Triumphrat

vt_2tired · 06-02-2005

I hauled my '05 S3 up to BeaveRun raceway in Wampum, PA (north of Pittsburgh) this past weekend to give it a run-through on the track, and really test out the handling, acceleration and overall agility.

First time on the track was the ladies/two-up session (Sportbike Track Time runs these at select tracks right after lunch).

With my girl on the back (rather apprehensive as this was only her second ride on this bike), we set out for the session, immediately I notice the lack of room for both of us due to the short seat. This makes shifting body position all but impossible, so I do the whole session on the seat and leaned forward (no knee draggin...) The extra active weight allows for very quick flips between turns 1 and 2, and 5 and 6, but it was definitely feeling that weight pulling onto the straights. I also refrained from full throttle turn exits due to the afore-mentioned short rear seat, and Heidi found herself having to adjust position a couple of times, anyway. The session went very well, and I think she's hooked! :-D

So for the last two sessions of the day I resolve to save the rear tire on my GSXR race bike for the next day, and I took out the S3 for two sessions in a row.

The handling was superb as expected, and ground clearance was an issue (also somewhat expected). The rearsets dragged well before I felt the bike was achieving max. lean. The Pilot Powers worked perfectly, without so much as a bobble under the torque-y triple. The brakes performed superbly, I was actually able to out-brake a couple of the A-class guys because of it. And I had to out-brake them, 'cause the top-end acceleration just wasn't there. Now don't get me wrong, it would still shoot out of a corner like a champ, but when speeds got over 100mph indicated, I feel like the bike lost a little muscle and by 120 indicated, it just wasn't pulling with the lower-powered 600s I was chasing (and being passed by). That being said, all that's necessary on this bike (acceleration, brakes, handling) is perfect, and if I can't go banzai fast on a track well, that's not what I bought the bike for anyway

.

Now I have a lot more confidence in my street rides because I know a lot more about what the bike is capable of. And needless to say, I was all smiles after each session on my new Triumph :-D

Best times (unscientifically taken via stopwatch by my uncle)
S3 (two-up): 1:12.3
S3 (one-up): 1:09.8
Gixxer6: 1:04.5

And yeah, y'all got me... after three 120+ mile trips down on the triple, clip-ons are no longer an option. The wide bars make steering a breeze, and allow for great comfort, I don't wanna stop riding! So you win, no clip-ons, I will be chopping the fender per the "fender eliminator" thread, though. Two thumbs up to him!

Alex

crashmasterd · 06-02-2005

That's a good monkey you have on your back. Know a pet shop where I can get one?

Otherwise I have to agree with everything you said. 0-100 is more fun than a bucket full of kittens and three balls of yarn. 100+ and even the 600s are killing me. I think there is such a thing as too much torque.

Incidentally, I only drag race the thing. My best time in the 1/4 so far has been 11.56 seconds, while a new Kawasaki 636 I was racing just posted a 10.70 second 1/4. However, nobody is particularly faster than me at 60 feet, and 1/8 mile! Not even the Hayabusas and ZX12s.

People complaining about 'mushy' brakes need to have them bled properly. Mine are equally impressive now.

Big_Guns · 06-02-2005

Nice to hear the S3 is trackable. My wife and I have done several trackdays with STT at Jennings in North Florida. I'm thinking of selling my RC51 which has been my track bike to this point (my wife rides the SV650S). We can't do enough track days for me to justify a track-only bike as we both work permanent weekends. And when given the choice of taking the S3 or the RC on the street, at this point I don't see myself choosing the RC primarily for comfort reasons. I just want to wait until I've had more time on the S3 before committing. I haven't worked on the suspension at all (and can't believe the Owner's manual says rear spring preload isn't owner adjustable), but the bike is definitely a little squirrelly at greater lean angles. I haven't decided if it's the suspension or the tires but I can feel them squirming quite a bit. The RC is rock stable (full Ohlins, Sportec M1's) and fully trustworthy. I just don't trust the S3 at this point when ridden hard. I am also one of the people who complained about the mushy brakes and hope to have a chance to bleed them soon. The bike is currently in for it's 1st service and I asked the mechanic to give me his opinion of them. I'm difinitely looking forward to taking the S3 to the track but don't see it happening anytime soon.

Hairball · 06-03-2005

I will be taking the S3 to Jennings June 12
The suspension has me a bit befuddled too I would like to set my sag, seeing as how I only weigh 155 lbs the suspension is a bit stiff, and the manual recommends NOT adjusting spring

Any suspension gurus out there?

Big_Guns · 06-03-2005

I would say "No!", no suspension gurus on this board. Not to offend anyone, but I posted a question regarding adjusting the rear preload on my '05; so far 194 views and not a single reply.

ES3 · 06-04-2005

I also liked it very much on the track and the lack of power and soft suspension didn't bother me after a while. I had enough fun anyway :-D

Big_Guns · 06-04-2005

Wow ES3, great picture!

vt_2tired · 06-04-2005

Well, I'm not a "guru" but I've done a few suspension changes in my day, and I'd say first check the tire pressure. I was down to 33/35psi on the track (front/rear, cold, Michelin Pilot Power), which worked well. Set your static sag before making changes, as well. Then for rear-end instability, change the shock in this order (try to get out after each change): Add pre-load (not user-adjustable? All you need is a spanner-wrench, although it looks like two different sizes are needed.... Just triumph covering some arse, IMHO), increase compression damping, reduce rebound damping. The first two will keep 'er more planted, the third will allow better traction over bumps and through throttle modulations.

I would advise bleeding the front brakes to every '05 S3 owner... Both the demo I rode and the one I bought needed a little bleeding, and it makes a huge difference.

Quote:

That's a good monkey you have on your back. Know a pet shop where I can get one?

Actually, there's an identical twin sister, but after you meet her, you'd meet her fiance (doh!)... I'm still thanking my lucky stars I found mine

Quote:

Wow ES3, great picture!

+1 I was wrestling with how to get in the correct position, because the bars are so high compared to a sportbike. Looks like you've got it pretty well down!

Alex

Big_Guns · 06-04-2005

Thanks vt. Like you I surmised the appropriate sized spanner wrench, or wrenches, was all that was needed. In my post I asked if anyone knew what size, but no replies. Hopefully the dealer will know. I've also set up the suspension on every bike I've owned, and IMO my RC is perfectly dialed in. I was just curious as to why Triumph would say the rear preload wasn't owner adjustable; I couldn't imagine running to the dealer for this. Even the cheapest bikes I've owned have included the spanner wrench in the oem tool kit.

crashmasterd · 06-04-2005

Quote:

Actually, there's an identical twin sister, but after you meet her, you'd meet her fiance (doh!)... I'm still thanking my lucky stars I found mine

It figures.