Everything You Need to Know About Streetfighter Bikes

Inspired by the Japanese motorcycles of the 1970s and 1980s, streetfighter bikes initially gained acceptance among the youth in the UK and other parts of Europe and have maintained that interest to the present day, especially once formal streetfighter-style bikes began to be officially produced in the 1990s. True to its rugged moniker, streetfighters first emerged when the aerodynamic fairing on sport bikes was removed to give them a more aggressive appearance. By now, however, streetfighters are no longer made only by motorcycle hobbyists, and you can buy a streetfighter bike of your own on eBay from many reputable manufacturers.

Just what is meant by the term "streetfighter bike," and what makes a streetfighter different from a typical sport bike? Beyond the already-mentioned fact that streetfighters have little or no fairing, there are some other distinguishing characteristics by which you can pick them out. First, streetfighters usually have large, round, prominent headlights. They have tall, upright handlebars similar to those found on a motocross bike, and they also usually have short, loud, and lightweight silencers.

In the 1980s, before manufacturers began to create streetfighters for commercial use, motorcycle hobbyists would put great effort and skill into modifying sportbike frames to make those bikes into better racers and to make them more aesthetically appealing.

The first streetfighter bike, formally manufactured in 1994, was the Triumph Speed Triple. Motorcycles in this line are still being manufactured, and you can buy them on eBay. Other affordable streetfighter bike models that you're likely to see on eBay include:

Honda X11

Ducati Streetfighter

Models from the Honda CBR1000

Models from the Suzuki GSF or GSX series

Buell M2 Cyclone

Before you delve into the eBay listings to find the perfect streetfighter bike for you, here are a few things for you to keep in mind: