Street Triple or Speed Triple - that's the question

**Stirts** · 25th July 2012, 08:32

Originally Posted by AllanC

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

Originally Posted by Geeen

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

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/201...bird-some.html and the extended Street Triple evaluation is here: http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/201...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

Originally Posted by Stirts

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

Originally Posted by Blackbird

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

Originally Posted by AllanC

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

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 ...

**Berries** · 31st July 2012, 22:23

Originally Posted by davebullet

.....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

Originally Posted by Batcerb

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.