Triumphrat

Stampy · 07-05-2006

Hi Guy's & Gal's, As an ex Mille owner I am a member of a couple of Aprilia forums, And have been reading a post about the Tuono V's the Speedtriple, What the main gripes the Tuono guy's have is the build quality of the S3 the all seem to agree that it's pretty poor, Now being the owner of an 06 in black and the previuos owner of 2 more S3's I really have had nothing much to complain about in my 10 years of S3 ownership, Sure some nuts and bolts could have been S/S etc, But overall the quality has been good. I know the Aprilia boy's are going to slag the S3 but what do you guy's think about your own bike's build quality. :-D

R100Pilot · 07-05-2006

It ain't a finely polished Italian jewel, but it works, very well. That seems to be a philosophical difference. The English will work on something until it functions, and be done with it. The Italians insist that it look good too.

And if you really felt like spending another $3K (the difference in list between a stock Tuono R and an S3), you could buy enough polishing, plating, carbon fiber, and go-fast bits to put the Tuono to shame.

That said, I wouldn't mind having a Tuono either. But then, if I could have all the bikes I want, I'd be Jay Leno.

[ This message was edited by: R100Pilot on 2006-07-05 13:12 ]

cheapbastard · 07-05-2006

mine's great, but it may just be the scorched yeller one's that are built better. :-D No complaints here.

dr_gallup · 07-05-2006

Tuonos make my eyes hurt.

sabocat · 07-05-2006

Quote:

Tuonos make my eyes hurt.

+1

IMO all bikes make compromises on build quality--the question is whether they are acceptable to you and I have no complaints about Triumph.

But quality or not, nothing can justify the looks of the gaudy Tuono. If I rode one, I'd have a rhinestone-encrusted helmet and leopard-print "protective leathers".

Curmudgeon · 07-05-2006

Quote:

On 2006-07-05 13:15, dr_gallup wrote:
Tuonos make my eyes hurt.

Ditto. At my age (38), I'd feel asinine riding a bike that looked like a Transformer with colorful decals.

rudebwoy85 · 07-05-2006

sure the S3 doesnt come across as sculpted as a Brutale but I frankly havent noted anything in my period of ownership that has me saying "this is shoddily done". To my eyes it looks just fine, it looks good enough that I just dont give it a second thought, and it's very serviceable.

People may remark on the 'bug eyes', but c'mon the Tuono truly looks "ant-ish" at the front end doesnt it. Not a criticism, I actually admire and highly regard the bike. It's one of my fave's..

I take it back, I must admit that I do have issues with the look of the seat cowl on the S3, doesnt do anything for me..

R100Pilot · 07-05-2006

I dunno... I think it looks pretty cool. Then again, when it grows up, it really wants to be a K1200R (my when-I-win-the-lottery bike).

Both are fine machines. Just depends on whether you like full nudity and a triple or bikinis and twins.

kuhlka · 07-05-2006

The fit and finish of my 03 is decent, but not phenomenal, especially the tail plastic (flimsy, tabs broke easily). Most of the metal parts are in a cast finish rather than a clean machined appearance, but I love the way the frame and swingarm look. I'd prefer the triples to be cleaner, but I'm replacing that anyway.

The footpegs/rearsets were kind of a cast afterthought, but functional and simple. Overall, the fit of parts is good and I'd rather have a bike be rock solid and functional than $5,000 more expensive and looking like the Aprilia or BMW 'naked's. I don't consider those bikes naked when they've got headlight fairings and garnish bits all over the place covering stuff up. Frankly, I don't care if my own bike isn't considered 'naked' because I put the rad cowls and bellypan on.

There is a reason people buy the brand they do. Some people like bare-bones brutal bikes. Others like garnished tiddly bits that make the bike look like a Decepticon on crack.

To each his/her own. Go with what makes you grin.

zooplancton · 07-05-2006

i'd say the bike has a good build quality.
it's too early to tell really at only 3700 miles, but i've raped the***** out of mine a few times and it's never limped home bleeding oil or***** valves out. (yet)
if feel solid, and well built really.
i don't consider "bits and pieces" build quality, i consider build quality how well the design and working order holds together.
-b