Taken by surprise!

[Blackbird]

It's funny how life takes unexpected twists and turns! I've had the Street Triple from new in 2009 and loved it to bits. Utterly reliable and totally versatile - scratching with the lads, touring, and for mentoring work with IAM NZ. It's also the most comfortable bike I've ever done the 1000 miles in under 24 hours Rusty Nuts endurance ride on - as perfect an all-rounder as you could wish for.

I'm 68 this month and a while back, the intent was to upgrade it to a Street Triple "R" or "RX" as a birthday present . Now the time has more or less arrived, a few worries have crept in. If I get a new 675 now, what will be the impact of the rumoured 800cc Street Triple? If I wait for the 800, will I be waiting for a year or two and will I actually like it when it comes out?

I was in Auckland over the weekend and ended up sitting on the new Suzuki GSX-S 1000A at Holeshot. A test ride was on offer so why not? As a relative shortarse, I could get my feet flat which was surprising - it's a small bike . I was a bit nervous about the offer, particularly about the weight at 207 kg compared with 170-odd for the Triple as my knees are not in pristine nick. Within moments of heading out of the showroom, I was amazed at how easy the transition from the Triple to the Suzuki was. It carries its extra weight really low for starters so the extra kilos weren't apparent. In fact, it was amazingly similar in terms of nimbleness and ergonomics to the Triple and it was these features which made the transition from one to the other so easy. The extra 50 or so horses wasn't a factor as it's all in your right wrist and is also helped by the 3 stage traction control. Mentally comparing it to the Blackbird which I owned for 8 years before the Triple, it was a good demo of how far bike technology has advanced!

To cut the tale short, I came back with a grin a mile wide and put a deposit on one (matte grey), and am picking it up in a couple of weeks. I'll be putting the Triple up for private sale in the near future - so it will be on KB soon (Edit: on there now!). As I said at the start, totally unexpected but think it will be the right choice for my current circumstances. Very much looking forward to a new bike after 6 years of trouble-free riding on the Triple.

Cheers,

Geoff

[sil3nt]

Congrats! They are priced very well. Any reason for taking the grey?

[BigB]

Hi Geoff

As you say funny how things work out. But the main thing is your still out there riding & loving it, good to see retirement hasn't slowed you down at all.

The gixer looks good on you, next what's on the upgrade list......

cheers

Brian

[Tazz]

Noice! Shows why it always pays to give things a shot for yourself. Good on you dude and enjoy :)


Any reason for taking the grey?

So it matches his hair! Duh :bleh:

[Blackbird]

Congrats! They are priced very well. Any reason for taking the grey?

Thanks very much :2thumbsup. Regarding the grey, the blue option was too much like my old Blackbird and the red/black looks a bit odd on the naked version to my eyes. One of my friends has just bought the "F" faired model in red and black and that looks really nice. I've never been a particular fan of matte paint but it works for me on the Suzuki. Sort of unobtrusive and it somehow makes it look a bit more menacing. Oh, and the matte clearcoat doesn't leave fingerprints :whistle:

[Shaun Harris]

Good decision, they are brilliant bikes

[Blackbird]

Hi Geoff

As you say funny how things work out. But the main thing is your still out there riding & loving it, good to see retirement hasn't slowed you down at all.

The gixer looks good on you, next what's on the upgrade list......

cheers

Brian

Thanks Brian - even busier in retirement. Spend a lot of time in Auckland these days with IAM. Crikey mate, don't mention another bike or extras yet, I still don't know what the quid pro quo will be with Jennie for this one :(


Noice! Shows why it always pays to give things a shot for yourself. Good on you dude and enjoy :)
So it matches his hair! Duh :bleh:

That's right Tazz - it wasn't even on my horizon! Hey smartarse, there isn't much grey, but there again, there isn't a lot of hair either :msn-wink:

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Brian - even busier in retirement. Spend a lot of time in Auckland these days with IAM. Crikey mate, don't mention another bike or extras yet, I still don't know what the quid pro quo will be with Jennie for this one :(



That's right Tazz - it wasn't even on my horizon! Hey smartarse, there isn't much grey, but there again, there isn't a lot of hair either :msn-wink:


If ya ever get to NP man, I will adjust and set up the suspension to work better for you. I know I can do this,, as I have played with one already. FOC to you squire

[Blackbird]

If ya ever get to NP man, I will adjust and set up the suspension to work better for you. I know I can do this,, as I have played with one already. FOC to you squire

Thanks Shaun, incredibly kind of you :not: . May take you up on it when I've settled in to it.

[Hitcher]

I have both of these new Suzukis (the S and the F) on my list to ride. I suspect that I may well indeed like them...

[Blackbird]

I have both of these new Suzukis (the S and the F) on my list to ride. I suspect that I may well indeed like them...

Hi Brett,

I suspect that you will too! The only possible impediment might be that you and I are towards opposite ends of the human height bell curve :laugh:

[Shaun Harris]

Thanks Shaun, incredibly kind of you :not: . May take you up on it when I've settled in to it.



