Tag Archives: cafe racer

Electric superbike inspired by 60s café racers fuses dynamic stance and classy personality into a racing Greek god

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Electric bikes need not always have larger-than-life designs. They can also have that definitive golden era influence. This fact is apparent from Robert Turner’s latest concept design which strikes the right balance between futuristic elegance and nostalgic euphoria.

Embrace this electric superbike concept inspired by the glitz of the ’60s café racers and the grandeur of European plate armors. The latter is a pretty unrelated stimulus to create superbike of the future.

Designer: Robert Turner

The superbike has a backward stance like a wild cat ready to ambush its prey in the grasslands. The British digital artist captures the essence of fuel-powered counterparts and fuses it into a no-emission two-wheeler with artistic elegance. The extended wheelbase reassures stability at high speeds while ample space for the electric battery ensures a respectable range. Those large-sized fairings ensure aerodynamic efficiency while keeping the raw weight down.

Elongated form just like Phillippe Starck’s Aprilia Motò 6.5 cannot be denied as Robert takes a detour from conventional electric bike designs of the current generation that are heavily weighted towards sharp looks and sci-fi aesthetics. That said, there is not a strong enough reason to make a switch from fuel-powered racing monsters to the electric superbike options currently on the market. This electric superbike wants to achieve driver engagement and even surpass it with this dynamic design.

The focus of this electric concept superbike design is clearly on personality and not functionality. After all speed demons crave everything that touches the heart and are not bothered about the inherent utility. Robert has placed focus on the driver with a forward leaning position and the lesser weight of the machine means it’s highly agile in cornering as well. The concept fuses an intimidating racing stance with the no-frills design language that all motorheads will find solace in at the end of the day when this baby is parked in the see-through garage of a swanky mansion.

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A literal Café Racer with integrated coffee grinder harnesses dissipates engine heat to brew cup of joe

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Biking and enjoying a cup of coffee on destination unknowns has a deep connection. The whole experience of riding non-stop for miles only to relax at the nearest town’s most popular café. Well, that’s the adventurous life of some lucky riders who live life as free as a bird.

To enhance their experience of biking and enjoying a piping hot cup of coffee en route to new destinations, a concept gives all motorheads another excuse to hit the freeways. A Café Racer in its true sense!

Designer: You-Hao Wu

In the automotive design arena where herd behavior of mustering up electric bike concepts is a proven formula for garnering attention, Wu takes a detour with a gasoline-powered bike that has a detachable coffee grinder, secured water tank and dedicated storage section for a portable coffee pot. No this isn’t some stale April Fool’s Day joke, but a concept dedicated to the spirit of biking and satisfying the craving of drinking coffee.

The idea of an integrated coffee grinder seems absurd but the more one thinks about it, ever so probable it seems. The dissipated heat from the growling engine is put to good use for heating up the water and brewing the perfect cup of joe – just when you’ve clocked hundreds of miles, looking for a quick coffee break. With Cafe Racer, there’s no need to search for the nearest café, it’s right there – anytime, anywhere!

A café racer in the true sense, the concept motorcycle is a convenient and practical solution for riders who deem hot coffee as their holy grail. Fitting in such a complex coffee-making mechanism doesn’t in any way hinder the riding position or weight balance of the Café Racer. The designer imagines the bike in two color options – light brown with cream and black with silver. I prefer the former because of the whole theme – remember it’s centered around brewing your own cup of coffee.

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God-like café racer build on Triumph body frame has inviting eyes you can’t ignore

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Modifying modern Triumph bikes is a passion for Tamarit Motorcycles. Keeping up with their knack for crafting eye-popping bike designs, the Spanish custom shop based in the port city of Alicante is second to none.

Their latest creation “Helios” is named after a Greek god, and the racy cafe racer lives up to its mythological namesake. The flamboyant café racer is built on an air-cooled Thruxton 900 motorcycle, and the final result is one of their best so far.

Designer: Tamarit Motorcycles

The handcrafted bodywork, monocoque tank and tail section are all customized for this solo build. It perfectly complements the metallic burnt sun orange paintwork, and the exposed bodywork that borrows its character from a Greek god perhaps. Tamarit chose the subtle cream color leather for the saddle which runs right up to the single-piece monocoque tank. The cream color contrast is present on the twin round headlights, giving Helios a very lively appearance. Not to forget the 60s endurance-inspired half fairing encapsulates the LED headlights.

