Café racer

A café racer is a purported genre of sport motorcycles that originated among British motorcycle enthusiasts of the early 1960s in London. Café racers were initially just standard production bikes that were later modified by their owners and optimized for speed and handling for quick rides over short distances. Café racers have since become popular around the world, and some manufacturers produce factory-made models that are available in the showrooms.

The term is currently (2025) in use by 'motorcycle pundits' and motorcycle stylists, but its actual origins are highly dubious. A review of supporting citations referring to the expression are relatively modern and often originate from sources that are not British and often not related to motorcycling. The specific term likely entered the motorcycling vernacular far later than the suggested 1960s.

Defined by visual minimalism, a café racer was typically an air-cooled parallel twin motorcycle with low-mounted handlebars with rear-seat footrests. Items considered "non-essential" such as side panels, chain enclosures, and large mudguards (fenders) were replaced by lighter components, or the components dispensed with altogether.

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