Once again the discussion of "what is a streetfighter" has sprung-up on the web. It seems like this particular issue is never fully explained, and so, keeps bubbling up to the surface of discussion. People - particularly those here in the states - just can't quite settle on what makes a bike a streetfighter. In my opinion, this is a good thing because it means that the style and community around it is still maturing and hasn't reached the "cookie-cutter" phase. But what is a streetfighter? I will offer my opinion, and hopefully you guys can chime in with your opinions in the comments.

It is clear that streetfighters have certain characteristics that make them unique to other customized motorcycles. If they didn't they would just be called customs and not streetfighters. A true streetfighter has several basic characteristics, that the big manufacturers can't build (either because of cost or registration restrictions). I'll point-out those basic characteristics.

• The original donor bike is usually a sportbike
• A streamlined tail that is often raised-up in a more aggressive angle
• All fairings removed or heavily modified
• Clip-on bars replaced with dirtbike or drag bars
• Suspension and engine components are modified or replaced to increase performance and handling
• Exhaust system reduced for style and performance

So those are the basic characteristics of a streetfighter - pretty straightforward. However, like all custom motorcycles there is a wide range of variety and sub-styles which make for very different looks. The style also varies depending on where in the world you are. In Europe, where streetfighters got their start, the style has matured and developed to a level that is comparable to the chopper-level of customizing here in the states. In the US, however, the style is still in it's raw "garage-days" if you will. The US streetfighters tend to lean more towards the rat-bike streetfighter style, whereas the European streetfighters tend to lean more towards the chromed and candy streetfighter style.

I just mentioned a couple of the different sub-styles in streetfighters. Here's the list of sub-styles (as I see them) and their characteristics.

1. Stocker Streetfighter
   • This bike is custom, but the work is very clean and subtle
   • Looks like it could have come out of the factory as it is
   • You often don't appreciate the work that went into these until you see them in person and look up close
2. Rat-Bike Streetfighter
   • This bike is typically built on a very tight budget
   • Most work is done for functionality rather than looks
   • These fighters are almost always painted flat-black or covered with bedliner paint
3. Bobber Streetfighter
   • This bike goes for the "less-is-more" approach to styling
   • The tail and subframe are reduced so that there is only support of the seat and nothing else
   • These fighters often have a very short & stocky appearance
   • Typically, clip-ons are retained to keep the front-end and tail balanced visually
4. Chrome & Candy Streetfighter
   • This bike is fully customized from the ground up
   • Very little is anything is left in original stock condition
   • Lots of chromed or polished parts
   • Bright candy or metallic paint with detailed designs
   • Similar work done as American Choppers, but with streetfighter basic characteristics

Now, obviously, most streetfighters don't fit exactly into one sub-style or another; but rather have characteristics from several styles. Take my fighter as an example: It most certainly falls into the "Bobber Streetfighter" style, but it also shares characteristics of the "Chrome & Candy Streetfighter" style.

What isn't a streetfighter?

Motorcycle manufacturers will call certain models that they produce "streetfighters"; but right now - here in the states - you can't walk into a dealership and buy a streetfighter. That may change in the future, just as today you can go to a dealership and buy a pretty radical very custom-looking (though not custom) chopper. One day you'll probably be able to walk into a dealership and ride-out on a fairly radical fighter. Of all the "streetfighter" stock bikes, the closest are Ducati's Monster, Buell's Lightning, and Kawasaki's Z1000. There are some others, but those are the most common stock bikes that get the "streetfighter" tag applied to them.

Other bikes that people call streetfighters but aren't: stunt-bikes, and sportbikes that were dropped and had the plastic taken off because the owner couldn't afford to replace them. Stunt-bikes are bikes built specifically for performing stunts on. they are a close kindred to streetfighters, especially here in the states, but they are not the same. Also, just because you've taken the plastics off of your bike, and bought a dirtbike headlight and handlebars, that does not make your bike a streetfighter.

So what is your guys take on all of this? Do you have anything to add about what is and isn't a streetfighter?