Triumphrat

jhawkinsvalrico · 10-09-2009, 04:08 PM

After over 17 years of being away from riding, this past year came back into the fold and own a Sprint ST. I love the Sprint, but have come to the conclusion that I'd like a second bike for riding around town on and just impluse riding. The Sprint is great for my long weekend rides where I just go out and hit the roads in the morning and go exploring until later in the afternoon, but I don't have the impluse to just jump on it when I need to run across town and pick up a 6 pack. My dilemma is what do I get? I was torn when I bought the Sprint; the decision was between a Speed Triple or the Sprint and the Sprint won because I do these weekend trips and plan to do some cross country touring with some friends this winter (I live in Florida and plan to keep the trip in the south).

My question for this forum is: How is the Street Triple for around town riding? Is it a bike that you just jump on without thinking to go pick up that 6 pack? I will be heading over to visit a 'local' dealer in the future (local is over an hour away), but I am one of those that likes to think about the problem, narrow down the choices and then go test ride some bikes. As a matter of fact, should I buy a Street Triple, I'll likely look for a used bike - I waited almost 6 months before the right Sprint came along.

Comments and suggestions are welcomed. Thanks.

short-circuit · 10-09-2009, 04:18 PM

Yep - you'll find any excuse

LoneRider7 · 10-09-2009, 07:22 PM

It's a naked muscle-bike! Ride one, and it'll take a crow-bar to pry that smile off your face!!! Yes - for around town, it's king of the road!

jmack.net · 10-09-2009, 08:09 PM

The Street is probably near the most fun you can have on two wheels. But I personally don't think of it as an around town bike. It begs to be ridden hard, and when I'm in city traffic, I'm just frustrated that I can't open her up. And it's really difficult to get any sort of real luggage on it, so doing anything "practical" is awfully difficult.

For me, the Street is an ends in itself. That much fun doesn't need an excuse.

GaryC · 10-09-2009, 09:31 PM

JAYHAWKINSVALRICO: You can make the Street useful for carrying small purchases by buying a tailpack. It is a Triump option, but there are many aftermarket choices. It mounts to the passenger area of your seat and is easy to put on and remove as needed.

Jackster · 10-09-2009, 11:42 PM

Great city bike. It is so light and maneuverable, it is a breeze in traffic.
I couldn't wait to open her up either. Put the deposit on mine today. Take it for a test ride.

jhawkinsvalrico · 10-10-2009, 12:34 AM

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I think I will begin looking for a Street Triple to test ride and then add to the garage. I know that some don't like the naked look and the bug lights as my son calls them, but that's why I like this bike so much. I've been looking at Bags-Connection tail and tank bags for the Sprint and think that a tail bag would be great for around town errands on a Speed Triple. Again, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade my ST in for any other sport touring ride. I love the bike and it's perfect for longer rides. It can bring out the kid in me - nearly has gotten me a couple of tickets already. It handles great in the twisties, and fits me like no other sport tourer I test rode did, but I really want something that I will want to hop on to take a ride around town, whenever I get the urge to ride. For some reason, I don't do that as much on the ST as I'd like. Thanks again for the feedback.

Electriple · 10-10-2009, 01:00 PM

It will definitely bring out the kid in you.

I find that I am blatantly inefficient with my errands now. I'll go pick get something to eat. Come home. Oh shoot, I wanted to gopick up a cd at the music store. Come home. Oh shoot, I don't have any beer, etc...haha

calicant · 10-10-2009, 01:42 PM

I bought a new Orange R after a fifteen year bikeless gap and thought it would serve as a highly interesting reintroduction to motorcycling. My previous ride was a CBR 600 RR which I found extremely uncomfortable, perhaps due to my 6' height and susceptibility to lower back ache. The Triple offered an upright riding posture and a standard look but without compromising excitement possibilities. In fact, I would almost say that it is a bit like a Long Island Ice Tea which looks fairly harmless but hides a kick like a mule and often leads to a good hammering.

I have done 1500 miles and apart from 3 absolutely unintended front wheel lifts the bike has been very manageable around town for me - although I do live in a small town. It blisters away from cars well and is easy to move a low speeds with the torque available.

I wanted a Speed Triple and still think it is more suited to my size but I feared the power of the beast. I actually fear the power of the Street Triple still after 1500 miles so for me I think I held off rightly. I'll ride this Orange R for another year at least before I swap it for a gigantic lump of some kind which can have luggage and be practical. Hopefully I'll have lost the impulse for rush by then.

Good luck with your decision.....

jhawkinsvalrico · 10-10-2009, 02:16 PM

Calicant, Thanks for the post. I also came back after a long break from riding and thought that a sport touring bike would be just the bike for me. In fact, I've come to the conclusion that there likely isn't one single bike that will satisfy my desires. I love the ST for touring. It is big enough, has plenty of power (actually much more than I'll ever need), is very comfortable for me (I like the stock riding position of the '06 which is slightly forward, but not too aggressive), offers good wind protection on the highway, and is on the sporty side of the sport touring equation. The only shortcoming of this bike for touring is the lack of size of the panniers. Mine came with stock panniers and while they hold enough for a long weekend trip, they won't hold a full-face helmet. I can live with this, but think that anyone considering one should be aware of this feature. I've added a Bags-Connection tank bag and I am considering a tail bag as I just don't personally like the look of a trunk on any bike.

All of that said about the Sprint, I find the desire for a bit smaller, more nimble bike for short rides around town and perhaps for commuting to work. I love the 1050cc engine, but believe that the Speed Triple is more along the lines of the Sprint in weight and size. The Street Triple sounds and looks like the type and size of bike I desire. I'm old enough to hold back on the throttle (most of the time), but like the fact that the bike can get me out of situations when it needs to. A long time ago, I rode a 125cc enduro to commute back and forth to school. It was like riding a bicycle in traffic - so I stayed on back roads whenever I could. I have no use for an underpowered street bike simply for the fact that they can't get you out of trouble. At least that's my opinion. Thanks.