Sighted: Does a ‘Streetfighter’ Have to Cost $13,000?

11 years, 11 months ago - 14 January 2013, Wall Street Journal

Several years ago motorcycle makers began peeling the smooth, aerodynamic plastic bodywork from their most powerful sport models and pitching them as naked bikes or streetfighters. The new styling, or the lack of it, exposed engines, frames, plumbing and wiring, and had a certain appeal.

It also harked back to the 1980s, when “streetfighter” meant a hot bike that had been crashed or “dropped” a few times. It was the era of Kawasaki Ninjas, Suzuki GSX-Rs and Honda Hurricanes that had more speed than their chassis, tires — and especially their riders — could handle.

With every spill the bikes lost body parts until only the essentials were left.

Today I came across this battered soldier while walking on West 54th Street in Manhattan. It is the most trashed motorcycle I have seen in years that still appears to be ridden daily. Its front fairing, windshield and nearly every other body panel is missing, seemingly ripped off by force. Even the tail piece that fits behind the seat is gone.

Still, this bike is an urban classic that in some ways captures the spirit of past streetfighters better than the new Honda, Truimph and Ducati models specifically designed to do so.