Hipsterism - An observation

[Noobman]

Sooooo.....

Whats with all the "cafe bobbers/racers".....

Is it just me (maybe, probably, possibly), or is there a sudden surge (past year or so) of bearded/tatted, tight jeans rolled up at the ankles, "craft" dude bro bobbers/racers around ?

Maybe its just me.......

But seriously now, do motorcycle trends really exist ?

Enlighten or bash please

[MrAtom]

The way I see it, if a ****** UJM that poorly fits the definition of a cafe racer can get a craft-beer-drinking, Natural American Spirit-smoking, pretentious asshole hipster to become a backyard wrencher, it can't be all bad. A fellow motorcyclist is a fellow motorcyclist.

[Noobman]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

The way I see it, if a ****** UJM that poorly fits the definition of a cafe racer can get a craft-beer-drinking, Natural American Spirit-smoking, pretentious asshole hipster to become a backyard wrencher, it can't be all bad. A fellow motorcyclist is a fellow motorcyclist.

Haha, nice. I like that.

[JohnnyBravo]

Trends exist in all facets of life... Even bikes

[cadd]

Not sure about you guys up north, but in Brooklyn, NY....Honda CBs from the 70s are being sold for more than they were brand new.

This trend has been going on for quite a few years now. Maybe it's just slowly making its way up to you guys.

I mean really.....Brooklyn, NY probably have more hipsters than anywhere else in North America.

[cadd]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

The way I see it, if a ****** UJM that poorly fits the definition of a cafe racer can get a craft-beer-drinking, Natural American Spirit-smoking, pretentious asshole hipster to become a backyard wrencher, it can't be all bad. A fellow motorcyclist is a fellow motorcyclist.

No more PBRs? Back 10 years when this hipster crap started to take off, I remember seeing them drink PBRs.

["A"]

Just this past weekend in NYC and Philly:

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride 2015



Seems like a buncha hipsters to me.

[ForceofWill]

Dear God, they have a rally now...

["A"]

Originally Posted by ForceofWill

Dear God, they have a rally now...

They've been having them.. for years.

[michvin]

Originally Posted by ForceofWill

Dear God, they have a rally now...

DGR is a worldwide event. I read somewhere, that this year they raised over $1M for cancer research. Gotta respect that.

[adouglas]

Of course there are trends.

British cafe racer culture in the 60s

Sportbike fever in the 90s and 00s

The current infatuation with naked and ADV bikes

I won't count Harley culture because that's a thing unto itself

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Noobman

Sooooo.....

Whats with all the "cafe bobbers/racers".....

Is it just me (maybe, probably, possibly), or is there a sudden surge (past year or so) of bearded/tatted, tight jeans rolled up at the ankles, "craft" dude bro bobbers/racers around ?

Maybe its just me.......

But seriously now, do motorcycle trends really exist ?

Enlighten or bash please

Yes. Yes there is.

I see it as a "craze". Just like the Chopper Craze of a few years back.

This too will pass...

[thisisbenji]

At least these bikes are somewhat rideable, unlike the chopper thing.

As for old CBs being sold more than when they were new, that's probably not true. If you adjust for inflation I bet they're down from their new prices. Maybe some harder to find models might be higher, but I'd bet most are lower.

[VaFish]

How many threads are there around here taking old pregen's and turning them into café racers?

[spooph]

I love it! People are finally realizing that the sport bikes of today are just too fast, and the bikes are being disrespected by being ridden on the street. This is why I went to the 250 initially...

Been trying to make a cafe work for myself for a while now as well... I think they're wicked. I also think that the original movement in the 60's was absolutely crucial in setting us on track to get the amazing technology we have today.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

The way I see it, if a ****** UJM that poorly fits the definition of a cafe racer can get a craft-beer-drinking, Natural American Spirit-smoking, pretentious asshole hipster to become a backyard wrencher, it can't be all bad. A fellow motorcyclist is a fellow motorcyclist.

i used to smoke cigarettes a lot. american spirits are actually pretty nice. the raw tobacco and rolling your own is a very satisfying habbit all itself.

[JohnnyBravo]

Originally Posted by alex.s

i used to smoke cigarettes a lot. american spirits are actually pretty nice. the raw tobacco and rolling your own is a very satisfying habbit all itself.

When I smoke I smoke American Spirit!!! Taste better and don't have as much of that slow death feel in the after notes

[Racer x]

I see the same sort of folks that used to ride scooters riding motorcycles now. They have there style. Kinda a rockabilly fiftys thing.

Nice people in general. No real issues. I like the anti social aspect of there Social community. Motorheads in general so it seems all good. I like cafe racers a lot and am anti social so it works for me.

Smoking is better with out the poison from the filter.

[Panda]

Originally Posted by cadd

I mean really.....Brooklyn, NY probably have more hipsters than anywhere else in North America.

Sad but true. If not the absolute most definitely in the upper percentile for hipster density.

[dcj13]

I guess I'm completely out of touch. Maybe it's because I hang out in a less affluent part of town, but I don't think I've seen a hipster. No cafe racers here. PBR is considered an inferior product and goes for $2 a pint (regular price) at my favorite bar.

