Street Triple

[Gubb]

Wow. Just Wow. I don’t know if I can find the right words for this, so here’s a few that I just slapped together:

Stunning day again, Summer has finally arrived! Pillioned into AMPS on a mate’s 1200 Bandit (my bikes still in the shop). Interesting experience, I make a terrible pillion, leaning into different lines than he normally would, not to mention that I’m twice the size of him, and riding bitch must have looked rather amusing to the 15 or so rugged-Harley types standing outside the bike store as I clumsily dismounted. Got inside and all the staff were phenomenally busy, but the guy I was dealing with managed to juggle everyone at the same time, while getting the demo gassed up, and ready for me

The looks are something that makes me tingle in funny places, but I don’t think that my mates have ever truly understood why. Seeing it in the flesh gave them a whole new appreciation for it, I don’t think there’s a bad angle on it. I still think the massive bug eyed headlights are a thing of beauty. Anyway, I think they now have a newfound understanding of my lust for this particular bike.

First thing I noticed while it was sitting there burbling away was the noise. The Demo had a pair of Arrow cans fitted to it, and the sound while it was idling was just amazing. It’s just so unique. Jump on it, and I’m totally and utterly amazed at how light it is. Usarka warned me it was light, but I was starting to wonder where the pedals were.

Seating position was good, bars were perfect for me, pegs were a good distance too. Dash was good and easy to read, with a gear indicator, clock, oil temp, digital Speedo and analogue Tach. I didn’t have a play with the settings, so I’m not sure what else it had to offer. The blue LED shift lights were a nice touch, and it was pretty cool seeing everything light up, and the needle do a lap every time you flicked the key on. Mirrors were good and very adjustable; I got more than a good view of my elbows for a change. Seat was comfy, good sponginess (Hitcher, is that a real word?), but a little too steep for me, I found that I was sliding into the tank and…. um… squashing my jolly rogers. Perhaps it’s not too big a job to get it redone with a bit more stuffing at the bottom end of it to flatten it out a bit. Then again, who wants kids anyway?

Took off gently- gently through the lights, through Pon-snobbery doing my best to give it a decent rev at the lights to make sure all the Latte drinkers paid attention. Every set of lights that we stopped at, we had people in cars leaning out of their seats to get a better look, it’s such a unique bike, and it attracts a lot of attention. The noise doesn’t hurt either.

Onto the Motorway, giving it a bit of stick, when I realise that the steering is really quite vague, followed by a *THUD*. That would be the front wheel landing back on the tarmac then. Whoops. Steering is actually fantastic, when both wheels are on the ground, which in all honesty, probably isn’t all that often. It does seem to drop into corners with the lightest feather touch to the bars due to it’s Kate Moss-like proportions.

The engine is absolutely spectacular. It is just so well balanced, seemed like enough “go” in any gear, and the brakes provided plenty of “whoa” to counter the 675cc’s of awesomeness. Headed up, and did Coastesville/Riverhead, as that’s the route that I’ve been taking all the test bikes so far, I figure I’ve got a better comparison between them if I stick to the same route. Awesome ride, headed back to AMPS…uh…an hour late, with a massive, helmet-breaking grin on my noggin.

Got home, and started thinking it over in my head. I’d pretty much given up on the idea of a nice, sensible SV650 as a next step up, while there’s certainly nothing wrong with it, I started thinking of a new bike that involved my brain and my heart. Of the previous bikes that I’d tested, the GSX-F 650 was leading by a decent margin. I’ve already decided that I’m not too interested in the GSX-R/ZX/CBR/R6’s , as I have absolutely zero ambition to be the next Rossi, and I think I would get frustrated by having a bike that I could only ever use 1/5^th of the available potential. Fuck taking corners at close to Warp 9. I want to have fun.

The GSX-F 650 is a far more comfortable bike, it would be a better commuter, it would get me to work with no hassles, all the time. The Street Triple would get me to work late because I took the long way, with a massive smile on my dial.

Striple wins.

Where do I sign?

[fireball]

"clean up in isle 5, mop and bucket required"


but seriuosly wicked, Yay for bike shopping and test riding eh! hope you find 'the one'

[Yossarian]

Nice work Gubb

I had a look at the Street Triple R last week here in the Isle of Man. The Triumph dealer only got it in about two weeks ago. Everthing I have read about the Striple has been positive and the bike looked amazing, although slighty smaller than I expected from seeing photographs of it. I'm going to try and get hold of some bike gear and see if I can take it for a spin (my bike gear is in a crate in NZ).
With any luck I'll have one in time for next years T.T. that would be nice. By the way, it costs 6200 sterling over here.

