Tested My Dream Bike - Speed Triple

[ishkur]

Still thinking of trading my little SV650, so I went to its ‘Birthplace’ today, back to Holeshot on the shore to test ride their demo Triumph Speed Triple. The more astute amongst you will have spotted … I like Naked Bikes.

05 Triumph Speed Triple 1050 , Some Random Thoughts:

Out of the driveway and through the lights heading for the motorway, oh wow this is smooth, nice gearbox action, nice clutch movement. Nice usable power … Why is that truck pulling in front of me? … Now I’m not sure if it’s a characteristic of the SV (or just my sucky riding style), but when I roll off the power suddenly on the Suzuki … it kinda coughs and ‘lurches’ for lack of a better word. But not on the Triple … you want to go? Ok lets go … oh wait? … Now you don’t want to go? Fine lets not. Smooooooth ….

Accelerating onto the motorway … I was half expecting a ‘buzzy/ revvy’ inline 4 type of song, but this is something else. Something completely different … its not even the thumpy growl of a v-twin… this Triple is in a league of its own.
The power of this bike is very impressive, not the same horizon bending acceleration of an inline 4, more the sort of torque of a big v-twin, but hard to express? Effortless is the word that comes to mind.

Comfy and smooth, well set up suspension soaks up all the bumps and a softish seat rounds it off, I reckon I could sit on this bike for ages quite happily, if I have to criticize something, it feels almost like the bars are rotated too far forward, when you slow down and the wind is no longer supporting your weight, you can start to feel it though your wrists, strange that an upright naked like this, has that kind of a sportsbike shortcoming?

I can see the instruments at a glance on this bike, although the speedo is right at the lower limit of my peripheral vision. I’m coasting along in 6th doing just a hair over the legal limit and the engine/ exhaust noise is negligible . Heading past Wariou and someone on a Blade goes past me at Mach 10, once again the right wrist has its own thoughts on the matter and starts to follow when someone else on a Firestorm tucks in neatly behind me … What is this ? Honda Riders Club day out?

Peel off at Greville Rd and go through Albany Village, I have a workmate up on Paramoramo Rd so I stop in there to show off.

Not a criticism to dealers, but its so much easier to examine a bike when its on its own up a driveway, than when its in the showroom. Gave the Triple a good going over and while I love the style of the bike, you have to wonder what the Triumph designers were smoking when this bike was put together? I can hear the guys on the assembly line saying “Hey? Where do we put the front indicators?” …. “Hell I dunno, just chuck em on the radiator or something” … “What about the horn?” …. “Do I have to make all the decisions here? Show some initiative, slot it in down there!” etc etc

So off again and head out toward the prison, its only an 80km zone, but there are some nice twisty corners out there and the road is well sorted. Good opportunity to get a little lean on and feel some of that power on the exits.

Reluctantly back to the shop, “What did you think of that” … “Reckon I’d lose my license on it, but lets talk numbers” … “Ok, your bike is worth XXX” … “Shit that’s got to be close to full retail!!” … Damn, that makes it hard to walk away from !!

Have to go home and check my numbers

Now, all the reviews I’ve read on the Speed Triple extol its “Thuggish good looks”, its “Aggressive Stance” and “Brutal Performance”. I have to agree. I found it hard to find fault with this bike. Especially with the deal that Holeshot was putting together for me.

But I’m left wondering what else is available? Ducati Monster maybe? If there was a KTM Superduke 2nd hand for under $20k would that be worth a look? I do like v-twins, but would it be significantly better than my SV?
Any other suggestions / feedback welcome.

[Wasp]

im not one to think much about other peoples write ups but that sounds like an awesome bike! (looks ok too)

[Maha]

Yum and yummer....dam crazy colour too..yummier!.....

[07fatboy]

yes was quite impressed by this bike to....i espesially liked leaving it in 6th with no need to change down to pass....couldnt ride it for longer than 40 mins as im a little bit big for it ....i dont think the others could come close power to weight ratio...my personal favourite is the speedmaster
beautiful bike all the same ...good luck with it

[Lou Girardin]

It's gotcha hasn't it? Speed Triples are the dogs nuts. You do need to try the Superduke though, take it on a twisty loonies road. You'll need a surgeon to get the stupid grin off your face.

[Big Dave]

I thoroughly agree about naked bikes.

The Triple is sensational because it has some of the pull of a vee twin and marries it with free revving ability of a multi for a brilliant all round 'solution'.

I think they are great looking units too. I find it hard to fault the bike.

Passenger comfort is something I would only do to a girl I didn't like very much or a very, very small one.

The numberplate setup is ordinary - but easily fixed. As are the blinkers.

Apart from that - It's a stunt bike the pros choose, is comfortable one-up all day, has street cred in ANY situation, accelerates like a sprotsbike, has superb stoppers and is quite horn.

Another thing that makes me a Triumph fan is the RATs. The brand comes with a really good riding group too. Some of my best weekends ever.


The KTM is a 'harsher' bike - the 950 shakes more* and is twitchier on the trigger - not saying thats always a bad thing, fun component wise, but the S3 feels a more 'polished' machine.

* I have a Buell - like shaking bothers me. Also try a XB series Buell. mmmmmm corners.

(and nice write up too - thanks - I'll read your Brutale bit after I ride Finn's)

[Scouse]

Another convert in the making me thinks
BTW Im 6'3" and dont find it a problem to ride all day in fact it is way better than my previous bike for long distance rides

[Big Dave]

Another convert in the making me thinks
BTW Im 6'3" and dont find it a problem to ride all day in fact it is way better than my previous bike for long distance rides

Shortarse. But you are looking well.

[Scouse]

Shortarse. But you are looking well.

Thanks Gaigantor you may have 2 or three inches on me

[Big Dave]

Thanks Gaigantor you may have 2 or three inches on me

Only on a very very very cold day - and not if you were the last bloke on earth.

[MD]

Good write up. I've sampled the Triple and the KTM. The S3 would be my pick and I love the look of them and the Speedmaster. Both have some classy style.

[Scouse]

Only on a very very very cold day - and not if you were the last bloke on earth.

Hands up ya got me

[SwanTiger]

Hands up ya got me

Have you had a hair cut yah homo?

[sAsLEX]

Good write up. I've sampled the Triple and the KTM. The S3 would be my pick and I love the look of them and the Speedmaster. Both have some classy style.

Whats the high speed cruising on them like though, hard pressed to decide to go Naked after the comfort of the NC and CBR behind the blade if need be?

[MD]

Whats the high speed cruising on them like though, hard pressed to decide to go Naked after the comfort of the NC and CBR behind the blade if need be?

Can't say about the S3 but when I had the America it was soooo comfy up to 120kph but the fun (and power) stopped there. Did a long run heading south to Taupo once on it with my feet on the rear pegs- looked ridiculous on a cruiser but sort of worked and allowed a steady 140-150kph without the wind blast & discomfort. Only did it as an experiment. The cruiser makes 100-120kph totally enjoyable and takes away any desire to let rip like a sportsbike, like being a eunuch I guess. The S3 has unusally rear set pegs for a naked so it can handle open road speeds better than most nakeds. The Moto Morini 1200 I test rode had similar rear set pegs but the wind blast was still there.