9 Best Café Racers You Can Buy in 2025 (Ranked by Price)

So, you want that retro-cool look that turns heads at every fuel stop…
But you also want a sporty, hunched-over riding position that says you mean business.

Well, my friend, the café racer ticks both boxes beautifully. Style meets speed, form meets function, and nostalgia crashes into modern engineering—and it’s a glorious collision.

In this list, we’re diving into 9 of the best café racers you can buy in 2025, going from most affordable to wallet-emptying, all while keeping that classic racer spirit alive. Whether you’re after the purest old-school experience or a high-performance machine wrapped in vintage vibes, this list has something for you.

Let’s get into it.

1. Royal Enfield Continental GT 650

If you’re chasing that true old-school charm, the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 is where the story begins.

This isn’t just a cheap ticket into café racer culture—it’s a legit retro riding experience. The 648cc parallel twin is air-cooled, giving it a raw, soulful rumble that feels more ‘60s rocker than 2025 commuter.

There’s not much tech to get in the way—basic suspension, simple brakes, and no ride modes. And that’s kind of the point. It’s about feel, not features.

You’re not going to win many stoplight drag races, but if you’re here for the immersive, analog experience, this one’s a gem.

Highlights:

• Air-cooled parallel twin
  
• Clip-on bars, slim tank, and arrow-straight subframe—the look is nailed
  
• Arguably the most authentic ride on this list

2. Suzuki SV650X

Not quite as draped in nostalgia, the Suzuki SV650X still earns its spot with genuine riding fun and a pinch of café character.

The base SV650 is a classic in its own right—reliable, fun, V-twin torque, and surprisingly nimble. The “X” version gives it a retro twist with clip-on bars, a mini fairing, and tuck-and-roll seat, just enough to play in the café racer sandbox.

Let’s be real, it’s more sport commuter than retro heartthrob, but if you want something that looks a little special and gets your pulse racing in the corners, the SV650X delivers.

Highlights:

• 645cc V-twin with ~75 hp
  
• Good value and proven performance
  
• More ride than retro, but still worthy

3. Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Corsa

If you’re after something stylish, comfortable, and dripping with Italian character, the Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Corsa is calling your name.

It’s got that unique Guzzi setup—a transversely mounted 850cc V-twin, shaft drive, and a long, sculpted tank with solid shoulder lines. Already a beauty in standard trim, the Corsa edition goes all in with a silver-and-red paint job, racing saddle, and half-fairing.

Sure, it doesn’t come with clip-ons, but honestly, that might be a blessing for your back. It’s café racer style without the yoga-level flexibility requirements.

Highlights:

• Comfortable yet stylish—retro done right
  
• Limited edition touches add exclusivity
  
• Shaft drive for low-maintenance miles

4. Ducati Scrambler Nightshift

Yes, it’s called a “Scrambler,” but don’t let the name fool you—this is a café racer in disguise.

The Ducati Scrambler Nightshift ditches the off-road vibes and leans into the sleek, retro roadster look. Think spoked wheels, bar-end mirrors, flat bars, and a gorgeous brown tuck-and-roll seat.

It’s not pretending to be a ‘60s racebike—it’s doing its own thing with Italian flair and modern manners.

Highlights:

• 803cc L-twin engine
  
• Unique blend of scrambler and café styling
  
• Bar-end mirrors and clean lines = chef’s kiss

5. Triumph Speed Twin 1200

The Triumph Thruxton might be gone, but the Speed Twin 1200 is carrying the torch in its own upright way.

Built on the same fantastic platform as the Thruxton, the Speed Twin offers all the performance, but with a flatter bar setup for daily usability. Triumph now offers a few bolt-on parts—low bars, café seat, and seat cowl—that let you spec it into a pseudo-Thruxton.

No, it’s not the full race-tucked vibe, but it goes like stink and looks classy doing it.

Highlights:

• 1,200cc high-torque twin
  
• Tons of spec and style
  
• Can be customized into café form

6. Yamaha XSR900 GP

This one’s for those who like their café racer with a bit of ’80s flair and track-day performance.

The XSR900 GP is based on Yamaha’s stellar MT-09, meaning you get the ferocious CP3 triple engine and modern tech like ride modes, quickshifter, and adjustable suspension.

But the looks? They scream classic GP racer. Think half-fairing, chunky seat unit, and that red-and-white livery that feels ripped straight out of a Marlboro ad.

Fast, fun, and very, very cool.

Highlights:

• 117 hp triple-cylinder engine
  
• Retro racing looks with modern punch
  
• Optional accessories enhance the café vibe

7. Norton Commando 961 CR

Step into the premium league with the Norton Commando 961 Café Racer. This thing is British craftsmanship personified—beautiful welds, polished details, and a sense of occasion every time you swing a leg over.

It packs a 961cc parallel twin that sounds glorious and delivers a visceral ride, paired with top-shelf Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes.

Yes, it’s pricey. But it’s also hand-built motorcycle royalty, and that counts for a lot.

Highlights:

• Pure café racer stance and feel
  
• Clip-ons for that authentic riding position
  
• Limited production means exclusivity

8. BMW R 12 S

BMW’s new R 12 S is what you get when German precision meets café racer elegance. It’s the spiritual successor to the R nineT Racer, but with lessons learned—no aggressive clip-ons, just flat bars for more approachable ergonomics.

The boxer twin engine delivers signature grunt and smoothness, and the orange/silver paint scheme with red pinstripes oozes vintage cool.

It’s fast, refined, and absolutely gorgeous—but also very much a premium purchase.

Highlights:

• Retro racebike aesthetic
  
• Flat bars make it actually usable
  
• Beautiful paint and classic BMW charm

9. Honda Hawk 11

Topping the list not because of performance or looks (though it has both in spades), but because you probably can’t buy it.

The Honda Hawk 11 is a Japanese-market exclusive built around the Africa Twin’s 1,100cc parallel twin. It looks retro-futuristic, with a unique blend of smooth curves, aggressive fairing, and modern tech.

It has everything—solid chassis, good power, upside-down Showa forks, and radial brakes. But unless you live in Japan, it’s the unicorn of this list.

Highlights:

• Unique, bold styling
  
• Modern engine in a retro package
  
• Only available in Japan (for now…)

Which Café Racer Would You Pick?

Whether you’re into stripped-back classics like the Enfield, want something stylish and practical like the Guzzi, or have the cash for Norton or BMW craftsmanship, 2025 has some stunning café racer options.

This list is proof that retro never really goes out of style—it just gets faster, cleaner, and better built.

Let me know—which one would you ride off with?

And if café racers aren’t quite your thing, check out our list of the best retro scramblers next. Subscribe if you want more real talk on bikes that look good and go even better.

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