Yoss.

[RantyDave]

Striple wins.

Where do I sign?
Hahahahahahahahaha. Exactly what happened to me ... as soon as you ride one, it's all over.

Dave

[raftn]

You can buy a bike because its practical.........or you can buy a bike because it stirs your soul.......i always take the second option, and have never regretted doing so.

You will never be happy now unless you buy it!

[Owl]

You can buy a bike because its practical.........or you can buy a bike because it stirs your soul.......i always take the second option, and have never regretted doing so.

You will never be happy now unless you buy it!

Absofrickenlutely!!!! If I wanted practical, I'd have bought a Sprint ST. Instead I chose the X factor option!:D

[Chisanga]

I rode that same demo bike at AMPS (the green one with the Arrows) and I now own a striple.... I ride my striple like a nana but I am loving it more every day... it's such a great bike!

[Usarka]

I had exactly the same reaction on the street then rode the speed triple. Unfortunatlely my little brain only remembers the last great thrill so I'm now stuck trying to work out which one I want. Head says street, the spleen squashed against my spinal column says speed.....

So I'm going to test ride the street again :eek:

[Gubb]

I had a look at the Street Triple R last week here in the Isle of Man.

I had a good look, and talk about the "R" yesterday at Big Boys Toys. For me, and the style of riding that I have, the upgraded brakes are really wasted on me, the standard ones are fantastic.

Apparently the main drawcard of the "R" is the upgraded suspension, and after talking to a few people, they said that 95% of the time the suspension on the base model is wonderful, it's just that some NZ roads can bring out some issues, but that with replacing the back shock with an Ohlins item, and redoing the fork cartridges would achieve the same goal. For $500 cheaper than the extra $2k for the "R".

On the downside, you don't get the added wank factor of the decal, but I think I can live with that, and spend the rest on a fly screen instead.

I had exactly the same reaction on the street then rode the speed triple.
I was umming and ahhing as to whether I should take out the Speed, but realistically, I don't have the extra $5k to spend. I 'spose it couldn't hurt to have a go though, but I suspect it's a bit too much grunt just yet...

[Usarka]

I was umming and ahhing as to whether I should take out the Speed, but realistically, I don't have the extra $5k to spend. I 'spose it couldn't hurt to have a go though, but I suspect it's a bit too much grunt just yet...

Moving up from the 2fiddy the street will be more than enough bike, and hell to be honest i think it's more than enough for me and I've been on 600 and 750's for the last x years.

Judging by your reaction to the test ride IMHO if you don't have the extra cash then don't even bother trying the speed. It's easy to trade up to a bigger bike in the future but the ego finds it hard to go down in size :D

Thats why I'm test riding a street again :wacko:

[RantyDave]

I was umming and ahhing as to whether I should take out the Speed, but realistically, I don't have the extra $5k to spend.
There are loads of great condition second hand speed triples at the moment. But if you don't need/want the extra grunt then there's nothing you can do to make it as light as a Street.

Dave

[slopster]

Saw the street triple R at big boys toys yesterday and it looked pretty cool. Made me seriously think about one as my next bike. Looking on the triumph website though I saw that it has 21hp less then the daytona 675 even with the same engine. I'd expect a bit of detuning but 21hp is a hell of a drop.

[DarkLord]

That was a good day. I can see why you like that little fella!

[MD]

Good write up Gubb. Enjoyed reading how much you liked the Street Triple.

I MUST sample one next time a demo is available. Will be interesting to compare the motor to the Dayt. and I an curious about the more upright riding position.

[Devil]

Looking on the triumph website though I saw that it has 21hp less then the daytona 675 even with the same engine. I'd expect a bit of detuning but 21hp is a hell of a drop.

Ignore those figures. Use your arseometer. It's a great state of tune with punchy midrange, moreso than the Daytona.

[davebullet]

Great writeup Gubb.

It is hard for any toy / thing to live up to hype. After all, we can usually imagine something to be better than it actually is. That the Street Triple met your expectations is great. I'm in the same boat re what next after a 250. I don't want a sports style handlebar position. I want something close to weight wise what I'm used to now (153Kg dry) and the Street ticks all the boxes.

