The S3 as a long distance tourer

[Aurelius]

Most people wouldn’t consider a “streetfighter” like the Speed Triple for any sort of long distance traveling, but swapping out the stock seat for one from Sargent convinced me the bike had real potential in that area. Contrary to what I’d been told, the lack of a windscreen and fairing didn’t result in a punishing ride at sustained highway speeds. Quite the contrary; compared to my previous bikes, the lack of a windscreen only prevented the air from being redirected at my head. Instead of the resulting buffeting caused by sportbike style windscreens, all I experienced aboard the S3 was a smooth air stream, which also helped to take some of the weight off my wrists.

The only thing that still needed addressing was the lack of luggage accommodations. My standard practice of strapping a duffle bag across the passenger seat wouldn’t work due to the placement of the stock mufflers, which would burn or melt the bag and its contents. Swapping out the stock silencers with a low hanging MIVV slip-on solved that problem along with a few others, but the lack of attachment points on the S3’s tail section still made the duffle bag option less than ideal. Fortunately, Ventura makes a rack specifically for the S3, which I ordered several weeks in advance of my trip. I have no photos of it, but you can see it on Ventura’s website: http://www.ventura-bike.com/content/...&modelPK=3709#

Having removed the stock high mufflers makes attaching and removing the Ventura rack a simpler task. The rack won’t win any beauty prizes, so being able to quickly remove it when not in use counts in its favor. The duffle bag I have is quite large, capable of holding more than the average suitcase, but luckily it fit perfectly through the Ventura rack’s steel loop so that the bag lies lengthwise rather than across the seat. This keeps it out of the air stream, and minimizes the effect on handling by keeping the bag’s weight centralized. A single adjustable strap was all it required to keep the bag securely attached to the rack.

I still wasn’t sure what to expect of the bike’s ability to function as a tourer after all this, but my 10 hour 650 mile trip to North Carolina removed all doubt. In previous years I’d made the identical trip on a Honda VFR750, a BMW R1150GS, and a BMW K1200S. All three of these are designed to function as tourers, so it came as quite a surprise to me that I was less fatigued and experienced less butt burn after arriving at my destination on the S3 than I had on any of my previous bikes. Even the anticipated muscle strain in my neck after 10 hours of windblast at highway speeds didn’t materialize. Neither did the knee and wrist pain that I’d experienced on both the VFR and K1200S. I wasn’t sure how comfortable the Sargent seat would be after such a long ride, so I took along my inflatable Airhawk seat pad as a precaution. It turned out to be unnecessary, so its absence on future trips will free up even more luggage space. In the end, transforming the S3 “streetfighter” into a very capable long distance tourer was a complete success.

[Goffe]

I agree 110 Percent with your conclusions, especially the wind and seat issues.

[Stampy]

Nicely written!

[MrBiff2You]

I spoke with two guys at the dealer in Lomita, CA that had ridden their S3s from NY. That is a nice trip!

I am pretty tall and perhaps that has something to do with the buffeting. It is bad news after a while. Or perhaps that is induced by my (alleged) rate of speed.

The exhaust is the key, with the high exhaust the low pressure behind your back keeps you sitting in the fumes and that is a bad thing with distance in my experience.

Given the choice, I'll take my K1200S on any distance ride. Fairing, heated grips, ESA, easy fitting bags, fuel gage! No contest for me.

[HiVel]

Originally Posted by Aurelius

Most people wouldn’t consider a “streetfighter” like the Speed Triple for any sort of long distance traveling, but swapping out the stock seat for one from Sargent convinced me the bike had real potential in that area. Contrary to what I’d been told, the lack of a windscreen and fairing didn’t result in a punishing ride at sustained highway speeds. Quite the contrary; compared to my previous bikes, the lack of a windscreen only prevented the air from being redirected at my head. Instead of the resulting buffeting caused by sportbike style windscreens, all I experienced aboard the S3 was a smooth air stream, which also helped to take some of the weight off my wrists.

