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I rode a '17 Speed Triple today

2K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  steve59 
#1 ·
There was a demo day in town and I went down to ride a few bikes. #1 on the list was the Speed because I wanted to compare it to my own '12. It was even red like mine. :)

Verdict? I like it. Immediately upon moving it was obvious that the handling was lighter and quicker. The bike felt lighter. I'd have to research to find if it really is.

The engine revved much quicker, I thought, and it felt smoother. To use a term that isn't a compliment for a Honda, it almost felt sewing-machine like. I might not have liked it as much had it had the stock exhaust, but this bike was equipped with an Arrow slip-on with the baffles removed. These were the high pipes with a satin finish that had carbon fiber end caps. What a great sound. They had a good growl, but not so loud as to be obnoxious.

Upon the recommendation of the previous rider of this Speed, I put the mode in "TRACK" and left it there. IMO, it should never be set to anything else. It was a fairly short ride around back streets and I never got the opportunity to get it out of second gear.

I wanted to ride a Thruxton R, T120, and a KTM Adventure but I was too hot and uncomfortable to continue in the Savannah afternoon. My own helmet is with Arai having warranty work done so I borrowed a S&S XXL loaner from the shop. It was so narrow it folded my ears in half. No matter how many times I took it off and put it back on the same thing happened. I wear a Large in my Arai RX-Q, but a XXL in this would not fit. It was painful.

Anyway...I did get to ride what I was really interested in for comparisons sake. I liked it, but not to the extent that I'd take on a payment to replace my '12 Speed which has no payment.
 
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#3 · (Edited)
Yes, it is like you said. I had a chance to ride the 2016 bike and it was for a day. All conditions, city, highway, so it was a good comparison. My 2014 non R model felt old(much older now with the round headlights, lol) and heavy but it really doesn't justify the amount of money. I'm really happy with my bike
 
#5 ·
That's how it is for me, for the most part. I can't justify the cost. Plus, I spent so much making mine, fit for me. But, I know me, once something gets in my head, I can't stop thinking about it and I will come up with ways, to afford it, etc.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
 
#7 ·
Are you describing me? [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

Actually I'd trade my bike for a 2010 15th anniversary, cause I believe it's the coolest Speed Triple to date IMO. But as I told you before I'm still in love with my bike, so proud of her and all the upgrades she got.
 
#6 ·
I'll likely never get rid of my Speed. I get attached to things...such as my first bike in 40 years and the source of so much pleasure.

If I do anything it'll be something like the Super Duke GT (full blown sport and travel all in one bike!) or the T120 (old school cool). ....but with four years of payments left on my Jeep, that isn't likely to happen.
 
#9 ·
I just test rode the 2017 Aprilia Tuono and the Ducati Super Sport S. I didn't like either one compared to my 2015 Speed ABS. My S3 feels refined and precise; the Italian bikes felt rough and crude. The Ducati vibrated so bad I could barely see out of the mirrors. The Tuono is a beast but I like the feel of my Speed better. I've got my S3 so dialed in with Arrows, tail tidy, integrated tail light, Rizoma bars and bar end mirrors and Watsen front signals I'm keeping it for a long time.
 
#11 ·
Smart move, If you got a bike that makes you want to ride what more do you need? i'm glad to hear the new motor spins up quicker because that was the most disappointing aspect of mine and I never got used to it.
 
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