Good cafe racer style bikes..

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04-11-19, 10:07 PM
GezTheHealer

Good cafe racer style bikes..

So I’m converting the garage but still plan to keep the bike in it. We’re going to decorate it like a 50’s American diner, because, well, there’s no one to stop us. Black and white tile floor, big red American fridge for beer and a pinball machine (or few) in the corner. A cruiser or Harley is the obvious choice but I don’t fancy one just yet. I’d rather a cafe racer style bike like a thruxton 900 but with only 69hp and twice the price of my speed four... I’m not sold on it, despite how pretty it is. I don’t really want less hp for more money.

Can you help me out, any bikes you can think of with 100hp+ but with some classic styling around the £2-to maybe 4-5kmark? A thruxton 1200r I think is the closet match but currently they’re somewhat more costly again.

I am expecting some touts for buell..
05-11-19, 07:49 AM
BB

I am expecting some touts for buell..

I can't imagine who from lol
05-11-19, 09:05 AM
Trev_P

Quote:

Originally Posted by GezTheHealer

So I’m converting the garage but still plan to keep the bike in it. We’re going to decorate it like a 50’s American diner, because, well, there’s no one to stop us. Black and white tile floor, big red American fridge for beer and a pinball machine (or few) in the corner. A cruiser or Harley is the obvious choice but I don’t fancy one just yet. I’d rather a cafe racer style bike like a thruxton 900 but with only 69hp and twice the price of my speed four... I’m not sold on it, despite how pretty it is. I don’t really want less hp for more money.

Can you help me out, any bikes you can think of with 100hp+ but with some classic styling around the £2-to maybe 4-5kmark? A thruxton 1200r I think is the closet match but currently they’re somewhat more costly again.

I am expecting some touts for buell..

not following the logic for an american 50's diner and then plonking a brit bike in it................

as for the harley, just put in a kids toy tractor with a harley sticker on it - no one will know the difference
as long as there will be a garage warming party whatever you decide is fine ;)
05-11-19, 10:31 AM
Trev

1 Attachment(s)

Deffo not classic cafe racer but classy styling (IMO of course ; )

You might jsut get a good one for your top budget if you're quick

Attachment 1590
05-11-19, 05:36 PM
GezTheHealer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trev

Deffo not classic cafe racer but classy styling (IMO of course ; )

You might jsut get a good one for your top budget if you're quick

Attachment 1590

That is a beaut. The red would go very well. Not something I’d thought of either. Thanks trev.

Trev P you are no help at all, but yes will have to have a get together and some games in when it’s done :) you can all come over for shakes 😎 There’s not much logic other than need a hard floor rather than carpet for the bike, so may as well get b/w tiles like a diner & then why not paint the room red&white. Chrome, shiny things. That sort of style suits the pinballs well too.

I’ll probably want to try a 800cc/more bike at some point at somepoint anyway and do like the retro look. Every time I see DC’s bonnie I think it’s pretty bike.
05-11-19, 05:52 PM
DC

She's beautiful mate ! :) Swindon Triumph are selling a Bonnie T100 just now with 12000 miles on the clock for approx £4k

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wd...=w1300-h975-no
05-11-19, 06:38 PM
wiltshire builders

What about a flatracker?
It would certainly be in keeping with the Americana theme.
Don't be swayed by the "more bhp=more fun" idea either.
05-11-19, 09:00 PM
GezTheHealer

Never seen a flat tracker, or thought of one. Also very pretty.

She is indeed a beaut DC and I’ve been keeping my eye on the T100 prices and one is definitely on my list. I know you’ve tinkered with yours and suspect it gives out a bit more power(?) I get not to get fussed about the power, as when you get it going; I’d never call you slow.

When I start looking proper I’ll get out and test ride a Bonny Bonnie.
05-11-19, 09:13 PM
Last Train

Gez, looky here :cool:

http://www.wiltshirebikers.co.uk/sho...l=1#post487146
05-11-19, 09:15 PM
Last Train

And did somebody mention Buell ?

:D ;) :o :cool:
05-11-19, 11:47 PM
BB

:p:D
06-11-19, 11:39 AM
Trev

Quote:

Originally Posted by GezTheHealer

That is a beaut. The red would go very well. Not something I’d thought of either. Thanks trev.

If you find yourself out Fordingbridge way then give me a shout, happy for you to try it out although it's a dry weather toy only, got a disposable Honda for the Winter ; )
12-11-19, 03:09 PM
Trev_P

Quote:

Originally Posted by GezTheHealer

Trev P you are no help at all, .

