streetfighter bike question?

[BigChickenStrips]

specifically what is a street fighter bike? i hear a lot about "building a street fighter" but i cant figure out what that means? any help appreciated.

[earwig]

Street fighter is the term lent to a style of custom motorcycle which originally had fairings that have since been removed. In more recent years, the term has also come to be applied to motorcycles intentionally built (by the originating firm) without fairings, usually from the same engine/frame combination as a full-faired or partially-faired offering in their product line-up.

Generally Race Reps (Race Replicas), like GSXRs and CBRs that have been damaged in accidents or through hooliganism are the starting basis for a Street Fighter. The plastic fairings are expensive to replace, so many not having the interest or cash to do so opt to leave them off. Replacing damaged components with items from junkyards (or breakers), home made items or parts from other brands/models of motorcycles is also common. Very popular in the UK and Germany it has become a stylistic choice by some, supplanting the original design of the bike with an edgier, rawer look.

Others buy damaged motorcycles as they are cheaper and adopt the street fighter look. These motorcycles generally retain the high performance capabilities of the original design. In fact in the process of part replacement many owners have improved the performance.

Styling hallmarks frequently include: Double round headlights, extreme seating positions highly tilted rear ends (tails) and highly-tilted exhaust systems...

Ironically some examples are so highly customized as to exceed the cost of the original repairs. Chrome frames, expensive engine work and custom paint are also seen.

This transition from function over form to form over function mirrors the US chopper evolution.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_Fig ... otorcycle)

[kabob983]

It also refers to an old nintendo game that I played back when I was in...elementary school.

[BigChickenStrips]

Ryu vs. Ken


Fight!!!

(<---------- Hadduken! (sp?)

yea, i was young once

PS: thanks for the info on the style of bikes too!

[matthew5656]

Would a stock SV650S with no fairings be considered a steet fighter? Or would it need the modified rear end, exaust, and seating position to really be considered a "street fighter"?

[earwig]

read my post from wiki and you can figure it out

Would a stock SV650S with no fairings be considered a steet fighter? Or would it need the modified rear end, exaust, and seating position to really be considered a "street fighter"?

[jmillheiser]

building a streetfighter can be as simple as taking a "cosmetically challenged" sportbike and stripping all the fairings off and adding just enough bits to make it street legal again.