Street Triple - 2,000km later

[Gubb]

I've had the bike for just over a month now, and thought I may offer some more thoughts on it after the initial shock of a new toy wore off (but only by a little bit).

Pro's:
- The engine is mind-blowingly awesome. All the torque you could need from way down low, strong right throughout the rev range. It goes in any gear, at any rev.
- The sound. Oh. My. Goodness. The sound.
- The uniqueness factor. I like the fact that it's so different. It looks odd, it has a bizarre engine configuration, it's not Japanese. It's just so different to anything else that is out there (well, apart from the Speed Triple).
- Did I mention the engine?
- It seems so quick taking off at the lights, by the time the lights change (and i've looked out for red-light runners), i'm already across the intersection, tens of meters ahead of anything else. The boi-racers don't seem to appreciate the fact that a stock-standard bike can blitz the rice-rocket that they've poured their personal-loaned-to-the-hilt wallets into.
- It handles 2 up quite well, granted the Missus is tiny, we're are both still relatively comfortable after a few hundred Km together.
- I love the whistle of the induction noise.
- It corners unbelievably well.
- Wheelies are pretty cool but you must choose the time and place very carefully.
- It seems to gather a lot of attention from people, At least 3 or 4 times a day I have people starting conversations about it, or about an old Bonnie that their uncle used to have. It seems to be a brand that everyone know
s about, but not common enough that they get seen everyday.
- It's not a Hyosung.

Con's:
- The seat is not so comfortable for anything over an hour. I will have to try a Gel seat and see if the difference is significantly better.
- Steering lock is abysmal, although the only real time this is an issue is pushing it around the garage.
- Aftermarket bits and pieces (plastics mostly) are horrendously expensive. $800 for a Belly Pan?!?
- Stock suspension needs a bit of tinkering, although it would be no worries at all if I was 30Kg smaller, or 10" shorter.

[Gremlin]

Depending on the price of the gel seat, you may want to consider Rider Customs, to customise the seat.

I have been thinking about a gel seat for my KTM, but gel seats are sometimes known for warming up and getting squishy in summer. For the record, I haven't done either yet... hoping to do something all together different (specific to ktm tho)

[Gubb]

$330 plus p&p from the US. I have heard that if left out in the sun all day, a burnt-botty can ensue.

Will have to look into the custom seat. That's Cajun's business isn't it?

[Gremlin]

Will have to look into the custom seat. That's Cajun's business isn't it?
his father in law or something... but yeah, he's related to it

Their seats are $500 ish, if its a single unit front and rear... Seems to be fantastic results for those that have done them...

[musicman]

Ah were you up in Wellsford on Christmas Day? I was up there fuelling up with TOTO and Choco and we saw you come up SH16 and go down SH1.

[Gubb]

Aye, that was me, showing the in-laws around.

[chester]

Ive just done 1000ks on mine and totally agree with your comments Gubb.
booked in for first service next week.:rockon:

[EJK]

I want one! :sunny:

[trumpy]

I have the same seat problem with my Speed Four (what is it with Triumph?). I import Orthopaedic gel in sheet form through my company. Later this week I am going to remove the seat cover and insert some gel into the seat foam and then put the cover back on. Hopefully this will ease the pain in my bum....will let you know how I get on.

[Grahameeboy]

Sounds like my SV..........:whistle:

[Grahameeboy]

I have the same seat problem with my Speed Four (what is it with Triumph?). I import Orthopaedic gel in sheet form through my company. Later this week I am going to remove the seat cover and insert some gel into the seat foam and then put the cover back on. Hopefully this will ease the pain in my bum....will let you know I get on.

I "wart" you may do that........

[YellowDog]

Good review. I got lots of bits n bobs for my Tiger from the USA very very cheap. BUT the NZ$ to US$ was over 80c. It isn't so good now. I find ebay pretty good.

[short-circuit]

Who's on holiday this week? Any Streety riders feel like a ride early this week? Gubb? Chisanga? Woza? Ranty Dave? I wanna do a few Ks on my christmas prezzie and I fancy some company

[chrispy121]

keen for a ride if the weather holds out

[short-circuit]

I'll message ya to arrange times. What about the rest of you Street Triple owners? Me and Gubb were thinking tomorrow - come out and play

[JATZ]

Ive just done 1000ks on mine and totally agree with your comments Gubb.
booked in for first service next week.:rockon:

Fine looking ride there Chester :niceone:

"course it would look better with me fanging it over the Whangamoas or Takaka hill :yes:

[RantyDave]

Who's on holiday this week? Any Streety riders feel like a ride early this week?
I'm in Wellington. To make it worse, I have this insane week coming up with belated Xmas tomorrow; mum arriving from the UK the day after; New Years is Wednesday, yes?; I leave for holiday on the third.