I will be at Hampton D on the 16th and the 18th also of this month

[Gremlin]

Good for you Geoff. Hope its another few years of trouble free motorcycling :ride:

[Robbo]

Hey Geoff, nice choice and if you consider it to be an upgrade from the Triple, then it must be bloody good.
Nice pic and i like that colour choice also. Enjoy. :niceone:

Cheers

Robbo

[pritch]

Ah the stealth colour scheme. :niceone:

[Blackbird]

Good for you Geoff. Hope its another few years of trouble free motorcycling :ride:
Cheers Alan. I hope it will give me as much pleasure as the Triple has!


Hey Geoff, nice choice and if you consider it to be an upgrade from the Triple, then it must be bloody good.
Nice pic and i like that colour choice also. Enjoy. :niceone:

Cheers

Robbo
Thanks Robbo :headbang:. Time will tell whether it's an upgrade but given the timing of events, it's worth a punt!


Ah the stealth colour scheme. :niceone:
Thanks Ron, I have no reason to want to draw attention to myself despite impeccable behaviour :whistle:

I was quite interested in the approaches between 2 Suzuki dealers when I made an initial enquiry last week about a demo ride. Made the point that I wasn't a tyre kicker and was a cash buyer. The first one said they had a grey naked model in stock but I couldn't ride it as it wasn't a demonstrator. I could have a ride on the faired version. Declined as I specifically wanted to experience what the naked bike was like. Holeshot took a positive line from the start and I felt more valued although in fairness, they happened to have a grey demonstrator. When I bought the Triple from Hamilton Motorcycles, it wasn't a demonstrator but they gave me the keys anyway. Just an observation that quite often, it's pretty minor differences in first contact and impressions which clinches the sale.

[Shaun Harris]

Cheers Alan. I hope it will give me as much pleasure as the Triple has!


Thanks Robbo :headbang:. Time will tell whether it's an upgrade but given the timing of events, it's worth a punt!


Thanks Ron, I have no reason to want to draw attention to myself despite impeccable behaviour :whistle:

I was quite interested in the approaches between 2 Suzuki dealers when I made an initial enquiry last week about a demo ride. Made the point that I wasn't a tyre kicker and was a cash buyer. The first one said they had a grey naked model in stock but I couldn't ride it as it wasn't a demonstrator. I could have a ride on the faired version. Declined as I specifically wanted to experience what the naked bike was like. Holeshot took a positive line from the start and I felt more valued although in fairness, they happened to have a grey demonstrator. When I bought the Triple from Hamilton Motorcycles, it wasn't a demonstrator but they gave me the keys anyway. Just an observation that quite often, it's pretty minor differences in first contact and impressions which clinches the sale.



Sales can be tricky to achieve, but some sales man can be just stupid

[Hitcher]

Just an observation that quite often, it's pretty minor differences in first contact and impressions which clinches the sale.

Mrs H acquired her first brand-new Marauder from a dealer in Palmerston North because a local purveyor of the same model had suggested that she take an old Honda 750 Rebel out for a test ride instead. The Palmie dude didn't technically have a demo, but was sufficiently swayed by Mrs H's interest to let her take a brand new one out for a lengthy stroll. Sale made.

[Moi]

Nice one.

So, as it's a "birthday present" I trust they'll put a big ribbon round it and a few balloons...

Cheers from Verona...

[Blackbird]

Mrs H acquired her first brand-new Marauder from a dealer in Palmerston North because a local purveyor of the same model had suggested that she take an old Honda 750 Rebel out for a test ride instead. The Palmie dude didn't technically have a demo, but was sufficiently swayed by Mrs H's interest to let her take a brand new one out for a lengthy stroll. Sale made.

Yes indeed - great stuff! In a similar vein, I always had to cool my heels at Hamilton Motorcycle Centre when the Triumph was being serviced because I live 160 km away. Quite often, they would give me the keys to a bike and tell me to lose myself for an hour or so. That's the way to build long term relationships.

[Blackbird]

Nice one.

So, as it's a "birthday present" I trust they'll put a big ribbon round it and a few balloons...

Cheers from Verona...

Cheers Moi! As long as there's helium in the balloons to drop the weight a bit further, that will be fine :2thumbsup

Nice location you're in. I'm sure there's a joke in there about Three Gentlemen and Shakespeare, but it's still a bit early in the morning for me! Enjoy, whatever you're doing there :wings:

[Robbo]

Yes indeed - great stuff! In a similar vein, I always had to cool my heels at Hamilton Motorcycle Centre when the Triumph was being serviced because I live 160 km away. Quite often, they would give me the keys to a bike and tell me to lose myself for an hour or so. That's the way to build long term relationships.

Yep, i used to have the same from Hamilton Motorcycle Centre when my Triumphs were being serviced or repaired. Heath always gave me a good loan bike whether it was for a couple of hours or couple of days. That great customer service earned them three new bike sales, all my servicing and many accessories. The previous owner, Kath, was also brilliant to deal with.

