[feynaro]

I can enjoy the pure badass-ness of a “crotch rocket” and the command-moustache presence of a cruiser, but I’ve realized I really like the cafe racer style, for example the Triumph Thruxton and the Honda CBs. There seems to be very little info on these as far as what would be a good “starter”, which is what I’m looking for being a complete beginner. I am under the impression that cc’s work a bit differently with bikes like these, as compared to sportsbike with the same cc, so I am at a bit of a loss as to whether 600cc’s is still considered too much.
Do you have any suggestions for a decent beginner in this category? My price range is 2-3k USD.
23, 5’9″, 150lbs… If it helps. (Dead sexy to boot….)
Seriously though, any info is welcome and appreciated.

[Clay Dowling]

Any of the CBRs except for the CBR125 is not a beginner bike, unless you were planning on being an organ doner in the near future. And even then, you won’t be donating as many organs as you might. Once the organ has been in a tree, the doctors don’t want it back.

Look to the Ninjas. They’re universally recommended for starter bikes. Once you get those down, get a little instruction at a track and get comfortable, then you can move up to the racing bikes.

Me, I love the looks of the CBR600. I would look awesome riding it, I’m sure. But it’s way more bike than I can handle. My Magna is already way faster than I’ll ever really get the chance to use. I’ve only ever had it up to 90, and I wasn’t near the performance max of that bike.

[DK]

Is really all about a retro look. Not sure very many riders fit the cafe lifestyle these days compared to just wanting the look? I know the CB750 is the go to bike for many when describing a cafe bike, but there are plenty of smaller CB’s that hit the market over the years. Why not hunt around for an old CB350? For your coin you will probably end up spending most of it on fabs and mods to make the bike look the part.

[Matt]

The Thruxton isn’t a terribly good starter bike simply because of its cost and weight. Simply put, you’ll never find one worth riding for your budget.

If a cafe racer asthetic is your goal, I suggest looking at the smaller naked bikes or “streetfightered” bikes. The modern street fighter is in many ways similar to the original cafe racers, and pretty similar to the new “retro” cafe racers like the Thruxton.

You can mount clip-on or lower bars on any bike. Putting a sportbike bar on a Buell Blast really transforms it. Ditto for putting lower bars on a GS500 and raised pegs.

I would look seriously into “converting” a good starter bike like the Ninja 250/500, GS500, or Buell Blast into a cafe racer if that is the way you want to go. If nothing else, it’ll be “authentic” (All the original cafe racers were street bikes with converted riding positions for as much speed as possible through britians twisty backroads).

[Jay T]

Another instructor built a custom Sporty and gave me his stock parts. I want to build a little CB4 custom out of the parts. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the looks of this little Rebel. I really want a metric bar hopper. Guess I will have to start with an inexpensive metric. I believe it will be a rat. NO chrome, Rustolium hammered metal paint, blackwalls. I also found a guy at the Denver swapmeet that is making parts that fit CB4 frame and HD parts. Unfortunately he is not doing “business” so he doesn’t have a website. He did pass off his email. I will dig around to find it, if anyone here is interested. He built a really cool triple tree and had HD Super glide forks on his 750. I think it would be VERY cool to customize a 750 Nighthawk.

Jay T.
http://www.ridesafe.today.com

[briderdt]

… is to take a cruiser and sport it. I saw a Yamaha last week that would have been sweet. But the raked out fork, then a drag bar, or even clips-ons, rear controls, most likely a higher seat… Would just be ridiculously cool.

[Jay T]

Buell in a Redneck Engineering frame… Hmmm. Ahhh. Ooooooo.

Jay T.
http://www.ridesafe.today.com

[feynaro]

Thank you all for the suggestions and responses. Clay, I’m talking about the CBs, not CBRs, but you are right about them regardless. Matt, good idea to try to convert a bikes appearance, but I don’t know much about doing that and I’m sure it’d be a pretty penny to have someone else do it… But it could be fun to learn.
I’m willing to, and I’m sure I will, spend a bit more than 3k, but I bought a 97 Honda for $2200 (kickass deal) and I feel bad paying a lot more for a bike somehow…
I know I am not going to get a Triumph for a first bike, I think that is too much bike (not to mention cash) for my beginner. But I do not want a 250. I’m not trying to go crazy and hit any more than 80mph, (at least until I know what I’m doing) but I don’t want to be selling / shopping for another bike in a few months.
Thanks again for the help guys

[Jay T]

doesn’t have to be done all at once. Swapping a CB over to cafe is not that big a deal. You are not doing anything with the motor. The swap ends up being more about handlebars and sheet metal. It would not be that expensive to have someone do it for you. You wouldn’t need to have a professional shop do it either (although some of it you may want to have a shop do). Find a local group of cafe riders and get in with them. If you are sitting at your local Starbucks and see someone pull up on the bike you would like, start a conversation. You can’t be bashful. Google Honda CB cafe racer and see what forums you come up with. I usually like the ones that are on the 5-10th page. Get that CB350-550, clean it up and ride it. Next winter, it will give you something to do while you are jonesen to ride.

Jay T.
http://www.ridesafe.today.com

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