Thanks for allowing me to join. I have just passed my bike test, direct access, at the age of almost 62 and am looking at buying a new bike. The style of bike is a classic and the one that has caught my eye is the Street Twin. I have yet to ride one as the demonstrator was not ready for me this week. I tried a Royal Enfield Interceptor which was okay but not what I expected after reading up about how good they were. So looking for advice. Must have ABS as daughter is a Dr in A&E so not happy with getting one anyway, which all the Street Twins have. But reading up on 2015/6 models they appear to get some stick for the front brake being less than great and the 2019 models have a 4 pot caliper so suggests that may be correct. Riding will be just for fun so not looking at breaking records on speed but want safety as much as possible. Anyone have an opinion, will buy new if need be but being from Yorkshire if a low mileage earlier model will work out then happy to have used. Thanks in advance
Hi and welcome Jeff, Try as many as you can get the feel of the bike and get a good road test if possible for your acclaimed type of riding the bike of choice is fine, again try and you will find one that say's buy me
Welcome Jeff. Street twin is a great bike which i took out at the same time as a Speed twin. I normally ride a 765 RS so neither of them is typical for me. I liked them both but if buying either then i personally would go for the Street twin. It had a certain quirkiness and as you are a new rider will be plenty fast enough plus a low seat height to help with the confidence. Build quality and general engineering is a step up from the Royal Enfield in my opinion. RE have done well but I feel most compare to what they anticipated rather than against the competition; a bit of unconscious bias creeping in!
Hi Jeff and welcome to the forum Street Twin is a great ride. As mentioned, best to trial a few different bikes so you know you get the right one for you. I love TBirds, but my old ankles said no, so ended up buying a Bonneville Speedmaster 1200. Very happy. Best wishes on your test rides and securing a ride for the future.
Hi Jeff and welcome in As has already said try to test ride as many bikes as possible, and you will find the bike that "fits" you. Regarding the front brake concern, my opinion is much of the criticism of brakes come from people used to sports bikes that have exceptional braking (for good reason), so when they then ride a classic styled bike the brakes feel to them under-powered. I own a Bonneville with a single disk and a twin pot caliper which has recieved criticism from many, but for my riding style on the Bonneville it is perfectly adequate. My other bike has twin disks and calipers on the front and has incredible stopping power, but again I've read reviews criticising its braking performance.
OK youngster....... I pull maybe 4 yrs in rank on you but came back to two wheels when my kids reached their 30s. Rule 1. You always want the bike you don’t have. Rule 2. You invariably misjudge the actual use to which it will be put. Rule 3. Decide on a budget; very few of us are immune from our bank manager (especially the one we are married to.) Don’t overestimate the value of ABS. Invaluable in a straight line on wet roads but much less so trail braking into a corner too hard. The advantage of maturity is an awareness of your own limitations and riding within them.....therefore Provided you can manhandle and straddle the bike of your heart be guided as much by aesthetics as gadgets. The biggest issue between a new T100 and Speed Twin is spokes v alloys. Both have ABS. Alternatively look at cutting your teeth for £3-4K on an older aircooled model for 12 months and working out what you want longer term.
Jeff Oak. Well I can't tell you anything that the peeps haven't already said to you. You will know when the right partner comes along. And I would not worry to much about the earlier models the brake are ample. And if you wanted to go out there and race brakes are a simple upgrade for most riders. Do let us all know when you find the right machine. Happy New Year. Joe
Thanks for the replies so far. This is in preparation for retirement and until that happens riding will be once or twice a week. I have a Westfield which I also get to play with, then there is the Lotus Elan restoration project but work gets in the way. Learned to ride on a 600 Honda with no ABS but as I said my Daughter is a Dr in A&E so they both want all the rider aids, not sure how much that helps but a small thing for them. I am an advance driver so fully intend to do more training when I get one but need to be comfortable. Have tried sitting on a number of bikes but the more sat up position suits me. I like the lack of chrome on the Street twin, easier to keep clean as riding will be as and when. Hopefully it rides better than the RE Once again thanks for the advice and the welcome
Good morning Jeff and welcome aboard. Look around and try a few test rides, if you can. I feel sure you'll come up with a winner. Ride safe and enjoy!
Hi Jeff, I hope you find your perfect bike, once you have found it go out and get out and ride on you own to get used to it and if you ride with friends always remember to ride at your own pace, never try and keep up with a more experienced rider as you can quickly come unstuck. Ride safe and enjoy the bike, you will love the biking life.
Welcome from sunny California. I have a 2018 Street Twin (see mine below) and have been very happy with it. It is easy to ride, low seat height and with plenty of power. It will be great as a first bike. As far as the brakes are concerned my opinion is that the stock pads are fine for the type of bike it is, but I did install fully sintered brake pads front and rear anyway which provided some improved brake performance for low cost (just the pads). And I have had mine for 2 years and almost 7,000 miles and it has been flawless. Has run perfectly with no issues. You won't be disappointed with a Street Twin.
Hi there I wouldn't get too hung up about brakes as any modern built bike will have decent brakes. ABS is nice to have but will only be of use on the straight. I have a Thunderbird 1600 and, in my opinion, the brakes are excellent - although my other bike is a Kawa Z1300 so I'm comparing apples with oranges here Good luck and ride safe.
