Street Triple R vs Street Triple...it's all about the size

[Mello]

Of the rider:
I sold my 2010 STR this summer and have recently picked up another Street Triple non-R version. Having spent a decent amount of seat time on both bikes, I would like to share my insight for anyone trying to decide on which bike to get.
First, a little about myself: I have a racing background in bicycle motocross and then on to MX/SX. During my tenure in the sport I was taught and convinced that the suspension was the single most important asset on a motorcycle...see where I'm going with this?
Back to the subject, I was curious if I would be disappointed in this new-to-me 2008 Street Triple without the "better", adjustable suspension that my R version had.
Bottom line: the standard version suspension is spot on for the lighter rider, even with a decent amount of experience. I'm right at 150lbs without gear. No need for a boring review, just letting y'all know that the standard Striple works as well as the STR for the lighter rider in any condition. It really was a pleasant surprise.

[David L.]

That's for this reason i've order the ''R'' version. Curently, i'am at 207lbs, and if i continue to go to the gym all winter long, next summer i'll be around 220lbs. So i realy nead the better suspension, and maybe a little boost to the engine...

[Neanderthal]

My Striple started out as the "standard" version. Over the course of 4 years, I've yo-yo'ed between 175-220 pounds. To be honest, the brakes and suspension did fine for any kind of sane public road speeds. I ride in some pretty twisty, hilly areas and have seen speeds over 125 mph on some knarly roads. The bike now has a Penske double and D675 front end. I'm not any faster on the same roads at the same speed. I attribute any increase in rider skill to seat time, not suspension mods. Rider skill is far more important to appreciate the difference in bikes - there's a lot of hype out there and folks constantly try to justify their expenditures.

Now if you are over 250 pounds, then yes, the different suspensions will make a big difference, especially in ride quality. I'm not saying don't buy the R - it's a personal choice. I just hate all the non-r dogging that goes on in these threads. When the RR comes out, it'll start all over again, lol.

[Tommyray]

I looked at both and went with the standard street triple, I was after the engine anyway, so the R has upgraded brakes and suspention I didn't need it, the bike comes ready for proformance and not worth the extra cost for R, the 2012 model came with the free flyscreen, pan..., you need to upgrade the exhaust and levers....., on both also,
It's about your skill level" right.

[roxythruxton]

Dude , the TRUE difference is just small with the exception of the brakes. And you get to sport an "R" on your paneling .
If you're one of these modder whores and don't need crazy suspension tweaks get the standard .

I have and R and love it but I've ridden standards and they're great also. Just more goodies on the R .

[Jimbo14]

I got the R, I should have saved my cash. Never touched the suspension.


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[williamr]

Got the R. Liked the brakes.

Set the suspension on day 2 of ownership - small tweak to the rear preload and 1 click back on compression damping front and rear. Not touched it since, but the whole point is to get it right for the rider. If you're tweaking it all the time you're not getting it right.

I'd love the new bike though. Slightly sharper steering makes it even more agile in traffic and the tweaks that improve the fuel consumption - 10% is significant on a motorway run - resolve the thing I most dislike about the bike - its thirst. I also have a suspicion that the newer headlights, thopugh ugly, give a better beam shape than the round ones?

Anybody agree?

Rob

[bira]

Originally Posted by williamr

Got the R. Liked the brakes.

If you're tweaking it all the time you're not getting it right.

Anybody agree?

Rob

Yes and no on that statement. If it's cold in the morning when you start a ride, you could adjust compression and rebound (open up) to improve fork/shock action and and set it back as the day get warmer.
On the new bike, yes, I'd love the improved handling even though the current bike is awesome. One of the biggest surprises when I first read about it was the significantly improved fuel economy.

[williamr]

I might tweak between Summer and Winter, but the bike's an everyday workhorse so I'm not going to tweak between riding to work and going home, and on business trips which are mostly highway the difference isn't worth the effort of tweaking it.

Anyway, after day on a Bonny courtesy bike while mine was in for a 12K service (£540 with new front pads - ouch) on a day when I nearly lost it on the way in to dealers because of ice and got piss wet through for the rest of the day, almost anything would have seemed an improvement on the Bonny. Actually I'm being unfasir - in that kind of weather most bikes feel like ****, but the Street still felt good taking it back home.

Rob

[stiebs]

Originally Posted by williamr

I also have a suspicion that the newer headlights, thopugh ugly, give a better beam shape than the round ones?

Anybody agree?

I almost bought a '10 instead of my '12 purely because I didn't like the headlights. I did have to add the flyscreen as I think it complements the headlights quite well.

On the effectiveness of the headlights though... WOW! There's no way I'd take the older round ones over the funky shaped new ones.
And running Phillips Xtreme Vision globes direct off the battery (via an Ecliptech Dual Light Driver makes 'em even better.