Hi everyone. I just completed my bike course and am now on the hunt for "the bike." The Triumph street scrambler turned my head but it felt a little tall and top heavy for me when I sat on it. Now I'm looking at the slightly smaller Street Twin but still have reservations about it. I had dirtbikes as a kid, quads as a 20 something and now ride a little vespa around the city. I love the classic look of the Triumphs but I'm worried its too much bike for my first time getting a "real motorcycle". The flip side, because of scarcity of offerings, I'l be left with some kind 250 something or other. Anything in the 350-600 is impossible to find here in a style I like. (Lots of cruisers and ninja type bikes.) I'd appreciate any advice on if I'm shooting too high with the street twin for a first bike. Its a big investment for me and I'm completely torn. Thanks!
Welcome to the forum. I only passed my test 3 years ago - on a Friday afternoon and bought a Bonneville T100 on the Sunday. Don't worry, the Bonneville or the Street Twin will make a great first bike - one of the best in my opinion.!
Welcome to the forum Manique. You wont go wrong with any of the Bonnies. (T120 may feel a bit heavy though after your Vespa) The Bonnie SE has smaller 17" wheels so reduces the feeling of 'top heavy'
Depending on budget an SE or Street Twin will be short enough in the stirrup for a lady learner. Within weeks you will wonder at your former trepidation. THAT is the time to just take it steady! Go girl!
Hi and welcome. I agree with many of the previous post; any of the bonnies will work out as a great first bike. I have a street twin and love it. Loads of after market accessories to make your bike your own. Wessa
Welcome Manique The Street Twin is a great bike. Take one for a test ride to see if it's the one for you. Gled.
I am a scooter rider as well owning vespa PXs a GTS and a Lambretta. I always loved the Triumph Boniville since the 70s and as you say they have a great retro look ( only spoilt by the Ali wheels on the street twin). Being in my mid fifties I thought I'd better get me that Triumph as my riding time is running out! I went to my local dealer who let me have a test ride for over two hours, the first thing I noticed was that it is lower than a Vespa GTS so instead of being on tip toes my feet sat flat on the floor. The transition of coming from a scooter to a bike was the feeling that it held the bends better rather than my 12" Vespa counterpart, the seating position took a bit of getting used to as at first it did make my hips hurt but this tends to go away after a few rides. The best advice I got from the lads on here was to buy second hand as I was going to go for new, I saved a massive £3000 by buying a year old one with all the accessories already fitted! In conclusion the transition from years of scooter riding to Triumph Street Twin was fairly simple it is a very forgiving machine. If you can ride a Vespa GTS at 85 mph then you will find a Triumph a pussy to ride. Only other thing is that I find it easier to filter on my scooter than on the Triumph........Go for it!
I am a scooter rider as well owning vespa PXs a GTS and a Lambretta. I always loved the Triumph Boniville since the 70s and as you say they have a great retro look ( only spoilt by the Ali wheels on the street twin). Being in my mid fifties I thought I'd better get me that Triumph as my riding time is running out! I went to my local dealer who let me have a test ride for over two hours, the first thing I noticed was that it is lower than a Vespa GTS so instead of being on tip toes my feet sat flat on the floor. The transition of coming from a scooter to a bike was the feeling that it held the bends better rather than my 12" Vespa counterpart, the seating position took a bit of getting used to as at first it did make my hips hurt but this tends to go away after a few rides. The best advice I got from the lads on here was to buy second hand as I was going to go for new, I saved a massive £3000 by buying a year old one with all the accessories already fitted! In conclusion the transition from years of scooter riding to Triumph Street Twin was fairly simple it is a very forgiving machine. If you can ride a Vespa GTS at 85 mph then you will find a Triumph a pussy to ride. Only other thing is that I find it easier to filter on my scooter than on the Triumph........Go for it!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182726264764?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 Buy this one.
Hi Manique and welcome. I hadn't been on a bike for the best part of thirty years when I bought my T100 this year. Lovely bike and a pleasure to ride.
Hi Manique, Well done on completing your course and welcome to the Newbies hangout. I passed my test in late November 2016, but ordered my T120 in the October before I had test rode it because the waiting list was getting silly but my local dealer said they would transfer the deposit if I did not want the T120 once I had a licence and had test ridden the entire Triumph range over the course of a day. I passed my test and rode the T100, T120, etc and found that the T100 was a bit quicker round corners, a bit lighter and therefore easier to ride so I went to the online configuration and started to spec out a T100. When you put heated grips, centre stand, onto a T100 to bring it up to the T120 spec it costs around the same and you don't have a sixth gear, etc so I went for the T120. I have never regretted that decision and have grown into my bike rather than out of one which was good for me at the immediate date of purchase. Neither is a street twin which like all Triumphs is no doubt an excellent bike, but my advice would be ride as many as possible and pick the model which you won't outgrow too quickly as a rider. Hope you get your dream bike. Cheers Rob
Welcome Manique. I've been riding for a good few years and have a Street Twin along with a Tiger 800, an 865efi SE, and two Sprints. The Street Twin is a very friendly bike to ride. I virtually only ever ride the St.Twin. It's such a hoot. I'm off to Scotland on it for a 2,000 mile round trip this week, rather than on the Tiger, so go figure.
Well today was the day. After 3 full hours of sitting on bikes and driving the lovely sales gent crazy with negotiations, I bought the street twin. It's the right bike for me. I feel comfortable on it size and weight wise but I still feel like I'm getting enough bike. I bring it home tomorrow and can't wait. Thanks again for all the help and reassurance!
Good man! Don't ever worry about 'driving lovely sales gents crazy' most of them would gladly rip you off to up their commision. Always go for the best deal you can get. Enjoy your new bike and keep safe.
Great choice of bike. I went out on my street twin today having been riding my thunderbird for the last few days; I'd forgot how much fun it is.... I'm sure you will love it once you have it home and ready for riding. Wessa