Fightin' In the Streets
FIGHTIN' IN THE STREETS
HARLEYS ARE STILL HOT and cruisers may be the coming thing, but in Europe a different breed of motorcycle is gaining ground fast.
They're called streetfighters, custom-built, performance-oriented machines with a minimum amount of bodywork and a maximum dose of cojones. England seems to be the hotbed of streetfighting action, and even has a monthly magazine devoted to the scene. Wheelies and smoky burn-outs are featured prominently.
“The idea is to go as fast as possible and to look as good as possible,” says Nik Samson, editor of Streetfighters. “Irresponsibility is quite good fun, actually.”
Suzuki GSX-Rs are the base bike of choice, but anything is fair game for the specials builders.
“The diversity is stunning,” Samson says, “everything from Spondon-framed turbo GSXRi lOOs to flat-black Z-i Kawasakis done up in the Mad Max style."
Streetfighter style is rubbing off on major bike-makers, too. Ducati's Monster 900 r goes that way, as does Buell's just.~ released Si I Lightning, though both would need se~ rious horsepower infusions to run with the best of the home-brew specials. Suzu ki's new Bandit 1200 may prove to be a good streetfighting starting - point, thanks to droves of hop-up parts already available for its GSX-R-based motor. 4! -David Edwards
