Yay!
The Triumph test fleet's in town.
& I don't need a second invitation to come & try a few new Trumps.
So seeing as there was a gap in the rain today.
Guess how I spent the afternoon?
First cab off the rank was the one I've been waiting a long time for; the Street Triple.
& it looked stunning in black.
I found the seat a tad tall, but liked the ride position straight away.
The ergo's weren't that different from my Scrambler, so it didn't take me long to settle in.
I found the close ratio, 6 speed box a bit strange at first. As I was getting it into top (6th) by 70kph, which is only 3K on the tacho, & the engine is really starting to scream by 6K (aprox 110kph). But with the red-line set at 13K, I suppose it's got a lot more screaming to go (I didn't test it that much).
I'm not going to admit how fast I went, but suffice to say that I found it to have very stable manners at speed, & I didn't notice the wind buffeting, too much.
Next up was the Street's track-oriented sibling, the Daytona 675.
This one had an even taller seat height, & I was on my tip-toes (stubby leg syndrome). The seat was just a rubber pad, & my backside was whinging by the end of the block.
My wrist's & back were complaining loudly too, & I was really starting to hate it, by the time I reached the open road.
But as soon as I opened it up on the freeway, all was forgiven.
The motor & trans are almost identical to the Street, but it all goes just that bit harder & sharper.
I was getting used to the ride position, by the time I got back to the shop.
But I still think I prefer the Street, as it's very close to the Daytona's abilities. But is a lot more user friendly (& it's $3K cheaper).
They asked me if I'd like to try anything else. So I took a Speedmaster out for a spin, as I'd never sampled a Triumph cruiser before. & I thought it only fair to try one. After all the controversial things I've been saying about cruisers lately.
It ceratinly was a good looking rig.
I liked the low seat height straight away. It's a lot easier to get my old frame over than either of the other two, or even my Scrambler for that matter.
But my joy was tempered by the forward controls, which I found too much of a stretch, & it caused pain in my back.
Once I got used to using the forward controls, I liked the ride position, & the view from the cockpit.
All that chrome & chunky fittings looked really choice, & it scored highly on the shop window reflection test too.
I enjoyed the relaxed, laid-back feeing, & they sure are a lot of fun, at highway speeds (which most bike's aren't).
By the second roundabout I was getting used to the cornering techniques, & with a bit of practice, I think I'd soon be quite quick through the twisties on one.
I was getting used to the forward controls by the time I got back, though I still found the stretch a bit of a pain.
Overall, I was quite impressed. I still don't think I'm a cruiser guy (yet). But I can see myself getting one, if/when my back get's too bad to ride my bike. Though I'd have to do something about making the forward control's more to my liking.
So that was a good day, & I'd advise all Oz Rat members to get their arse down to their dealer's, when the test fleet rolls through their burg.
I'm still thinking seriously about the Street Triple.
May's the earliest I can get one, & I'll have to slap down a deposit pretty quick too, to secure one out of that shipment.
So I best not think about it too long. Eh?
Ride Free
Scratch
with envy or anything 
.
Thanks, Scratch. That was an enjoyable read with good pics. I'd like to get on a Street Triple too, seems like my kind of bike.
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