Under the hood, this performance bike can surprise the rider since it gets an air-cooled Bonneville engine that can be pepped up with a few modifications. For example, tweaking the Keihin carbs to run with the K&N pod filters really wakes up the ride. The exhaust is crafted right from scratch, to keep the unique look going. The cooling system is the custom shop’s own creation, and this does look cool on the Triumph’s upgraded body.

The custom-building pros have ditched the dual-shock configuration for a custom mono-shocked setup. Here the Hagon shock has been mated to a bespoke swing arm, literally stretching the platform of the donor bike to 6 feet. That rear section gets a polished metal cover with the LED lights integrated, and right below it is the slash-cut exhaust pipes covered with hexagonal mesh covers and custom perforated heat shields.

The café racer’s color theme is complemented by the chrome plated (in mirror finish polish) inserts on the entire frame and swingarm. Topping it all off are the subtle inclusions of the gold badges embellished with the brand name and the Helios 109 logo that signifies the 109th build by the custom shop thus far. Just for the records, the Helios bike will be delivered to the custom shop’s Miami, Florida location that’ll serve as their hub for the North American market from now on.

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This boxy café racer bike would make a perfect fit in the upcoming John Wick: Chapter 4

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Boxy café racer concepts have always intrigued me for their larger-than-life charm while still maintaining a practically feasible aesthetic. Likewise, John Wick could very well do with a boxy motorbike rather than hopping on that Yamaha MT-09 featured in Chapter 3, don’t you think? Now that Chapter 4 has been confirmed for March 2023 release, and Chapter 5 is confirmed for some years later, we are eyeing director Chad Stahelski’s attention for an upbeat café racer to be a part of the sequel.

Yes, picture Keanu out for revenge on this cool machine, dodging the ruthless hitmen after his blood. Slouchy comfort is by no stretch of the imagination going to be a problem for him. So, the flat saddle of this café racer will feel home for the – down but not out – compassionate hero.

Designer: Ravichandra Madhavarapu

The Indian-origin designer has imagined this motorbike concept dubbed Hermes-X30 for the handsome Canadian actor, and it bears the same badass attitude as Keanu we’ve seen in the Cyberpunk 2077 video game. Although the actor admits he’s never played the game himself, so I weighed in towards the John Wick link more than the virtual world association. Also, this makes logical sense too as Cyberpunk 2077 didn’t turn out to be the same cake it was mustered up to be.

This rimless bike goes perfectly with the actor’s persona and has a kind of front-dominated body presence. The geometrically shaped bike has a square gas tank that makes up for the headlight section as well. The beamers have a subdued filter on them to portray that grim look, and I don’t mind that at all. The rear is more trimmed down but still geometric nonetheless. Visually the bike seems glued to the tarmac and exudes a jacked-up look. Other than that, this ride has that typical grunge factor that’ll make it perfect for a John Wick Chapter 4 appearance.

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This Robocop worthy electric bike is a nemesis for the bad guys

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As we head into the future, bikes with lean muscular designs are being preferred over their fat counterparts. The Ronin bike is one of them with its Robocop bike-like aesthetics and build.

It’s not that often that I see a motorcycle and instantly feel the urge to hop on, wishing deep down to the core, it somehow meets fruition and I could experience the adrenaline rush for real. Today is the day, I instantly felt a connection with this cool electric bike which has a definitive big boy’s league feel to it. The ride dubbed Ronin could be labeled a café racer, or maybe a circuit racer – in fact, it has no strings attached since the designer imagines it as a blank canvas. Any which way this two-wheeled beauty ticks the right boxes to give automotive lovers those butterflies in the stomach.

Desinger: Daniel Kemnitz

Alright enough of the emotional mongering, and we talk about its electric drivetrain innards. The motorcycle is powered by an electric battery for daily commutes when overclocked (I happen to be a gadget freak too) power delivery is not necessary. There are dual hydrogen fuel cells for extended range or added oomph for those open freeways. Most importantly these fuel cells can be instantly swapped without the need for any tools.

The unique sense of flowing aesthetics is something that keeps my fire burning whenever I see a fresh automotive design. The Ronin bike is right up there for its blend of cyberpunk-influenced shapes and metallic inserts. It has a rear left attached long swingarm which looks a bit odd when viewed from the 6 0’clock positions. It almost looks like it’s crippled on one side. However, the front gives the rider a sense of balance and confidence in pushing the throttle too with its front leaning position.

The headlights and the taillights have a very contrasting yet peculiar design that seems to be inspired by modern appliances. Especially that industrial design dominated headlight residing inside the round metal housing.

