Speed Triple Mmmmmmmmmm.

**Lou Girardin** · 1st March 2006, 13:25

I managed to lever the Managers arse off this long enough to get a ride.
Sorry Hornet, you just don't cut it anymore. $8000 diff or not.
This has to be one of the great engines period. It sounds like a V12 Merlin with the Micron cans fitted. Wheelies off the throttle without trying. (I kinda wondered why the steering got all light)
Then there's top end to match the surge from even 2 grand, arm stretching stuff. It probably isn't as ultimately sharp as a Superduke, and it's butt is real ugly (butt ugly, geddit?)
But it's nicer in town and holds a sensible amount of gas, plus it's cheaper.
I said I'd take one at staff discount with no interest and 5 years to pay, funnily enough Ray just laughed.

**Devil** · 1st March 2006, 13:28

Bah, i'd love one. But it doesnt appear too pillion friendly!

You bastard.

**Fishy** · 1st March 2006, 13:34

Any pics Lou?

**beyond** · 1st March 2006, 13:42

Nice looking bike

**DMNTD:Me** · 1st March 2006, 13:44

Originally Posted by Fishslayer

Any pics Lou?

This one was at the Puhoi Pub on sunday. Looks wicked in person and man did it sound GOOD!
Oh yes...no need for a pillion is there?

**beyond** · 1st March 2006, 13:46

Heres a piccy for the droolers.

**Fishy** · 1st March 2006, 13:47

Nice bike alright!. Would love to hear one.

**kiwisfly** · 1st March 2006, 13:49

Mmmmmm thats damn sexy.
I wanna drape myself naked over the naked bike!!!

**Blackbird** · 1st March 2006, 13:58

It's the only thing I'd want if I sold the 'bird BUT it's got stuff-all passenger capability unless you're a midget. The Hornet still scores on that account. Mrs Blackbird wouldn't come on the back any more for sure.

Hang on, there's a thought....

**Lou Girardin** · 1st March 2006, 14:11

Originally Posted by Fishslayer

Nice bike alright!. Would love to hear one.

C'mon up and have a listen. maybe go for a squirt if the sales guys are in a good mood.

**Fishy** · 1st March 2006, 14:19

Might try and come in on Friday at some stage, got the day off work (for study purposes).

MD · 1st March 2006, 16:44

Same thoughts here Lou after a test ride. Standard mufflers sounded good enough and as you said, arm wrenching torque from any revs. Easy to ride, comfortable and cool looks. It makes the rider feel good and that's what it's all about.

**Big Dave** · 1st March 2006, 17:16

Lou and i had this discussion face to face earlier in the day.
(as he was selling me a beautiful pair of Harley-Davidson Johny reb style boots for a fraction of the price of Johy rebs

)

-----------------

The Devil Inside.
Big Dave.

Wasn’t me – it was the bike.
Two days it took.
Two x 24 hour time spans and this motorcycle turned me into a ‘hooligan’.

‘Take the smooth line, ride fast - but do it smoothly’ was my always mantra.
The first day the 2005 Triumph Speed Triple was in my possession, ‘Smooth Dave’ prevailed. Lines were neat, take offs restrained and road demeanour impeccable.

Then the feeling of balance that comes from the bike’s naked form, upright ergos, flat bars, punchy and immediate power delivery, quick steering and sharp as a tack handling had me reaching into a long disused bag of tricks.
Wheelstands, stoppies and general dart-about-here-and-there-simply-because-I-can behaviour ensued in a Jekyll and Hyde like performance. And what bloody great fun it was too!

As much fun as the Speed Triple is around the city, it also proved to be a more than capable sports scratcher on run through the Hunuas and Bombay Hills. I feared the steepness of the rake and the quickness of steering that makes city carving such a delight, might in some way compromise open road manners, but such concerns were unfounded as handling at open road speeds remained impeccable.

The naked form also feels like you are going much faster than the equivalent speed on a fully faired machine. That is not to say that the new 1050 won’t charge with the very best of them - cause it will, but also that the Speed Triple is quite rewarding to ride at speeds where ‘instant disqualification’ isn’t an issue too.

The Nissin radial brakes stop the bike superbly with excellent feedback, and if you feel the desire to send the back wheel rearward, just grab a handful and squeeze. Delightful.

Styling is an evolution of the Speed Triple line with its bulbous twin headlights and minimalist everything else and it’s all delivered in a package that screams ‘irresponsible -and loving it’.

KR