| Author | Message | ||
     Admin |
What is your personal definition of a "Streefighter" motorcycle? What traits should a moto "Streetfighter" have? | ||
| Mikej |
To me, based on what I've seen in some British magazines, and heard about on the street some, is that the modern day "Streetfighter" is akin to the "Chopper" of days gone by. Strip it, rip it, ride it, do only what is necessary to make it get from point-A to point-B faster, only throw in a few corners as well (usually). And I ain't talking about modern renditions of pseudo-choppers where it's all about the looks more than the ride. You just get rid of the baggage, and add only what's needed, and use whatever you have laying around to get the job done. Maybe a bit more refined than using bailing wire and duct tape, but not much more because then you'd be gettin' into looks more than into ridin'. At least that's my thumbnail sketch and opinion of them, and I'm probably wrong. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
I'll add to Mike's list. It has to have "attitude", evoke a visceral reaction from the rider and observer. Stripped down, nekked! To the critical eye, it will have details even though much has been stripped away. Little things that show it's "more than meets the eye". Things like polishing here and there, maybe a bit of carbon, billet where there is usually plastic. Function over form with attention to detail. It will look good even when it's been rode hard and put away wet. Did I say it should be naked? BluzM2 | ||
| Bomber |
sounds like a late 40s, early fifties bob-job to me . . . .the platonic chopper | ||
| Tripper |
 One shop calls this the Buell Streetfighter. I sure hope it's a smooth street. | ||
| Buellman |
Funny! We are running the same question at Sport Twin.......Blake have you been visiting us? Define Streetfighter Here is my definition: Streetfighter: Lightweight, high torque, high horsepower, superior handling motorcycle typically used for backroad blitzing and light to light sprints. Cutting edge, distinctive styling that sets it apart from other 'cookie cutter' designs. Not a high speed full fairing machine. We should do that more often! When are you going to come over to Dallas and visit?? Brad | ||
| Aikigecko |
Streetfighter as it applies to Buell or anyone. First of all it must be Naked...Plastic belongs on the Track not the street (exception being a small flyscreen ala Buell/Ducati. Second, the lines must be clean. All wires tubes and hoses must be neatly placed. Now this doesn't mean Aircooled but if it is watercooled some care has to be made to insure that it doesn't end up looking like the Monster S4 (junky as hell). Third, Gotta have torque. This bike ain't about going 120mph it's about running through the city, possibly fracturing a few laws, but in general acceleration is more important than speed. Forth it must handle well. not twitchy and not tank like either. Currently in the line up of streetfighters (or wanna be's with potential) there are a number of bikes. Buell's S-1 X-1 M-2 (P-3?? could be) Triumph Speed Triple Yamaha FZ1 Kawasaki ZRX1200R and ZR-7S Suziki's Bandits, the TL1000s, the SV650 and the GS500 Cagiva's Raptors both the 650's and 1000's Ducati's Monster series (even the FUGLY S4). I left MotoGuzzi, Augusta and BMW off the list because although they have bike that fit the profile, the people who own these bikes don't usually. Many of these need a bit of work (like ripping off the plastic) to become True Streetfighters but all could fit the profile. Missing from this list???? Big Red HUMMMMMM | ||
| Rocketman |
STREETFIGHTER Mike and Bluz that's the way I see it. Trippy you want shootin' for postin' that pic  Rocket in England | ||
| Rocketman |
AUTHENTIC STREETFIGHTER  Rocket in England | ||
| Aikigecko |
CARBON LUST!!!!! Got that out of my system. Buells are closer at the outset than many other bikes to streetfighters but they still require a bit of work (the breadbox just has to go) | ||
| Buellhusker |
I think you forgot to mention the Yamaha VMAX as a street fighter. | ||
| Aikigecko |
Opps...yup...Saw one with nitrous 135hp before bottle 165-170hp with it on...scary | ||
| Rocketman |
I don't care for what the majority of folks call a "Streetfighter". The term is mostly misused by people who haven't been around bikes for a long time, or more significantly by lazy or illiterate , or both, bike journalist who struggle with correctly identifying different styles of bikes, perhaps because they refer to bikes like Bandit's as Streetfighters simply because they are unfaired machines in a "sea" of race rep's, which is becoming a market trend amongst manufacturers. Best way to sell 'em, give 'em a cool name. At best they are naked because that appears to be a modern journalist \ manufacturer description invented purely to describe these hideous styled over endowed creations that aren't really naked in the true sense, unlike Buell'S Lightning's. But a Buell can't really be described as naked because it is much more than naked, it is "bare bones" and thus best described as a Streetfighter because for a production bike it is as close as any manufacturer has ever been to building a production Streetfighter. The Japanese have never achieved such desires nor anyone else come to it. I suppose the Monster might be considered now because it has the 916 motor, but before it lacked in real power so couldn't really be considered a "fighter". Mike and Bluz, at the top of this page, have described perfectly what constitutes a Streetfighter, anything less (or more if you sees what I mean) is NOT a Streetfighter. Don't be brainwashed by manufacturers or journalist who miss-represent what really is a true Streetfighter. They are not Fazer Thou's or V Max's, nor are they Bandit's or Raptor's. Particulaly in the case of the Jap manufacturers, look at their bikes as unfaired versions of their race reps