To trade or not to trade?

[Milts]

I currently own a 2010 Street Triple, which I have had for 18+ months. It's the only bike over 250cc I have ever owned.

I love this bike to bits. It does just about everything I need it to. But... I have two issues with it.

• I have never been as comfortable cornering on it as I am on sports bikes with lower bars and a more aggressive position. Much of this I think is lack of confidence.
• It's an expensive bike to justify as my only vehicle. It also means I am paranoid of damaging it in a low speed drop (while U-turing for example)

I am very tempted to sell or trade it, and buy something like a Kawasaki ZX9R (sporty but not a superbike), and an old beaten up POS on which to practice dumb things in a carpark and on the track.

Basically, I would spend the summer learning as much as possible about riding, learn the limits of the tyres more, and come out a better rider. But it would involve twice the rego + WOF costs, and would mean no more shiny street triple in the garage.

Opinions? Feedback? Should I ditch the triple for a year or stick with a bike which I love to bits?

[tigertim20]

cant say whats right for you, but I can say having more than one bike is great!

Get two bikes, and give it a go, if you change your mind you can sell up and buy your old bike back, or one the same, or one totally different, or just blow the cash on hookers and blow.

[Milts]

cant say whats right for you, but I can say having more than one bike is great!

Get two bikes, and give it a go, if you change your mind you can sell up and buy your old bike back, or one the same, or one totally different, or just blow the cash on hookers and blow.

That's one of the issues - not convinced that after going to two bikes, I could sell them both and then find a triple going for what I sell/trade mine for. I.E. no going back until I save up a few grand to branch the difference. Although that could be a positive, if I sold, bought two bikes, saved a year and then bought a Street Triple R instead...

[mossy1200]

You dont find limits until you cross them and fall off.
Wouldnt the idea be ride well below limits not falling off and keep your bike.

Get a cheap bucket racer and fall off that alot and keep the tripple.

[GrayWolf]

I currently own a 2010 Street Triple, which I have had for 18+ months. It's the only bike over 250cc I have ever owned.

I love this bike to bits. It does just about everything I need it to. But... I have two issues with it.

• I have never been as comfortable cornering on it as I am on sports bikes with lower bars and a more aggressive position. Much of this I think is lack of confidence.
• It's an expensive bike to justify as my only vehicle. It also means I am paranoid of damaging it in a low speed drop (while U-turing for example)

I am very tempted to sell or trade it, and buy something like a Kawasaki ZX9R (sporty but not a superbike), and an old beaten up POS on which to practice dumb things in a carpark and on the track.

Basically, I would spend the summer learning as much as possible about riding, learn the limits of the tyres more, and come out a better rider. But it would involve twice the rego + WOF costs, and would mean no more shiny street triple in the garage.

Opinions? Feedback? Should I ditch the triple for a year or stick with a bike which I love to bits?

You answer your own problem really.... The street triple obviously requires a bit of actual 'riding' instead of the sprotbike type of handling.
many old riders, or those who own/have owned old bikes will soon tell you they often need 'manhandling' through bends rather than just point and go. Good example is the old FJ11/1200 series.. still a damn good motor and the first Japanese 'perimeter' frame. Handled very well for the time... BUT is long, low and heavy... corners very stable, but has the sharp turning ability of an ocean liner.. fast riding requires out wide, apex, out wide in a similar line to a cruiser. try cutting in to quick and the natural characteristic to 'run wide' will bite you firmly in the arse!
It really sounds like you bought a bike thats 'too much' for you... Take it easy, learn the bike and gain your confidence. Make sure suspension is set correctly, right tyre pressures and tyre compound to suit your riding style. (Sports tyres are stickier, BUT often require aggressive riding style to get enough heat into them... often the less 'grippy tyres' are more forgiving overall.
Not all, but a lot of sprotbikes are quite 'twitchy' on rough or uneven surfaces, which can rapidly become intrusive on back roads.

[bogan]

1) I've got a VT250 I'll trade you for it
2) Get some bars that suit you, actually, why stop there, get the pegs done right too, and the suspension. If you 'love it to bits' as is, think how much better it'll be when it suits you!
3) If its a price thing, get a jappa, CBR600F4 or somesuch, still plenty of fun to be had, but a lot cheaper.

[caspernz]

Attend some rider training days on the track, insurance covers it.

Confidence and ability improves.

Keep your current bike.

Problem solved.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I currently own a 2010 Street Triple, which I have had for 18+ months. It's the only bike over 250cc I have ever owned.

I love this bike to bits. It does just about everything I need it to. But... I have two issues with it.

• I have never been as comfortable cornering on it as I am on sports bikes with lower bars and a more aggressive position. Much of this I think is lack of confidence.
• It's an expensive bike to justify as my only vehicle. It also means I am paranoid of damaging it in a low speed drop (while U-turing for example)

I am very tempted to sell or trade it, and buy something like a Kawasaki ZX9R (sporty but not a superbike), and an old beaten up POS on which to practice dumb things in a carpark and on the track.