So, no not really. Nice thought though.

Dave

[Chisanga]

Text me in the morning. I'm supposed to be seeing some mates tommorrow but if that falls through I'll be keen :)

[short-circuit]

Well the weather's taken care of today for us. I'm keen right up to Friday (off to Waihi with the Mrs). A ride New Years day wouldn't faze a bunch of Triumph riders would it? Just don't throw up in your full face.

[woza]

I would be keen for ride sometime with other street owners... sorry i couldn't reply faster i have been on a boat for a few days

[Gubb]

I would be keen for ride sometime with other street owners... sorry i couldn't reply faster i have been on a boat for a few days

pfffft.

You know they don't have wheels right?

[woza]

pfffft.

You know they don't have wheels right?

Yeah i missed my bike so much!!

[short-circuit]

Any other Street Triples coming to the Tri day on the 18th?

[Gubb]

I suspect i'll still be coming down from BDO. Gutted.

Although I did run into a lovely lass on a Green Striple on SH16 today. Up from Tauranga apparently.

[gixxer-king]

question, just wondering why guys have picked the street triple over the speed triple?
any one thing that did it for ya?

[Devil]

question, just wondering why guys have picked the street triple over the speed triple?
any one thing that did it for ya?

Bigger is not always better. There's a huge amount of enjoyment to be had on the lighter, zippier bike.

[Chisanga]

question, just wondering why guys have picked the street triple over the speed triple?
any one thing that did it for ya?

I think if i'm realistic about how I ride then 1000cc+ is far too much for NZ roads and conditions. Plus I do a lot of suburban riding and commuting to work and it's hard enough to keep to a reasonable speed.

I borrowed a Speed when my Street was in for it's 1000km service and I got it out of 1st once in the short trip from AMPS to the CBD.... a great bike but too big for what I want at this stage


Is 1000cc/1050cc/1300cc really necessary in NZ or is it more of an ego-led decision for many bikers? Just an observation ....not picking on anyone here :)

675cc is perfect for me... goes damn well and I only ride my striple to about 25% of its capabilities (check my "Chicken Strips" if you don't beleive me) although it is more than capable of attaining licence loosing speeds very quickly.

[DarkLord]

I suspect i'll still be coming down from BDO. Gutted.

Although I did run into a lovely lass on a Green Striple on SH16 today. Up from Tauranga apparently.

That was an AWESOME ride. I've never seen you riding that quick before. I had a blast following you on Bertie.

[Pumba]

question, just wondering why guys have picked the street triple over the speed triple?
any one thing that did it for ya?

I can anwser the question in reverse on why I picked the Speed over the street, and at the end of the day it came down the short comming in the suspension on the street.

If I did it all over again I am not sure what I would do, buy the speed, buy the street and give Roabert Taylor a call to sort the suspenders, or get the street R which I would really like to ride to see the difference.

What I am pretty sure is a 675 would have been easier on the insurance premiums

[Gubb]

question, just wondering why guys have picked the street triple over the speed triple?
any one thing that did it for ya?

It's my first 'big bike' and I felt that 1050cc's was a tad too much, although i'm sure I would have been sensible with it.

The 675 has the weight advantage, and from a lot of what i've read, the Speed will beat it in a straight line, but the Street will run rings around it almost everywhere else.

Plus being $5K cheaper helped.

[Pumba]

but the Street will run rings around it almost everywhere else.

Better be carefull, that sounds like a challenge:oi-grr:

[Gubb]

Better be carefull, that sounds like a challenge:oi-grr:
Ha. I don't quite take it back, but if it was me riding both bikes, i'd certainly be more competent on the Street.

[gixxer-king]

cool. and although not my reason for it but i do see poeple buying the biggest engine just for brag factor.
i have always had suzukis right from a ginuea pig 125 to the rg150 gsxr250 and 600f to the busa. i must say though my next bike is probably going to be an augusta.
just cool to see why people pick the bikes they do.

anyone riding an augusta here at all?

