{"id":5333,"date":"2020-02-24T11:00:27","date_gmt":"2020-02-24T11:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/?p=5333"},"modified":"2020-02-24T11:00:27","modified_gmt":"2020-02-24T11:00:27","slug":"cafe-racers-what-are-they","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/cafe-racers-what-are-they\/","title":{"rendered":"Caf\u00e9 Racers &#8211; What Are They?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of all the types and styles of motorcycles, the Caf\u00e9 Racer is perhaps one of the best looking, though for a motorcyclist of a certain age, it\u2019s also probably the most uncomfortable to ride.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Characterised by a stripped-down look with low-mounted handlebars, round headlight, high and rear-set footpegs and a faired seat cowling, caf\u00e9 racers took their design and styling cues from the grand prix racing bikes of the 1960s and those competing on the Isle of Man TT.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5348\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12585734-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9 Racer, cafe racer, classic motorcycle, motorcycle, motorbike, Jim Blackstock, bike, motorbike, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motoring, automotive, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12585734-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12585734-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12585734-765x511.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12585734-1020x681.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12585734.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The name derives from the fact that the majority of riders were young and social \u2013 rockers, greasers, teddy boys &#8211; and as groups, they rode from caf\u00e9 to caf\u00e9 in the &#8217;60s, hanging out and upsetting the stuffiness of post-war Britain. At each stop, they\u2019d fill up on tea and fags while waiting for their bodies to repair from the uncompromising riding position of the bike before blasting off to the next watering hole.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caf\u00e9 racers were designed to be ridden short distances quickly \u2013 it was all about the speed and looking cool, just like the race bikes they were based on. Even the younger riders wouldn\u2019t want to go too far on them. The riding position was too extreme for long distances and anyway, it was easier to be seen looking cool while riding locally in leather jackets, jeans and &#8216;piss-pot&#8217; helmets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5346\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/11437242-800x678.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9 Racer, cafe racer, classic motorcycle, motorcycle, motorbike, Jim Blackstock, bike, motorbike, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motoring, automotive, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk\" width=\"800\" height=\"678\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/11437242-800x678.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/11437242-768x651.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/11437242-765x648.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/11437242-1020x864.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/11437242.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the Caf\u00e9 Racer phenomenon taking root in post-war Britain, it was inevitable the bikes would be British made. Triumphs, BSAs and Nortons, for example, were the mainstay but there were also bespoke creations using engines from any of the above or from Vincent. Chrome and leather were the order of the day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It didn\u2019t take long for the Japanese manufacturers to cotton on and by the 1970s, there was a slew of caf\u00e9-racer-inspired machinery arriving from the east as GP racing grew in popularity. Often, brute power outshone chassis finesse and sometimes, even competency but it helped to cement the Caf\u00e9 Racer\u2019s importance in the motorcycling world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the rise of the sportsbike in the 1980s and 1990s outshone pretty much everything else, with leather-clad overweight middle managers riding alongside under-sexed and over-eager post-teenagers, all trying to get their knees down with varying levels of success.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caf\u00e9 Racers never really went away \u2013 there is, as we know, a thriving classic bike scene. However, the appearance of the hipsters in the early 2000s led to a resurgence of all sorts of forced-cool, one of which was the modern retro motorcycle and with it, the Caf\u00e9 Racer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5335\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/11829734-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9 Racer, cafe racer, classic motorcycle, motorcycle, motorbike, Jim Blackstock, bike, motorbike, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motoring, automotive, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/11829734-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/11829734-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/11829734-765x574.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/11829734-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/11829734.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Names such as Triumph and Royal Enfield, as well as Norton, already struggling but well before the catastrophic events of early 2020, began developing motorcycles that conjured up the style and flair of years gone by but with the requirements of modern motorcycling \u2013 safety, reliability and comfort.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So there was a brace of motorcycles using water-cooled engines with fake air-cooling fins on the cylinder barrels; fuel-injection throttle bodies designed to look like carburettors; round, analogue rev counters and speedos with subtle digital displays for fuel distance, for example; the invisible tech, such as ABS, traction control and smooth, Euro3 and 4-compliant fuelling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inevitably, Caf\u00e9 Racer styling was adopted quickly and it wasn\u2019t long before the twizzled moustaches and expensive cheap-looking clothing was to be found once more pootling around on excellent machinery and parking it outside a trendy caf\u00e9 in Shoreditch to look good, while the \u2018rider\u2019 sipped a skinny-soy-chai-double-decaf-mocha-chocha-latte and discussed politics and music. Or something\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"color: #036300;\">Modern Caf\u00e9 Racers<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Suzuki SV650X<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5337\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/2000000003-800x463.