Here we cover Brat Style Motorcycles: Born in Japan but quickly spreading worldwide through the lens of custom builders who saw beauty in simplicity. These bikes strip away anything that isn’t absolutely necessary, creating a look that’s both minimal and somehow totally unmistakable.
The recipe? Take one classic bike (usually Japanese), lower it close to the ground and swap out that stepped seat for something long, flat and often wrapped in tuck-and-roll upholstery that wouldn’t look out of place in a ’50s diner. The handlebars usually get trimmed down or swapped for something wider and lower, while the fenders – if they survive the build at all – are cut down to their bare minimum.
What makes brat style so interesting is how it turns traditional custom bike rules on its head. Brat bikes hunker down and stretch out, creating a wonderfully low stance that looks both lazy and assertive.
These days, the style has evolved beyond its origins in Go Takamine’s Tokyo workshop, with builders worldwide adding their own touches while keeping that core DNA intact. Whether you’re into classic Yamaha SR400s or modern Triumph Bonnevilles, there’s a brat-style interpretation out there that might just change how you look at custom bikes.
Think of brat style as the rebellious offspring of café racers and bobbers.
