Getting back on the saddle after 25 years: Which bike should I go for?

I’ve test ridden the Honda H’ness CB350 & Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. I’ve also shortlisted the Triumph Street Twin & Speed Twin.

BHPian rajbas recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Dear Fellow Team-BHPians,

I have moved to Tiruvannamalai (tier-2 town) and my work requires me to spend 4-5 days in Bangalore every month. This has rekindled my interest in motorbikes where I get the opportunity to ride long distances and as an added benefit, it might (!) be easier to navigate at peak traffic.

My background

The last time I rode was 25 years ago and work took me in a different direction, a 100cc at that. The options were limited back then.

My requirements

• Commute in local traffic 3-4 days a week
• ~200km one way riding on highways either to Chennai or Bangalore
• Joining like-minded biking groups just to enjoy the ride (the bike must be fun not boring!)
• Because of the age factor and also personal preferences, I like classic/retro style bikes. I’m planning to get one that hopefully can last a lifetime.

I have narrowed my hunt down to the following:

• Honda Highness (Tried 350RS but felt more comfortable on Highness)
• RE Interceptor 650
• Triumph Street Twin
• Triumph Speed Twin

I’m yet to test drive the Triumphs since they are not available in Tiruvannamalai.

My questions

• Given my riding history and requirements, is it too difficult/risky to consider Triumph bikes (900 and 1200cc)? Weight is probably okay since I have ridden a borrowed RE Classic a long time ago.
• I see that Triumph services are reasonable and the maintenance window is quite adequate. Is heating a problem on city roads? Does de-cat always work? I see mixed reviews here.
• Is heating a problem with RE Interceptor? The last thing I need is a skin burn, Tiruvannamalai is typically in the mid-40s during summer.
• Any other motorcycle that I should seriously consider? Since I want one for the long term, I’d prefer the bike to be somewhat unique, not flashy but not so common on the roads either.

Your suggestions are much appreciated. TIA for your time.

Here’s what BHPian neil.jericho had to say about the matter:

You seem to have a pretty large budget but considering your motorcycling history, I would suggest that you don’t splurge all your money in one shot.

To me, there are 3 segments (just my categorization, based on your situation) that your options slot into:

• Beginner Friendly : Honda CB350 + Royal Enfield Meteor + Royal Enfield Himalayan + Honda CB300

These can manage the city traffic well and will not be frenetic on the highways. You will love these options. Which one connects with you the most, only you can say. Since you are coming back to riding after 25 years, this is ideally your best first step. You may outgrow these bikes in a few years. That’s fine. You can use the saved up money to buy another bike later on.

• All Rounders : Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 + Honda CB500X

The gentlemen bikes. They can do the city commute well. They can handle the highway rides very well, without feeling stressed. They effectively straddle the gap between the other two categories. Both bikes are keepers. Royal Enfield has the edge on the service network. The Interceptor might need some small upgrades to make it perfect for you, the CB500X most likely won’t. The Honda costs 2x the Royal Enfield but still is a very competent motorcycle. If you spend some time with it, you just might start to feel that the CB500X is worth its price. Honestly, with your background, you could buy either of them and be happy for the next few decades. Please test ride both before making any decision.

• Big Boys : Kawasaki 650s + Triumph twins + Any other big bike

These are excellent bikes but I don’t see them being a good fit for your use case. You might struggle with heat, heavy clutches etc in peak traffic. You won’t with say a Meteor or a CB500X. That said, they give you great performance on the highways. The lack of a service network can be a problem. If you pick a Triumph and you face an issue while you are in Bangalore, you cant realistically ride to Madras to get it checked. I would suggest that you avoid this segment for now. If you outgrow your beginner-friendly motorcycle or your all-rounder, then move up to this segment in 3 – 4 years. For now, it is quite possible that you buy one of these big boys, and 6 months later, you will look to get yourself a more friendly motorcycle, because these bikes make too much power and you need to build your skillset.

If you are the sorts that will enjoy highway rides, get an all-rounder. Keep a decent amount aside for riding gear. Get the usual motorcycle accessories. Happy shopping.

Here’s what BHPian IshaanIan had to say about the matter:

Folks like you are exactly why Kawasaki has extended its 650cc parallel-twin range so wide. Do check out the Z650RS. It looks retro for sure but rides much more like a modern bike ought to. I mean don’t you think you should be able to enjoy the progress we have made in 25 years apart from just tubeless radials?

Here’s what BHPian Bigzero had to say about the matter:

I believe these four options are at different budget levels. I have a RE Meteor 350, and the Honda Highness is quite similar to it in terms of experience, I guess – I would say probably the most user-friendly and pocket-friendly of the four options. My use case was somewhat similar, but I had kept a moderate budget. Quite happy with my Meteor. Back to riding after a gap of close to 20 years.

Of course, motorcycle buying decisions are never 100% logical – I would suggest, test riding all of them, asking your heart which one strikes a chord with you and will keep you happy, do a supporting analysis on features, reliability, performance, service etc – pros and cons, and still go with your heart unless there are any strong negative points that come up.

Here’s what BHPian shancz had to say about the matter:

Some heads ups:

• I wouldn’t recommend getting anything that has its service center beyond 50kms of your residence but in the end, it’s your call based on how the bike makes you feel.
• I have heard of issues with Triumph workshops, check our threads for the same. But if you have good reviews from owners about the one you’re buying from then it shouldn’t be an issue.
• Since the last you rode was 25 years ago and a 100cc machine I would recommend you to first TD the shortlisted bikes to get a better idea of your requirements. Like the Interceptor is an excellent proposition but issues with the footpeg placement and engine heat can make it uncomfortable in city traffic. Stuff like these can only be checked on a detailed test ride.

Based on your preferences I can suggest to TD the following:

• Classic 350
• H’ness
• CB300R

Keyword: Getting back on the saddle after 25 years: Which bike should I go for?