Street Triple

[RantyDave]

Or, the episode where Dave has an accident with a bike shop.

You see, I had it all planned out. I'd been watching TardMe like a hawk, had scoped a couple of bikes out and, this morning, had hatched a plan to go to Palmy to look at a couple. Including a new Kwaka ZX6 in an actual shop. I'd also, a few weeks back, gone into Motorad and asked if they had a demonstrator Street Triple: Nope, because they sell them as fast as they can get them in - there seems no real need. They took my number though and I was a little surprised to actually get the call saying they had one. So before heading up to Palmy it seemed to make sense to at least *try* the Street Triple to help build my palette, as it were - especially since one of the bikes I was testing was it's big brother Speed Triple. This is what caused me to be standing in Motorad this morning in full cordura regalia signing an insurance form.

I scope out the bike. Smaller than I expected and even narrower, particularly at the arse, than I thought it would be. I get a gentle warning about the tyres which, at 19k on the clock, are still shinier than I'm entirely happy with. It starts up and makes that *weird* noise that I'm not going to try and explain. You need to hear one. Not bad, weird. Hop on, in first, nice light clutch and join the traffic only to stop at a red light about thirty feet later. The light then does what red lights eventually do revealing a long, empty one way downhill which I then go down. Kinda quickly, actually.

So I give the bike a little test on my traditional route home. I'd ridden the Daytona 675 before and thought the engine was just the best thing ever. The Street's engine is, as best I can tell, basically identical. You twist the thing, it goes. The more you twist it, the more it goes. Once you're above, say, 2-3k RPM then the relationship between twist and torque is basically linear regardless of speed. Torque like a twin, revvy like a four, sounds like a triple. Smooth ... as a baby's arse. Not so the gearbox which was a tad notchy (and neutral was a bitch), but I think that can be expected of a new bike and a trumpet in particular.

Riding into the Mt Vic tunnel I suddenly notice the backlight on the instrumentation. More a very light grey than white. Tasteful, visible - although I found myself hunting for the actual speed once or twice - and basically kinda good really. The tachometer is in a slightly childish font but, so what.

On some quieter roads I give the bike a blip and straight away it reminds me of the Daytona. It stays flat and launches down the road. A litrebike riding nutcase would probably be disappointed but it's more than enough for me. A few twisties and you can begin to enjoy the Daytona chassis too although either the tyres or the significantly cheaper suspension makes itself known just slightly as you start to settle into the corner. Mid-corner there's no danger of spilling your gin and no sign of running wide as you come out on the throttle. The brakes, despite looking implausibly small, are able to turn small quantities of finger oomf into a reduction in speed in manner I hadn't seen since a quick go on a gixxer 750. Braided lines too. Hmmm.

So I take it to meet the Mrs. My better half is currently on her restricted and will get her full as soon as she pulls finger and takes the fucking test. Compatibility with her indoors is therefore a bonus and the little Street passes with flying colours. It also fits in the shed. She asks if I like it, which I do, and suggests that perhaps we should flag going to Palmy and just buy it. This may have been a bad move on her part.

I'm supposed to be at work so it's time to take the bike back. On the way back into town I start thinking about what she said. It's only a *couple* of kilodollars more than I was planning on spending anyway. And we now know that I'm 'in biking' for the long haul. And you do get a warranty. And it *is* my daily transport. And I sure as shit don't need the extra grunt from the 1050. And I love how light it is. And there is just no other way of getting an engine this good in a naked bike. And, above all else, the ride is awesome.

And this is how it came to pass that Glenn from Motorad, for one glorious hour on a thursday morning, had the easiest job of anyone in the bike industry. I got one in white, and should pick it up tomorrow.

So thanks, kinda, to Motorad for the ride. They've been prompt, courteous and pleasingly devoid of bullshit for all my dealings with them BTW so perhaps they're turning over a new leaf. I can only suggest that anyone in Welly interested in giving one of these fine steeds a whirl should get in touch with them, but offer the following as a word of warning: Remember kids, the first one is always free.

