Cafe racers are a distinct and trendy style of bike, though now admittedly the Café Racer market isn’t as large as it was a couple of years ago, with general classic naked bikes and scramblers seemingly more popular currently for those looking for a vintage-styled bike.
In this blog, I will be running down my top five A2 café racer options for you, though admittedly where some might be close to the Café Racer look, others might need some imagination/modifications to get there!
Let's get into it...
5. Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 | Price: £5,599
2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401
Starting off the list we have the Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, an ultra-modern bad boy - with the Swedish heritage shining through the hench bodywork and solid styling.
Translating to the ‘white arrow’, the Vitpilen 401 comes with some pretty neat features such as a slipper clutch, Bosch ABS, WP suspension, radial brakes, and Metzeler M5 tyres. On top of that, this bike also comes with an A2-friendly 399cc (44hp) liquid-cooled engine.
In terms of styling, you will find a combination of modern and classic elements such as bronze engine covers, higher roadster-style handlebars, circular LED headlights, and aluminium filler caps. However, you pair that with some modifications, and the Vitpilen can easily be modified to be an ultra modern-day café racer.
For 2025, a brand new Vitpilen will cost you £5,599, making this one of the most affordable offerings on the UK bike market today - saving you a few extra pennies to spend on its cafe racer transformation!
2025 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Ultra-modern design
- Budget Price
Cons:
- Not the biggest bike
4. Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 | Price: £6,239
2025 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650
Up next we have the Royal Enfield Continental GT…
The Continental has been a longstanding model within the Royal Enfield lineup, alongside its brother, the Interceptor. These bikes both feature the 648cc twin-cylinder engine, which produces 47 horsepower at 7,150rpm and a maximum of 52 Nm of torque at 5,250rpm.
Is it the most powerful offering on this list? Absolutely not but it fits at the top of the A2 limit which make it great for this list. This bike screams old-school, coming equipped with clip-on handlebars, chrome detailing, a range of colourways, and a retro clock and fuel gauge all add to the unmistakable cafe racer silhouette that riders know and love.
All in all, the £6,239 Continental has a complete sense of classic authenticity running through its veins. Pair that with the numerous neat modern tech (such as Bosch ABS) and you have yourself a beautifully modern cafe racer.
2025 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Proper Café Racer Styling
- Price
Cons:
- More basic offering
3. Triumph Scrambler 900 | Price: £9,795
2025 Triumph Scrambler 900
In third, we have the Triumph Scrambler 900 though to be fair you could definitely use the Speed-Twin 900 as well, as admittedly this is one offering that will definitely need optional extras or modifying to get that true Café Racer look, as it doesn’t come as standard.
Packing a 900cc parallel twin engine, the Scrambler 900 does not come as an A2-compliant bike straight out of the factory so you will need an additional restrictor kit. However, once you get your full licence this can be removed and you have a more than well-equipped big bike.
Onto tech and you will find Ride by Wire Throttle, switchable ABS, an LCD multi-functional display with a speedometer, cartridge forks, and an immobiliser all as standard. It by no means is the most ‘techy’ on our list today, however, it is a dialled-back scrambler that sports that classic 1960s vibe you just can’t beat - plus just look at that exhaust.
For 2025, the Scrambler 900 starts from £9,795 and can be purchased in six different colourways, with the Stealth Edition Sapphire Orange being one of my favourites.
2025 Triumph Scrambler 900 Pros and Cons
Pros:
- It’s a Triumph!
- Great engine and handling
Cons:
- Would need modifying
2. BMW R12 nineT | Price: £ 14,420
2025 BMW R12 nineT
In at number two, we have the stunning BMW R12 nineT.
Without restriction the R12 nineT packs a 1,170 cc air/oil-cooled two-cylinder, four-stroke boxer engine that is capable of producing 95hp. However, with the reduced power to meet A2 limimts, the nineT produces a maximum of 48hp at 5,250rpm.
In terms of tech, you will find three riding modes, fully adjustable suspension, ABS pro, Dynamic Traction Control, as well as (and arguably one of my favourite bits) the all-new exhaust system - all as standard.
Again, as we’ve seen with a few of the other models, the nineT doesn’t come straight out of the box as a true cafe racer, but it most definitely has the foundations. You pop a few nifty modifications on this bad boy and you will have yourself a bike that will see you through both your A2 and full licence!
2025 BMW R12 nineT Pros and Cons
Pros:
- A great option to unrestrict when full licence entitlement
- Boxer engine
Cons:
- Top end price
1. Suzuki SV650X | Price: £7,999
2025 Suzuki SV650X
Our number one A2 cafe racer for 2025 has got to be the Suzuki SV650X.
The SV650X puts a spin on the popular SV650 naked motorcycle, adding a few rather cool cafe racer-esque styling elements. These can be seen in the narrow tuck and roll seat, clip-on handlebars, and the side panel design.
Under the hood, you will find a rather nippy 645cc liquid-cooled, 90-degree V-Twin engine, pumping out 72hp and 64Nm of torque. Again, this is a bike that will need an addition of a restrictor to allow the bike to become A2 compliant, however, once you’ve passed your test you can also use this bike on a full licence (win-win!).
So, if you are looking for a neat-looking Suzuki SV650X for the new year, you will be able to pick one up for £7,999.
2025 Suzuki SV650X Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Great all around option
- Literally a modern café racer
Cons:
- Some might prefer a more old school look
The Last Stop!
So there you have it, I hope you enjoyed my rundown of the top 5 best cafe racers, suitable for an A2 licence.
On the other hand, if you do have your full licence and are looking to get a bike with a little more bite, then why not check out our Top 10 Cafe Racers article?
Last but not least, if you already have an A2 cafe racer or are thinking about purchasing one, make sure to get a motorcycle insurance quote direct with Lexham!
