TBS or S3 for touring?Need help!

[Captscottreeh]

Thinking of getting a S3 and getting rid of my 2000 TBS.Do any of yall know if there are some soft luggage that will work on the bike?I ride solo 80% of the time but my girl loves to ride also.Are there some soft bags that will work w/ a passenger?I know I'll have to change exhaust by just looking at the bike.And also, what about a small fly screen?I ride pretty agressive so thats why I'm thinking about the S3.
Can some of yall post some pics or give me some ideas?

I'd really appreciate everyones input before I decide to make a switch!!!!

[premier]

Well, I guess it can be done, but S3 is a hooligan bike made for hooligan riding. Touring with luggage and passenger is definitely not triple's forte.

Why? The structure of the bike. There's little room foor passenger. Unless she's short she'll have hard time sitting on the passenger seat (test it with her). And the dual pipes makes installing panniers etc quite hard.

So buy S3 for your solo aggressive rides and perhaps a Sprint ST for touring with your girl. Or better yet, get her her own bike. Motorcycling is a solo sport.

[Captscottreeh]

I'm touring w/ my Harley buddys on my TBS.200-400 mile trips.I just thought it would be nice to get a newer bike 2004-2006.Like I said, I ride aggressive and 80% of the time its solo.I can't leave my old lady at home.She's as good as gold to me!Supports me in whatever I do!!I'm 5'11" at 165lbs and she's 115lbs at 5'2".She can hang on to me like a tick on a dogs back while riding.Just thought someone might have some personal experiance w/ the question I asked.Not to be a smart arse, but I do know that it is a hooligan bike!

[DEcosse]

I would have thought a Sprint would be better choice for touring - either ST as more out & out tourer or the RS which is a little sportier - not sure what luggage options are available for RS however.

[rudebwoy85]

I rode with a pillion for a days las summer, she was a petite thing and the bike took our combined weight easily..I didnt even feel her back there so physically it will two-up.

I think this bike really isnt ideal for it mind you, plus if you plan to incorporate luggage, with a pillion, I've never seen it done, tankbag, tail bag, yourself and a pillion sound very ill-suited to the current S3, it'll look like a burro.

This bike seriously is not the most pillion and tour friendly thing out there by a large margin...I'm sure that it physically can be done though.

Any chance on keeping the TBS for that duty?

[Captscottreeh]

rudebwoy85,
Yes, I have thought about keeping my TBS ( which is cherry! ) but am getting the itch for something different.And for something newer w/ fuel injection.But I want to stay as light as possible because 80% im solo.

[ballsadraggin]

As an owner of a s3 my vote for you is the new 2007 triumph tiger if you must have a triumph. I test rode one and the ride is more comfortable than the s3 and it will wheelie like a s3, but with a more forgiving front suspension when you drop it down hard. The wind protection is very good and it looks good in person. I think triumph has sorted the tiger in a very updated package more suited to the real use of a motorcycle. The old tiger was really not suited for offroad work except for a smooth fire road, and as a roadbike it suffered due to the pretention of being dirt capable. Check one out before you decide. I may even trade my s3 for one!

[martinyoung]

Keep the TBS. Best looking bike Hinkley ever produced (Thruxton excluded).

[Golfinc]

Here comes sage advice from someone who was in your shoes.

I LOVE my S3 and if I can only have one bike this is the one I want. Hands down, nothing out there comes close.

However, I WISH on a freakin STAR that could have, would have kept my TBS. I had a '98 model and I sold it last summer after buying the Triple. Wife said no to two bikes and I caved in and sold it. I should have grown a pair and kept the bike.

I kick myself ona daily basis for not keeping it. I honestly think the TBS is one of the BEST all rounders ever made. It's got plenty of power, handles well, has looks for days and can ride anywhere. It's reliable. I rode mine with the sport bike guys, Harley guys, I toured it to the beach and back a few times. I cruised town and ran errands on it. Everywhere i went the old timers wanted to tell me about their 68 Bonnie and the girls wanted to stare.

I miss my TBS............................................... .....

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So , mral of the story DON"T SELL THE BIKE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!

Buy an S3, you won't be sorry in the least, I promise. But you'll want to keep the TBS for those, not so S3 days.

[RedNeck-Rat]

I too was going to make the suggestion of looking at the new Tiger if you need a more all around ride. I have not ridden one yet but the reviews from everyone are great. That said, if you ride the S3 you'll want one............. :-D