Dave

[Gubb]

Awesome work that man.

Fly screen/belly pan?

The Belly pan looks gorgeous in White particularly.

Sounds exactly like what i'm lusting after. I'm envious like a fat kid without cake.

[sels1]

Noice, Dave. Looking forward to seeing it in the flesh.
Like the colour too!

[riffer]

Excellent stuff Dave. Good to see you back on a trumpy.

I guess there is a reason they keep flying out the door.

[James Deuce]

Heh.

What did I say? What did I say?

Heh.

Neck brace is off now so you can slap me. Again.

[Trudes]

Awesome stuff Dave!! They do look very sexy in white!!! (Tell us what it's like to clean next week ok!);)

[jrandom]

Oh dear.

I think I'm actually a little scared to get on one of these, now, for fear of what might happen.

Surely they can't be that good.

Can they?

[henry]

YOU FUCKING BEAUTY DAVE!

I was half expecting you say naaah! (But her in doors say yes! What's wrong with you man.)

I'm kinda jealous. The Daytona is a lot of work, the Striple seems just about perfect.

Oh, and the noise, it's a triple thing. You'll get it soon enough.

Next time you wanna go for a blat, let me know.

[Str8 Jacket]

mmmmmmmm, noice! I see one everyday on my way to work, its mint! :drool:

[Dave-]

what do people think of upgrading from a zxr250 to a speed triple?

It weighs less than the 250 but has about 4x the grunt...

[Boob Johnson]

what do people think of upgrading from a zxr250 to a speed triple?

It weighs less than the 250 but has about 4x the grunt...
Dave as ive said time & time again, strap on some nuts son :headbang: :2thumbsup

Just because you can twist the wrist, doesn't mean you HAVE to :shifty: Look at Delph, he went straight to a trumpy 600.

Forget the "baby step" to a 400, as mentioned you will get bored with it within a month. I'm yet to try the 675 motor but from what ive literally heard & verbally from owners that motor is the shizzle!!! Ive riden a mates tricked up 2006 955 Daytona............and FARK ME!!! What a bike, what a sound. A quad HOWLS, a twin burbles/rumbles but that Trumpy triple "WAAARP WAAARP" is something else :2thumbsup



ps: Nice one Dave, the "striple" is definitely a bike I would be interested to own at some point, jealous as mate :2thumbsup

[fridayflash]

fantastic bike choice!!! i want one tooooooo:blink:

[Dooly]

Can't go wrong with a Triumph!
Well done that man.:Punk:

[Pumba]

Surely they can't be that good.

Can they?

Yes they can.

Congrats on the new bike Dave, I loved my test on the street but just felt a little short changed in the suspension department, so I got its big brother.

[sinfull]

Nice write up Dave ! Good stuff with the purchase ! They dont have the suspension set up the daytona have but as ya say who needs it on a commute !
Well i wont try and sell you my 955 S3 then lol , look forward to seeing ya out there !

[RantyDave]

Fly screen/belly pan?
I'd quite like the fly screen, but have this almost religious objection to the motorcycle plastics industry. Like, the official triumph fly screen is $800 or something similarly obscene. Ahhhh, no. At least it means the small players have viable companies.

Dave

[RantyDave]

What did I say? What did I say?
You said "fuck sportsbikes, buy something actually fun" or it might have been "don't buy a sportsbike or you'll end up like me". Or it might've been both. Either which way you were right, I have no aspirations to be Rossi and I'm better served by something where I can sit upright, be comfortable and generally speaking have fun.

So, yeah, you were right. But you're going to get a slap anyway :)

Dave

[RantyDave]

Surely they can't be that good.
It'd be very different to the GSX, I imagine. Well, I expect that the "smooth with flat torque curve" thing would be much the same but the triple probably weights about half what a GSX does.

Give it a go. I suspect it'll feel like a distinctly nippy commuter rather than a big arse naked bike.

Dave

[007XX]

Most excellent write up sir!

I've been enamoured with the Street since she came out...and as your wife, I will eventually pull finger out and get the boring formalities done to be able to get me one of them babies legally...

