Triumphrat

brettmess24 · 12-14-2005

Hello all, a new guy joining the forum!

Im planning on buying a 06 S3 this week in black of course and have a few, ok alot of questions.

Im coming off of a Ducati 748L that I did just about everything in the world too.

My main question or concern is, regarding the handle bars.

The guys with clip ons how do you like them and are they just to far of a stretch?

The next question is, how is the riding position with no windscreen at highway speeds and 75+?

Thats all for now
:-D

cheapbastard · 12-14-2005

1st off, welcome! I too came from full racerepli clipons, and I personally love the handlebars! I guess it would be personal preference, but I've found mine quite comfy, and the bike still handles superb! The main difference I noticed, was when at a very aggresive lean angle, it feels awkward at 1st, but I'm hoping that will go away as I get used to the riding position. I'm fairly new to it too, I've only got to put about 500 miles on my S3 so far. As far as the highway speeds, it is amazing how much wind that little sportbike shield used to deflect! It is a noticeable difference, but nothing you can't live with, especially once you experience that triple growl and torque!!! Good luck on your purchase! Check out those guys selling Triumphs on ebay from Arizona, don't know the name of them, but they've let some stuff go at a great deal!

RedNeck-Rat · 12-14-2005

Welcome Brettmess24 to planet hooligan. If you haven't noticed yet, this is a great site for triple riders. Lots of knowledgable folks here that can answer just about any question you may have. I can't speak for clip-ons as I don't have them and most likely never will but I can tell you that you will not regret getting the bike, it is a blast. As for what cheapbastard was talking about with the dealer on ebay in Az, those folks are Performance Cycle Center in Tucson. I purchased my ride from them on ebay (06 S3 @ $8999) and they are pretty good folks from my experience so far. I live in the valley but try to do my business with them. Anyway welcome and enjoy................

cheapbastard · 12-15-2005

btw bmess24, here's the phone # for that dealer in Tuscon,
520-622-2780. Got it off of ebay. Good luck with your purchase, hope you get a good deal. Let us know when you get it!

brettmess24 · 12-15-2005

Hey thanks fellas!

Those are the guys Im actually dealing with..small world.
Im talking with Richard down there.

Redneck your the guy I need to talk too.

I was hesitant to put down money on a bike that isnt there and im told should arrive just after christmas. but is it really going to be black? I know sometimes dealers order certain colors and models and end up with what ever they get delivered to them.

After I received a quote for $11700 here in Phoenx/Chandler I decided to call down to tucson and they were $1500 less. So I think I will be making the drive.

RedNeck-Rat · 12-15-2005

Brettmess24,

Yeah, I was looking at AZSBK too and they would not move on the price. I got lucky with the ebay thing saving 1K off of MSRP. I was the only one to bid on the thing, didn't think I would actually get it for 8999. Anyway just and fyi if they don't have a black one now you might want to get specifics of when it is going to be in because I have heard from others that sometimes it takes forever to get one and then sometimes they don't come at all till the next model year. My 06 was actually a replacement for an 05 they where suppose to get the previous year and didn't. Anyway stories abound of peeps waiting for there S3 and waiting and waiting. I'm not saying Performance cycle is going to do that but sometimes it is out of there control and is in the hands of Triumph. So you just might want to see if they have a specific date. It would suck to throw down a bunch of cake and have to wait 2-4 months. Might want a backup plan. Anyway let me know and if you want shoot me an email direct, should be in my profile...........

MrZed · 12-15-2005

I was kind of kicking around the idea of clip ons, but the whole hand / seat / rear set relationship would seem a little out of proportion - mostly, it seems the seat it too low or too far forward for it. Maybe after I get rear sets, I'll change my mind.

s3hooligan · 12-15-2005

I rode with clip-ons on my '99 Speed Triple for the 5 years that I've owned it. I only recently put the stock bars back on the bike. Now if feels like I have ape hangers on the bike. Also, oddly enough, I also realized how much of a difference the change in riding position makes in wind blast. With the clip-ons, sitting forward, headlight fairing actually cut the wind up over most of my torso. With the stock bar, I'm definately taking more of an ass kicking from the wind. Don't mind it though...I'm a biker!

rudebwoy85 · 12-16-2005

Check out this thread, this along with a couple others was a point of conversation this past summer. I installed a set of WoodCrafts on mine, they are low and put you in quite an aggressive race-stance but I love it. I like it so much I have no plans on going back to the handlebars at all. I have a few pics in my Photo Album if you want to check them out.

I decided to remove my flyscreen and add a bellypan, I think the bike looks best this way.

It still handles like a dream and I feel more confident in the corners as my stance has more of my weight biased to the front and I have more feel for what the front tire is doing.

As y'all know, the bike is very comfortable with the handlebars but on the highway the wind just spanks you silly from 80 mph and above, clipons minimizes that somewhat but remember in the end you are riding a very naked bike!

brettmess24 · 12-19-2005

hmmm you have me a little worried about the arrival of the bike.

I put down $500 and they said its to be here around the 1st of Jan. that is.