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Top 10 café racers for motorbike enthusiasts

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Motorbikes get the heart of almost every Automotive lover thumping – especially Café racers! Café racers started out as standard production bikes, which were in turn modified to be quicker and more agile! They’re usually characterized by lower-set handlebars that stoop downwards, rear-set footpegs, and fuel tanks that tend to be rather rectangular-ish. They’re powerful, fast, and menacing to look at as well. And we’ve been seeing a torrential and exciting downpour of café racers at Yanko Design. Each bike was innovative, bringing to us something we had never seen nor experienced before. From killer speed to dashing good looks, to impenetrable safety standards, every design we featured at YD broke some design barrier for us, and hopefully, they did the same for you as well. Hence, we’ve curated a collection of café racers that we feel were the best of the lot! From an edgy café racer with a sci-fi design to a Honda Motocompo XL bike – each of these drool-worthy bikes is mercilessly pushing the boundaries of the automotive industry!

1. The Brutal R NineT

The basic design inspiration for this concept comes courtesy of the BMW R 80 motorcycle by BMW Motorrad. In its time the bike was an acclaimed classic road machine, having an off-road dirt bike-like vibe to it. While the R 80 G/S had a very tall profile, this one by Fabian trims it down a little for a café racer-like character. The front section of the ride adapts a very futuristic profile with the zero-shaped LED lights while the rear bears an aggressive character exemplified by the tail light positioned in a way to give the impression of a burning jet engine when lit up.

2. The BMW Ki Concept

Salvatore Ville, a car designer at Tata Motors, takes his bikes seriously, probably why he embarked on modifying the design of a BMW K100 into an attractive café racer. Salvatore says he wanted to give the bike a sensual appeal by giving it sexy proportions. According to him, the BMW Ki Concept embodies the aesthetic heritage from the yesteryears, in a shape that’s not limited by the norms of the law. The bike is powered by an electric motor and manages to retain BMW’s DNA in totality.

3. Hondo Motocompo XL

So, what would a Motocompo on steroids and muscle be like? Shedding away its sweet character for a hotter version of itself – undeniable metamorphosis and rising like a phoenix from the ashes of time. This metaphoric vision is soulfully represented in the Honda Motocompo XL bike mustered up by 3D artist Allan Williams. It inherits the DNA of the original Motocompo scooter in more ways than not – the boxy shape being one. Just imagine it being an XL version of the compact scooter – loaded with the mean machine racing character, the Motocompo XL is a cafe racer right out of the pop culture handbook.

4. Sabino’s BMW café racer concept

This bike’s form is pretty linear on the top, with one single wave-shaped swooping line going from taillight to headlight; breaking just once for the dashboard visor. Its body-work is primarily a combination of metal and carbon fiber, which makes for some interesting paint jobs including one in Yellow, and another in Red which was lovingly dubbed as the Iron Man Edition on Instagram. The bike sports a BMW logo on its side, and in keeping with BMW’s tradition, opts for a split headlight instead of the iconic split kidney grille. The edge-lit taillight sits on the end of the seat too, which cantilevers off the bike’s main body, creating an absolutely enchanting side profile!

5. The CyberX

Straight from a Cyberpunk future, carrying a semblance of the neon colors that became a cult favorite with the Tron bikes – this ride is unlike anything on the roads yet. Those fat wheels contrasted with a slim profile, the tricked-out LED lighting, and laser printed, fully customizable side panels – all add up to make it a dazzling ride one would want to flaunt around. The two-seater configuration (in a bench-like leather saddle setup) of the electric bike is another highlighting feature, not most performance bikes can boast. The sharp LED headlight gives it a moped-like feel, while the color-changing body and the wheels give it enough road presence in the dark, so other motorists remain aware.

6. The Voisin

The Voisin motorcycle promises a supreme level of riding stability thanks to its dual rear wheels sliced by the swingarm, and the reinforced metal frame design strengthened by the dual suspension setup on the rear. While you could technically call it a trike (since it has three separate wheels) still it is a bike at its heart and soul, as the wheels are sandwiched close together. The leaning forward seating position gives the ride a very sporty appeal, and its front, as well as the rear, gives Voisin that futuristic appeal, perfect for a sci-fi flick.

7. Concept 13 R

The Concept 13 R’s f***boi vibe is deliberate and difficult to ignore. Look past its edgy, armor-like design and you’ll notice that tramp-stamp on its tires that reads “Love You, Fvck You”, sending mixed signals that make you even more curious about the bike. The modified concept ditches Yamaha’s iconic fuel-tank design for a low-poly fairing that is complemented by the unusual windshield plate on the front within which sits the bike’s tiny, yet powerful projector headlight. The Concept 13 R has two additional headlights too, in the form of LED strips mounted on the front spring forks. The taillight sits on the back of the seat, with the same thin LED-strip design.