Problem now is choosing which colour.... The only other advantage the R has is the colour choices (blazing orange and graphite grey - both matt finishes I think).

Out of interest.... In terms of colour popularity - The triumph675.org forum showed 24 black, 18 green and 18 white out of the members who had bought a street.

Cheers,
Dave.

[sinfull]

I had a good look, and talk about the "R" yesterday at Big Boys Toys. For me, and the style of riding that I have, the upgraded brakes are really wasted on me, the standard ones are fantastic.

Apparently the main drawcard of the "R" is the upgraded suspension, and after talking to a few people, they said that 95% of the time the suspension on the base model is wonderful, it's just that some NZ roads can bring out some issues, but that with replacing the back shock with an Ohlins item, and redoing the fork cartridges would achieve the same goal. For $500 cheaper than the extra $2k for the "R".

On the downside, you don't get the added wank factor of the decal, but I think I can live with that, and spend the rest on a fly screen instead.

I was umming and ahhing as to whether I should take out the Speed, but realistically, I don't have the extra $5k to spend. I 'spose it couldn't hurt to have a go though, but I suspect it's a bit too much grunt just yet...
Have to love ya write up there Gubb !
Don't think you'll be dissapointed, perhaps down the road a few months your attitude to upgrading the suspension might change. but as you said 500 notes cheaper than a stock R and you have the olins gear in these ! The front is tha hard part to sus on the speed, with comp clicker on one fork and rebound on te other, aint looked too close at the street but hope they changed that !
Have started wishing the suspention on the Speed 3 was a bit more than it is now, but if you were to put the street up against it, the only advantage the speed might have is ..... nah dont think it would, few extra horses ??? Meh drags maybe !

Ignore those figures. Use your arseometer. It's a great state of tune with punchy midrange, moreso than the Daytona.

Hence the seat leaning toward the tank lol or you'd find it sliding backwards huh

[Usarka]

Problem now is choosing which colour.... The only other advantage the R has is the colour choices (blazing orange and graphite grey - both matt finishes I think).


Do you have a vagina?


Does colour really factor highly for people buying a brand new bike? :wacko:

[Devil]

Does colour really factor highly for people buying a brand new bike? :wacko:

Of course. If i've got to look at it, it's gotta look how I want.

Personally the only colour for naked Triumph is black. Although the white IS pretty cool.

Brand new is when you get the most choice!

[davebullet]

Do you have a vagina?

No I don't, but I like them though.


Does colour really factor highly for people buying a brand new bike? :wacko:

For you obviously not. With a new bike, you have the choice. When buying second hand you are usually buying because of condition, price, location to where you are etc... colour becomes one of the last factors.

Colour choice also affects visibility and resale value / time on market. If you are going to upgrade soon, then that might affect your choice at new.

[nallac]

When buying second hand you are usually buying because of condition, price, location to where you are etc... colour becomes one of the last factors.



even buying second hand, colours the first factor for me..
gotta like what you are buying.
the hard parts combining all of your stuff above with the right colour.

[vifferman]

Does colour really factor highly for people buying a brand new bike? :wacko:
Even a secondhand bike.
One of the (minor) reasons I bought the VFR was because it was blue. Having had three red bikes, I didn't really want another one. There was a choice of several bikes at the time, and I chose this one primarily because it had a Satantune pipe and heated grips, but the colour made a difference too.

It's a fact too that some vehicles look better in certain colours. This doesn't apply quite so much to bikes as it does to cars, but if you've got a choice, why not choose the colour you like best?

[Gremlin]

Of course. If i've got to look at it, it's gotta look how I want.
:killingme

Yet you bought one that was one colour, then bought a set of panels in another colour... oh wait... you have some lame excuse handy, don't you? :rolleyes:

[nallac]

:killingme

Yet you bought one that was one colour, then bought a set of panels in another colour... oh wait... you have some lame excuse handy, don't you? :rolleyes:


good for doing runners from the coppers?.
quick change of panels, jacket and helmet and it wasn't me officer:lol:

[Devil]

:P
Well the wrong coloured one was $2000 cheaper than the one I wanted, and it cost me $350 to get it looking (IMHO) better than the one I wanted :D

Chubby chaser.

[NZsarge]

The only Street Triple i've seen was white and I thought it really suited that colour.