The only thing that still needed addressing was the lack of luggage accommodations. My standard practice of strapping a duffle bag across the passenger seat wouldn’t work due to the placement of the stock mufflers, which would burn or melt the bag and its contents. Swapping out the stock silencers with a low hanging MIVV slip-on solved that problem along with a few others, but the lack of attachment points on the S3’s tail section still made the duffle bag option less than ideal. Fortunately, Ventura makes a rack specifically for the S3, which I ordered several weeks in advance of my trip. I have no photos of it, but you can see it on Ventura’s website: http://www.ventura-bike.com/content/...&modelPK=3709#

Having removed the stock high mufflers makes attaching and removing the Ventura rack a simpler task. The rack won’t win any beauty prizes, so being able to quickly remove it when not in use counts in its favor. The duffle bag I have is quite large, capable of holding more than the average suitcase, but luckily it fit perfectly through the Ventura rack’s steel loop so that the bag lies lengthwise rather than across the seat. This keeps it out of the air stream, and minimizes the effect on handling by keeping the bag’s weight centralized. A single adjustable strap was all it required to keep the bag securely attached to the rack.

I still wasn’t sure what to expect of the bike’s ability to function as a tourer after all this, but my 10 hour 650 mile trip to North Carolina removed all doubt. In previous years I’d made the identical trip on a Honda VFR750, a BMW R1150GS, and a BMW K1200S. All three of these are designed to function as tourers, so it came as quite a surprise to me that I was less fatigued and experienced less butt burn after arriving at my destination on the S3 than I had on any of my previous bikes. Even the anticipated muscle strain in my neck after 10 hours of windblast at highway speeds didn’t materialize. Neither did the knee and wrist pain that I’d experienced on both the VFR and K1200S. I wasn’t sure how comfortable the Sargent seat would be after such a long ride, so I took along my inflatable Airhawk seat pad as a precaution. It turned out to be unnecessary, so its absence on future trips will free up even more luggage space. In the end, transforming the S3 “streetfighter” into a very capable long distance tourer was a complete success.

Great write up=I have been looking for exactly th eset-up you have. ordered the rack today! Got the sport kit with the pack -gotta get a low exhaust now! Good deal! Thanks

[Catenaccio]

My S3 works fine as a sport tourer. It is a little shy of luggage space, but that's the only complaint.

[VWTim]

Originally Posted by Catenaccio

My S3 works fine as a sport tourer. It is a little shy of luggage space, but that's the only complaint.

Luggage...ha.

$100 bill, rubbers, spare undies, and a camelback.

Seriously I took my '07 on a ~1000 trip in June and was amazed how comfortable it really was. I just need a good tailpack and I'll be good for weekends now.

[johnspierce]

Different things work for different people. I'm sure all of your experiences were as you describe.

For me, the stock seat is a non-starter. It's okay for about 100 miles, after that, the way it continually pushes me into the tank which results in serious monkey butt. I replaced the stock seat with a Sargent seat and it is 100% better.

As for wind blast - it's not bad if there's *no wind*. Try riding any bike without a full fairing across the plains of Wyoming and tell me the itty-bitty fairing on the S3 is sufficient.

You can certainly sport tour on the S3, but a Triumph Sprint will be much better, no doubt.

cheers,
JP

[KenT140D]

Admittedly we don't have the distances here in NZ that you have in the US, but I find the Speed Triple o.k. for longish distance stuff, 5 to 6 hours of riding. I use a Ventura Pack Rack - excellent, and two small sheepskin pieces on the seat (we've got lots of sheep here!!). I've always ridden naked bikes so wind blast has never really been of concern to me. The bike is not ideal for using saddle bags, but with the rack and a tank bag I have enough luggage capacity.

keep the wheels turning
Cheers
Ken

[Aurelius]

Originally Posted by johnspierce

As for wind blast - it's not bad if there's *no wind*. Try riding any bike without a full fairing across the plains of Wyoming and tell me the itty-bitty fairing on the S3 is sufficient.

You can certainly sport tour on the S3, but a Triumph Sprint will be much better, no doubt.

cheers,
JP

The fairing and windscreen on the Sprint differs in no significant respect from the one on my Honda VFR and BMW K1200S. Both are too small to do anything useful for a rider of my height. Rather than block the wind, these abbreviated screens merely act as a funnel, directing the wind straight to my head. Worse still, they cause turbulence - something I don't experience on my S3 because there's nothing in front of me to generate it. Real touring bikes such as a Goldwing or an ST1300 have a fairing and windscreen big enough to direct the air completely over and around the rider, but this just isn't the sort of bike I have any interest in riding.