Streetfighter - When?

[plowsie]

After a post in my naked conversion thread it got me thinking. When is a bike classed as a street fighter? A lot of people think, take the plastics off and put some bars on and your away. BigApe I remember a while ago on a thread backed the title up with his bike...

Mine is a true street fighter. It's tried (and lost) to fight the streets three times and counting. :lol:

So when is it classed as a streetfighter. Or what defines a streetfighter?

[G]

I always just thought it was a bike with lots of random bits all bolted on, but then I'm a relative amature in this game.

[hovis]

i though when its been dropped

[Razor]

it's in the eye of the beholder

personally a streetfighter is more than the some of it's parts

a flat barred matt black GSXR might be a streetfighter but a bandit 600 with renthal bars seldom is

[Dangerous Dave]

I always thought a street fighter started off as a plastic rocket which crashed and lost the plastics and then over time had a lot of custom accessories made and fitted, like one off exhausts, USD forks, renthal bars, etc...

There are no manufacturer built street fighters!

[popeye]

Triumph Speed Triple.........

[arenalife]

I always thought a street fighter started off as a plastic rocket which crashed and lost the plastics and then over time had a lot of custom accessories made and fitted, like one off exhausts, USD forks, renthal bars, etc...

There are no manufacturer built street fighters!

Good classic definition

[Supervox]

The grand-daddy would seem to be the GSXR 750 / 1100 - when they were thrown down the road (as quite a few seemed to be !!) a lot of owners didn't fancy / couldn't afford to replace the plastics - so they left them naked & added Renthals.

Next came the idea of actually building a complete bike from component parts that people either had lying around or just liked the look of & bought for the purpose either new or seconhand.

The 'breed' has kind of split more recently with the advent of 'chequebook' 'fighters - ie people who have no engineering / mechanical abilty or access to the neccessary tools but who like the style of bike - who merely choose the bits they want & then pay someone to build it for them.

One of the best 'proper' 'fighters I've ever seen is the 'Cadbury's Creme Egg' (see pics below) bike which is local to me & has won numerous prizes. If memory serves me correct it is a 'Blade frame & engine with ZX9 forks & a VFR 800 swingarm, wheels & discs with just about everything else made bespoke by the owner :cool:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t256/Supervox/CremeEggBike1.jpg http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t256/Supervox/CremeEggBike2.jpg

Another that I saw a few years ago (no pics unfortunately) was an R1 frame & engine with GSXR 1000 forks, Ducati 916 swingarm & a pointy SV 1000 subframe.

[northwind]

I'll say the same thing I always say: "If you think you can define what is or isn't a streetfighter, you have no idea what a streetfighter is" :D

OK, lets play Is This A Streetfighter?

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/Northwindlowlander/bike%20photos/naked/IMG_0585.jpg

My bike as it is just now with no fairings. It's a lot more than the sum of its parts, it's not all cosmetic, it's faster and lighter than it came out of the crate, with upgraded parts all over. But it looks an awful lot like a standard SV. But it didn't used to, it used to be faired. And it has clipons, while the stereotypical streetfighter gets renthal flat bars inflicted on it because they look good. So...

Is it a streetfighter? Would it still be a streetfighter if it had started out as an N? If it had started out an N and I added a fairing, would that be a streetfighter? If it's not a streetfighter, would adding a pair of renthals or a pair of Bates headlights suddenly make it a streetfighter? Is it, dare I say it, a "cafe racer", and if it is does that mean it can't also be a streetfighter? Or does the fact that it's modern and liquid cooled mean it can't be a cafe racer?

OK, now, is this a streetfighter?

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/Northwindlowlander/bike%20photos/IMG_0350.jpg

Functionally very similiar, just an older version and running with the standard headlight instead of the round one. Is this a streetfighter? Well, obviously it's a bit rat bike, but again, can it be both? The magazine thinks so. it's visually further away from either standard model so does that make it more streetfighterish, even though it's got more original parts than it does today?

[yorkie_chris]

Anything! Everything!

I'd say so long as it's built for being fun, and for performance, and not built by some ar$ehole with a big wad of cash, it'll do as a streetfighter.

They're supposed to be ridden not polished.

I'd also exclude any form of completely ruined busa from the USA, why the f### would ANYONE want to turn a perfectly decent bike into an over-chromed, over-cost, over-bling piece of shiiiite harley wannabe?

[Jester666]

Streetfighter

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s95/jesterSV650S/Box%20Hill%2012%20Aug%2007/mixedpix011.jpg

Not a streetfighter!

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s95/jesterSV650S/Box%20Hill%2012%20Aug%2007/mixedpix001.jpg

[Jester666]

OK, now, is this a streetfighter?

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/Northwindlowlander/bike%20photos/IMG_0350.jpg


Another TSM copier!! :rolleyes: :lol:

[yorkie_chris]

while the stereotypical streetfighter gets renthal flat bars inflicted on it because they look good. So...

So am I the only one who likes the leverage of flat bars?

