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Street Triple R - Best handling bike ever?

17K views 24 replies 15 participants last post by  electric gypsy 
#1 ·
Hi! Just signed up here today. I have several other bikes, but am looking for something well-suited to the super-tight twisties in the mountains here (think go-cart track and you have the right idea).

This is NOT mean to be trolling, it is a serious question. Have you ever rode a more nimble, flickable, better handling bike for this type of riding (middleweight or higher - no ninja 250s or RS50s)? If so, what was it?

I'm getting the StripleR either way, but am curious.

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Problem with any motorcycle is the trade-off between ride comfort and handling. IMO the Street Triple R has fairly firm spring rates which are great for a heavier rider or aggressive riding, but may be too stiff for a light rider (like me) on bumpy twisties. The ride is not bad (on the bumps) on the stock R if the damping settings are set to the recommended 'soft' settings which is still a firm and controlled ride, and the suspension sag is properly set. Because every motorcycle is a 'one size fits all', most riders make aftermarket modifications to suit them. It is indeed a light and flickable motorcycle with excellent top-gear roll-on power. I have owned my R for 2 years now and have never had the slightest wobble or twitch around many fast bumpy back-road corners, even with the 'soft' damping settings. For a rider under 160 lbs though I would recommend the next-step lower rate shock and fork springs if riding on rough roads. - Wayne :)
 
#4 · (Edited)
Street Triple R - Best handling bike ever?!
While a great handling bike, I would not be be that ecstatic and say Best handling bike ever. There are others, even in the Triumph range that are great handling bikes, e.g., the TT600/Daytona 600/650. The Daytona 675 is also an excellent handler when correctly set up. My own son's Honda Fireblade is also a contender...!

In some ways it is all a bit subjective. After all, body weight, suspension setup and quality, tyres and riding style and experience also come into play. In this regard, I have found the Suzuki GSXR 750 an incredibly well-handling machine, contrary to others on this thread.

Just my opinion. Others are free to disagree.



 
#7 ·
Depends on who you talk to - guys on a supermoto forum are going to tell you to go sumo and a supermoto would work very well on your roads. Twisty as they are a fat torque curve is a lot more useful than top end hp. I borrowed my brother's SV650 (GSXR forks & Penske shock) when I visited last year and didn't miss the ~30 hp loss compared to the striple - much. I had a hoot going over Tuggles Gap & everywhere else and didn't feel any lack of handling.
 
#8 ·
The Ducati Hypermotard could also be a contender for best handling in really tight turns. I rode my friend's this summer. Didn't push it very hard on account of not being able to get over the bizarre seat and handlebar position. I've heard really good things, though, from the guys who do push it.

In straightaways, even for 50 meters, though, there's no comparing it to the StreetIII.
 
#9 ·
Construction of a bike is always a aset of trade-offs. You make it better at X and it gets worse at Y. Same goes for better handling in the twisties (consequence is the bike gets more nervous at higher speeds and the chance of an unwanted stoppie increases).

That's why asking for the "Bestest Bike Evar" is not going to get you far. It's all about the right compromise of trade-offs which are suitable to your needs.

If you are looking for a better handling bike in the twisties start by looking for bikes that are lighter and have a shorter wheelbase. For example a KTM Duke 690 might fall into that category.
 
#11 ·
Great advice, which is why I was pretty specific about it's intended use.

I've seen quite a few Dukes and SMs out there. It's pretty incredible what they can do. I'm really looking for a standard or sport. Most of my other motorcycle itches have been scratched between the R1200GS Adventure, ZX-12R, and an incoming dirt bike to putt around with my son (he's getting a pw50. Yay!)

The supermotards are, for me, anyway. Something that splits the line between several bikes I already have with a narrow enough focus as to be undesirable.
 
#10 ·
I recently had a chance to swap my R for bit and ride a Street Triple with a Daytona rear shock, Maxton fork internals, a 3-1 zard exhaust, brembo pads and a stock rear sprocket. After swapping back we had a lengthy chat about how different the bikes handle. We both have very different front tyre profiles (mine turns in quicker), his bike is less top heavy (changes direction quicker), sprocket affects the revs/gear/engine braking round a corner at the same speed, 2" difference in wheelbase (mine gets twitchy and likes one wheel), I have clipons and he's sat upright... Same bike, both fun, both ride different, both setup to owners taste. If you're inclined to fiddle with you bike, most modern bikes will handle better than most owners skill level. Buy whatever bike you like the look of, sound, feels comfy, practical, etc


Sent from my iPhone using Motorcycle.com App
 
#13 ·
Another nice improvement is a slightly lower-rate shock spring; the main complaint of most R riders was a rough ride on a bumpy back-road due to the overly stiff shock spring. The Kayaba shock is actually pretty good, it is just that the spring rate was too high for street use for average weight riders IMO. - Wayne
 
#15 ·
Through all the bikes I've owned and ridden I can't say it's the BEST handling bike ever but it's the best handling bike I've owned and ridden. Only thing that comes close to it in my opinion is the Triumph Speedfour and a Buell XB9/r . And the Buell almost ties the Street Triple .
 
#16 ·
Re-reading that visordown article, it all seems like great changes, except for the taller first gear. I can't imagine why Triumph did that (other than savings due to the shared daytona gearbox). One of the things people loved about this bike in it's last incarnation was it's ability to loft the front wheel with ease. I'm guessing that many (most?) are now going to gear down 1 tooth in the front. That's going to negate the sizable MPG improvements they've made as the engine will now be turning faster in top gear as well.

Really excited about this bike. I'm already watching dealer websites and cycletrader trying to find one within driving range at a reasonable price (a few dealers have got the early arriving bikes and are trying to gouge people for over $15k on them. eek)
 
#17 ·
As I have ridden only a few bikes and not for very long other than my Triple R, I am a) biased and b) of limited experience. However, I learned to ride on this bike in the many canyons of the Rockies foothills near my home in Morrison, Colorado. I have put 20,000 miles on it now, including a cross country ride to LA and back in May (stock seat, flyscreen w/o windshield, tank bag and backpack, 2300 miles in 8 days).

I love the way this bike flips back and forth effortlessly in the twisties (and there are many), and I love the torque from idle to redline. As I have gotten more experienced riding it, and having watched videos, talked to other riders, ridden with others, and hung out here, I have basically increased the gear I ride the same canyons in - which translates to higher speeds. I enjoy every single second of my time on this bike. I have left the suspension alone, because for me it works.

The only real comparison I have had was a friend's new ZX6, and it handled fine, except I didn't like having my knees in my armpits (I'm all leg), and I *hated* having to wind it up to 4000 rpm before feeling any pull. Obviously I didn't take any liberties with his bike, so I've pushed mine much harder.

So, awesome canyon carver, and acceptable long-distance rider.

My tuppence.
 
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