I'm looking to buy my second bike next spring. I'm a big guy (6' 2" and 250 lbs [113 kgs]). I saw an article that said the Street Triple was downright dangerous for anyone over 180 lbs. I called my closest dealer (who is a 5 hour drive away, so I want all the fact before I visit), and questioned if the R version would have more suitable suspension, or should I just upgrade to the Speed Triple. She gave me a "definitely upgrade" answer so fast it felt like she was only upselling. She also commented that the suspension was no different on the R.
Well, your dealer is clueless. The R suspension is most of the reason to get the bike over the standard model (the rest is better brakes). I have an R and weigh 200 lbs. I've had to back off the pre-load on the rear shock considerably to keep from knocking my teeth out. I still need to have the bike set up by a professional, but I really don't think 250 is too heavy.
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John
3-7-77
Some people are like Slinkies. They're really good for nothing. But they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Agree with Pokeyjoe.
If that's truly what the dealer told you, I would say find another dealer.
I'm 6 ft 100+kg, and I thought the Street-R was fantastic. I had one on loan for about a week so got to give it a good test.
I wouldn't say you're too heavy for a street, event the standard one. Might look a little top heavy on it compared to some
Bit of a bind your closest dealer being 5 hours away though, best thing would be to get a test ride and make up your own mind.
I'm around 6 foot and weigh in at 120Kg and find the suspension on the R works fine for me. Haven't even set the sag or adjusted any clickers yet. I'll be heading to my local suspension expert for some setup when I've hit 1000kms on the bike and things are loosened up.
In fact, I would further disagree with the article you read. I'm so close to the same weight and height as you that the difference is negligible, and there's nothing "downright dangerous" about it whatsoever! It feels no different from the suspension on my 76 Bonneville, back when it was nearly new (and when I weighed a lot less)...and the old Bonnie was one of the "superbikes" of its day and age. What that sort of article tells you is merely that a little learning is a dangerous thing; namely, that the writer noticed sensations that he wasn't accustomed to from his prior experiences on fancier bikes, assumed it would be worse for anyone over his own weight, and put two and two together to come up with six.
But enough of my soapbox ramblings. You can find more on all this in the rear suspension upgrade thread if you're interested. The important points for now, though, are:
1. Don't believe the fearmongers. But if you have any doubts about the way it feels to you...
2. Yes, the R suspension is different--in particular, more adjustable--and you might feel better having it. And finally...
3. The Speed Triple is a great bike, but if the Street is the one that truly calls to you, you won't go wrong with it.
Well, thanks for all the replies; joining this forum definitely was worth the while. I'll have to check out the Street R as well as the Speed, ASAP. In case you were wondering, I searched again and found the suspension evaluation clip referred to earlier:
A lot has been covered on all the Striple forums about this very subject. I believe the British folks have done the best job (figures, that's where it all started) from both experience and the numerous bike testing on a conclusion to this debate. If you think you need a better suspension than the standard model offers, you are far better off buying the standard model and purchasing an aftermarket shock, i.e. Elka, Nitron, Penske, Ohlins and having the forks worked over by a firm like Maxton. Going this route you will have a much better suspension than the R, and it will be customized to your weight and riding style. The R is still a compromise, so take that extra money that the R will cost and get the better aftermarket goodies.
In case you were wondering, I searched again and found the suspension evaluation clip referred to earlier:
This guy is a very reputable dude, and I have no doubt that he knows his stuff, but.... there are thousands of perfectly satisfied, happy, over-180 pound riders out there that have not been killed riding the bike. IMO, he did not come across very well in this video, and is doing the general or average prospective Striple owner an injustice. I work in automotive engineering, and I can guarantee you that if the bike were not safe for a 200 pound rider, the feds would be all over Triumph like stink on poo.
This bike is miles ahead of many bikes that were considered great track bikes in their day. It is NOT supposed to be a great track bike compared to a late-model Gixxer600, CBR600RR or even the Daytona675, instead it is a great street bike.
Last edited by Neanderthal : 11-20-2009 at 12:30 AM.
The fellow looks old enough to have ridden bikes with all kinds of non-adjustable suspensions before, back in the days when that's pretty much all there was, so you would think he would have taken that experience into account...unless he has indeed mistaken the Street for a wannabe track bike, which never was the purpose. He really does the heavier viewer of that clip a disservice by those ill informed opinions.
Quote:
The R is still a compromise...
What manufactured product isn't? Including, by extension, the original D675 from which the R suspension was substantially lifted.
That term "compromise" is often used as a put-down, which I don't imagine is how you meant it, knowing first hand that it's simply the way all engineering works. It's a process of balancing conflicting needs and evaluating the compromises needed to reach the goal. The trick is to take into account all the trade-offs, if possible, and arrive at a solution that will suit a sufficient number of buyers without driving too many of them off with the price. (I wonder, for instance, how many people truly are able to find a better rear shock and have the forks completely re-worked by a genuine expert for less than the price difference of the R. It's not always that easy to sort out who's who--especially out in the boonies--and if the owner's time involved in the search is factored in, I should think it is possible to spend at least as much and still not be significantly better off.)
Probably a better way to phrase it in the case of the Street is "a very workable compromise indeed," with the ever-present caveat that you can always make some further improvement to anything if you're willing to bear the cost. I suppose only the individual owner can decide when he reaches the point of diminishing returns.
I can totally appreciate what you both are saying, and I get the comment about not buying the R and saving the difference for after market parts. I'll just have to try both versions (if I can) and decide which is the least compromise. I may look into aftermarket suspension if I thought I needed it, but at this point I just don't get enough riding in during a year to justify not compromising. At least a safe compromise...
Including, by extension, the original D675 from which the R suspension was substantially lifted.
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