Buying an '06 S3 (first post); need your advice.

[ELP_JC]

Hi there. This is my first post, and happy to be days away from being part of the family :nana: . Considered the Ducati Monster, which I liked better in the twisties, but don't think could live with it long term: air-cooled, maintenance intensive, and very snatchy below 3K rpms. S3 will be a 2nd bike, by the way, and BLACK in color.
Test ride revealed an incredibly smooth engine, awesome sound, and the best tranny I've sampled. I saw a few problems, and need your opinion how to fix. As well as answers for a few other questions:

1. Cable clutch was a let down (not in feel, but the cable itself; never had one before), especially after reading of some failures. Is there a hydraulic kit around? Info please.

2. The engine whine was awesome: Don't believe cams are not gear-driven, aren't they? Or is it the 'hybrid' system, where a chain drives one cam and a gear the other? Please enlighten me. Oh, and what's the interval for VALVE ADJUSTMENTS? Shim UNDER or OVER bucket? Thanks.

3. Seat absolutely sucked, so would need a new one right off the bat. Who makes seats for this bike? Suggestions welcome. I'm 5'10", 30" inseam, and 155 lbs.

4. I'd also want a seat cowl and bikini fairing (above headlight). I believe Triumph sells both, correct? Are they body-colored? Any other cheaper and better looking alternatives out there (especially fairing)? Info please. Oh, and does the belly pan look good? Just curious (no photos anywhere).

5. My test bike looked bone stock ('05), and I was surprised it backfired. Not a true backfire, which you can hear a mile away, but very close: a very bad case of afterburn. Is this normal? If so, is some kind of PAIR valve system the culprit? Can it be removed on this bike, and who sells the block-off plates? Don't plan to fit an exhaust (imagine how bad it'd be?), but HATE when a bike backfires on deceleration; sounds... cheap.

6. Mirrors were USELESS, and I'm not a big guy at all. Any recommendations? Since my bike will be black, I prefer chromed (if useful) in stock location. Otherwise the bar-end ones, although I'm not crazy about them. I don't feel safe without useful mirrors.

7. I have no dealer around. Any recommendations for best prices on the net for parts and accessories?

8. Anything to look for at delivery? Won't have a dealer near, so I'm hoping for a problem-free bike; that's why I waited a year. Read about bad instrumentation and a hose recall (which?); do you guys think they're resolved on '06s? If not, what can I do to 'test' the instrumentation, and check the hose in question? Any other things to look for?

I think that's it for now. Please feel free to recommend and comment on anything. And thank you very much in advance for your help. Hope you guys didn't fall asleep :hammer:

[ This message was edited by: ELP_JC on 2005-10-07 22:00 ]

[InParkSlope]

random answers..

the mirrors can be extended cheaply with extenders. They then work ok. Or there are many topics on here with other solutions.

the seat isn't THAT bad. I'm basically the same size as you, I've done six hours without any real pain. The upright position helps a lot. Certain materials slide differently and the wrong material can make it worse especially in stop and go. I don't think corbin or whatever makes a seat for the bike yet.

You can find pictures of the belly pan in the pictures topic, I think. I bolted mine on a few days ago and it goes well with the flow of the bike. I saw a german parts store posted on here recently that has some alternative belly pan design but I think just for the 04.

The fly screen is necessary if you are doing any freeways, it really helps. Otherwise, your helmet needs to be more than usually aerodynamic, or you just putter along with the harleys.

The pops and crackles on over-run seem to be all but eliminated with the off-road map. I'm really happy with the offroad map and a cat-free slip-on.

there are a few popular triumph parts sites, mainly in the UK. eg, Jack Lilley. Or you can setup an ebay watch on keywords.

I think its a great bike. It draws a lot of attention, and even non-bikers love the way it looks. I think they are unconsciously remembering the matrix or something.

[rudebwoy85]

I think they are unconsciously remembering the matrix or something.

