Today I rode perfection

[doodledog]

Got down the dealers and rode the sweetest handling stoppie and wheelie machine I have ever experienced as good as the s3 with much less bulk, do you remember when you were starting out and rode maybe a little 125, narrow ish, light as a feather, well the bike I was on today was as light, power weelies in first two gears no problem, stoppie power, oh yes all the doom mongers who worried about the brakes are simply wrong, sounds really good with a real triple growl when revved (apologies to the dealer but it revs right into the redline in first four gears!). Power in traffic acceleration top speed and suprising lack of wind blast even at 90mph+ it did have the optional fly screen, handles like its on rails in the twisties, although I did get a slight weave in a very strong crosswind when in fast traffic due to the disturbed air, but no more than anything else I have ridden in the last thirty years! I am in love, if I got this it would be unfair to the Daytona 955 as it would never see the light of day or be relagated to sports tourer. What was it, STREET TRIPLE, SUPERB. this is not as big as the grin I had when I got off it

[andymott]

They are good aren't they? :o)

I still have the occasional doubt about getting the S3 instead, but *think* I made the right decision....

How macho is this - I got the bigger bike (partly, although it was ringing in my ears when I ordered the S3) because one of my instructors said he'd ordered the ST3 for his wife, and I knew I'd always be thinking 'I got a girl's bike'. Weak male ego or what?

I know it's not before I get flamed to death, but that's the macho part - that idea would always be in my head :o/

The ST3 is one of the easiest bikes I've ever ridden, far easier that the ER-5 I learned on and just as easy as the VS800 I just sold. It's fast, fun, handles superbly and makes a great noise. This is really the ONLY bike a beginner should look at if they want a naked. Maybe even if they don't.

I read the MCN review and they say it's moved the goalposts 'A few miles down the road'. 'Nuff said.

[Femural]

Do what I've done order one for the other half (she hasn't even pased her test yet he he)

[Will]

Thanks, doodledog. Opinions of real, live people who might spend their own money on a bike hold a whole lot more weight than opinions of people who ride all kinds of bikes for a while and then give 'em back.

[Shakey]

Originally Posted by andymott

They are good aren't they? )

How macho is this - I got the bigger bike (partly, although it was ringing in my ears when I ordered the S3) because one of my instructors said he'd ordered the ST3 for his wife, and I knew I'd always be thinking 'I got a girl's bike'. Weak male ego or what?

A chick's bike? I'd say male ego may be in play here my friend. I see more chicks on HDs these days than on 106HP naked bikes. Fact is I still don't see that many lady riders on the road. Perhaps I'm showing my softer gentler side by doing so, but I've ordered a Street Triple. I look forward to a lighter, more nimble machine. My current Moto Guzzi weighs out at 625+ loaded up and my Bonneville America isn't exactly a lightweight. The Street Triple will be a refreshing break for the time between long trips.

[never]

Its no more of a chick bike than the 675 daytona is. Now if you want to talk about chick bikes lets talk about the 600 series monster ducati. Thats a chick bike

[andymott]

I knew I'd get a few comments...

I know this isn't a girl's bike, just that in *my* head I would be thinking that, simply because the instructor got one for his wife. Maybe more accurate would be that I think *he* might say that. Anyway, definitely my ego.

Having said that, I also know me, and if there's a bigger, faster, more scary version available I'd always want that. Never liked not having 'the best' (please don't think I'm saying the ST3 isn't the best, just that I would think bigger is better, right or wrong).

This is a recurring theme in my life. Still want a TVR, still want a Porsche, still want an Ariel Atom.... currently drive a Passat!

The ST3 is a fantastic bike, and probably better for me than the S3, but after 6 months I'd be wondering how much faster the S3 would be, and if I should have gotten that instead. This time I decided to skip right on to the bigger one, save the bother of trading in again....

[Will]

Get on the track, then. Once you have dive bombed the end of a concrete wall because a blind corner wraps around it, and you do it 50 times in a day, at 160 mph, you won't really care whether your machine is bigger and scarier. It is the big scary stuff you do with a machine that is the fun part.

[andymott]

I will at some point. I think I'll take it easy to begin with!

I managed to get my VS800 to scoot along at a fair pace, and the ST3 went better again. The S3 will need more careful handling before I do myself (or worse, others) some damage. Once I'm happy with how it goes I'll take it to a track where I can let rip without danger to ordinary road users.

I fully understand what you're saying, and agree wholeheartedly - my main point was my attitude, not the bike's status or performance. As I said - all my ego!