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9 Racer, cafe racer, classic motorcycle, motorcycle, motorbike, Jim Blackstock, bike, motorbike, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motoring, automotive, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk\" width=\"800\" height=\"463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/2000000003.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/2000000003-768x444.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/2000000003-765x443.jpg 765w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on Suzuki\u2019s successful SV650 and its 650cc V-twin engine, the SV650X is perhaps the most cynical styling exercise but the base bike is good enough to carry it off<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>BMW R nineT Racer<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5339\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/BOS-BMW_RnineT-Racer6klein-800x570.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9 Racer, cafe racer, classic motorcycle, motorcycle, motorbike, Jim Blackstock, bike, motorbike, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motoring, automotive, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk\" width=\"800\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/BOS-BMW_RnineT-Racer6klein-800x570.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/BOS-BMW_RnineT-Racer6klein-768x547.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/BOS-BMW_RnineT-Racer6klein-765x545.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/BOS-BMW_RnineT-Racer6klein.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using the mechanicals from the R nineT range including the 1170cc flat twin boxer engine, the Racer gets a sweeping fairing, low bars and a styling seat cowl<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Kawasaki Z900RS Caf\u00e9<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5341\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Z900RS-Cafe-side-view-800x453.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9 Racer, cafe racer, classic motorcycle, motorcycle, motorbike, Jim Blackstock, bike, motorbike, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motoring, automotive, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk\" width=\"800\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Z900RS-Cafe-side-view-800x453.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Z900RS-Cafe-side-view-768x435.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Z900RS-Cafe-side-view-2000x1133.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Z900RS-Cafe-side-view-765x433.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Z900RS-Cafe-side-view-1020x578.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Z900RS-Cafe-side-view-1800x1019.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The caf\u00e9 is basically the Kawasaki Z900RS, an homage to the iconic Z1 of the 1970s using a thoroughly modern 948cc inline four, with a headlight cowl fitted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Triumph Thruxton 1200R<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/2000000007-800x439.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9 Racer, cafe racer, classic motorcycle, motorcycle, motorbike, Jim Blackstock, bike, motorbike, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motoring, automotive, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk\" width=\"800\" height=\"439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/2000000007.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/2000000007-768x421.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/2000000007-765x420.jpg 765w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps the most convincing modern caf\u00e9 racer, the Thruxton R has it all wrapped around a thumping 1200cc parallel twin motor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Kawasaki W800<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5336\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/2000000001-800x463.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9 Racer, cafe racer, classic motorcycle, motorcycle, motorbike, Jim Blackstock, bike, motorbike, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motoring, automotive, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk\" width=\"800\" height=\"463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/2000000001.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/2000000001-768x444.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/2000000001-765x443.jpg 765w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Built for riders with an A2 licence (restricted engine power, to 47bhp), the W800 is another modern retro with caf\u00e9 racer styling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Royal Enfield Continental GT\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5340\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Side-Male-GT-535-Black-1-800x571.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9 Racer, cafe racer, classic motorcycle, motorcycle, motorbike, Jim Blackstock, bike, motorbike, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motoring, automotive, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk\" width=\"800\" height=\"571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Side-Male-GT-535-Black-1-800x571.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Side-Male-GT-535-Black-1-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Side-Male-GT-535-Black-1-765x546.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Side-Male-GT-535-Black-1-1020x729.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Side-Male-GT-535-Black-1.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The iconic name returns, this time engineered in the UK and built in India but don\u2019t let that put you off. The Continental GT is a throwback to heady days\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"color: #036300;\">Classic Caf\u00e9 Racers\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/car\/C1199847\">1957 Triton<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5342\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12696247-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9 Racer, cafe racer, classic motorcycle, motorcycle, motorbike, Jim Blackstock, bike, motorbike, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motoring, automotive, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12696247-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12696247-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12696247-765x574.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12696247-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12696247.