Some companies produce old-fashioned motorcycles using the same old-fashioned formulae. Others prefer following the other way and stylize rather modern machinery as an old-time classic. Of course both of these variants have been preserved in few numbers that's why each of them deserves attention. In this review I will tell you about several modern motorcycles, executed in a style of classic cafe-racers and even scramblers - these are Moto Guzzi V7 Cafå Classic and Triumph Thruxton.
Moto Guzzi V7 Cafå Classic
This motocycle can be called a tribute to legendary Moto Guzzi V7 Sport, produced from 1972 till 1974. It was the first one among serial sport motorcycles that was equipped with longitudinal V-twin. In that time its characteristics considerably exceeded a standard model. For example, the power of V7 Sport engine was 52 h.p. and the power of V7 Classic engine was 40 h.p. Nowadays these measures seem ridiculous, especially for motorcycles with cubic capacity of 750cm3. However if we examine characteristics of V7 Cafå Classic produced in 2009, it will come to mind that more then 30 years a technical progress gave Moto Guzzi a wide berth. 49 h.p. for this cafe-racer is a reason for mocking from competitors' side. But at the same time, 49 horse powers are also a way to plunge into the past and feel like a motorcyclist of 70s, especially when you have a motorcycle that looks just like its original from 1972. Even the color of this new product is chosen to be the same as a prototype of modern V7 Cafå Classic had - light green. The d?but of V7 Cafå Classic itself happened on the exhibition EICMA in 2008. But this event was paid little attention to from Media's side, because this motorcycle can be called "a new product" only with some amendments. This motorcycle is a full copy of model V7 Classic except some few changed details. A small power of an engine is compensated by high reliability and economy. V7 Cafå Classic is a two-seat motorcycle only conditionally. Of course there are special handles and footboards for a passenger, but we can only guess how quick this motorcycle will get rid of an unpleasant burden.
Triumph Thruxton.
In the production line of company Triumph there are 3 motorbikes that can be distinguished as "modern classic": Boneville in several modifications, Thruxton and Scrambler. So, let's speak about Thruxton. This motorcycle appeared in 2004. The basis if his creation was - already existing at that time Triumph Boneville 790. For a new motorcycle the "filling" of parallel "twin" was a little changed and cubic capacity increased to 865 cm3. At the same time the power increased from 61 to 70 h.p. and a torque - from 60nm at 3500 rpm to 72nm at 5750 rpm. So, initially calm and measured engine was changed to more powerful one.
To make Triumph Thruxton look more like caf?-racer not only in the engine character but also in the appearance, the company decided to choose an initial variant of a design. Looking this way this motorcycle existed till the end of 2007 and by 2008 it had undergone a light restyling and was equipped with a fuel injection system. While looking at this model, it becomes obvious, why the change of a fuel injection system from carburetor to injector was put aside for so long. Such changes could negatively influence the appearance of the motorbike. But the engineers have found an easy variant and made a fuel injection system look like usual carburetors, and that's why almost no one noticed the change. At first sight it looks just the same.
Decorative plastic cover of Triumph Thruxton looks very effective and makes the motorbike look like a single-sitter.