Street Triple or Speed Triple - that's the question [Archive]

AllanC

24th July 2012, 20:32

So, I was given a Suzuki GSR750 the other day as a loaner while my Speedmaster was in for a service and new tyres and had a ball on it. So much so that I've decided I'm more of a street bike kinda guy than a cruiser kinda guy so started looking around and thinking about my next bike (as ya do).

I then took a Speed Triple for a test and absolutely loved it, what a beautiful machine. Only trouble was that, not being a big guy (only 5'8" in the old language), my legs were at a bit of a stretch at standing so I couldn't get my feet flat on the ground. I tried, but haven't yet ridden, a Street Triple and it was pretty much a perfect fit. I know I need to ride it but I'm thinking I might have more fun throwing a Street Triple around cause it's that little bit smaller and possibly more nimble than the Speed Triple but I'm also worried that after a few months with the Street, I might wish I'd got the Speed!

A dilemma, I'd appreciate any thoughts y'all might have as to why you would buy one over the other (mind you, the GSR750 was kinda fun too and a lot cheaper........)?

Subike

24th July 2012, 20:43

street tripple
you will never regret it

Devil

24th July 2012, 20:47

The Street Triple is one of the most fun bikes ever built. Buy one, now. Fit pipes. Wet pants.

Geeen

24th July 2012, 20:50

Gremlin

24th July 2012, 20:55

If your background is cruisers, the Street is probably plenty. Just because it's a smaller capacity doesn't mean it's going to be boring... it's far from boring...

skippa1

24th July 2012, 21:01

I went speedy (I'm only 5'7")and LOVED it. Saddest day of my life when I wrote it off..............:weep: PM me if you want more info

AllanC

24th July 2012, 21:07

I went for the Speed for a couple of reasons, 1) GRUNT, 2) I'm not a fan of dancing through the gearbox to make forward progress 3) Easier to chuck the better half on the back and still have heaps of poke and like you I rode one and had to have one. From my understanding the Street is more revvy and nimble but the Speed has the grunt and will happily cruise at 50 or 100 comfortably without begging to burn your license.

I could still get the other half on the back of a Street tho right? Kinda felt like the Speed could easily take my license but it also felt like a bike I could ride lazy on as well (all that torque, mountains of it).

AllanC

24th July 2012, 21:08

I went speedy (I'm only 5'7")and LOVED it. Saddest day of my life when I wrote it off..............:weep: PM me if you want more info

And it was okay not being able to flat foot it?

Batcerb

24th July 2012, 21:09

Street +1

More fun out of the box. Have had both, I went from the 675 to the 1050 because I was doing alot more 2up riding.

AllanC

24th July 2012, 21:10

If your background is cruisers, the Street is probably plenty. Just because it's a smaller capacity doesn't mean it's going to be boring... it's far from boring...

Didn't think so much that it'd be boring, was just worried that once I got used to it, I might want more. Mind you, have hardly seen any used ones for sale so those that have bought them have certainly held on to them I guess.

AllanC

24th July 2012, 21:14

Street +1

More fun out of the box. Have had both, I went from the 675 to the 1050 because I was doing alot more 2up riding.

So how was the Street with occasional short haul 2 up stuff?

Gremlin

24th July 2012, 21:15

Didn't think so much that it'd be boring, was just worried that once I got used to it, I might want more.
Pretty much why I put the caveat about cruiser. I don't know how you like riding, style of riding etc. If you constantly want to sit on the back wheel, or slide around or speed, then sure, the Speed. Otherwise the Street will still easily exceed the speed limit if you want it to, but won't bite quite so hard and your tyres might even last longer ;)

Personally, I found the suspension and handling lacking on a Speed (didn't ride the Street as I was coming from a litre bike) but it was back in 2008. The engine was a real peach tho.

John_H

24th July 2012, 21:22

I've ridden both back to back and the street was great, not much difference in power, but it was the way the power was delivered that made the Speed so much better to ride. l love mine and would recommend it. The street is cheaper though but much more common.

skippa1

24th July 2012, 21:23

And it was okay not being able to flat foot it?

yeah good as. At 5'7" you get that on most bikes. They are two different bikes aye. The Street is a quick bike, believe me....I rode hard against one in some twisty stuff and he was quicker in the corners, only just, and I hauled him back when it got straighter. It was down to how much gear changing you had to do etc. The 1050 has a lot more torque so there is less gear changing gear to keep speed on. My call would be that if you are buying to do one up day trips with a bit of caning, I would go street if you are going to do it two up or do longer hauls, get the speedy.