Basically, I would spend the summer learning as much as possible about riding, learn the limits of the tyres more, and come out a better rider. But it would involve twice the rego + WOF costs, and would mean no more shiny street triple in the garage.

Opinions? Feedback? Should I ditch the triple for a year or stick with a bike which I love to bits?

My suggestion (especially if it is bought and paid for) is to go and do some training. Do a ProRider course. or one of the others. Then practice the skills you will learn.

Ive been riding for 30+ years and did a ProRider course on Saturday.

That will take care of your "Corner confidence" and "OMG Ima drop my bike at slow speed" issues.

Here is the website:

http://www.prorider.co.nz/

You're welcome.

PS I have a Street Triple also.... great bike.

[HenryDorsetCase]

That's one of the issues - not convinced that after going to two bikes, I could sell them both and then find a triple going for what I sell/trade mine for. I.E. no going back until I save up a few grand to branch the difference. Although that could be a positive, if I sold, bought two bikes, saved a year and then bought a Street Triple R instead...

I suggest that there is no difference on the road between a Street Triple and a STreet Triple R. for most riders nearly all the time.

If its a trackday maybe. but its not like the brakes and suspension of a ST are shite anyway. Ive ridden both, own a fettled ST-R. The biggest improvement you will make is you: then it dont matter what bike y'all ridin'

[Milts]

Thanks for the comments.

I may be overstating my lack of confidence. I've taken it to the track 5 or 6 times and got on fine in group 3 (4 groups, 1 being fastest). I just always feel there is a lot to be improved upon, and having a bike I don't mind dropping gives me more of a chance to do that.

I'll definitely look into getting some rider training - I think there's some coming up in November that I was considering.

[ckai]

WASH YOUR MOUTH OUT!!! Thinking about getting rid of a Trumpy for a Jappa?!?!?!?!! Dems fightin' words they are! You'll never be allowed back into the fRat if you do that. haha.

Do some training on the track. I really don't know why more people don't do this. After all the track work I've done, I can't see the point any more in "finding my tyre limits" on the road. I'm also seriously considering spending more time on the track and less time on the road. Maybe getting a track hack and confusing everyone by keeping the Daytona for the road.

2) Get some bars that suit you, actually, why stop there, get the pegs done right too, and the suspension. If you 'love it to bits' as is, think how much better it'll be when it suits you!

Ya could do this. Modern cafe racer ya bike. Although if you got clipon's you're essentially riding a detuned Daytona. Might as well trade the Stripple and get one and really​ enjoy life

[HenryDorsetCase]

Thanks for the comments.

I may be overstating my lack of confidence. I've taken it to the track 5 or 6 times and got on fine in group 3 (4 groups, 1 being fastest). I just always feel there is a lot to be improved upon, and having a bike I don't mind dropping gives me more of a chance to do that.

I'll definitely look into getting some rider training - I think there's some coming up in November that I was considering.

"dont mind dropping"

I mind it a lot. I dont give a fuck about the bike its replaceable: just a machine at the end of the day. But falling off fucking hurts. Hellwiththat!

Ive got 20mm bar risers under my bars: and a TTX36. and some CKT fork fettling. best bike I have ever owned.

[Milts]

"dont mind dropping"

I mind it a lot. I dont give a fuck about the bike its replaceable: just a machine at the end of the day. But falling off fucking hurts. Hellwiththat!

Heh I've done it a few times and never more than bruising... very good learning though. And that's the thing: every time I've fallen off I've learned something. When at the track I start cornering that little bit harder and the rear wheel wiggles under acceleration, and I'm wondering: is that normal, can it take more, or am I pushing it? I have no way of knowing, and finding out the hard way would end up extremely expensive.

Someone mentioned a bucket - I love that idea but it would require buying a car and trailer.

[caseye]

Shit, if I'd learned something everytime I fell off I'd still be a complete noob ( jr, around ere at all?)
Please read the following. "You don't have to fall off a motorbike to learn something" You do need ti ride one, as often as you can and in all sorts of weather and terrain, then you will begin to understand what your bike can do and how to get it in and OUT of situations you may find yourself in.
She's a great bike, more training, more track time and definitely more riding on the road time, it'll happen and hopefully you'll also learn not to drop your precious ( ok, Ok, it's just a bike) bike for no good reason.
Go forth, ride and get some good training under your belt, keep the stripple!

[mossy1200]

Heh I've done it a few times and never more than bruising... very good learning though. And that's the thing: every time I've fallen off I've learned something. When at the track I start cornering that little bit harder and the rear wheel wiggles under acceleration, and I'm wondering: is that normal, can it take more, or am I pushing it? I have no way of knowing, and finding out the hard way would end up extremely expensive.

Someone mentioned a bucket - I love that idea but it would require buying a car and trailer.

I got room in van for 2 and room in garage for storage.