Look forward to reading more about your riding on that little beauty.

[RantyDave]

Oh, and the noise, it's a triple thing. You'll get it soon enough.
Oh, I get it alright. One of the things I like about the smaller engine is that you do get a chance to spin it up a bit (mmmmwwwwwaaaaaaAAAGHGHGGHGHGHHG!!!). I've ridden a mate's Tuono once or twice and can't even get it to mid-range before feeling the urge to empty my bowels. Noise is good.

Dave

[nodrog]

I'd quite like the fly screen, but have this almost religious objection to the motorcycle plastics industry. Like, the official triumph fly screen is $800 or something similarly obscene. Ahhhh, no. At least it means the small players have viable companies.

Dave

ssssssssh (http://www.british-customs.com/street-triple-675-triumph-motorcycles-orderby-down-c-316-p-showall.html) dont tell anyone.

[Insanity_rules]

Nice wheels Dave, I fell in Lust with the green stripple in Motorad. Still about $3k short of the entry fee though.

Don't want to ride one till I have all the Lord Rutherford party vouchers, as you've implied yourself that once your on you don't want to get off and I don't do finance.

Are they REALLY that good?

[RantyDave]

Forget the "baby step" to a 400, as mentioned you will get bored with it within a month.
Agreed. 400's have the benefit of being not-250's that are cheap, except when you include time+costs associated with fixing them up again. If you have a lot of time and somewhere to fix stuff up then it may remain 'still cheap'. I have fuck all time and nowhere to fix stuff up that isn't a ride away.

Anyway, most people go straight to a 600. Some people go straight to a thou and it's them you need to worry about. The street triple is an absolute piece of piss to ride, but certainly not cheap. This may exclude it from the "first 600" stakes.

People who buy an SV new are doing themselves an immense disservice, IMHO. But then I would say that.

Dave

[RantyDave]

ssssssssh (http://www.british-customs.com/street-triple-675-triumph-motorcycles-orderby-down-c-316-p-showall.html) dont tell anyone.
Yeah, like that :)

Dave

[henry]

Rumour is they are brining out an R model this year, not that you'll actually be able to buy one.

[sinfull]

ssssssssh (http://www.british-customs.com/street-triple-675-triumph-motorcycles-orderby-down-c-316-p-showall.html) dont tell anyone.

Arrrrrggggggghhhhh nooooooooooo !

Bling arrived in the mail on the day too Man Cheers !!!

[nodrog]

Arrrrrggggggghhhhh nooooooooooo !

Bling arrived in the mail on the day too Man Cheers !!!

sweet as, beats cake and candles aye :headbang:

[NOMIS]

I want one .. in balck.. with lots of carbon fibre :-)

[vifferman]

Bastard!

You've made me want to test ride one, and I'm not even remotely considering changin bikes. Or I thought I wasn't....
Anyway, congrats on the new beastie! :2thumbsup

Well done, Mr Dave of Rantyness!:first:

[RantyDave]

Rumour is they are brining out an R model this year, not that you'll actually be able to buy one.
I know. One component of consumerism overkill guilt is made up of the suspicion that I'd be happier with an R. But, like the man said, it's going to be six months away at least, a grand or two more, and I was pushing the budget anyway so I should stop bitching :)

Dave

[Choco]

White bikes rock, Good colour choice!
Let us know how it goes over the next month or so!
Choco

[henry]

I want one .. in balck.. with lots of carbon fibre :-)

I priced the carbon for my Daytona the other day. Fuck me!
Motorad said they'd give me a discount if I bought ALL of it at once. Generous buggers!

[MD]

Congratulations Dave. Good choice! You wont regret it.

I have been meaning to test a Striple for some time. Was it the green demo bike? I must get in one day before it's sold.

I know what you mean about the rip-off Triumph accessories though. Shame because the Striple with the side stubby pipe looks fantastic. Their clothing is good too, but pricey.

I like one of the Triumph675net member's signature ; Noise? It's a triple. You wouldn't understand Says it all.