AllanC

24th July 2012, 21:25

. Otherwise the Street will still easily exceed the speed limit if you want it to, but won't bite quite so hard and your tyres might even last longer ;)

That's what I was thinking. Suppose I better go and ride one and find out:)

Stirts

25th July 2012, 08:32

I then took a Speed Triple for a test and absolutely loved it, what a beautiful machine. Only trouble was that, not being a big guy (only 5'8" in the old language), my legs were at a bit of a stretch at standing so I couldn't get my feet flat on the ground.

What year Speedy did you test?
I am 5'3" and weigh ... well a woman always lies so no point in going there! I had my Speedy lowered 40mm and am now on my tippie-toes. No real issues apart from parking - but I just get off my bike and walk it back... I don't give a shit if I don't look cool, rather that than drop my baby. So you can put scratch that "con" off your list :banana:

I went for the Speed for a couple of reasons, 1) GRUNT, 2) I'm not a fan of dancing through the gearbox to make forward progress 3) Easier to chuck the better half on the back and still have heaps of poke and like you I rode one and had to have one. From my understanding the Street is more revvy and nimble but the Speed has the grunt and will happily cruise at 50 or 100 comfortably without begging to burn your license.

+1 on that! And we can't forget the beastiness of the Speedy looks :drool:

As for losing your licence... you can just about do that on any bike, so scratch that "con" off your list too.

Blackbird

25th July 2012, 08:43

I'm only 5'8"and went to a Street Triple after owning a taller and heavier Blackbird after 8 years.

My comparison between the two is here: http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/2010/01/street-triple-vs-blackbird-some.html and the extended Street Triple evaluation is here: http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/2010/08/triumph-street-triple-review-revisited.html.

Hope that gives you a factual view of owning one, especially coming from a bigger capacity, faster bike.

Cheers,

Geoff

AllanC

25th July 2012, 08:49

What year Speedy did you test?

It was a new (well, demo) 2012. Quickly crossing off all the cons.....

Usarka

25th July 2012, 08:51

I test rode both of these a couple of years back.

I loved riding the street so much that I gave the keys back and told them to stick it up their arse. Why, because i was riding it like a eplieptic on meth at rave party because it was so much fun and I didn't trust myself on it. Wheelies, scraping pegs, slaloming through traffic all felt too easy and soo much fun.

Street was also a bit low geared for longer distances and/or higher speeds.

Tigadee

25th July 2012, 09:08

Any thoughts about the older Trident?

AllanC

25th July 2012, 09:21

Hope that gives you a factual view of owning one, especially coming from a bigger capacity, faster bike.

Great reading! Thanks for that

Blackbird

25th July 2012, 09:33

Great reading! Thanks for that

No worries, I still love it to bits after 2 1/2 years of ownership. I tour on it and regularly commute from Coromandel to Auckland - does everything just fine. The only minor issue I had was that both mirror stalks developed small rust bubbles. These were replaced under warranty and no problems since then. If you do decide to go down that route, a radiator guard, rear hugger and better headlight bulbs are strongly recommended. I bought mine from Heath Boddie at the Hamilton Motorcycle Centre. Can't speak highly enough of the team down there. More like old friends than a business relationship.

HenryDorsetCase

25th July 2012, 10:00

A street triple is any amount quick enough for a road bike, has a comfortable riding position, is superbly versatile, and I anticipate will be a load of fun on a track day. I am very happy with mine and can't see another bike I would rather have in that niche. I also rode a Speed Triple (the one with ABS) and I loved it: what put me off was the fact that I thought my licence would last about quarter of an hour. I LOVED that motor though.

Having said that, the motor in the ST-R is an absolute gem as well: it has bags of torque and you can happily ride it under 5000 rpm anywehere. But its got that zazzy top end, plus shift lights. Shift lights are fucking cool.

I am shorter than you (5 ft 4) and every bike I have ever had has been "Too tall" for me. The Speed Trip has a famously high seat: I could have lived with it. The Street is a bit shorter, but not much. I always knew I was going to put an Ohlins on it, and Robert built my shock a little bit shorter, dropping the rear a bit. I also dropped the forks thru the yokes (have KSS fettled forks too) to 10mm from 4mm stock. Not that that made much discernible difference.

Oh yeah, I bought a complete set of tinware last week: tank, front guard and rear plastic panels. Current plan involves a custom paint job when I can afford it. I LOVE that purple the new Street comes in, (but not somuch the bugeye headlights) so that might be the go.

Anyway, from a ST-R owner: Get a Street Triple. Or a Speed Triple. You wont go wrong with either.

manxkiwi

25th July 2012, 11:05

If you get the Street and want the Arrow titanium pipes, PM me I have a set for sale.

There was a comment about not seeing many second hand for sale. Wasn't sure if the poster meant the Speed or the Street. But there are quite a number of Streets on TM at the mo.

