![]() ![]() The café scene began back in the 1960s, when British and other European hobby riders started trying to modify their bikes to look more like the zippy Grand Prix road racers of the time. Their riding stances are generally a little more cramped and aggressive than cruisers or choppers, which makes them a little more difficult for long hauls, but a hell of a lot more fun in corners and around twisties.Ĭafé bikes are on the tail-end of a resurgence right now, and they’re some of our favorite-looking bikes. They’re characterized by high-revving motors and more aerodynamically sound fairings and plastics. But again, the odds of spotting them in the wild are slim to none.Ĭommon and easy to identify, sport bikes look like they’re ready for action at all times. ![]() They look more like bicycles with tiny engines in them than motorcycles. Board trackers are super easy to spot because they usually have small one or two-cylinder motors, gas tanks tucked tight between their top frame tube and motor, and white beach cruiser handlebars. Board track racing was incredibly popular from the 1910s through the 1920s, and board track racers are unique things of beauty because they incorporated very lean, low profile styling into their design. The original board tracker comprises classic styling you probably won’t find outside of a museum, only because the technology is so antiquated (and bikes so historic) that they’re just impractical to ride on the streets. Like choppers, they can have both swing arm and hard tail frames, but unlike choppers, they’re basically stripped down stock bikes with “bobbed” fenders. Essentially, bobbers utilize a motorcycle’s stock frame and components, but are stripped of all the excess bells and whistles that aren’t vital to the bike’s performance. Essentially, bobbers pre-date choppers by a few decades and were around before people had any idea what they could do with these machines. The line between bobbers and choppers is one that’s continuously re-drawn because so many people are confused by their differences. ![]() Well, if snowflakes could do smoky burnouts, that is. The important thing is they’re highly customized and modified, and like snowflakes, no two choppers should be the same. If we had to sum up choppers in one word, it’d be “righteous.” But since that’s a pretty terrible description, the actual definition of a chopper is any highly modified bike that has a chopped or extended frame, a raked neck, and all the fun details that make people look at a bike and say, “Holy shit.” They can come in many different styles, can come with hard tail and swing arm frames, and can be comfortable or challenging to ride. If you need a crash course, here are all the different “flavors” of our favorite two-wheeled scream machines: ![]() Whether you’re rolling around on a ratty old Sportster chop or a killer café bike, one thing is for certain: Every rider can appreciate the beauty of style and design. In fact, that’s part of what we love about them so much-the nuanced cultures and crowds that come along with them. Of course, motorcycles come in all different shapes, sizes, and styles. Spring is that special time of year when people are either just finishing up their winter projects, or gassing up their scoots and heading out for the first rip of the season. With riding season quickly approaching, our brains are clogged with wheelies, tight corners, burnouts, and all the things motorcyclists live for. ![]()
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