Most remember "Mission Impossible", staring Ego Cruise

[crashmasterd]

On 2005-10-07 21:56, ELP_JC wrote:

1. Cable clutch was a let down (not in feel, but the cable itself; never had one before), especially after reading of some failures. Is there a hydraulic kit around? Info please.

Read this thread:

Hydraulic Clutch for Speed Triple

Really. You don't want a hydraulic clutch anyway. The failures were few and far between.

2. The engine whine was awesome: Don't believe cams are not gear-driven, aren't they? Or is it the 'hybrid' system, where a chain drives one cam and a gear the other? Please enlighten me. Oh, and what's the interval for VALVE ADJUSTMENTS? Shim UNDER or OVER bucket? Thanks.

Cams are driven by a standard chain like most other bikes. What you are hearing is the gear drive for the engine balancer at the front of the engine.

Valve adjusting is via shim under bucket and is recommended at 12,000 miles or 2 years.

3. Seat absolutely sucked, so would need a new one right off the bat. Who makes seats for this bike? Suggestions welcome. I'm 5'10", 30" inseam, and 155 lbs.

This is a matter of opinion. I find the seat more comfortable than most sportbikes. As far as I know, nobody is making a replacement seat yet, but there are several outfits that will modify the factory seat. Triumph may offer a gel seat alternative, but most people I've talked to say the Triumph gel seats are a waste of money.

4. I'd also want a seat cowl and bikini fairing (above headlight). I believe Triumph sells both, correct? Are they body-colored? Any other cheaper and better looking alternatives out there (especially fairing)? Info please. Oh, and does the belly pan look good? Just curious (no photos anywhere).

Triumph seat cowl and bikini fairing (called a "Pixie" fairing) are indeed color matched. I think they look nice. The belly pan is a belly pan and I've never been a fan of such. Avoid the factory hugger.

5. My test bike looked bone stock ('05), and I was surprised it backfired. Not a true backfire, which you can hear a mile away, but very close: a very bad case of afterburn. Is this normal? If so, is some kind of PAIR valve system the culprit? Can it be removed on this bike, and who sells the block-off plates? Don't plan to fit an exhaust (imagine how bad it'd be?), but HATE when a bike backfires on deceleration; sounds... cheap.

This is fairly normal. Most people love the rumble of a downshift on this bike, but some people have reported serious fire shooting backfires as well. It seems to be Fuel Injection related and a different FI map usually fixes the problem. Some of the aftermarket silencers seem to help too.

6. Mirrors were USELESS, and I'm not a big guy at all. Any recommendations? Since my bike will be black, I prefer chromed (if useful) in stock location. Otherwise the bar-end ones, although I'm not crazy about them. I don't feel safe without useful mirrors.

Stock mirrors suck. This is the universal consensus. There's lots of options, but it's all up to you.

7. I have no dealer around. Any recommendations for best prices on the net for parts and accessories?

Can't help you there. Factory prices are pretty expensive everywhere.

8. Anything to look for at delivery? Won't have a dealer near, so I'm hoping for a problem-free bike; that's why I waited a year. Read about bad instrumentation and a hose recall (which?); do you guys think they're resolved on '06s? If not, what can I do to 'test' the instrumentation, and check the hose in question? Any other things to look for?

The hose recall was for a limited number of early bikes so you won't have to worry about it. The instrument problem seems to be rare and should also be fixed for 06. Have the dealer install the latest FI map immediately. Change your oil religiously at 3000 miles with good synthetic oil (I use Mobile 1 10/50 red cap with good results.)

You may have problems with the brake lever feeling "mushy" and having increased travel over time. There is a fix for this under warranty. Have the dealer do it before it leaves the shop, or plan for at least one trip back after the signs show their ugly heads.

Enjoy your Speed Triple. It's a fantastic bike.

[Legman]

congratulations on your excellent choice of motorcycle.