Good luck with your decision anyway, you can't go wrong either way.

pritch

25th July 2012, 19:52

I have a speed triple, it is tall but that bothers me only when maneuvering on rough ground.
The triple lump is great and the Street 3 is on my short list when replacement is due.

davebullet

25th July 2012, 20:31

I'm 6'10" so found the street a little small.

Ooops - I'm actually 5'10" and the speedy is perfect. street was ok for fit too.

Street is more flickable, but speedy feels more planted ('coz it's a bit heavier). I'd be happy with either, but I do love the pull from nothing grunt factor of speedy...

.....and single sided swingarms are the dogs danglies. (on the practical side - chain adjustment is easy and you never have to worry about wheel alignment).

Tigadee

25th July 2012, 23:50

Nobody liked the Trident?

Batcerb

31st July 2012, 21:35

Berries

31st July 2012, 22:23

.....and single sided swingarms are the dogs danglies. (on the practical side - chain adjustment is easy and you never have to worry about wheel alignment).
Ha ha. I had never thought of that before. I am not in to maintenance so oiling and adjusting chains is so 1950's, but I ain't getting a shaft drive just yet. The street/speed are two of the four options for my next bike but I am glad I read that comment. Learn something every day.

HenryDorsetCase

31st July 2012, 22:25

Street will handle 2up just fine, had a pillion up around 90kg once, the 675 just got on with it no dramas.
As previous posts have said, you actually cant go wrong no matter which you choose :)

If you in the market for a brand new bike tho, be aware theres a new Street for next year ...

800cc motor, ABS and traction control, R model with Ohlins Road and Tracks (or gas!) forks and shock........ No idea but all those would be do-able.

AllanC

1st August 2012, 08:13

theres a new Street for next year ...

Wasn't aware of that! Damn, now I'll be really confused:(

AllanC

1st August 2012, 08:19

Some pics of the 2013 Street .......

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/2013-triumph-street-triple-spy-phots/

Or these ones are better

http://www.675.cc/675/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=9677

Geeen

1st August 2012, 19:20

Eeeww underslung exhaust

Sent from my HTC One X

AllanC

1st August 2012, 19:39

Looks a little bit ER6Nish huh

AllanB

1st August 2012, 19:41

Looks like a HONDA 600 Hornet with bad headlights..................................

Stirts

2nd August 2012, 07:50

Some pics of the 2013 Street .......

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/2013-triumph-street-triple-spy-phots/

Or these ones are better

http://www.675.cc/675/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=9677

Based on those pics...you'll be getting a Speed Triple then? :dodge:

HenryDorsetCase

2nd August 2012, 08:41

Zero reason to upgrade from the round headlight one to either the 12 or 13 Street Triple IMO.

I scored a set of tinware for mine the other day. I love that purple that the 12 one comes in: who does custom paint and colour match in chur chur? James Lee?

Oh yeah: If you are ordering GB Racing engine covers not all 675 motors are the same: you need to be very careful which covers you order because there are detail differences between years meaning that if you don't have th covers for the correct model, they won't fit. DAMHIK

NZ Distributor (Race Supplies) have been excellent in helping me fix my cockup though. :) A+ would trade again

AllanC

2nd August 2012, 14:10

Based on those pics...you'll be getting a Speed Triple then? :dodge:

Or a 2011 / 2012 Street (think Holeshots have still got a brand new 2011, round headlight, one sitting on the floor)

HenryDorsetCase

2nd August 2012, 14:43

Or a 2011 / 2012 Street (think Holeshots have still got a brand new 2011, round headlight, one sitting on the floor)

theres one on tardme with Ohlins on it for reasonable money

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-473853861.htm

Stirts

2nd August 2012, 14:47

Or a 2011 / 2012 Street (think Holeshots have still got a brand new 2011, round headlight, one sitting on the floor)

:clap:

Triumph are going the wrong way in the aesthetics department IMHO.

I saw this lovely little comment somewhere...

"Yuck Triumph this thing looks a like a Kawi and Suzi had a baby and then it really turned out to be a ginger baby that steals souls but then only to rip off it's own face. Its a Japanese bastard child that was disowned buy it's own parents."

AllanC

2nd August 2012, 16:56

:

"Yuck Triumph this thing looks a like a Kawi and Suzi had a baby and then it really turned out to be a ginger baby that steals souls but then only to rip off it's own face. Its a Japanese bastard child that was disowned buy it's own parents."

No, don't hold back, I want to know what they really think .........

Don't know if I'd go quite that far but that 2013 model does look pretty Japanese generic compared to the unique look they've had till now. Maybe that Suzuki GSR750 for $3,000 less isn't such a bad idea huh

Geeen

2nd August 2012, 18:28

. Maybe that Suzuki GSR750 for $3,000 less isn't such a bad idea huh

Wash your mouth out young man! :p

Sent from my HTC One X

nodrog

2nd August 2012, 18:49

.....Saddest day of my life when I wrote it off..............:weep: PM me if you want more info

He's from auckland, I'm pretty sure he can figure out how to write one off by himself.