[vifferman]

anyone ring an augusta here at all?
Unlikely.

There are possibly one or two who ride its cousin - the Agusta.

[vifferman]

What I am pretty sure is a 675 would have been easier on the insurance premiums
Really?
At what capacity does it kick in?

Plus being $5K cheaper helped.
That's very significant: you can buy a lot of motorcycle goodies for $5k.

[woza]

- It handles 2 up quite well, granted the Missus is tiny, we're are both still relatively comfortable after a few hundred Km together.
- I love the whistle of the induction noise.


Did you set the bike up any differently for riding 2 up?

[Gubb]

Yeah, I put the pillion pegs down. Other than that, no, but i'm quite fortunate that my partner is quite small. 5'0".

[Potzman]

Hey Gubb, think i caught up with you at a police check point some time in early december on the Kopu-Hikuai road. I was on a silver SV1000.

Good to see your still enjoying the ride!
I had a whole lot of fun on the coro roads over summer, the shear amount of torque our bikes have makes riding the twisties and dispensing with slow traffic a breeze.

By the way, I work with your bro on 5 SQN at Whenuapai.

[zeocen]

675cc is perfect for me... goes damn well and I only ride my striple to about 25% of its capabilities (check my "Chicken Strips" if you don't beleive me) although it is more than capable of attaining licence loosing speeds very quickly.

I agree wholeheartedly but when you have some minor fanboyism towards a certain brand and you have an affinity for a certain body position on said bikes, and the only bikes made today with that position in the mid range are crotch rockets made for jockeys, there isn't much choice but to go to the big 'sport tour' litre bikes!

Plus not having to ring out 16rpm on a sports bike just to go anywhere is also a plus on the litre bikes. I will have to say I have felt most at home on a big sports tour like the ZZR1200/1100 and Blackbird, even the ZX14 than smaller bikes or bikes with different body positions, not for power, purely for comfort.. if they still made those bikes in 600 range (ZZR600, CBRF4i etc) I would go to them without hesitation!

On the main subject, I rode past 3 street triples in a row yesterday heading to whitford/clevedon from Papakura on the ZZR1200, none of the 3 waved back at me when I waved to them.. what did I do wrong? :(

[Chisanga]

On the main subject, I rode past 3 street triples in a row yesterday heading to whitford/clevedon from Papakura on the ZZR1200, none of the 3 waved back at me when I waved to them.. what did I do wrong? :(

Well none of them were me... I would definately have waved :)

[davebullet]

On the main subject, I rode past 3 street triples in a row yesterday heading to whitford/clevedon from Papakura on the ZZR1200, none of the 3 waved back at me when I waved to them.. what did I do wrong? :(

"Tri" your wave with a bit more "umph" next time... they might notice.

Otherwise, they needed to have both hands on the bars to manage the savage beasts....

[Gubb]

On the main subject, I rode past 3 street triples in a row yesterday heading to whitford/clevedon from Papakura on the ZZR1200, none of the 3 waved back at me when I waved to them.. what did I do wrong? :(

They must have been in a hurry to check on their oil leaks.

[chester]

they were holding the front wheel down:shit:

[short-circuit]

On the main subject, I rode past 3 street triples in a row yesterday heading to whitford/clevedon from Papakura on the ZZR1200, none of the 3 waved back at me when I waved to them.. what did I do wrong? :(

Twasn't me either - I can wheelie one handed ;)

[Gubb]

Auckland Striple ride. Lets have one soon.

[short-circuit]

Auckland Striple ride. Lets have one soon.

I'm there. Round em up Gubby

[Mokoro]

I'm 8000km now on my black street triple, rode to Dunedin and back in the last few weeks. To be honest I've gotten used to the seat now.

Awesome ride that, state highway one all the way down. I know the west coast of the south island is scenic, but theres some pretty awesome sights to see on the east too. (Though the straights can get a wee bit boring at times)

[TimothyS]

So, I've done around a 1000k and ready to do some damage, anyone keen for a ride? (you ARE guaranteed to leave me well behind..)

[Gubb]

I gave up trying to organise it through PM.

Try this. (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/group.php?groupid=100)

[short-circuit]

Phucken Phinally Striple ride April 5th - see conversation in group Striplers for details