[Trumpess]

Have you picked yourself up off the floor yet Gubb?? :lol:
Excellent write up, thoroughly enjoyed reading that!
You know what your going to have to do now, dont you.
:lol: the majority of us here know what you have to do, you gonna kick yourself if you dont.
I have heard many guys talking about the new striples and near on having orgasims talking about their experiences.
And they all want one!

[Gubb]

...I have an appointment with the bank man this week.

[Owl]

Of course. If i've got to look at it, it's gotta look how I want.

Personally the only colour for naked Triumph is black. Although the white IS pretty cool.

Brand new is when you get the most choice!

+1 :yes:

[jrandom]

Whilst I am not prepared to compromise on the principle that Bleck is the One True Colour for a Motor Sickle, I must admit that the the striples (and the Ducati 848) are quite gorgeous in white.

[Gubb]

Whilst I am not prepared to compromise on the principle that Bleck is the One True Colour for a Motor Sickle, I must admit that the the striples (and the Ducati 848) are quite gorgeous in white.
My thoughts exactly. Just those two bikes, and possibly a hornet.

I saw a White Goldwing once, it looked like a fridge on wheels.

[jrandom]

My thoughts exactly. Just those two bikes, and possibly a hornet.

I saw a White Goldwing once, it looked like a fridge on wheels.

One of my colleagues just bought a white 848 as his First Proper Bike after his Hobag 250.

I had never realised that it was possible to experience such a potent mix of disapproval and envy.

:crybaby:

[DarkLord]

My thoughts exactly. Just those two bikes, and possibly a hornet.

I saw a White Goldwing once, it looked like a fridge on wheels.

Fridge on wheels :laugh:

[Usarka]

A fridge on wheels holds beer, don't knock it!

Stop talking about triumphs goddammit! Gubb have you got yer new ride yet???? ;)

[davebullet]

I have a feeling the force has been kind to Gubb :niceone: ... stay tuned for an update

[discotex]

I’ve already decided that I’m not too interested in the GSX-R/ZX/CBR/R6’s , as I have absolutely zero ambition to be the next Rossi, and I think I would get frustrated by having a bike that I could only ever use 1/5^th of the available potential. Fuck taking corners at close to Warp 9. I want to have fun.

Sounds like a man in :love: Street is on my list of nakeds to try out before I buy another bike.

Don't think that just because it's not a supersport you'll be able to ride it to anywhere near it's potential on the road. I'm sure it'll still do 100km/h in first on one wheel and will entice you to lose your license at every opportunity :devil2:

[Jacko2]

Well Done Gubb!!!
Tried the black one at cyclespot couple of weeks back.
Loved It!

[TimothyS]

I have a GSX650F, had it for about 4 months. I really don't like it, it is not a riders bike, it's for getting from A to B.
And it's so damn heavy and big.


Wow. Just Wow. I don’t know if I can find the right words for this, so here’s a few that I just slapped together:

....

The GSX-F 650 is a far more comfortable bike, it would be a better commuter, it would get me to work with no hassles, all the time. The Street Triple would get me to work late because I took the long way, with a massive smile on my dial.

Striple wins.

Where do I sign?

[peterpan]

has anyone compared the street triple with and with out fly screen? does it make any differnce? i rode stripple with out screen and thought it was still less windy than my monster.

[sinfull]

has anyone compared the street triple with and with out fly screen? does it make any differnce? i rode stripple with out screen and thought it was still less windy than my monster.

Don't know about the street but was talking to a mate who has one on his speed 3 and recons it does make the hell difference (we are talking track riding though)

[Gubb]

I'm getting a screen, hopefully next week, so i'll let you know.

[TimothyS]

Well I got the big arse screen instead of the smoked one, and I'm not sure if I notice a difference at all. Then again I have been riding to boxing class in a tshirt and shorts, so that may be affecting my perception somewhat... jeez it's getting cold!


I'm getting a screen, hopefully next week, so i'll let you know.

[Gubb]

I forgot about this.

The screen and visor certainly makes a difference with prolonged motorway speeds. Much less chest blast.

[Maha]

I forgot about this.

The screen and visor certainly makes a difference with prolonged motorway speeds. Much less chest blast.

I did not notice a screen?
Must admit though, its one thing I have been thinking about for the CB!
I have seen a few with a givi and I guess, maybe I would put it on only on a long trip etc.

[Gubb]

It's been on for a few weeks, I'll get a photo up at some point. I'm a lazy bugger.