Scouse

2nd August 2012, 19:04

AllanC

2nd August 2012, 19:40

Wash your mouth out young man! :p

if it didn't have that industrial looking swing arm, I'd be tempted.......

carbonhed

2nd August 2012, 20:13

An Arrow and a tail tidy and it'll be epic.

Stampy

17th August 2012, 15:12

At your height I think the Street is the one, Looks like a Speedy, Sounds like a Speedy and probably will thrash one round the twisties!

AllanC

16th January 2013, 16:58

So I know I took my time but I finally did it. Street Triple R is the way I went. Got a 2012 cause I'm still not sure about the 2013 pipe. Still running it in so can't play much but loving it anyway :)

HenryDorsetCase

16th January 2013, 17:01

good man! they are a fabulous little bike. Colour?

Blackbird

16th January 2013, 17:14

Congratulations:niceone:

Doubt you'll ever regret it. Equally happy in the twisties or on a long haul. Not all that flash 2 up, but that's not why you buy a Street Triple, is it?? :devil2:

AllanC

16th January 2013, 21:00

Black with gold rims. Got the flyscreen, belly pan and colour coded radiator cowls too. And no, I didn't buy it for two up (wife will have to get her license now!).

Stirts

17th January 2013, 06:30

Black with gold rims. Got the flyscreen, belly pan and colour coded radiator cowls too. And no, I didn't buy it for two up (wife will have to get her license now!).

Ahem...

So where are the farking pics eh?

Oh yeah...and congrats :)

AllanC

17th January 2013, 06:46

My apologies.

Actually, I haven't figured out how to get pics straight from my phone up into the sight. Will have to wait till I get back to my computer.

AllanC

22nd January 2013, 08:35

So where are the farking pics eh?

As requested (had to give it a bath first)

Grizzo

22nd January 2013, 09:21

Street Triple:2thumbsup

actungbaby

22nd January 2013, 11:16

As requested (had to give it a bath first)

mmmmm yum you nasty nasty man i went to local dealer on the weekend

drooled at the window radaitor is bit yukky though sure i chould do something to

fix that (looks like slab of metal from a tractor ) Might go back know the shop

open with my sons old feeding bib and a hanky for the crying on way home

Stirts

22nd January 2013, 11:28

And no, I didn't buy it for two up (wife will have to get her license now!).

Best you get rid of those pillion pegs and get yourself a seat cowl quick smart then ;)

As requested (had to give it a bath first)

That's a farking long bath! :bleh:

Seriously farking sexytimes!!!

pritch

22nd January 2013, 15:59

Black with gold rims. Got the flyscreen, belly pan and colour coded radiator cowls too. And no, I didn't buy it for two up (wife will have to get her license now!).

Noice! Looks like it has the optional gel seat too?

Geeen

22nd January 2013, 17:18

Noice Boike, When are you getting your tail tidy and pipes??:whistle::whistle:

You going to the RAT raid in March?

AllanC

23rd January 2013, 06:45

That's a farking long bath!

Yeah well I was away on holiday at the beach when I decided to buy it so, had to come back to the city to buy it and then took it away to the beach for the rest of the holiday. Didn't get back to home till Monday......

AllanC

23rd January 2013, 06:48

Noice! Looks like it has the optional gel seat too?

Nah, just the standard R seat, mind you, I didn't think it was too uncomfortable (actually found it more comfortable than the Speedmaster seat, go figure)

AllanC

23rd January 2013, 06:49

You going to the RAT raid in March?

Don't know anything about it! When, where?

Geeen

23rd January 2013, 11:41

Don't know anything about it! When, where?

Check out www.bayride.co.NZ all info is on there as they are hosting it. I can't do it coz it my wedding anniversary that weekend:(

Not sent from an iDevice

AllanC

23rd January 2013, 13:24

Check out www.bayride.co.NZ all info is on there as they are hosting it. I can't do it coz it my wedding anniversary that weekend:(

Thanks, might give it a try, will see how my diary stacks up:)

Indiana_Jones

25th January 2013, 12:08

Been thinking about a Street Triple myself lately.....

Problem is I can't really justify a swap from my Bonneville if I need cash to go their way....

Wicked fun bikes though!

-Indy

HenryDorsetCase

25th January 2013, 12:22

Been thinking about a Street Triple myself lately.....

Problem is I can't really justify a swap from my Bonneville if I need cash to go their way....

Wicked fun bikes though!

-Indy

I've often thought about how i could have one of each. That purple and cream paintscheme, with the cast 17 inch wheels would do me.