[Supervox]

. . . I'd say so long as it's built for being fun, and for performance, and not built by some ar$ehole with a big wad of cash, it'll do as a streetfighter.

Should I ever get the cash together I shall have a full-on one-off streetfighter. So, because I have absolutely no engineering ability and am a self-confessed mechanical moron I shall have someone build it for me (to MY spec) - so does that make me an a**hole ??

I don't think so !! :smt075

They're supposed to be ridden not polished.

One does not preclude the other you know !!

I know plenty of people with polished bits who ride their bikes quite regularly - you just have to clean them more often to keep them looking good :D

[yorkie_chris]

Look in streetfighters though, there seems to be the "proper" ones, and then the ones who have just spent stupid money everywhere! Interesting project, but then it's nothing like the original streetfighter type bikes which were built out of necessity, because replacing knackered fairings is expensive!

[Supervox]

Look in streetfighters though, there seems to be the "proper" ones, and then the ones who have just spent stupid money everywhere! Interesting project, but then it's nothing like the original streetfighter type bikes which were built out of necessity, because replacing knackered fairings is expensive!

I buy Streetfighters most months as I really enjoy looking at the bikes & filing away ideas for another time.
The magazine does have a 'policy' (with the odd exception) that precludes 'Chequebook 'fighters'.

So I guess by your definition that no-one who hasn't built their bike from it's component parts & manufactured bits required themselves will ever own a 'streetfighter' ?

Oh well, if I ever do find the money I think I can live without your 'approval' !! :p

See my original post for where I believe fighters came from.

[plowsie]

Mr Vox where do you get Streetfighters from?

[yorkie_chris]

I've dug myself a hole here :-P I don't really care all that much, if you're going to build a highly modified bike for performance then streetfighter'll do.

I just don't like bling is all, I much prefer bikes to look dark and moody rather than like some sort of hardly-driveable with the accessories catalogue thrown at it.

So what would you call the sort of thing I'd build, a rat-fighter? :-P
http://www.frozencrystal.com/places/images/westhelix/splinter.jpg

[Supervox]

Mr Vox where do you get Streetfighters from?

My local newsagent

[plowsie]

Gosh I'm lucky if mine has MCN :lol:

[plowsie]

http://www.jhsracing.co.uk/images/streetfighter_lrg.jpg
JHS Streetfighter thou ;)

[yorkie_chris]

Not really to my taste, but could be amusing to ride.

[Supervox]

I've dug myself a hole here :-P I don't really care all that much, if you're going to build a highly modified bike for performance then streetfighter'll do.

I just don't like bling is all, I much prefer bikes to look dark and moody rather than like some sort of hardly-driveable with the accessories catalogue thrown at it.

So what would you call the sort of thing I'd build, a rat-fighter? :-P
http://www.frozencrystal.com/places/images/westhelix/splinter.jpg

:cool:

I like the polished look along with a nice one-off paintjob.

But I have to say I share your dislike of the 'slammed' look - only any good for riding ballistically quick down the quarter-mile & how many of them get used for that I wonder ?

[hovis]

http://www.jhsracing.co.uk/images/streetfighter_lrg.jpg
JHS Streetfighter thou ;)

:confused:

its not that much of a streetfighter.............is it?

[yorkie_chris]

So it's all taste and personal preference if you're gonna build one.

Still think it's a bit ghey to let someone else build it for you though ;-)


Fairly pointless building a drag-road bike, you'd be replacing the clutch every 10 miles! Although I can see how one would be handy at the traffic light GP, don't think the other people in the queue would be too chuffed about you doing a burnout before you stage at the line in the middle of traffic though!

[plowsie]

:confused:

its not that much of a streetfighter.............is it?
JHS call it one, which is why I raised the point. Who or what defines it. I think its really never defined.

[plowsie]

Ahem - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streetfighter

Even Wikipedia can't define it lol.

[Supervox]

:confused:

its not that much of a streetfighter.............is it?

IMO - No !!

It appears to be a Thou with a twin headlight conversion (wonder if they got theirs from Banditmania like I did ??!!), different forks, aftermarket cans, Renthals & some cooler covers.

Hardly a 'fighter at all really, but if that's what they choose to call it then who am I to argue ? !!

[yorkie_chris]

Also I wouldn't really call the speed triple a streetfighter, on account of it being built that way!

Edit: I'm still going to get one though :-P

[rictus01]

Also I wouldn't really call the speed triple a streetfighter, on account of it being built that way!

Edit: I'm still going to get one though :-P


But a dam good base to start from, actually I wouldn't call it a streetfighter either, it doesn't need it, anyone one with any knowledge on the subject know exactly what a speed triple is :D

Cheers Mark.

[northwind]

So am I the only one who likes the leverage of flat bars?

