Known for their stripped-down look and sporty riding position, Café Racers were hugely popular bikes in the fifties and sixties.

While not as prevalent today, they’re still a popular style among riders, with many manufacturers creating modern classic versions – retro styling combined with higher tech features. 

Today, we’re sharing our favourite 125cc and A2-friendly Café Racers, so you can find the right bike for you regardless of your licence type. 

In tenth place, we’ve got the stylish Yamaha XSR125.

With 14.8bhp, this is a pretty high-spec 125 and, with a Deltabox frame (which Yamaha first developed for its racing bikes), handling is an absolute dream.

Developed as part of Yamaha’s “Sports Heritage” range, it’s got a timeless look and feel – but that doesn’t mean that Yamaha’s skimped out on any contemporary features. In fact, outside of the design, it feels incredibly modern, with full LED lighting, ABS braking and a high-tech, Euro 5+ compliant engine.

We’re big fans of Yamaha’s Racer pack, available for £522 as an add-on. Containing a Racer Cowl, Side Tank Pads and aluminium side covers paired with a more refined and visually appealing licence plate holder, it provides a great finishing touch and brings that café racer feel to your bike.

 

At number nine, we’ve got the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650. 

Inspired by 1970s British Motorcycling with its cast alloy wheels and blacked-out aesthetic, Royal Enfield designed this bike to recapture the spirit of the café racer culture of the time. However, while it looks like it jumped straight out of the 70’s, its durable frame is a hallmark of modern engineering – making it a dynamic, agile ride. 

With its finely-tuned suspension and smooth throttle response, this A2-friendly bike is great fun whether you’re riding along winding country lanes or in the middle of the city. 

 

At number eight on our list, we’ve got the Keeway X-Light 125 – a café racer punching above its weight. 

This is a vintage-styled 125 that’s enhanced with features like an illuminated digital gauge, ultra-bright LED headlights and large-diameter disc brakes, making it a great choice for modern city living. 

A lightweight machine, the X-Light has a top speed of 62mph and 9.7Nm of torque – pretty standard in the 125 market. It’s also not too expensive, making it a serious contender for your first bike. 

 

In seventh place is the Husqvarna Vitpilen 401. 

With an immersive riding position and straight, roadster-style handlebars, this iteration of the Vitpilen is considered to be a lot more comfortable than its sportier competitors.

It’s pretty high tech too, with a new and improved 5” TFT display and a Connectivity Unit to connect your smartphone to fitted as standard. 

Plus, it’s a dream to ride. The Vitpilen has a steel trellis frame that’s strong yet low in weight, offering the rider nimble handling and detailed feedback. All in all, this is an excellent A2-friendly Café Racer that – at £3,999 – won’t break the bank. 

 

If you’re after a unique, stylish 125, look no further than the Herald Café 125, which finds itself at number six on our list. 

With a humped seat, LED halo light and clip-on bars, it looks like a classic café racer.

Plus, with its RaceTek adjustable rear shocks, it’s not only stylish but practical too. As with many 125s, it’s not the most powerful, but it’s still a fantastic, relatively inexpensive option. 

 

In fifth place, we’ve got the BMW R 12 Nine T, restricted for A2 riders. 

With a distinct design, this is a bike that will take centre stage wherever it goes. While the design of this bike has evolved over the years, one thing that’s always a constant is its iconic boxer engine, available in three riding modes: rain, road and dynamic. 

This engine can also be restricted, making it A2-friendly without compromising on intuitive handling or overall ride quality. 

 

At number four on our list, we’ve got the AJS Cadwell 125. 

This bike has a timeless look and feel, and is an excellent choice if you’re looking for something that’s fun and uncomplicated to ride.

However, despite café racer features like low-slung handlebars, according to the manufacturer the Cadwell offers a more upright riding position than you might initially expect. Combine that with a lightweight of 122kg and a seat height of 740mm, and this bike offers up a secure, comfortable riding position. 

At £2899, this is a great option for any first-time rider – or anyone who’s looking for something that looks good and is a joy to ride. 

 

Starting off the top three of our list is the Ducati Scrambler 800 Nightshift – an elegant café racer full of character. At 182kg dry, it’s lightweight for the amount of power it has, allowing for some surprisingly agile handling.

In terms of tech, it comes with a 4.3” colour TFT display and is multimedia system ready, so you can connect your phone and manage apps via the handlebar controls.

While the standard 800 Nightshift produces 73hp, it can be restricted by Ducati for A2 licence holders. If you do decide to upgrade your licence, this restrictor can be removed, so you can take advantage of the full power of the bike.

 

Just missing out on the top spot on our list is the Mash British Seven 125.

With an output of 15bhp, this is a pretty powerful 125 – but it’s quieter than previous models, making this a more refined iteration of the British Seven. 

Features like its big green tank and retro fuel cap help to not only give it that classic café racer look, but also give it a lot of mileage between fill-ups. Thanks to the British Seven’s new Euro 5 electric petrol injection, it has an approximate range of 112mpg.

There are some drawbacks – some riders find that the suspension struggles a little on uneven roads – but overall, the Mash British Seven 125 is relatively cheap while still offering a powerful ride.

 

Taking the top spot on our list today is the Honda GB350S.

When we had the opportunity to review the GB350S earlier this year, we noted its superior build quality, dynamic handling and comfortable riding position. However, the best part of this bike is its authentic vintage character, with features like an analogue meter included to best fit the bike’s design.

With a low seat height, low weight and wide handlebars, this bike feels intuitive and enjoyable to ride, and the selectable torque control helps you feel more confident when riding in poorer conditions.

While this bike has a slightly lower power of 21bhp, overall it’s incredible, value for money considering its quality, and is a great option for anyone with an A2 licence or above. 

 

So, there you have it, I hope you enjoyed our look into these great café racers.

If this has inspired you to go out and get a café racer of your own, don’t forget to get a motorcycle insurance quote direct with Lexham!