What is the difference between a Cafe Racer motorcycle and a Brastyle?

Source: Return of Cafe Racers & Pipeburn

Opposition of two YAMAHA SR400

The differences between these two motorcycle styles can be hard to pinpoint, so that's what we're going to solve in this article.

First, we will define these 2 types of motorcycle and then the differences.

Cafe Racer Motorcycle

According to legend, the cafe racer motorcycle comes from the subculture of "rockers" in the 60s.

Due to the lack of sporty and affordable motorcycles, bikers started building their own racing bikes to ride from cafe to cafe.

A cafe racer motorcycle is a stripped down , streamlined version of a standard motorcycle. The goal is to make driving more sporty, a neo retro motorcycle.

Let's take the SR400 presented in cafe racer and bratstyle at the beginning of the article.

The basic changes are:

• Disassembly of non-essential elements (removal of unnecessary parts such as mudguards, plastics, excessively large fairings, etc.)
• Installation of a race bike style aerodynamic fork crown.
• Installation of bracelet or clubman handlebars for a low riding position like on a sports car.
• Change of saddle for a short, single-seater model with a hood .
• Performance upgrades like horn air filters , sports exhaust and more for the less timid.
• Rear controls (footrests) for a position in line with the handlebars. A sporty position.
• Opt for harder and/or shorter suspensions .

Here is the result on an SR400 prepared the old-fashioned way by Orange Boulevard :

Bratstyle

The term "bratstyle" comes from Japan; a workshop in Tokyo is simply called Brat Style .

They had a typical way of customizing motorcycles. This style was copied around the world and the motorcycles were called " bratstyle " or " brats ".

Our example SR400 and the modifications to be made:

The bike is stripped down and lowered with a "cool" riding position.

The basic changes are:

• Disassembly of non-essential elements (removal of unnecessary parts such as mudguards, plastics, excessively large fairings, etc.)
• Installation of a wide flat handlebar .
• Change of saddle for a thin and flat saddle (or raised at the back).
• Bigger tires.
• Exhausts are often replaced by cones.
• Opt for shorter suspensions .

The driving position is "cast", no sporting pretension.

Differences between cafe racers and bratstyles.

1. Driving position

The biggest difference is in the riding position .

On a motorcycle cafe racer , you will have a sportier riding position. The word "Racer" takes on its full meaning. It's cafe racer style.

The bratstyle is the cool motorcycle, to chill .

2. The spirit related to the type of customization

Even though a motorcycle cafe racer can be driven cool and a bratstyle whipped into collars, these preparations are predestined by their characteristics and images they reflect.

The café racer could be suitable for the sports enthusiast motorcyclist who has calmed down and wishes to personalize his motorcycle.

Source: gumzcustommotorcycle

The cafe racer motorcycle is reminiscent of racing, speed and knees scraping the ground when cornering.

With this driving position, it makes you want to put the handle in the corner and attack.

SR400 from Garage9, photo by Jean-Jacques Marchand, source: unpneudanslatombe

The bratstyle may be the preparation adopted by a former roadster owner. It makes you want to stroll, beautiful landscapes and wisdom.

3. Parts used

At the level of the basic elements of the modifications, the parts used are different.

At the level of the basic elements of the modifications, the parts used are different.

4. Eras

Bratstyle is a more contemporary style of motorcycle customization, which began in the 2000s in Japan.

The Cafe Racer is much older, originating in England (1960s), it has undergone several evolutions, several currents and fashions until today.

5. Regions

The cafe racer and the bratstyle is a bit UK/EUROPE VS JAPAN .

These 2 types of preparation come from two different cultures, with different inspirations and goals.

Today, with social networks, these barriers have disappeared and the impact on style is no longer so important.

6. Notoriety

Faced with the cafe racer motorcycle , the bratstyle is little known. It is a variant of preparation still little present and exploited in comparison with the cafe racer.

Most bikers are familiar with cafe racers and know what it is.

Learn more about cafe racers and bratstyles:

You can see the difference in style more precisely here by reading our articles dedicated to its subjects:

Cafe Racer Motorcycle

Bratstyle

In conclusion :

We have seen in detail the characteristic elements of cafe racers and bratstyles.

We can now clearly state that these 2 types are different and not the same origins and vocations.

However, they have their qualities, their charms that everyone will appreciate according to their tastes .

And for the polyamorous, there is the bratcafé crossover to satisfy them.