (73,6kW) |
| Triumph Speed Twin 900 | 76,5 cm | 216 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster | 70,5 cm | 263 kg | 78hp (57,5kW) |
| Triumph Bonneville T120 | 79 cm | 236 kg | 80hp (58,8kW) |
| Triumph Bonneville T100 | 79 cm | 228 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Voge 500AC | 79 cm | 204 kg | 46,2hp (34,5kW) |
| Voge 300ACX | 80 cm | 175 kg | 29hp (21kW) |
| Voge 300AC | 80 cm | 174 kg | 29hp (21kW) |
| Yamaha XSR900 | 81 cm | 193 kg | 119hp (87,5kW) |
| Yamaha XSR700 | 83,5 cm | 188 kg | 73,4hp (54kW) |
| Yamaha XSR125 | 81,5 cm | 140 kg | 15hp (11kW) |
STEP 2: FIND MOTORCYCLE NUMBER TWO
| Model | Seat height | Weight | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benelli Leoncino 800 | 80,5 cm | 222 kg | 76,2hp (56kW) |
| Benelli Leoncino 800 Trail | 83,4 cm | 234 kg | 76,2hp (56kW) |
| Benelli Leoncino 500 | 81,5 cm | 207 kg | 47,6hp (35kW) |
| Benelli Leoncino 125 | 79,5 cm | 164 kg | 12,8hp (9,4kW) |
| BMW R nineT Scrambler | 82 cm | 223 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| Ducati 1100 Tribute Pro | 81 cm | 211 kg | 86hp (63kW) |
| Ducati Urban Motard | 80,5 cm | 196 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Ducati 1100 Sport Pro | 81 cm | 206 kg | 86hp (63kW) |
| Ducati Nightshift | 79,8 cm | 196 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Ducati Desert Sled | 84-86 cm | 209 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Ducati Icon | 77,8-79,8 cm | 189 kg | 73hp (53,6kW) |
| Triumph Scrambler 1200 | 215 cm | 144 kg | 90hp (66,2kW) |
| Triumph Scrambler 900 | 79 cm | 233 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Benelli Imperiale 400 | 78 cm | 205 kg | 21hp (15,5kW) |
| BMW R nineT | 80,5 cm | 221 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| BMW R nineT Pure | 80,5 cm | 219 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| BMW R nineT Urban G/S | 85 cm | 223 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| CF Moto 700CL-X Heritage | 80 cm | 196 kg | 75hp (55kW) |
| CF Moto 700CL-X Sport | 79,5 cm | 205 kg | 75hp (55kW) |
| Energica EsseEsse9 | 79 cm | 260 kg | 109hp (80kW) |
| Harley-Davidson Nightster | 70,5 cm | 221 kg | 89hp (66kW) |
| Harley-Davidson Sportster S | 76,5 cm | 228 kg | 121hp (90kW) |
| Indian FTR | 78 cm | 233 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Indian FTR Rally | 81,5 cm | 240 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Indian FTR S | 78 cm | 233 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Indian FTR R Carbon | 78 cm | 232 kg | 120hp (89,4kW) |
| Kawasaki Z900RS | 83,5 cm | 215 kg | 111hp (82kW) |
| Kawasaki Z650RS | 82 cm | 178 kilo | 68pk (50,2kW) |
| Kawasaki W800 | 79 cm | 221 kg | 48hp (35kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber 850 | 78,5 cm | 210 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer 850 | 81,5 cm | 210 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 850 | 78 cm | 211 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Moto Guzzi V7 Special 850 | 78 cm | 217 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Norton V4CR | 78 cm | 194 kg | 185hp (135kW) |
| Triumph Thruxton RS | 81 cm | 211 kg | 105hp (77kW) |
| Triumph Speed Twin 1200 | 80,9 cm | 216 kg | 100hp (73,6kW) |
| Triumph Speed Twin 900 | 76,5 cm | 216 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster | 70,5 cm | 263 kg | 78hp (57,5kW) |
| Triumph Bonneville T120 | 79 cm | 236 kg | 80hp (58,8kW) |
| Triumph Bonneville T100 | 79 cm | 228 kg | 65hp (47,8kW) |
| Voge 500AC | 79 cm | 204 kg | 46,2hp (34,5kW) |
| Voge 300ACX | 80 cm | 175 kg | 29hp (21kW) |
| Voge 300AC | 80 cm | 174 kg | 29hp (21kW) |
| Yamaha XSR900 | 81 cm | 193 kg | 119hp (87,5kW) |
| Yamaha XSR700 | 83,5 cm | 188 kg | 73,4hp (54kW) |
| Yamaha XSR125 | 81,5 cm | 140 kg | 15hp (11kW) |
CONCLUSION
Café racers are motorcycles with character and charm. Originally, a cafe racer is a standard motorcycle that has been converted into a stripped down sport bike. With low clip-ons, a sporty seating position and as little fuss as possible. Nowadays you can also buy them straight from the factory under the name ‘modern classic’. They often have a low seat, which makes them ideal for smaller motorcyclists. Be prepared for a sporty seating position and relatively little comfort. Although it is not too bad on many modern cafe racers.
Looking for similar information about other types of motorcycles? Check out our overview.