Listening to the engine whirl and exhaust note becomes addictive and watching the blue rev lights come on around the dial. I really like the dash layout.

Enjoy the new toy and keep us informed of your impressions.

[NOMIS]

I priced the carbon for my Daytona the other day. Fuck me!
Motorad said they'd give me a discount if I bought ALL of it at once. Generous buggers!

How much??

[nodrog]

I priced the carbon for my Daytona the other day. Fuck me!
Motorad said they'd give me a discount if I bought ALL of it at once. Generous buggers!

check out the link i posted, i got my bellypan and seat cowl from them, 1/3 the price here, and it was at my door in 5 days.

[Renegade]

lucky son of a gun, go the screen and belly pan, just finishes the bike and makes it look the ducks nuts.

[RantyDave]

Was it the green demo bike? I must get in one day before it's sold.
That's the one. Apparently they have to hold it for three months or 3000k before they're allowed to sell it so I don't think you've got a problem there. But, go take it for a razz. Eye opening to say the least. Wallet opening too, apparently - an existing 675 owner may be isolated against that particular danger.

Their clothing is good too, but pricey.
Yeah. I'm happy with my leathers, particularly since they did such a great job of stopping me getting pwned when I came off. But the trumf branded stuff looks great *and* appears to be actually capable of the job.

Besides, I'm skint now. And I have Triumph branding on my bike, too.

Enjoy the new toy and keep us informed of your impressions.
Will do, on both counts.

Dave

[Pumba]

ssssssssh (http://www.british-customs.com/street-triple-675-triumph-motorcycles-orderby-down-c-316-p-showall.html) dont tell anyone.

Ok I wont:msn-wink:

Not bad prices, not as good as when I first thought the prices were in NZ$:crybaby:

[henry]

How much??

A couple of grand all up it think. Got the prices at home embossed onto a piece of gold leaf.

[MyGSXF]

XLNT choice that man!!!! :Punk:

Street & Sport loaned me one for a couple of hours... & I had a very enjoyable strop out to Little River on it.. :devil2: :whistle: :innocent:

NJOY!!!! :wari:

[nodrog]

Ok I wont:msn-wink:

Not bad prices, not as good as when I first thought the prices were in NZ$:crybaby:

even so i saved NZ $770 getting my bellypan and seat cowl through them.

[chester]

fantastic bike choice!!! i want one tooooooo:blink:

+1 me too :headbang::headbang:

[sels1]

I like one of the Triumph675net member's signature ; Noise? It's a triple. You wouldn't understand Says it all.
Listening to the engine whirl and exhaust note becomes addictive .

Yeah even the earlier triples like mine have a certain tone that gets in yr head when you are riding in the sweet spot - addictive is the right word

[skelstar]

Good news you're on a bike you want again Dave. +1 for writing another great bike review too. Looking forward to seeing the bike (from mine).

[AllanB]

Dam but they are nice bikes.

I've said it before - the Triumph Speed & Streets are pretty much the only bikes I desire in white - farked if I know why they work so well in white when most others just look gay.

Must be a proportion thing. Just like really attractive people look good in anything as do the Triumphs :2thumbsup

Now about a white Goldwing...:sick:

[Kendog]

Awesome Dave :rockon:

[RantyDave]

Now about a white Goldwing...:sick:
OMG, does such a thing actually exist?

I think the secret to white bikes is that they need not very much of it. The striple, for instance, has a black frame, black engine, black wheels ... the only white bits are the tank, mudguard and some black trim round the back. White speed triples look awesome too.

Too much and it looks like a police bike, but that's another story.

Dave

[AllanB]

I don't want to upset you with your purchase, especially since its not arrived yet - but here’s the white wing - I suspect you'll be kicking yourself now that you did not head down to the Honda dealer....

[TKDSKIP]

OMG. That looks like a big chest freezer.

[RantyDave]

here’s the white wing - I suspect you'll be kicking yourself now that you did not head down to the Honda dealer....
Awww noooo! All along I could have bought a two wheeled fridge. With a sofa. I wonder if they'll take an street triple as trade?

