Another Street Triple review

[Xracer]

Might silence those "the brakes and suspension suck" complaints. If I keep seeing more glowing reviews like this one, Triumph will have my new bike money this fall...

http://motorcycledaily.com/03august0...ph_street3.htm

Some quotes:

"The acceleration is instant and there's no boring wait for 10K readings on the tachometer. There seems to be drive all over the power band"

"the Street Triple easily inspires the wild in me and I enjoy riding it much more than any new 180bhp litre sportsbike."

"The two-pot Nissin front brakes are more than up for the job and I actually like them better than the Speed Triple radial items."

"The 675 is really addictive."

[BBDGriptonia]

its reviews like that that almost make me a naked believer

[rustbucket]

It's funny how the huge argument (and I was right in it!) shut right down when the riding impressions started rolling in.

I'm really excited for Triumph - the press seems to think they've got a hit on their hands, and I really hope they do!

[Xracer]

Well it's working on me, I'll be visiting the dealer this week with a check in hand as soon as I decide on a color. As much as I like that green, I'm 40 and not really into flashy stuff anymore. Let's see....I have a black DR650, a titanium CBR1100XX and a blue YZ250F.....looks like the new addition needs to be white!

[triumphtimes]

Kerap, another thing to throw me off track. I was thinking of something more along the lines of the Tiger because the wife wants to go on a newer bike and the D955 sucks two up, but this is something I could learn to love quickly and forget the wife for trips. Waiting for the personal reviews will be tough. I'll take a green'un please.

[Diderich]

HAHA..yeah, I was one of the big whiners when they first announced specs. I spent weeks looking at replacement bikes, but there is nothing out there for the price that gets the same rise out of me. I'll be putting my deposit down for a black one with the arrow exhaust as soon as I work out the details with my dealer.

[TuckerMac]

After reading up and considering options for my first bike I have come to the realization and i think most would agree , the S3 is probably more bike than I will need. (at least initially) however I really like the riding position and look of the S3. As I am looking for naked middle weight bike, the Street triple seems to be a more practical choice. After reading through one of the other Street Triple threads. It seems that a very limited number of reviewers have ridden the street triple, however the same few questions are being posed by members. Mainly regarding the suspension being unadjustable the quality of brakes and the cost/value? Being that this is my first bike how important should these factors be in my decision ? What are your feelings about it as a first bike ?

[yakoo11]

my 2 cents
Being your first bike every "professional" reviewer has said the brakes are more than sufficient. With that said I don't think a "newbie" could/would exceed their capabilities... and if your of normal height and weight (under 6'6" and under 300) you shouldn't "need" fully adjustable suspension...
You have to remember some of these things are still considered new in the market... front and rear fully adjustable suspension, radial brakes... if you want you can always upgrade to these things for some $$$

and im considering buying one andusing my TT as a track bike


what are your intentions for this bike that will help answer what you need... You don't buy a minivan to go to the track...(not saying you couldn't take a Street to the track)

[Diderich]

if it's truly your first bike, as in, no riding experience whatsover, there are two problems with the street triple. One, a bike that can do power wheelies by simply opening the throttle is not a good choice. Two, never ever buy a new bike as a learner bike. You're going to learn a lot in that first year or two, and if you change your mind about your riding style you're going to eat a lot of depreciation cash. Even more so, because you WILL drop the bike and scuff it up.

But to answer your question, it will take you years to outride the suspension, unless you are doing constant track work.

My recommendations for beginner bikes in order of my preference
used Suzuki GS500/Kawasaki Ninja 500
used Suzuki SV650/Kawasaki Ninja 650
Older 600 super sports (pre 2000), including the speed 4 and TT600.

You could convince me that random other bikes were good (some dual sports for example), but those above are the most common.

I had my 01 gs500 for two years, even took it to track days. I sold it to my sister and she sold it two years later for $1000 less than I paid for it. That's $250 a year for me and my sis to learn to ride....I think that bike got dropped 4 times in my care (never by me strangely enough), twice by my sister and at least twice before I even bought it. Never broke a thing on it.

[BBDGriptonia]

I would have to agree with Diderich, mainly because i dont know a single person who hasn't dropped, or laid a bike down. And its more than likely to happen in your first few years of riding, and ESPECIALLY on a bike you are just getting used to.
I learned to ride on my 97 Suzuki Bandit 600. I still have the bugger, actually a friend is borrowing it to do commute rides. I bought the thing for $2200 in 2005 with 17k on it, and had someone actually make me an offer for $2000 a few months ago with about 27k, but i decided to keep it because my girl wanted to learn to ride and its a great bike to learn on after a saftey course or two.
The bike had been dropped atleast one big time by previous owner, then i laid it down pretty good at about 30 MPH, then my friend laid it down, then his friend. the bike is like a friggin tank. The minimal plastics left dont look too pretty, but the engine is as strong as when i bought it.
Now im not saying that a triumph could not stand up to the abuses of gravel, but no one wants to see their nice pretty new triumph see the ugly side of the road. but make your own decisions, and if you get a nice new Street Triple, take lots of pics, we all wanna see!!