This Aussie has been Tripled

I had my heart set on sv1000 until today.

I had the chance to sit on a black evil looking bike called S3 ('06 model). My first reaction after mounting the beast was the different riding position, slight lean forward, arms reaching for controls.. Hey I like it..

Unfortunately the dealer doesnt allow test rides so I have a few questions:

Whats the tank range on S3? hopefully better than the sv1000 (100miles)

1. Dealer tells me the flyscreen is extra?
2. What are the servicing intervals? approx costs?
3. Reading this forum there appears to have been issues with front brake level. Have these been fixed in '06 model?
4. Which colour should I get? They all look good...
5. Currently I ride a SV650 which flies through the twisties, given the extra weight of the S3 will I be loosing some flickability? Im guess not given its short wheel base..



Anything else I should know before I order one?

Cheers
Lowside




[ This message was edited by: lowside on 2006-01-16 03:26 ]

[cheapbastard]

Lowside, sucks that you're dealer won't give you a test ride. But as for tank range, the S3 definately gets better than 100 miles. Completely full of gas, I have gotten around 125 miles or so before the low fuel light came on, but that was hard day's flog too! Triumph recommends oil changes every 6k miles, but I plan on doing mine about every 3k. The valve adj intervals are recommended every 12k. As far as a fix for the front brake, I know they have supposedly came out with a fix, but I don't know if they've addressed that issue to the 06's. Color choice, simple.... scorched yellow! Nah, really, I like them all. The S3 is very flickable, but I have noticed it is a little more difficult to flick than my R1 was. I'm sure your SV will probably feel a little more flickable(shouldn't be a huge difference, but noticeable), but the torque and power on the S3 is worth that small sacrifice! Only other thing is, I'm sure you've read it before, the S3 is the biggest grin producing motorcycle I've ever ridden. Just something about that sound, motor, seating position, and of course stylish looks that make me crazy! :-D

[Diego]

> I'm sure your SV will probably feel a little more flickable(shouldn't be a huge difference, but noticeable),

I haven't spent enough time on an SV-650 to claim expertise, and none since acquiring my S3, but to the extent my kinetic memory still serves, I didn't find this to be the case. The handling is different, as one would expect from the dimensions, but I couldn't say that either is really more flickable. Apart from that one thing, I would agree with the rest.

You might also want to see the thread titled "SV-650 to S3 upgrade" which is also on this forum at the present time. There's some good stuff in it that may also be relevant to your decision.

[Geof3]

All that CB says, but don't sweat the brake "problem". It really isn't an issue overall, the lever has a bit more throw, Triumph calls it "feel". The bike stops FAST, most here have not had issue with the brakes.

The S3 will blow your head off, it is TOO much fun. Try to talk your dealer into a test ride or something. It's BS that a dealer will expect a guy to purchase a vehicle based on site/info only. Ride the thing if you can. You will have perma-grin and get ready to write a moderately large check...

[MonkeyHanger]

Jump on a Jet; come to the UK; visit your UK family (sorry if your not UK decendant) come to Durham and test ride mine.

You'll love it.

The most fun bike I've had since i dont know what. RD400E RD350YPVS GSXR750Y GPZ900 ZRX1100 and many many more....... (Some not so good. WR(YZ)400, CB400, CBX550...)

Use the no test ride to bargain a good price. Get him the inc some of the add ons as they are not cheap.

You wont regret it.

MH

PS
Get the Scorched Yellow one, they are faster than the rest... Honest.... Really.... No not really but I like it.

[miker]

Lowside, which dealer won't give you a test ride? Bet it's Peter Stevens, am I right? Go to another dealer.

Shame you're not in Sydney, I'd introduce you to the boys at Northside Motorcycles, who would normally give a test ride on anything.

I'd also check out the add-on price for the flyscreen, that also sounds like BS. Call around, come to Sydney for the weekend, ride one home for the run in!

Either way, you wouldn't be unhappy once you owned one. I was going to buy a Buell XB9, until I was offered my 99 S3 at a price I couldn't refuse, never looked back.

Cheers
Mick

[Legman]

I think the reason test rides are so hard to come by, is that all new S3's are sold long before they even land in the country. When the demand eases, and bikes are sitting on showroom floors for more than 30 seconds, dealers will have demo bikes for test rides. How long before the demand eases.......I don't know.

On 2006-01-16 15:24, miker wrote:
Lowside, which dealer won't give you a test ride? Bet it's Peter Stevens, am I right? Go to another dealer.

Yep.. From reading the dealer list on the Triumph website the only other dealers are in country vic (Bendigo, Mildura and Shep.). I guess the country dealer would be better option to the NSW or UK option

I think I might give a few of them a call and see if they will let me test ride.. Think it would be well worth the 2+hr drive..

Thanks everyone for you advice.. Cheers

Lowside

[bundo]

Hi lowside,

When I put my $200 deposit down for the S3 the contract had 'subjet to test ride' added under the conditions. It was a 2 month wait for the bike.

Had I not liked the bike I could have handed it back and got my deposit back.

I still have my S3 :-D

[vinnyf]

Cheers, Lowside,

Just bought an '06 S3. Had looked at the SV1000 as an alternative, but around here it's the Suzuki dealers who don't give test rides. My local Triumph dealer let me take out an S3, and that was the end of my looking - HAD to have one. Here the flyscreen is extra - I think it's about $240 (US) list; I got the dealer to throw one in as part of the deal. If it were my money, I wouldn't bother, unless you just love the appearance - it's not particularly functional, and a little "batman". But I've kept it on anyway :wink:
First service is at one month/500 miles. Local dealer charges around $250 (makes up for the flysceen...)
I always thought my old GS's brakes were excellent, but these are better.
All the colors look great - some are a bit faster than others, ask around.
It handles just great - can't compare it to the SV, my local Suzuki dealer's loss.
Just LOVE it otherwise - only problem, as mentioned elsewhere, is the stock mirrors are just about useless, unless you like the sight of your own elbows...
Good luck!