what do you guys think?

[motorhead]

Now i know this is two ends of the spectrum but i am looking at either a Street triple or a thruxton. The thruxton for the old cafe looks, the street for naked bike looks and performance.

The street triple obviously has alot more power and is going to handle better. I am a drag racer so you know i like horsepower and speed but i love the looks of the old cafe racers. The trux however new, seems to have alot of old tech left in it. Everyone knows the vertical twins will never make a ton of power and they vibrate ( i assume ive yet to ride one) alot more than the triple will. Ive had old trumpys as in a 78 bonni and it would rattle your teeth out.

I guess im just asking what you guys would do or for some reviews. I ve had everything from Yamaha R6 to HD roadkings

I think i just talked myself into a street triple and building another cafe style triumph

[Diego]

> The thrux however new, seems to have alot of old tech left in it. Everyone knows the vertical twins will never make a ton of power and they vibrate ( i assume ive yet to ride one)...

Well, you know what happens when you assume!

The tech is not really as old as it looks. The modern twins are very smooth running machines. Alas, a smooth twin also tends to be a heavier twin than than the old ones you're familiar with, and the power and revving ability is not up enough at this point in time to overcome that fact.

For the same money for either model, you're having to choose between classic looks or roadster performance. It's up to you, of course, but if this is a strict either/or choice for you right now, I'd almost be willing to bet what you'll really value most is the performance of the Street. That would leave you with the option of either building your own cafe-style bike as you mentioned, or else saving up for another year or so and then also buying a Thruxton when they become available with EFI in the States. Then you'd have the best of both worlds.

[Jamie]

Motorhead,

"Looks" matter to you., don't they?

Well, if they DO, in a prevalent sort of way, you'll be satisfied with the Thrux'.

The difference, though, might be somewhere beyond the LOOKS, somewhere between visual, vaguely nostalgic satisfaction and... forward-looking, multi-sensorial enchantment.

The Streety may not totally please your eyes at first. It might hurt that "café days" imagination or loyalty of yours (no sarcasm, that 's where I am coming from, '49 vintage, mind you). It might offer far more performance than you thought you would ever need or would want to tame...

But, man, it'll rock your soul .

Good luck. Jamie

[spiki-spikester]

Don't assume the twin won't do a ton. My 790 will easily get there with a bit of wind protection on it. And it will do most things and make them enjoyable, apart from keeping up with litre bikes on a motorway

The twins are a lot of fun once you start working on them.

Of course they won't match the performance of the 675, but it isn't really a fair comparison.

Why not get a cheap carb'd bonnie or thrux & cafe it, as well as a Street3 ?

[Will]

I have ridden a Thrux a few times and own a Daytona 675. It isn't a Street Triple, but it is the same engine and frame. They don't compare except Triumph makes them and they have two wheels. Both are a whole lot of fun, and both will do just about anything you want them to do within reason.

A Thrux has a heavy flywheel, and you can really feel it. Twins typically have a heavy flywheel feel. The Thrux will rev out eventually, but it relies more on torque. It isn't a water cooled performance motor, so it doesn't have gobs and gobs of torque. It is a complete blast to ride on tight roads. It is OK to drone along on. The ergos are not as extreme as my Daytona, but would be more aggressive than a Street (I assume the Street will be similar to Speed Triple ergos, and I have ridden a Speed Triple). I expect the Street to be a rolling couch by comparison, although a very fast rolling couch. It will have a whole lot more top end and more torque in most places. Where the Thrux will scoot along, the Street will show you the sky and wag its front wheel in the air. Thruxton brakes are not bad, but they aren't double disks in front, either. Stoppies are pretty much necessary bad behavior on a bike like a Speed Triple, and I expect the Street to be similar. Vibration isn't really an issue with either motor.

It boils down to what you like. A triple will be lighter faster, and handle better. A Thrux will be a whole lot of fun it its own very competent way, but won't provide the same level of absolute performance. It can be hustled down the road just fine, and I expect it has more power and a higher top speed than a Meriden vintage twin. If you have the money, both is a good option.

[chawbecker]

Hey Motorhead, I'm in a similar situation. I love the looks of both those bikes! I've actually got a green ST3 on the way, and it should arrive in the next week or so. I'm not locked in, but when the ST3 arrives, I have to choose.

The big hitch is that I'm a total newbie, and won't be taking the MSF training until the end of January so a test ride of each is out of the question. Which should I choose?

My biggest concern is safety. Talking to the folks in the Thruxton forum, I've learned that the Thrux is a pretty mellow ride. I know that the ST3 is a more intense bike, but is it unsafe to learn on? I'm very level headed and not interested in pushing the envelope.

Oh, and I know, I'll probably drop the bike. I'm prepared. This is my only chance to buy, owing to a pact I made with my wife, so I don't want to be disappointed.

[kludge]

The ST3 has very taut suspension and is very flickable. I kinda doubt the Thrux can be ridden faster through twisties given its skinny tires and high weight, and in a straighter line... muahahaha! To my disappointment, the ST3 doesn't monowheel unless asked. It's quite a bit easier to handle than it's thug brother. It doesn't lack torque however and will pull from 4k if asked nicely (ie not snapping the throttle wide open).

You can always put clipons and a low 3-1 exhaust on your ST3 if you like the look.

[Diego]

> I know that the ST3 is a more intense bike, but is it unsafe to learn on?

What a loaded question.

For a total beginner, I would be much less inclined to recommend the Street than a Triumph twin. The Street is not the absolute worst bike to learn on, but it does have so much more potential for you to exceed your abilities that I think it would be needlessly inviting trouble.

The one rather limited upside is, if you take a spill on the Street, there's nearly a hundred pounds less weight on top of you to compound your injuries.

Seriously, I would encourage you not to buy at all until after you've taken the MSF course. At that point, you may find you want to re-negotiate the pact with your wife and see if you can't get authorization from her for a temporary used bike of more appropriate capabilities, for about a year. Here are two points you can use when that time arrives:

* If you make a good choice on a used one, you should be able to get most or all of your money out of it when you sell it. That can go toward your down payment on the Street or whichever one you choose then, and you'll be in a better position to make the right long-term choice for yourself about which one to get, because of the riding experience you will have acquired.

* Also: apart from the cost and anguish if you drop a lovely new bike while learning, there is always the chance you may eventually decide riding isn't for you after all. Happens to a lot of folks for various reasons that they never foresee. If your new bike mostly sits around for a year and then you sell it, you'll take a much bigger dollar loss than on a used bike that has already undergone its depreciation.

These two points will demonstrate to her that you are planning this out responsibly. Maybe that'll help get her to amend the terms. Good luck.

[Clutchplate]

A Thruxton is sexier

[matyreb]

I feel your pain, ive got a sweet 06 thruxton with tons of aftermarket performance and cosmetic parts. It looks great fun to ride and with upgrades I feel like im getting almost all I can get out of it. But its not a street fighter thats light and nimble with tons of power. Right now ive got a deposit down on a street 3. So after all the upgrdes its gotta go. Ideally i would have both but cant afford it, which sucks because i know there will be regret after my thrux is gone. Good luck and if your interested in my thrux is for sale its got 3600 mi on it. let me know