Dave

[RantyDave]

This morning I rode to work. I parked up the striple and was removing gloves, hat etc. when I noticed it urinating - like an embarrassed three year old at the beach, dribbling hot green stuff down it's clothing.

I looked.

I pondered.

I worried.

Then I remembered it's not my problem any more, rode it over to Motorad and left it with them for the day. They said they'd pressure test the system, but we all suspected it's just overfilled.

Coming back at the end of play they had fixed the coolant, apparently, but had taken it for a test ride and had it conk out in a "software crashed" kinda fashion. I was given the demo bike to play with while they prodded and poked mine to see exactly which piece had suffered infant mortality.

Strangely, my stress level was raised not one little bit. I like things being someone else's problem.

Aside: I have bad luck with bikes from shops. I bought my first bike second hand from TSS. I signed all the papers, had all my new shiny cordura on, started the bike and sat on it. As they waved me good bye I stood the bike up and ... the stand fell off. "Clonk" onto the ground.

They fixed it on the spot, of course. It was that or have it shoved up someone's arse. Took their fucking time though, I can tell you.

Dave

[jrandom]

See?

See?

This is why I ride a motorcycle with a proper air-cooled engine.

All this newfangled technology stuff, I dunno. No good'll ever come of it.

[Devil]

You'll definately have a ball on that. Great fun to ride.

Oh and the other bike that looks good in white? the KTM Duke III.

[R6_kid]

Pending a test ride on the current model, im planning on keeping the money I get from selling my GSXR1000 and putting it aside with some extra savings along the way to get the Street Triple R when it comes out next year - its got the 'adjustable' suspension and radial calipers that have put me off splashing out on one just yet. Sure the suspension will probably get the big 'O' transplant but it's better to have the real thing than emulators :-)

[henry]

I was wondering if that was yours parked outside this morning. Hope they took it in before it pissed down.

I'll put my money on the exhaust valve playing up. Happens all the time.

[RantyDave]

I was wondering if that was yours parked outside this morning. Hope they took it in before it pissed down.
No, I did.

I'll put my money on the exhaust valve playing up. Happens all the time.
*All* the time all the time, or 'teething troubles' all the time?

The problem, BTW, was a clamp on a hose not really done up enough.

Dave

[shafty]

I priced the carbon for my Daytona the other day. Fuck me!
Motorad said they'd give me a discount if I bought ALL of it at once. Generous buggers!

That would save THEM freight! Generous alright.....

[shafty]

Great write up (ride up?) Mate and congratulations on the bike T A S T Y!

[henry]

No, I did.

*All* the time all the time, or 'teething troubles' all the time?


Seems to happen to every one at least once. Mine was a rock jamming the actuator cables. When I took it in to get fixed there was another one in with the same problem. Most of the guys on triumph675.net remove them.


The problem, BTW, was a clamp on a hose not really done up enough.


They left a few bits off my bike too.

[RantyDave]

They left a few bits off my bike too.
Oh, really? Doom. Doom and gloom. I had assume it arrived from Trumf UK in a crate needing little more than some fluids and a license plate.

Dave

[RnB Fan]

Was that your nice new white Triumph parked on CustomHouse Quay yesterday morning? I saw it when I walked past on my way to a meeting (running late) and thought I'd stop and have a decent look on my way back - but it was gone! Damn fine looking piece of kit that. Excellent choice:rockon:

[RantyDave]

Was that your nice new white Triumph parked on CustomHouse Quay yesterday morning?
Yes! I had a meeting at the 'feathers' end of town so rode up there before doing any real work.

Nice, innit!

Dave

[henry]

I had assume it arrived from Trumf UK in a crate needing little more than some fluids and a license plate.
Dave

And mirrors, evidently. They didn't bolt them on.

Wasn't a very encouraging start to the relationship, but they have been brilliant since.

[henry]

Striples are girls bikes...

http://www.triumph675.net/forum/showthread.php?p=305575

[limbimtimwim]

Nice choice in white too!

And yes, I agree, it's a great engine.

Better late than never Simon