[rastuscat]

Just a wee note on the Street Triple. It's a stunner. I've ridden a couple, including one yesterday.

One thing they are not so sharp at is slow speed handling. The turning circle is a dog. The steering is so direct it's a mission to do a cone course I can eat on my R1200RT.

Having said that, of course, they are not designed for cone courses. They are a beautiful expression of a fun road eater. Horses, for courses.

[Big Dog]

Just a wee note on the Street Triple. It's a stunner. I've ridden a couple, including one yesterday.

One thing they are not so sharp at is slow speed handling. The turning circle is a dog. The steering is so direct it's a mission to do a cone course I can eat on my R1200RT.

Having said that, of course, they are not designed for cone courses. They are a beautiful expression of a fun road eater. Horses, for courses.
I found the triple I borrowed quite forgiving in the the slow stuff, the clutch gearing combo quite hard to keep a steady pull below 20 which made for a fairly jerky time of it until I got used to it. Lots of trail braking helped.

Sent via tapatalk.

[Gremlin]

One thing they are not so sharp at is slow speed handling. The turning circle is a dog. The steering is so direct it's a mission to do a cone course I can eat on my R1200RT.

Having said that, of course, they are not designed for cone courses. They are a beautiful expression of a fun road eater. Horses, for courses.
Geoff knows that... plus he had the included bonus of showing someone how not to do it... if only he'd had another 6 inches he reckoned (I think we'd all fancy an extra 6 inches) :lol: Unfortunately NZ back roads are only so wide, and it's gravel after that... Wonder if he's tested the GSX? :sweatdrop

I haven't tried an RT, but I doubt you'd find a better steering lock than the R1200GSA. I've even got a steering stopper on it for protection (which reduces it slightly) and I still struggle to consistently do lock to lock turns. No problem with the CB919 which is a little less.

[Blackbird]

Yep, i used to have the same from Hamilton Motorcycle Centre when my Triumphs were being serviced or repaired. Heath always gave me a good loan bike whether it was for a couple of hours or couple of days. That great customer service earned them three new bike sales, all my servicing and many accessories. The previous owner, Kath, was also brilliant to deal with.

I really wanted to stay with Heath and his team - the techs are all great too. I won't rule out coming back to them when the 800 is released if I like it.

[Blackbird]

Just a wee note on the Street Triple. It's a stunner. I've ridden a couple, including one yesterday.

One thing they are not so sharp at is slow speed handling. The turning circle is a dog. The steering is so direct it's a mission to do a cone course I can eat on my R1200RT.

Having said that, of course, they are not designed for cone courses. They are a beautiful expression of a fun road eater. Horses, for courses.

Peter, they improved the lock on later models. When I recently had an Associate out on an IAM ride, I showed him how not to do a feet-up turn on a narrow country road. It was the "oh for another 6 inches" to which Gremlin referred. Had to step off it, fortunately with only damage to the ego :facepalm: . The Associate had the good grace not to laugh through the comms but my mother would have scrubbed my mouth out.


I found the triple I borrowed quite forgiving in the the slow stuff, the clutch gearing combo quite hard to keep a steady pull below 20 which made for a fairly jerky time of it until I got used to it. Lots of trail braking helped.
Sent via tapatalk.

Yep, wet roundabouts scared me when I first bought it. A remap came out which helped a lot and simply getting used to it too.


Geoff knows that... plus he had the included bonus of showing someone how not to do it... if only he'd had another 6 inches he reckoned (I think we'd all fancy an extra 6 inches) :lol: Unfortunately NZ back roads are only so wide, and it's gravel after that... Wonder if he's tested the GSX? :sweatdrop

I haven't tried an RT, but I doubt you'd find a better steering lock than the R1200GSA. I've even got a steering stopper on it for protection (which reduces it slightly) and I still struggle to consistently do lock to lock turns. No problem with the CB919 which is a little less.

The GSX is so unbelievably like the Triple in terms of handling you wouldn't believe it but I'll be sure to check the lock before any feet-up turns on narrow roads!

Have now put the Triple for sale on the KB sale section, priced to sell.

Can't wait for another 2 weeks!

[Shaun Harris]

I really wanted to stay with Heath and his team - the techs are all great too. I won't rule out coming back to them when the 800 is released if I like it.


A dam shame Heath has sold up and moved on now, he was a great man in his role.

[Blackbird]

A dam shame Heath has sold up and moved on now, he was a great man in his role.

What's he up to? That's a real shame. So good to deal with.

[Robbo]

A dam shame Heath has sold up and moved on now, he was a great man in his role.

Oh! I did'nt know he had, when was that Shaun?

[Shaun Harris]

Oh! I did'nt know he had, when was that Shaun?



Last week or week before mate, David from there will know for sure

[Shaun Harris]

What's he up to? That's a real shame. So good to deal with.



That, I do not know buddy