Blackbird vs Street Triple - first impressions

[short-circuit]

The 675 lacks a motor.... take one out for a ride and you will be hitting the rev limiter in every gear all the time. It just feels like you have to push it all the time to get it to do anything. It's a high revin motor.

It will leave you wanting! imo

Coming off of your v twin, my guess is that you probably not used to (and didn't utilise) the linear power delivery of the triple (which does not die away at higher revs in the way that a twin does).

The 675 higher revving mid displacement motor has completely different characteristics to the 1050. Those that know something about Triumphs, those who have reviewed, and those who have first hand experience all have opinions that differ greatly from yours. The 675 inline triple does not perform like a typical 600 cc inline four - if it did I would not own one. I had the option of the Speed 1050 and stayed with the 675 (partly for the nimbleness) but also because the 675 engine was more engaging.

Wheelies in third gear, 1/4 mile in the 11s, and 0-100 kmph in 3.34 seconds is hardly a motor that lacks. Combine it with the diminutive 167 kg dry weight and a world class chassis and the result is....well ask Blackbird.

[Blackbird]

Hmmm... bit early in the piece for a definitive judgement as you both (2WD and SC) have valid points. Although I'm being judicious during break-in, the torque seems almost linear and with its light weight at just over 160 kg, I'm delighted with the acceleration.

With respect to being a bit revvy, well it certainly is compared with the Blackbird. At 6000 rpm in top, the Striple is doing ~110 km/hr whereas the 'bird was doing 160 km/hr! If I was touring the south island at my normal long distance pace, I'm not sure whether I'd want the Striple revving at (say) 8000rpm + for long periods although the mean piston speed is probably no greater than the 'bird with its longer stroke.

However, having gone to Whitianga and back yesterday morning on a shopping trip, I have no doubt that I'm faster through the twisties than I would have been on the 'bird. It's all a question of fitness for purpose and as I'm blessed with living on the Coro Loop, the Striple "fitness" is spot on for maybe 95% of my riding

[Gareth51]

Well done both of you.
Yes, check the throttle cable adjustment once run in. From new my 675 Daytona quickly developed some slack in the throttle cables , but this was adjusted on the first 1000km service which made a noticeable improvement. Never needed touching since and now up to 38,000km

I must check that, might stop me from accidentally pulling wheelies especially out of corners

[Gareth51]

As a born again after 40 years I brought the Bonnie,kinda like I rode back in the sixties and thought my up grade would be something like the new Thunderbird.
I had only sat on a Triple a couple of times in the bike shop but never ridden one then out of impulse I brought one of the Internet thinking that if I didn't like it I could always sell it.But as what has already been said on here it's one hell of a bike,makes you feel like (and behave) like a teenager again

[Blackbird]

.....makes you feel like (and behave) like a teenager again

Couldn't agree more. Y'know, when I had the Blackbird, hardly a ride would go by when I wasn't pulling "go to jail" speeds, albeit momentarily because it was all too easy on a bike like that. Although I've only had the Striple since Wednesday and am running it in, I don't actually miss the hyper-velocities because of its other fun characteristics that the Blackbird lacked. That's not saying either is better or worse than the other, just different.

I wasn't disdainful about smaller bikes at all, but having owned big 'uns for the last couple of decades, I certainly had lost sight of how much fun smaller, more nimble ones are. Which is exactly what Hitcher and you are getting at.

All I can say is that it's great that there is such a fantastic range of bikes to choose from.

Addendum: Something else pertinent which I might add. When we hosted the 2 KB'ers who rode the Honda 100 up from Christchurch, I rode shotgun on the 'bird with them round the Coro Peninsula at dizzying speeds up 90 km/hr! I remember telling them that whilst on that ride, I actually saw things round the Peninsula that I'd never noticed in previous years! Maybe a Striple might help with that on the odd occasion too!

[2wheeldrifter]

Coming off of your v twin, my guess is that you probably not used to (and didn't utilise) the linear power delivery of the triple (which does not die away at higher revs in the way that a twin does).

The 675 higher revving mid displacement motor has completely different characteristics to the 1050. Those that know something about Triumphs, those who have reviewed, and those who have first hand experience all have opinions that differ greatly from yours. The 675 inline triple does not perform like a typical 600 cc inline four - if it did I would not own one. I had the option of the Speed 1050 and stayed with the 675 (partly for the nimbleness) but also because the 675 engine was more engaging.

