New Rider.....dumb Questions....

Cable adjusters take the slack out of the cable so you get maximum action but not so tight as to induce clutch slip (like riding the pedal in a car). The levers can also be adjusted for gape to better suit your hands.
There is little practical difference in the care regime between Matt and Gloss finishes. You just use the appropriate product after the same wash!
Brakes. These are not sports bikes so OEM brakes are ‘adequate’ rather than spectacular. Built down to a price rather than up to a specification. They can be upgraded with aftermarket discs and pads.
Simples.......

 

I had a matte black Daytona, the best cleaner” not soap and water “ is brake cleaner believe it or not

 

Only the weak brake cleaner, not the proper mechanics stuff, it WILL take your paint off.

 

I only used Halfords spray brake cleaner, it’s not corrosive, although I don’t know any that are. I had the bike three years and cleaned it every week, no paint was removed!
The bike is for sale at Jack Lilly Romford if anyone wants to inspect it

 

The stuff they use at my work will take paint off.Just saying.

 

No worries, the trouble with the mat paint even slight amounts of soap cause a shine, I’ve done it, whereas the brake cleaner evaporates as your removing the debris from your paint and I then rub over with a dry clean microfibre cloth. Job done

 

@Edbanger you really need some crap cheapie bikes under your belt as you probably won’t appreciate this one your after.
Having bikes is like being in a sweet shop. It’s not like car buying where common sense rules mostly but it’s an aura your trying to get and live. As your very new to bike riding do you really know it’s this type you want to ride? It’s a lot of money if your not happy with that sort of ride!

 

And like it or not most of us learned to ride on older bikes and youre probably going to have more than one "off" in the porocess of learning to ride and learning what we really want and can live with ......

That can get very expensive with a new bike.

 

I am minded to agree. You could do a lot worse than cut your teeth on a £3k 650 Versys for 12 months while you refine your thoughts and skills about what you truly want from your wheels.

 

I have a new 2018 Street Twin and love it. Looking at your basic questions, the stock bike works great. Breaks are fine, plenty of power and torque. And the lever adjusters are so you can adjust due to the size of your hand. I have small hands and set to maximum.Works great. I also like the larger wind screen and bags. The larger screen makes the ride effortless. See my ride below.

 

Hello and welcome to the forum Edbanger

 

Edbanger.
Welcome to the Family. I won't add to your question as it has been covered well by all the peeps here and explained very well.. Just take it easy till your choice of bike talks to you then you will be ready.
Regards
Joe.

 

Welcome aboard edbanger

 

Hi mate and welcome

 

Welcome to the forum

 

I also passed my test this year and I bought a Street Twin, I actually took delivery 7 weeks before I passed my test.

Whilst I have nothing other than the Susuki SV650 on which I done my training to compare the ST to I love the Street Twin, plenty fast enough for me, stops okay, looks awesome, turns heads. That said I rode a Street Scrambler and prefer the riding position.

There are some good deals to be had Jack Lilly Ashford had a couple new ST with over £1200 off, as you'll know an updated version is in the showrooms Feb (UK), given these are expected to be £500 or more more expensive, the deals could save you £1700-2000 over the cost of the updated version. Also if you like to tinker there are hundreds of accessories and mods you can do.

I've done a fair amount of mods, seat, indicators, mirrors, saddlebag, blacked-out, the three best are new tyres, new shocks, raised handlebars, next year new paint, de-cat.

Enjoy....

 

Some will disagree but having a newer bike with ABS brakes makes a world of difference the moment you have to have an emergency stop without having the experience under your belt.

Id rather you spend more for safety features with the possibility of downing that bike than have someone brand new to riding try to "remember" what to do in a situation like that.

Your bones and possibly life are worth more than the difference between a cheap learner bike and a more expensive learner bike equipped with ABS and Traction Control.

Once you get more time you can upgrade to more power if you want but don't let anyone dissuade you from Safety based technology and the cost of it.

 

You are a lot less likely to bin a Street Twin than say a Z650. They are as easy to ride as a pushbike. ABS is a lifesaver whether you are a new rider or an old lag and traction control will save you if you hit a slippery ford unexpectedly! (Speaks experience) There are also a million mods you can do to a Street to make it your bike and different to everyone else's. Only problem - riding modern classic Triumph - beard oil, open face helmet, lumberjacket - compulsory.

 

Perhaps we should ask Edbanger how he’s doing as the original post was last year