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Probably the coolest, most original Caf\u00e9 Racer we have seen for a very long time. This is stunning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/car\/C1125394\">1978 Ducati 900 Supersport<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5343\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/11676943.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9 Racer, cafe racer, classic motorcycle, motorcycle, motorbike, Jim Blackstock, bike, motorbike, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motoring, automotive, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s not just British and Japanese manufacturers who went down the Caf\u00e9 Racer route. Several European marques, notably Italian, did too and this Ducati is a lovely example<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/car\/C1183553\">1974 Norton 750 Dunstall Commando<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5344\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12500833-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9 Racer, cafe racer, classic motorcycle, motorcycle, motorbike, Jim Blackstock, bike, motorbike, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motoring, automotive, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12500833-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12500833-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12500833-765x574.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12500833-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12500833.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A special built by tuner Paul Dunstall, this is a lovely example of a rare and iconic machine<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/car\/C1186654\">1972 Triumph Trident<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5345\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12500277-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9 Racer, cafe racer, classic motorcycle, motorcycle, motorbike, Jim Blackstock, bike, motorbike, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motoring, automotive, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12500277-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12500277-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12500277-765x574.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12500277-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/12500277.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A lovely special with very low miles since it was rebuilt. Full-on race spec but road-legal<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"color: #036300;\">Anatomy of a Caf\u00e9 Racer<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Handlebars<\/strong> \u2013 lower, \u2018clip-on\u2019 style bars that bolt directly on to the top of the forks, rather than a bent piece of metal that sits on top of them. This brings the rider forward and down into a racing-style tuck<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Headlight<\/strong> \u2013 a single, round headlight with a small fairing. Looks good but does nothing for aerodynamics<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Footpegs<\/strong> \u2013 typically set more rearward than other types of motorcycle and slightly higher, to match the forward, tucked riding position<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Seat hump<\/strong> \u2013 As caf\u00e9 racers are based on race bikes, they only need one seat so the pillion is usually covered with an \u2018aerodynamic\u2019 hump\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"color: #036300;\">Living with a Caf\u00e9 Racer<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don\u2019t really \u2018live with\u2019 a Caf\u00e9 Racer. I had a Suzuki SV650X for a few months and it was great \u2013 at what it was great at.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blasting cross-country to bike shows, meet-ups or just embracing the roots of the bike and heading for a fry-up somewhere, it was fantastic. A stretched out riding position, weight low down and a feeling of exceptional connection with the bike \u2013 it was perfect. Wind in the face, the bike responding to every input and reacting instantly. I also did a couple of track days, including the inaugural \u2018Caf\u00e9 Racer Cup\u2019 at Lyddon Hill and it was great fun on circuit \u2013 enough power to be fun, brakes and tyres good enough for my skill levels and nimble enough to make things interesting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5334\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/7925e843-2da8-4c74-89f8-bfd4a83c3aa4-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9 Racer, cafe racer, classic motorcycle, motorcycle, motorbike, Jim Blackstock, bike, motorbike, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motoring, automotive, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/7925e843-2da8-4c74-89f8-bfd4a83c3aa4-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/7925e843-2da8-4c74-89f8-bfd4a83c3aa4-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/7925e843-2da8-4c74-89f8-bfd4a83c3aa4-765x574.jpg 765w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/7925e843-2da8-4c74-89f8-bfd4a83c3aa4-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2020\/02\/7925e843-2da8-4c74-89f8-bfd4a83c3aa4.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What it wasn\u2019t good at, as we know, is any distance. Blasting up and down the motorways to work was, to put it simply, painful. No protection form the wind or weather meant it was tiring and with the weight forward, even the 75mph wind blast wasn\u2019t enough to take my not-inconsiderable weight off my wrists. But the biggest problem I has was with my back. It\u2019s dubious at the best of time but after an hour sat forward on the racer, it was agony. Two day of commuting was the limit before I had to revert to the car for the rest of the week and double-dose ibuprofen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But man, when it was good, it was good\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Of all the types and styles of motorcycles, the Caf\u00e9 Racer is perhaps one of the best looking, though for a motorcyclist of a certain age, it\u2019s also probably the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":5339,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[792],"tags":[15,1647,1646,12,13,1629,1631,796,794,847,14,1648,158,1649],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.10 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Caf\u00e9 Racers - What Are They? - Car &amp; Classic Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"No, not competitive fry-up eating (though sign us up for that, too) but a cool and stylish variety of motorcycle. 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