I get paid to help people at work, so why should you feckers get it for free pmsl

A couple of months ago i was tempted by the new kawasaki z900 but it was a bit tall for my old short legs ;)
12-11-19, 05:09 PM
BB

I've noticed bike seat heights seem to be creeping up a bit too.

BB (also vertically challenged)
12-11-19, 09:26 PM
Trev_P

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB

I've noticed bike seat heights seem to be creeping up a bit too.

BB (also vertically challenged)

or are we shrinking as we age....??

that was the surprising thing when i got my bird, it looked like it was big in the sadle but i have no probs seated with feet flat on the ground, the Z900 looked the opposite, mind you if i was willing to be relieved of a further £400 they could fit the thinner seat and lower the suspension.

i only find i get vertically challenged is after several pints of guinness :D
12-11-19, 10:53 PM
BB

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trev_P

or are we shrinking as we age....??
i only find i get vertically challenged is after several pints of guinness :D

:D:D:D
13-11-19, 10:24 PM
GezTheHealer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Train

Gez, looky here :cool:

http://www.wiltshirebikers.co.uk/sho...l=1#post487146

Always looking (drooling) over this thread ;)
13-11-19, 10:53 PM
GezTheHealer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trev_P

or are we shrinking as we age....??

that was the surprising thing when i got my bird, it looked like it was big in the sadle but i have no probs seated with feet flat on the ground, the Z900 looked the opposite, mind you if i was willing to be relieved of a further £400 they could fit the thinner seat and lower the suspension.

i only find i get vertically challenged is after several pints of guinness :D

Another shorty here: I always check the height of bikes to check I could reach the ground. My current bike is 1cm taller than my old bike, but I do feel less perched ontop of it (810mm). But year, 835mm it says for the Z900RS online... bit much.

That Z900 is a beaut... but you could get a Speed Triple... or any lovely Triumph.
14-11-19, 09:09 AM
Trev_P

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GezTheHealer

That Z900 is a beaut... but you could get a Speed Triple... or any lovely Triumph.

Tis funny you say that coz i have this in my sights

https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk.../street-triple
Attachment 1598
14-11-19, 09:47 AM
BB

Funnily enough Don has just had the invite to the launch of that wee beastie
14-11-19, 04:48 PM
Trev_P

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB

Funnily enough Don has just had the invite to the launch of that wee beastie

hmm, i was under the impression it was out already, ie nothing on the trumpet website about it "coming soon"

hopefully Don can get a test ride on it and give us the info :D
14-11-19, 05:04 PM
DC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trev_P

hmm, i was under the impression it was out already, ie nothing on the trumpet website about it "coming soon"

hopefully Don can get a test ride on it and give us the info :D

Go along to your nearest dealer Trev ........https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk...iple-rs-launch
14-11-19, 08:42 PM
Trev_P

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC

Go along to your nearest dealer Trev ........https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk...iple-rs-launch

you know what Andy, i must be losing it.... only checked the swindon blade triumph website and that dont say anything about it not being launched yet that i could find :p
should have checked the manufacturer site doh ! :D
17-11-19, 12:25 PM
GezTheHealer

A royal Enfield...

My uncle had a bullet some years back and liked it. They seem to be on the up. Some nice reviews of the Interceptor / continental GT. otherwise not a line up I have much interest in, but £6k for a new bike with a shiny chrome tank and good for 100mph... it’d get you to the coast for fish’n’chips...

Anyone have any experience with these newer bikes they’ve made?
17-11-19, 12:28 PM
GezTheHealer

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F202821859229
17-11-19, 01:01 PM
DC

Have a look through the last 6 months of this guys channel , he looks at the RE Interceptor 650 in detail .https://youtu.be/gYB0j5nz2HM
17-11-19, 04:19 PM
BB

Don rode a couple of the new Enfield range recently, quite impressed although the ones he rode are aimed at the restricted full licence, A1? so he found them ok but didn't really set you alight, He said the Himalaya didn't really do anything much different to his 1955 T110 but had better brakes! lol
17-11-19, 07:49 PM
GezTheHealer

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC

Have a look through the last 6 months of this guys channel , he looks at the RE Interceptor 650 in detail .https://youtu.be/gYB0j5nz2HM

Thanks... I really like the look of them. I remember a Triumph dealer some years back when they'd re-introduced the Bonnie it was about £5000 (maybe £5999?) back in ... 2010/2011. Now a 2010 model is about £3500-£4000...talk about holding value.

New the bonnie's are a fair bit more so for a new bike, retro with a chrome tank... seems good.