8. The Fuell Flow

Designed to be the vanguard of urban mobility, the Fuell Flow is a fully electric motorbike available in both 11kW and 35kW variants. With a comfortable 125-mile range and a motor that sits on the rear wheel, eliminating the need for a transmission belt or chain, the Fuell Flow makes for a comfortable urban ride. It features a connected dashboard, 13 gallons of storage onboard for bags and whatnot, and is even customizable, allowing you to switch motors, batteries, and chargers. And what’s truly the best bit is that it combines the talent and expertise of Erik Buell, the founder of Buell Motorcycles, and Frédéric Vasseur, Formula 1 Alfa Romeo principal engineer.

9. e-Café Racer by OX

Ultra-sharp aesthetics of this two-wheeled hunk are in the perfect proportions to position it as a speedy café racer and a race track monster with the power to back its intimidating stance. The lightweight café racer e-moto will most likely get an 8-kW rear hub motor powered by dual removable batteries. It should hit a top speed of at least 110 km/h and go about 100 km on a single charge. By the look of things, the OX’s latest offering should get an upbeat digital instrument cluster perfectly juxtaposed with the classic-looking front section. This display is complemented by the secondary display on the handlebar which will be used for navigation aids, notifications from smartphones, or toggling music on media player.

10. The Neopilen

This bike is dominated by creased silhouettes on the side body panel and the front stance. Designer Onkar H says the inspiration for the vertical architecture design comes from the Sarolea motors’ high-performance electric motorcycles. The rear has a very revealing stance with the body frame fusing into the seat in a concave shape. Talking of the body panel, it reminds me of the Xbox Series X – not only because of the rectangular aesthetics but the presence of a fluorescent color (of the Xbox logo) and the cool blue ambiance near the tank.

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This beefy Street Fighter bike matches Luke’s wrath ‘punch for punch’

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London-based Digital artist Rene Mitchell (a.k.a. Lambert) has created this hot muscular machine in Street Fighter theme. And it goes without saying, the two-wheeler will make automotive fans go weak in the knees!

Who could get over the countless hours of classic Street Fighter arcade game back in the golden days? At least I couldn’t! Kicking and punching the opponents into submission, or on a bad day, having got trashed badly, to again muster up a new strategy to beat them all, the very next time I took control of the arcade machine. Fast forward to the present day and we are looking at the upcoming Street Fighter 6 teased for a 2022 release. The perfect time for us to feature a dapper motorcycle for Guile, Ryu, or the last character in the fifth season – Luke.

The bold upfront look and the fat rear tire combine to give the Electric Streetfighter bike its intimidating charm only a few can match. It has got a powerful electric motor that delivers power to the fat tires that have superior grip and high downforce. The regenerative braking adds to the tech of the café racer which combines with the electric motor to add some juice. A mean machine in the true sense, made for the Pikes Peak racing or high-octane street skirmishes.

Rene has managed to lend his design a very balanced mix of café racing aesthetics and circuit racing Moto GP feel. Add to the blend the definitive brawny form, like the ones on the fuel tank and the side body, and you’ve got a cheeky racer in the making. The colors revolving around the nostalgic Streetfighter theme and the STRIX branding on the motorbike are quite interesting. The latter means owl in ancient Roman and Greek dialect, or it could even have the Asus Strix link since the bike. For now, we can let our imagination loose to assume anything we can with this flamboyant set of wheels!

Designer: Rene Mitchell

 

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The Batman-worthy muscular bike oozes sense of speed and no-nonsense attitude

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Mean two-wheelers and café racers always ignite my passion for driving – concept creations included. This muscular beast by Shane Baxley is an example that got my adrenaline pumping.

One look at this mean machine and I can’t help but conjurer up the plot of the upcoming “The Batman” movie. Imagine the superhero (Robert Pattinson) appears from the dense fog in the dark corners of the city on this Bat bike (or Batcycle/Batpod) to take on the crime with Catwoman. Alright, Matt Reeves might have a more engaging opening scene for the movie coming in March 2022, but Shane’s creation got me carried away.