I quite like them when done right but most people don't fit them for that reason. Look at your average TL1000 fighter, bars slapped on it so that it's even less stable, less weight over the front wheel too, they almost never work as well as they did standard. It's usually form over function, because all streetfighters are supposed to have flat bars and useless headlights (funny how the "maverick cult" is so keen on following trends :D)

But a dam good base to start from,

Heh, if there was ever a factory streetfighter I suppose it'd be the early speed triple, it totally fits the whole "take a faired bike, rip off the fairings, slap on flat bars" thing, plus it looked like it was built in a shed :D Didn't at least one of your old "triples" start out as a Daytona, or am I imagining that?

[yorkie_chris]

Early speed triples had clipons :-P

[Razor]

I like flat bars, I've ridden flat barred ZX9R and fartblade before. They were more rat than streefighter, but most people I knew referred to them as streefighters.
My SV started life with clip ons, now has flat bars. I don't like the classic double headlights look, I'll be fitting a RS125 nose cone as soon as I get all the bits.

[yorkie_chris]

I had twin lamps on mine. They aren't a patch on the standard light with a HID capsule though hehe

[northwind]

Early speed triples had clipons :-P

You know what I mean, early proper triples rather than urtriples ;)

[yorkie_chris]

Hehehehe.

Yeah, and the later speed triples were all pretty closely related to the daytona albeit with some significant differences in tune.

Obviously the speed triple is on it's own now because triumph don't make a big-bore sportsbike any more.

[plowsie]

So what would you call the sort of thing I'd build, a rat-fighter? :-P
http://www.frozencrystal.com/places/images/westhelix/splinter.jpg
Does this fit that?

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w46/plowsie/20052008446.jpg

Or is it a crap fighter :lol:

[21QUEST]

What is a street fighter?. One thing it has to have is 'attitude' ;)

As I'm feeling lazy hehe

Hmm.... there was an article in SF where Will had a go at doing just that. The summation was that the key ingredient was attidude. I agreed then. What hasn't changed IMO is a street fight has to have that 'feck off' attitude.

Quite often the riders may have that as well :rolleyes: . With regards to the rider, it comes very naturally to some and for others not so much :scratch: Bottom line IMO is that attitude...... with or without a fairing.

Maybe at this juncture we have another question. How do we define/categorise(?) 'feck off' attidude :confused: :rolleyes:


Cheers
Ben

...and that covers it all I think :p


Ben

[rictus01]

Heh, if there was ever a factory streetfighter I suppose it'd be the early speed triple, it totally fits the whole "take a faired bike, rip off the fairings, slap on flat bars" thing, plus it looked like it was built in a shed :D Didn't at least one of your old "triples" start out as a Daytona, or am I imagining that?

Yeah Two of them were, but you're talking T5's and not the carbed T3's here.

(good excuse for a quick potted history ;) )

T3 (94-96)
http://www.forum-auto.com/uploads/200503/pierro78_1111485040_speedtriple_t301_mod.jpg

T5 (97-2001)
http://www.theautochannel.com/media/photos/motorcycles/triumph/1998/98_triumph_speed_triple_t509.jpg

T5 (2002-2005)
http://www.motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/triumph%20pics%5Cspeedtriple%2001.JPG

1050 (2005-Present)
http://www.wylieandhollandrat.co.uk/speedtriple_matt_blk_studio_534x242.jpg

Cheers Mark.

[yorkie_chris]

The 1050 is lacking in "feck off" attitude, looks too posh.

[Skip]

T5 (2002-2005)
http://www.motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/triumph%20pics%5Cspeedtriple%2001.JPG


Damn thats a fine looking motorcycle! :smt060

[yorkie_chris]

Indeed. Hubba hubba.

Tis still not a streetfighter though :-P

[rictus01]

The 1050 is lacking in "feck off" attitude, looks too posh.

Funnily enough the engine does to, lovely bit of engineering, but far to refined for the bike.

Cheers Mark.

[Skip]

Indeed. Hubba hubba.

Tis still not a streetfighter though :-P
Nope - but who cares when it looks that good! :smt045

[yorkie_chris]

Nope - but who cares when it looks that good! :smt045

+1 hehe

[plowsie]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUZUKI-SV650-STREETFIGHTER_W0QQitemZ230266236111QQcmdZViewItem? hash=item230266236111&_trkparms=72%3A636%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[Dangerous Dave]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUZUKI-SV650-STREETFIGHTER_W0QQitemZ230266236111QQcmdZViewItem? hash=item230266236111&_trkparms=72%3A636%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
I wouldn't touch a Carbontek bike if my life depended on it!!!!

[Razor]

why is that Dave?

[Dangerous Dave]

Their favourite tool is a hammer, only good thing about Carbontek bikes are the quality in paint work. As for the quality in hardware and modifications I advise you to walk away, lets just say for the front end mods on Curvys they don't use the TWF bearings and have had a few bikes with headstock cracks come back!

Oh... and watch out for engine work!

[northwind]

That seat unit looks like it was fitted in a very small shed, possibly in the dark... It doesn't line up anywhere. Nice concept though.

[Razor]

Won't the K4 shock be a bit shorter than the original?