The seat.....first impressions are that it sucks, but I did 900kms last Monday, and I was surprised how comfortable the seat is. I wouldn't think about changing it until you have done a couple of long rides.

Factory hugger.....I disagree which Crashmasterd, I like it.
It is not colour coded, but it lookd fine, and does the job, and it is all but hidden in behind the pipes anyway.

Mirrors.....I replaced mine with Kawasaaki ZRX mirrors...much better although they are black.

Clutch.....My last 2 bikes have had cable clutches, and I have had no problems...I like the feel of a cable clutch, and they are much better than they used to be.

Gear box......some can be notchy when new but seem to settle down after break in, perhaps the synthetic oil smooths things out.

On breaking in, please don't post a question about whether you need to follow the factory recommendations........
This topic has been done to death several times and you will be no wiser at the end anyway.......other forum members will know where I'm coming from.

If you want to know what has gone before, do a search on break in.

You will love this bike and it may very well become your 'first' bike.

[ELP_JC]

Thanks a lot for your quick responses gentlemen. And no, I won't ask questions about break-in; don't worry :-D . I know how to do that.

Hey John, so ZRX mirrors? Obviously they have the same threads, but is it the same with the other Japanese bikes? Curious about the selection I have. Will have to see a pic of your mirrors. And black would be fine; the chrome of the exhaust is enough contrast.

Will call dealer and ask about the 'latest' map and the 'mushy' brake issue. What's the fix, by the way? Seals on master cylinder or calipes? Would like to know.

And definitely will give seat a chance; I was tired after several hundred miles, and it was 90º+.
I'm puzzled by the popping, especially with EFI, which should shut down fuel to injectors on closed throttle above 2K rpms or so. Weird.

Thanks again, and keep the comments coming.

[crashmasterd]

On 2005-10-08 00:33, ELP_JC wrote:

Will call dealer and ask about the 'latest' map and the 'mushy' brake issue. What's the fix, by the way? Seals on master cylinder or calipers? Would like to know.

Apparently it is seals on the calipers. I haven't done the fix but check out this thread for info:
Fixed Brakes

What I've been doing is periodically using a pair of pliers to push the pistons all the way in and then pumping them back up. Fixes the problem but has to be done every couple of weeks it seems.

Check out this thread:

Mushy Brakes

[Legman]

JC,

The ZRX and a lot of japanese bikes have the same thread on their mirrors. A guy on this forum called ES3 has Benelli TNT mirrirs on his, they look great...best I've seen. You can see it on this thread, about half way down
Benelli TNT Mirrors

The popping on decelleration is not an issue on most stock S3's, mine has never done it. Usually it occurs after pipes have been fitted to the bike, but the Triumph map for their off road pipes seems to fix the popping in most cases.

Not every body has the mushy brakes either, although it's pretty common. It seems that a solution has been found but it appears not all dealers know about it as yet. Some have had new caliper seals and some have had the pistons lubricated, both seem to have improved the brakes.

See the zrx mirrors here (I too like to see behind)


[ This message was edited by: Legman on 2005-10-08 02:09 ]

[ELP_JC]

Hey John, great looking bike buddy. What pipes are those? Do you have the 'off-road' map, and how about popping? Do you think the 'off-road' map is advisable on a fully stock machine? I plan to leave it stock for 2 reasons: sounded great right off the bat, and most importantly, the stock cans are the best-looking IMO. Wouldn't mind a bit louder, though.

Tried PMing the Benelli TNT guy but I can't PM anybody until I have 10 posts (stupid, and no Email option) so will post 10 darn times so I can ask him about what year TNT, where did he buy them, and how much. THey look awesome, but yours look great too. If the TNTs are too expensive, I"ll just buy the ZRXs. Thanks again for your help.

[Raynewb]

To answer your questions re Triumph body parts have attached my photo.
Seat cowl, screen, belly pan, hugger all Triumph radiator grilles from Mikes grilles.
Hope you enjoy your S3 as much as I do.