05 S3 owners: Am I crazy or?

[OMEGA]

Is this the coolest motorcycle you've ever owned?

I'm wondering if it's just me but I cant seem to get off this thing, I've been racing and riding motorcycles for 30 years and have owned pretty much all the signifigant benchmark performance models, everything from 220rwhp hayabusas to exotic carbon fiber clad supermoto's.

Yet nothing that I can ever remember owning or riding has captivated me like this bike has, sure my GSXR1000 superbike makes more hp, sure a big bore supermoto is lighter and more flickable but I dont have any problem putting them in the garage for weeks at a time and not thinking about them.

Now that cheezy triumph ad with the hot chick saying her old man doesnt pay any attention to her since he got his triple seems all too surreal, my wife has already walked in on me just sitting and gazing intently at my black beauty.

Prior to this bike I had almost given up on street riding in south florida, and a modded V-strom was my everyday rider.
Well now I'm nailing those same familiar sections at triple digit speeds and my knee skimming the deck.
It's a tru Dr Jekyll Mr Hyde thing with this bike, as soon as I swing my leg over it I get evil, this bike is like a drooling pit bull, looking to attack every corner, every straight, and anything that might get in the way of it's prey.

Gotta go guys, she's calling to me again, ENJOY :-D

[SprinklerHead]

I know exactly what you're talking about. On my other bikes, the typical hooligan riding would be something that I'd be aware of and feeling a little bit guilty about doing on city streets, sidewalks, curbs, etc...but with the 05 Triple, I don't even think about it. I'm really trying to stop doing wheelies as I pull into the parking lot at work, CHP is right across the street, but they're so ***** easy to do with this bike. I won't even mention all the dirty looks I've been getting from cops since I got this bike. ***** I love it. :-D

[Sir_Loin]

Oh yeah..............

I love this motorcycle like a fat kid loves cake. :-D

[mookieblaylock]

i like it like a rat likes his cheese :-D
It's preety cool in the beginning of corner looking up for the line without being bent over like a race bike. You can see it all and ride the torque wave

[SprinklerHead]

And as you're coming out of the turn, you get to see those little shift lights light up as you hit redline, pop it up a gear and realize that you're now doing triple digits.

[crashmasterd]

Yes. You are "crazy or".

=:~P

[OMEGA]

Speaking of the gearbox, snick snick, oh so smooth and precise, their finally up to the world standard in tranny's.
I got quite a bit of air out of the front brakes and now they are as powerful as any brembo superbike setup.
As much as I love the motor, it's the package of chassis, suspension and brakes that really steal the show, I've never owned a bike that I left the suspension stock, this will be the first, with just a few turns and clicks I was able to get it feeling just as good as my racebikes with 4 grand worth of GMD computrack components.
Next step is finding the right carbon cans for now, and the 520 conversion so I can play with gearing a little, I'm thinking one down on the front to start :razz:

[mjw930]

I have to agree, this is one of the most fun bikes I've ever owned. I just wish I could get more time to ride, the last 2 weeks have been a total loss.

So far the only things I've changed are cutting off the "stinger" portion of the rear plate holder, adjust the brake and shifter down 1/4" (I like them lower than most bikes come delivered) dropping the front and rear preload (the rear is a *****) for more sag to help flat footing, tweak the damping and readjusting the handlebars (they were set too far forward from the dealer. If you look real close you'll see little dimples that indicate where the controls and riser position are supposed to be)

I love the power and the handling, the bike is an extension of your body. And the looks you get, priceless (easily as many as I get when I ride the V-Rod).

BTW, what break-in practices are most of you following? I can't deal with nor do I agree with the factory recommendations as printed on that sticker. I'm following what's in the owners manual which parallels more of what I normally do with new motors. Easy for the first 50 - 100 miles (under 4000 rpm), less easy from 100 - 500 (mostly under 7000 rpm, no WOT blasts and try to stay away from redline), change the oil then ride sensibly up to 1000 miles without any real worry about rpms.

[OMEGA]

3 heat cycles and it's done, I change the oil right after that and enjoy from there, which reminds me of the one thing that annoys me, that ***** rev limiter is always spoiling the party just when things are really starting to get fun :evil:
Triumph should make a race ECU for it along with other race kit parts, this bike is a natural for that european naked series they have.
I look forward to getting a lot more out of this motor, since the rest of the package is more than up to the task.

[Sir_Loin]

After the first two corners, I was astounded. Not even 1 minute into my first ride on this thng, and I was in love with it's handling.

The stiff frame, excellent suspension, smaller rear tire, and excellent Pilot Powers make for a combination that works so well together.

I have cornered, wheelied and accellerated this bike very hard, without a headshake. It's very well sorted and stable.

I much prefer this bikes seating position and view through the corner. After the doctors sliced open my neck 5" back in 97, I have had less range of motion when turning my head. When you are hunched over a sportbike like a GSXR, this really becomes an issue and hampers your vision. Sitting up straighter allows me a much better view through corners, and I'm more relaxed on the controls too.

Omega-
I have my TFI on order, and I'll share my results with you after I get it sorted. I'm going with the Triumph race cans for now also. Call me crazy, but I dig the shiny twin chubbys on the back.

Please let me know your results on the 520 -1 tooth conversion. I'm interested in it's affect on the brute.

BTW- I have no doubt the frame and suspension can handle extra hp............it's begging for it.

[ This message was edited by: Sir_Loin on 2005-05-17 07:50 ]