Triumphrat

Brooksie · 10-31-2007

I've visited this forum a couple of times and really like the info and enthusiastic attitude of its members. I recently wrecked my 955i and am going to buy a new Triumph and I need some help. I can great a good price on an '07 675 and a great price on an '07 Speed Triple. I like the 675 for its racing layout and wind protection, as well as it being a superb street/track bike. I like the S3 for the extra power and more relaxed riding position. Can you folks please send some feedback on what you think of the 675 as an all round street bike? Thanks!!

TripleThreat · 10-31-2007

Having come from an '01 Speed Triple to an '06 675 I can tell you that they are totally different animals. The Speed Triple is way more comfortable commuting or just riding casually around town or on the back roads. It is great fun in the twisties and it wil get you introuble for lifting the front wheel.

The 675 is definately a great bike for blasts through the twisties and track days. It has more than sufficient low end grunt to be fine in stop and go traffic, but it is no where near as comfortable as the Speed Triple.

Ask yourself what your intended use is for the bike and then make your decision. Better yet - buy both!

I wish I hadn't sold my '01 Speed Triple and then I could just leave my 675 in Track Trim. The only reason I bought the 675 is because I was ready to start doing track days. Well, that and the fact that it is dead sexy! The track is where I spend most of my time riding these days so the decision was the right one to make. I rarely convert her back to street trim.

Now if I could just find a cosmetically damaged one that I could convert into a dedicated track bike, I would be a happy camper!

Good luck with your decision, but before you jump on an '07 Speed Triple, check out the '08 - It would be a little more money, but man is that thing sexy! The new wheels and the available Orange Paint make that thing scream BUY ME!

TripleThreat

Alekker · 10-31-2007

I came from an '03 Speed Four to the '07 675 and I am MORE comfortable commuting on the 675. I could never get comfortable on the S4 seat and after a while my hands would start to go numb. Not so on the 675. I'm 6'0", 170lbs. Never ridden the Speed Triple though... (mostly I'm bored at work, hence the post)

Brooksie · 10-31-2007

Wasn't aware of the the changes to the S3, but are they worth $1200.00? I thought my D955i was very comfortable with Heli Bars, and the stock 675 doesn't feel bad at all. The S3 is very cosy and just looks like an old D955 that has a bad attitude, which is a good thing. I'm 5'10" and feel pretty comforatble on both, but I do feel very in charge on the 675. Keep the advise coming guys!

Will · 10-31-2007

They are very hard to compare. I use my 675 all the time for commuting and everything else. It doesn't get the kind of touring duty that some do, but it is more a matter of my lack of time than the bike's appropriateness. It is a full on sportbike, and if you get along with the ergos, it is perfect. If you don't get along with the ergos, you won't like it, but you will love the engine and the handling.

I rode my brothers '04 S3 at times, and I really liked it, too. Relative to my bike, it was a big, plush machine. It was fun, but in a very different way. I wouldn't want to take it on the track, although plenty of people do. It is probably better for street riding, just because it is more relaxed and it has more torque so you don't have to row through the gears as much to go quickly. But, a 675 can still outrun most cars from 45mph even in top gear, so there isn't much point, IMO.

I am biased, so take what I say with that in mind. I bought a 675, not an S3, because my back is far happier on a sportbike, I really like doing trackdays, and I can put up with some commuting duty drawbacks to ride a bike more suited to what I would really rather be doing.

TripleThreat · 10-31-2007

Quote:

Wasn't aware of the the changes to the S3, but are they worth $1200.00?

The new Speed Triple has really cool new wheels and that Orange paint...

Here's the scoop from the Triumph Site on the changes:

This year it brings with it a host of styling refinements including, a redesigned radiator, brand new rear sub-frame, new LED rear light, Brembo radial front calipers, black anodized front forks and new tapered anodized aluminum handlebars.

It also appears to me to have a reshaped seat. Not sure if all of that is worth $1200 to you or not, but if I was in the market for a new Speed Triple, I would definately be going with the '08.

With all that said, I still love my 675 and if I had to choose only one, it would definately be the 675, but that's because I'm a track day addict!

I have taken it on a couple of 500 mile plus trips with throwover panniers fitted and it did fine. You have to stop every 140 miles for gas anyway, so that's roughly every 2 to 2 1/2 hours depending on the speeds you ride, so you have ample opportunity to stretch on long trips.

TripleThreat

Brooksie · 10-31-2007

A cripes, Trip! Another variable! Looks like the new bike may have some different accessories coming, like bar end mirrors and such. I hope they work on the '07's. I do feel more like I am in control with the 675, as it is so responsive at any speed. Insurance full coverage is only $275.00 a year on the 675 for an old guy like me, but the Trip is only $325.00. It's very confusing but I really have to decide. Since this coming bike will be for alot of varied types of riding, the S3 seems a better fit for me. Thanks!!!

Brooksie · 11-06-2007

Ya know, I'm a real mess. I sat down with the dealer today to finish the deal on the S3 and just couldn't pull the trigger. That Grey '07 D675 just wouldn't let go. I really had to be honest with myself about dropping $10k on the S3, which is a good value. But I already have a naked bike with the Bonnie. With 85 hp, she's no S3, but she gets to 90 mph in second gear pretty darn quick and has hit 130 mph. I think I have the "wind blast" thing down. I really will be doing most of my riding on some pretty tight twisties with the longest ride being a couple of hours. So we scrapped the deal on the S3. I've talked to my confused wife about the change and showed her some photos of the D675 and she's good with that, a little bewildered but good. So tomorrow I go in and buy the 675. I just think the nimble handling of the bike is a real confidence booster after piling up my D955. Thanks for all your advise and I am looking forward to getting her home quick before something else silly happens!

Will · 11-06-2007

WoooT!!!! You will be a happy man. Next thing you know, you will be a hopeless track addict like the rest of us. Actually, a Bonneville is the perfect counterpoint to a 675. The 675 is all about pinning your ears back and forgetting everything except the next few seconds. A Bonneville is all about soaking everything in. They make a perfect combination of bikes, when you think about rounding everything out.

TripleThreat · 11-07-2007

Congratulations! You'll love the 675... But as Will stated, be prepared to become a track day addict!

TripleThreat