Triumphrat

RickyT · 01-21-2008

Been contemplating a second bike this spring. I plan to stay with Triumph (brand loyalty and all that). I am really liking the Speed Triple but everytime I check one out at the dealership, I feel like its a naked sprint and I'd be buying the same bike again. I am also considering an America/Speedmaster. I love the laid back relaxed ride of the cruiser but I also like the performance of the Sport bikes plus I had an Intruder 800 a few years back and was dissappointed by its lack of power and traded up for the 1400, Would the Americah be the same disappointmeent. Already have the sprint for performance and would like something different but the Speed Triple keeps calling me. A second bike stretches my budget a tad but the Sprint will be paid for by summer.

Any advice before I do something stupid and buy both a S3 and an America.

triumphite · 01-21-2008

Here's my advice. Stick with one bike.

SpiderTex · 01-21-2008

RickyT, I have similar thoughts... I have a Sprint ST from 03 and thinking about or a naked bike, or a sporty bike...

Naked candidates are the S3 or the Benelli TNT or the Cafe racer.
For a sporty one, the Benelli Tornado has my fancy
With the Benelli's I would remain in Triple country...

The only thing of concern I have with Benelli is the servicing. AND the price! The TNT is 4000€ more expensive as the S3. 13500€ for a naked bike is a lot of cash...

The S3 is defintely not just a naked Sprint, I have driven both (1050 models) and the S3 is just extreme big fun... like hooligan yanking on that chain screaming for "gimme more more more"

Pauljo · 01-21-2008

Thruxton. You buy one of those foot forward rides, your going to be pedaling your feet in the air lookin' for the pegs.

Been there, done that, not going back.

Or, you could just buy a Bonnie Black or a T100. Both are pretty much set up the way a motorcycle should be.

You see everything was fine up until the mid-eighties. Then Yamaha introduced the Virago - and everything got silly after that. Cruiser? Phooey! Like you couldn't cruise on a "regular" motorcycle. I was there I tell ya! That's when it all went off track.

In any event, you need a twin to go with the triple.

whoosh · 01-21-2008

Me
2nd bike ?

Ducati 848
or
Buell 1125R

whichever I liked best after a test ride....

my choice, my decision, no argument

Catenaccio · 01-21-2008

3rd bike's the dilemma for me. The short list consists of: Sprint ST, Tiger, Ducati 848, Yamaha FJR, or an Aprilia RSV.

otter1 · 01-21-2008

I would like to have a Ducati 695 as a fun second bike. Lots of customizing parts available for monsters.
Since you want to stay with Triumph and like the S3-- what about the smaller street triple? (less like a naked sprint, less money and lighter/higher reving)

Calliway · 01-21-2008

I am torn as well about a second bike. My short list is:

Speed Triple
Bonni
Buell Ulysses

bruce19 · 01-21-2008

I rode for 30 yrs with only one bike at a time. In '04 my Ducati 998 couldn't serve my 2-up aspirations, so my SO and I bought a second bike. That's how I got my '04 Sprint RS. I have to say I'm now a confirmed two bike guy. They are fairly dissimilar bikes and that turns out to be a wonderful thing.

bakwheeltango · 01-21-2008

Ricky,

I'm right with you on the speed triple. I love my sprint...
but as an everyday ride I think the S3 is amazing. love the motor the look everything screams hooligan.
if I was allowed 2 that would be second bike hands down.

( I would love for triumph to build a version of the sprint that allows you strip it down into a speed3 look!)

there's no ways its the same bike. shorter wheel base lighter. way more raw attitude.

if anything it's the sprint's rowdy little brother.

my third is the Thruxton doesn't get cooler than that.

geez... I wasn't even focusing on brand loyality.
Triumph just kicks a$$.