Is it going to age well? Probably…
if you stick with a good cleaning regime
So, one question I always ask myself is,
who is this for? Who are they targeting
with this model? Broadly speaking, I
believe its wide open – from returning
riders to hipsters to trendsetting
agency types and café racer crews –
regardless of gender. The seat height
is low, and at 22kg lighter than the
Thruxton, it bears serious consideration.
Did I mention that this is extraordinarily
nimble? Honestly, you could chuck
a set of knobblies on it and do the
gravel roads of the country if you
had a hankering. I did question the
single disc at the front but the four-
pot Brembo is up to the task, and
it never felt even close to being
underbraked, especially with the faithful
Nissin doing back up at the rear.
But is it a classic? I think so, yes.
Why? FEEL. It has brilliant FEEL.
Is it going to age well? Probably… if
you stick with a good cleaning regime.
Are you going to enjoy
yourself? Oh hell yes!
I started with mentioning the cohesion
and balance of this bike, that is simply
not in question, the boffins have worked
on this new iteration and come up with
exceptional engine upgrades and ride
development, and sometimes, rarely,
that development work has a spark of
magic in it. So it is with the Street Twin.
It is inviting, friendly, easy to ride,
engaging, powerful and understated.
It looks damn terrific, and welcomes
you back to the sheer joy of riding. It
deserves a place in your garage. And
it will find a place in your heart.
Yes, it’s that good.