[250rr]

I live in Portland (Portlandia) and I have seen this trend develop over many years. Like 25 plus years. I live in the middle of SE Portland, and along with NE Portland it is Hipsterville Central. Good folks.

I like the hipsters on bikes and motorbikes far better than the hipsters in Prius'. Although the hipsters driving TDI VW's have moved up a notch or two on my subjective rating system.

[Noobman]

Originally Posted by "A"

Just this past weekend in NYC and Philly:

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride 2015



Seems like a buncha hipsters to me.

Oh, my, god.... (This is exactly what everyday downtown Toronto feels like, specifically south of bloor along queen st.) ugh..

Why am I cringing at this ??

(Props to the cancer research though)


...........

[jkv45]

I'm sorry but this "Cafe Racer" thing is silliness.

The open face helmets, fat tires, no fenders, taped headlights, number plates, numbers, no front brakes, B&W checkerboards, etc, etc...

Then there's "bobbing" a decent old bike. While not currently collectible, some of those old bikes may be at one point, and then they will be screaming " what idiot cut off the back half of the frame?".

Some Hipster, making a "Bobber", back in 2015...

[akima]

Hipsters are so annoying they make me wish we still had emos.

The two things that really piss me off about them is that they act like they don't care what people think, but they really care what people think... to the point where all of their outward expression is this completely contrived hipster persona. The other thing is that they think being different makes them cool... meanwhile they all look and act just like one another.

(side note: I love the look of cafe-racer style bikes! They're not for me though: I like the wind protection of fairings, the big petrol tank, more relaxed seating position and reliability of my 2fiddy)

[choneofakind]

I can't stand PBR. I do like classic style'd modern bikes though.

[akima]

What's "PBR"?

[choneofakind]

Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Nasty beer.

[VaFish]

Hipsters, posers in leather, wannabe racers on little sport bikes. ...... stop the hate and name calling.

We are all motorcycle riders.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Nasty beer.

that stuff is nastier than natty lite

[thisisbenji]

mmmmmmm..... cafe racer..... me want!



PS. PBR is delicious, it kicks the **** out of Busch Light or Milwaukees Best.

[choneofakind]

Busch is nasty too, I'll give you that. Can't stand the stuff.

[ninjamunky85]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Of course there are trends...

The current infatuation with naked and ADV bikes

I for one am happy about the rise in popularity of naked bikes in recent years. It took a while for them to catch on in the U.S., and I didn't used to be much of a fan of the style myself, but after owning one I see why people like the naked bike experience so much.

And even though I'm in love with my current bike I would definitely like to ride some of the other newer naked bikes out there (FZ-09, Street triple, 848 streetfighter, Tuono, etc). They all look like some really fun bikes to me. Plus naked bike = cheaper insurance

The ADV thing is interesting though. While I would like to be able to go on enough week or month long rides to justify owning one some of them are just getting out of hand. And the prices for the newest, bestest models are insane. It seems like it's mostly older guys that didn't want a Harley, but wanted something just as expensive, but couldn't take the riding position of a top of the line supersport. Then they just use it to ride around town

Also, IMO any bike can be an "adventure" bike.

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by ninjamunky85

Also, IMO any bike can be an "adventure" bike.

QFT

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by thisisbenji

mmmmmmm..... cafe racer..... me want!



PS. PBR is delicious, it kicks the **** out of Busch Light or Milwaukees Best.

PS. I never want to try those beers now


Actually on topic, I hugely support the hipster craze in riding. I love the style of bike and that they are all unique by design, it's also pretty cool that they're forced to learn how to work on their bikes by virtue of the bike choice

Originally Posted by choneofakind

QFT

there was someone who proved this to be true, who was it... skippi? or something like that

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by Sirref

there was someone who proved this to be true, who was it... skippi? or something like that

Yepp. That was the man, the myth, the legend... Mr @Skippii (who hasn't been active for some time, unfortunately, I hope he's doing alright.)

[thisisbenji]

A lot of the new bikes aimed at hipsters are actually pretty cool too! That new Ducati Scrambler is pretty damn sweet me thinks!

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

QFT

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Yepp. That was the man, the myth, the legend... Mr @Skippii (who hasn't been active for some time, unfortunately, I hope he's doing alright.)

if he's local to VA and is the same skippii that's on fb in the dc riders group then he's doing well and is riding a bike actually designed for the crazy **** he does

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by Sirref

if he's local to VA and is the same skippii that's on fb in the dc riders group then he's doing well and is riding a bike actually designed for the crazy **** he does

Dual sport finally?????? Speaking of off the beaten path and not caring about what people think of him, I miss having Skippii around.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Dual sport finally?????? Speaking of off the beaten path and not caring about what people think of him, I miss having Skippii around.

assuming I have the right skippii, don't think there are too many of them around though

[alex.s]

i drink sierra nevada pale ale. its my favorite not just because of taste. but because its also the cheapest beer here.