Café Racer Motorcycle Insurance

A curious name for a category of motorbikes, the café racer is a machine that’s been customised to achieve better speed and handling than mass-produced vehicles from major manufacturers. Café racers focus on quick rides over short distances, a style that began with 1960s British riders racing between cafés, most famously at London’s Ace Café.

To learn about the history of a Café racer bike, read our guide.

We look to arrange motorbike insurance for riders of café racer-style bikes, whether factory-built or appropriately registered classic and modified machines from our panel of carefully selected insurers.

For an extra cost, you can enhance your cover with optional extras, allowing you to build a policy around your riding habits and personal requirements. The extras and their cost may vary depending on the type of motorcycle owned, rider profile, and insurer. Please note the optional extras are not customisable; riders may choose to include them within their policy or not.

Factors such as the motorcycle’s age, value, modifications, and intended use may all influence the quotation offered. Aim to have these details ready when you get in touch with our team.

Your Café Racer Policy Features

Devitt can provide café racer insurance cover through our panel of insurers, with the following main levels of cover for riders to choose from:

Third-party only (TPO): the minimum level of motorcycle insurance legally required to ride on UK roads. Third-party insurance offers cover for damage or injury caused to other road users, their vehicles and their property.

Third-party, fire, and theft (TPFT): builds on third-party only insurance and can offer cover if your bike is stolen or damaged by fire, but it may not cover accidental damage to your own motorcycle. It is considered a middle-ground option for riders seeking broader protection without committing to the Comprehensive policy level.

Comprehensive: the highest level of cover available for motorcycles and builds on the cover offered under third-party and third-party fire and theft policies but can also offer increased protection for you and your motorcycle. It covers you and your motorcycle in the event of an accident, subject to policy terms, and may also cover the damage costs to a third-party and their vehicle.

Optional extras to enhance the cover and policy features vary and may include:

Agreed value options for eligible café racers, typically bikes over 30 years old or those with significant modifications.
Optional extras to enhance the cover.
Multi-bike cover, if you own more than one motorcycle.

If your café racer has been heavily modified or built into café racer style from another base bike, it may be placed on a different scheme to reflect the changes. Contact us to discuss your modifications and cover available.

These are brief product descriptions only. Please refer to the policy documentation, paying particular attention to the terms and conditions, exclusions, warranties, subjectivities, excesses, and any endorsements.

*Agreed Value cover is available for eligible café racers only, typically bikes over 30 years old or with significant modifications. Contact us to confirm eligibility for your bike.

^**Up to 90 days of EU cover is included in all our motorcycle policies. Please see your policy documents for full details.

Types of Café Racer Motorcycles We Insure

The term ‘café racer’ covers a broad range of motorcycles, from factory-built models to custom conversions. Devitt typically provides café racer insurance for:

Factory-built café racer models.
Modern retro motorcycles with café racer styling.
Classic café racers.
Custom-built café racers, subject to underwriting and modifications.
Restored motorcycles.

Eligibility and cover may depend on the motorcycle’s specifications and any modifications declared. Factory-standard café racers are usually covered under a standard motorcycle policy, while heavily modified or custom-built café racers, particularly those over 30 years old, may be eligible for Agreed Value cover on a different scheme. Contact us to learn more about covers available for your bike.

What Factors Can Affect Premiums for Café Racer Insurance?

Café racer insurance premiums in the UK are calculated using several factors, as opposed to assessing the motorcycle alone. These factors may include:

Rider age and experience.
Motorcycle value.
Engine size.
Where the motorcycle is stored overnight.
Annual mileage.
Riding history and claims record.
Security measures.

Café Racer Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Please note that these Frequently Asked Questions are not a substitute for the policy wording. For full terms and conditions, please see the policy documentation. Please note that these Frequently Asked Questions are not a substitute for the policy wording. For full terms and conditions please see the policy documentation.

What Bikes Are Classed as Café Racers?

Examples of classic café racers include the Triton, which combined the Norton Featherbed frame with the Triumph Bonneville engine, and the Tribsa, which paired the Triumph engine with a BSA (Birmingham Small Arms Company) frame.

The Royal Enfield Continental GT is a modern café racer-inspired motorcycle, with Royal Enfield describing the model as drawing on café racer culture and classic GT styling.

Can You Insure a Modified Café Racer?

Yes, many modified café racers can be insured, provided you declare the modifications, and the insurer accepts them. Undeclared modifications may affect your cover, meaning it’s in your interest to let us know of changes to your bike upon receiving a quote.

Can I Insure A Custom-Built Café Racer?

Yes, though your eligibility depends on the motorcycle and the insurer’s underwriting criteria. For further assistance, contact our team to discuss your bike’s build.

Can I Transfer My Motorcycle Insurance To A New Bike?

Yes, it’s possible to transfer motorcycle insurance to a different bike mid-term, if needed. Please be aware that it isn’t possible to transfer insurance between riders. For further assistance in transferring your motorcycle insurance, contact our team, as extra costs may be incurred.