Wheelies in third gear, 1/4 mile in the 11s, and 0-100 kmph in 3.34 seconds is hardly a motor that lacks. Combine it with the diminutive 167 kg dry weight and a world class chassis and the result is....well ask Blackbird.

Maybe I didn't use the "linear power" of the 675,yes am use to V-twins, but riding it left me disappointed after 120km's ride around the BOP, chassis great.. but motor just wasn't there!!?? ride the 1050...do the same roads.. it's got the chassis and A motor to go with it... after riding both can't see why someone would go with the 675 if your forking out close to the same dollers and your looking for all round performance the 1050 is the go on those two points alone.
Otherwise dude personal feel and reasons are just to long and variable. I think if you rode both bikes on the same road, most rider's what say 1050 sweet, but the 675 hmmmmm good but your left scratching your chin..............
Have riden the 1050 for many miles as a friend has one... it's a super bike don't doubt that at all.

Someone like me who know's nothing about Triumphs or have first hand experience??? Have riden both and found the 675 street and was left wanting! My opinon just like yours dude

Cheers Bro!

Maybe I could have explained my reasons why I thought that better

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

Well after a week of owning a street triple I can say that I have definately made the right choice.

Oodles of power for my liking, bearing in mind that I have mainly been riding it round Makara (lots of twisties - hardly any straights). Haven't found it laking on the corners at all and still not really getting up the rev range too far as it is nice and torquey.

Finding that the bike is pretty forgiving and very light. It doesn't feel flighty just very solid and manouverable. Very confidence inspiring in the corners.

In regards to the comparisons between the street and the speed - they are really two different bikes to me.
Haven't riden a Speed myself so I don't know - Street is all about the corners, if you are going to be doing highway journeys all the time then it is the wrong bike for you (indeed a naked is most probably the wrong choice all together).
But the fact that a 675cc is even compared to a 1050cc tells you what you really need to know - that the street definately punches above its weight.

Better to compare the street to similar engine sized bikes. Most often compared to the ducatti 696 monster but it's closest rival seems to be the new 600 hornet.

For me the most interesting comparisons would be against race orientated bikes (Daytona, GSXR 600, R6 etc). I would say the buyers of Street triples are also looking at these types of bikes but not wanting the "racing" rider position.

[Blackbird]

I think 2WD was spot on when he says that everyone has different tastes (could add different end uses too) and that's exactly how it should be.

I'm actually surprised how easily I adapted from the Blackbird. I shot round to the Coroglen Tavern for a ride yesterday, didn't go over 110 km/hr and had a ball just going fast in the twisties. If I was going to do long distance riding on straighter roads as a fair percentage of my total riding, then the Striple would not be my first choice.

Having said that, my thoughts are turning towards doing the Grand Challenge again next year to make it number 5 and it will also mean that I'll have done it on 3 different bikes

Fancy a crack at it Glen (2WD)and bring Rhys along ?

[2wheeldrifter]

Yeah we be keen... it's around the same time every year aye? Gives us plenty of time to sort days off if needed.

[cindymay]

I have finally got a Street Triple. It is my Brisbane bike and I know I will love it. The roads are not as exciting as the Coro - but it is a great city and burbs bike. I will be back there soon to ride it more.

[Blackbird]

I have finally got a Street Triple. It is my Brisbane bike and I know I will love it. The roads are not as exciting as the Coro - but it is a great city and burbs bike. I will be back there soon to ride it more.

It's a sensational town and twisties bike and you'll love it. Can't comment about long hauls yet as they're a bit tedious what with running in.

Enjoy!!!

[Dave Lobster]

Have riden the 1050 for many miles as a friend has one... it's a super bike don't doubt that at all.
:

Worth the extra cash for the SSSA alone

[Gubb]

Great girl's bike, the Striple. I know someone who'll be upgrading to one from a Scorpio soon.

...I've been called worse.

[Hinny]

Wheelies in third gear, 1/4 mile in the 11s, and 0-100 kmph in 3.34 seconds ,,,

Where did you get those figures from?
Lala land?

[Blackbird]

Where did you get those figures from?
Lala land?

I've seen several road tests with quarter miles in the high 11's and a top speed of just under 230 km/hr. The 675 Daytona has a higher top speed but less midrange.