simply manufactured to capture a market share where certain types of customers want the power and performance of race reps but not the styling and discomfort \ impracticality of a race bike. Don't be fooled. You've been warned. Real Streetfighters are few and far between, and as for production versions, Buell are closer than anyone else given their "mass" production status, as most production Streetfighters are hand built specials in very small numbers, like Spondon's for example, but Buell's X1 is not as true a Streetfighter as the S Lightning's are \ were, but it is still the best example of mass produced Streetfighter for sale today. Buy one whilst stocks last, or better still buy a used S1 whilst you still can !!! And by the way, if you don't agree with me, you have already been miss-lead or brainwashed because Streetfighters were created in Britain by idiots like me, and Mike and Bluz have described perfectly a British cottage industry that has only been replicated in larger numbers by Buell with their S Lightning. No one else has come close !! S LIGHTNING = STREETFIGHTER  Rocket in England | ||
| Buellhusker |
Rocket I don't think you guys invented the street fighter. I think Harley did in 1957 with the CH Sportster, no lights minimal fenders solo seat, a flat tracker with brakes. My buddy had one of the first and the Nortons, Triumphs ETC just were blown away. And yes we always rode them on the street day & night. | ||
| Rocketman |
Great bikes those XL's where \ are , but it's stretching the imagination a bit if you think they're Streetfighters. I'd say a stripped Sporty from the 50's would be some kind of flat track or bobbed styled "hot-rod" (another British invention) for its time. I believe Streetfighters are somewhat more recent creations. I suppose we could argue "what's in a name", but if we did, ask yourself when you first heard the word Streetfighter applied to a bike. I bet no one in the 50's used this name for a bike. Rocket in England | ||
| Peter |
The first time I heard of 'Streetfighters' as applied to bikes was when I got hold of a 'Back Street Heroes' or an 'AWOL' (I don't remember which) magazine. In it was a GS1000 with twin headlights mounted on motorcross bars, mesh over the lights, a bit of foam for a seat etc. It looked like someone had tried to make a dirt-bike from a road-bike and then painted it totally matt black. Anything that didn't make it run had been removed. The trend at the time was to stuff those motors into Egli, Martin, Harris etc frames and make them handle, so this thing was so uncool that it was the coolest! I loved it. PPiA | ||
| Peter_T |
Rocketman, The X1 is a streetfighter. Throw away the plastic from new (why you still got that hugger guard? and what's that chin fairing for?) and it is a stripped down, just the basics street bike. Wheelies on demand, stop light heroics et al Funny but the bikes that most sum up streetfighter for me have all been suzuki bandits. Totaly stripped to the minimum. Nothing but what is needed to ride them left on them. If that is a photo of your S1W, then it would seem you don't understand Streetfighters. Dump that extraneous plastic (oh sorry, is that wank carbon instead of plastic) and then come talk to me Pete | ||
| Rocketman |
I don't understand Streetfighters ? Now mate, that's a bit rich seein' as I got the best production Streetfighter in the world. Anyway, here's one you might like.......  Rocket in England | ||
| Rocketman |
Rocket in England | ||
| Buellhusker |
Rocket, You are right the first time I heard the term "Street Fighter" was in reference to a Buell S1 White Lighting. Harley used the term "Stock Stripped Street Racer" in 1915 My uncle was a Harley dealer in 1913-1939 and I still have one of these "Stock Stripped Street Racers" May the S1W live on!!!!!!! | ||
| Billgw |
Here's a good netherlands streetfighter link, http://www.streetfighters.nl/links.htm May help clear the air or just add more flies to the ointment.... | ||
| Blake |
Best streefighter sight I've found is http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/f2_3.htm . The only problem is that the sight lacks a Buell in it's "Streetfighter" category pics. What's up with that. | ||
| Rick_A |
I think the S1, Ducati Monster, Truimph Speed Triple, and Suzuki Bandit are all streetfighters. The new breed of Jap machines are friggin' UMJ's, damnit. | ||
| Rocketman |
Rick : I think you are over generalising my friend. No way is a Bandit a Streetfighter. It's a retro-streetfighter-styled Jap four, that's all. Rocket in England | ||
| Dynarider |
Speed triple & monster sure, but Suzuki doesnt make any bike that qualifies.. Hell the Yamaha FZ1 is more of a streetfighter than a bandit would be. | ||
| Rick_A |
Allright, allright. I thought I'd be nice and put one nearly worthy Jap bike in there. I guess that's stretching it. | ||
| Rocketman |
Stretching it Rick ? Hell, I thought I was by not criticising the other two, too. They're all clutterfooks next to an S1  Rocket in England | ||
| Court |
I'd not classify the Bandit 1200 as a "Naked Streetfighter" but it is surely one of the best "sleepers" of all time. A Bandit, like a Buell, begs to be breathed on and there just happen to be about 10,000 pieces to choose from. If'n there were a dyno handy, I'd post some data on my riding partners. Strictly from a "watching him leave" perspective, it has the ability to dust bikes with much knarlier reputations.' My problem with the Bandit is that it's just too sanitary....no personality whatsoever. But...for a FUN streetfighter......gimme the S-1! Court | ||
| Rick_A |
This is all true. all others pale in comparison to the S1. Granted...plenty of bikes can dust it, but few have the character. I think the best rides are the ones that look best unclothed. | ||
| Rocketman |
Ah but Rick, if we are talking about women, that's another matter altogether Rocket in England |