Dubbed the Bax Moto MK3, the motorbike is highlighted by the sleek flowing silhouette of the exposed mechanical parts, giving it a very muscular feel. The headlights and the front section edges forward – sort of intimidating the onlooker, giving me the ultimate Batcycle vibe the first time I glanced at it. The double-sided long swing arm gives the crime-fighting ride a low-slung position as the leaning forward position of the rider means it can be driven at break-neck speeds. Bax Moto MK3 is draped in an all-black finish with hints of gray to add contrast and depth.Funiq

The instrument cluster and the wheels carry the same grungy feel spiced up by the subtle lines that are apparent on the fuel tank are as well. This in a way signifies the spirit of speed and motion. Another peculiar addition to the bike is the offset headlight with the pair of fog lights – giving it a very unique sense of styling. Overall Shane has managed to bamboozle me yet again with his profoundness of automotive design, and I’m looking for more!

Designer: Shane Baxley

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Honda Motocompo XL bike is a sleek café racer evolved from the cult favorite folding scooter

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Honda Motocompo reviewed into a more modern café racer avatar is what urban motorbike enthusiasts would drool over thanks to the Motocompo XL bike concept.

Remember the cult favorite Honda Motocompo scooter from the early 1980s? The two-wheeler that could fit in the boot of a car? The box-shaped rectangular plastic body with handlebars, seat and foot-pegs folded perfectly into the frame for a clean look. After selling fifty-three thousand-odd units, Honda discontinued the compact scooter in 1983, but couldn’t wash away its memory with concept vehicles like the 2001 e-Dax, e-NSR and the 2011 Motor Compo electric scooter.

So, what would a Motocompo on steroids and muscle be like? Shedding away its sweet character for a hotter version of itself – undeniable metamorphosis and rising like a phoenix from the ashes of time. This metaphoric vision is soulfully represented in the Honda Motocompo XL bike mustered up by 3D artist Allan Williams. It inherits the DNA of the original Motocompo scooter in more ways than not – the boxy shape being one. Just imagine it being an XL version of the compact scooter – loaded with the mean machine racing character, the Motocompo XL is a cafe racer right out of the pop culture handbook.

The bike is an evolution from a two-wheeled scooter to a fully mature motorcycle, ready to take its rider on one hell of a ride. The electric motor of the two-wheeler resides inside the frame under the riding position and those headlights look meaner than ever. Allan chooses urban chick colors as the skin for the bike – the yellow paint job with red logos and text giving off that Kodak color scheme vibe. Would I want to ride the Motocompo XL if it met fruition someday? Absolutely yes, who won’t want to experience the nostalgic yet modern feel of driving this beautiful monster.

Designer: Allan Williams

 

This BMW-inspired café rider predicts that batteries will dominate the design language of future e-bikes

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BMW Motorrad concepts have caught our eye in the past for their absolute design prowess and futuristic appeal. Think BMW Vision Next 100. Such is the weight of the brand that industrial designers are drawn towards BMW Motorrad namesake for their two-wheeled inspirations. The KF33 electric motorcycle by Rodrigo Magro Mañas is a cyber bike that gives a purview of the automotive industry a decade into the future. Rodrigo provides the motorbike with a fat belly to accommodate all the mechanical parts and, of course, the battery. 

Looking at this bike, the first thought that struck my mind was the above-mentioned battery/motor compartment. It is humongous! Given that the designer intended it to be a  café racer, I’d imagine the “fuel tank” to be much smaller. You will need the bike to bounce from one café to another with plenty of time in between to charge it, while you hang out with your café buds (or bud-lights). Given the availability of rapid battery chargers already, I’m sure an arrangement can be made to compromise the form of the tank. 

A concept bike typically encapsulates a unified design and a strong silhouette. The bike looks too front-heavy compared to the section from the rear swingarm and beyond. Just scroll down to the second picture below and cover the rear half with your hand to see what I mean. Given our love for BMW-inspired futuristic bike designs, Rodrigo’s imagination of an evolved café racer is a hit and miss. His focus also lies in a bold design since the motorcycle is envisioned for a future where reliable electric rides will dominate the industry. Of course, it will be a performance motorbike because who wouldn’t want one? Hence the sleek body encapsulates a powerful engine and a high-performance battery. The combination of power and performance means a lot of heat is generated. As a solution, Rodrigo has reinterpreted the famous BMW boxer engine shape for heat dissipation where the body cover is designed to release heat, with the telescopic fork and the Cardan cover protection also assisting in heat dissipation. The designer has imagined separate sections for the battery and engine while having a wishbone front fork and the Cardan integrated with the body. 

With some tweaks, this could be a BMW cyber bike that could become the design inspiration for a future BMW Motorrad café racer, and we are excited to see it come to life!

Designer: Rodrigo Magro Mañas