Triumphrat

Shakey · 05-05-2008

OK, Today I finally had the time and weather to get my bike out on one of my favorite routes. Fast sweepers, tight curves, smooth and rough road surfaces and rapid elevation changes thrown in for good measure. Here's what I found with my totally stock suspension (the original recalled shock replaced). With a nice road surface the bike was perfection going into and exiting corners. The steering is neutral and the suspension well behaved. While rough road surfaces can be a bit dicey I didn't feel like the bike was unsettled and the front suspension never gave up on me. I just backed off a bit when the tarmac was uneven, or the repair patches irregular and rough. With all of the griping regarding the suspension that I see on this and other sites there is one thing in common with most complaints. The riders are quite a bit heavier than I am, or in some cases ride much more aggressively. At 140 pounds I find the stock set up to be very reasonable for most road conditions and the demands I put on the bike. I'm may not be the fastest rider around, but I do like to play hard. I might find myself tweaking it later in the game, but for now it meets my needs. Braking was just fine and never showed signs of fading, or a lack of stopping ability no matter what my speed. The bike falls into turns easily and accelerates coming out even if I had left it in a gear higher than usual. Just a note on the flyscreen and visor. While some riders may not like the looks with them installed they get the job done. I hit 90 while passing on a few short straights today and didn't feel like a human parachute about ready to bail. They really do work. And speaking of passing... 5 or 6th gear this bike just gets up and goes. The little triple creates an amazing amount of power for its displacement and responds immediately whenever requested. Uphill, downhill, cornering it just doesn't matter. The bike gives you whatever you want when you want it. With all the fun I had on this ride I still averaged 45MPG for the 130 mile ride. The stock seat is just fine. I was able to walk without flinching at the end of the day. I couldn't be happier with the performance and handling of the Street Triple. Best two wheeled buy I've made in years. For those of you thinking about buying one... do it. For those wating for delivery... it's more than worth it. I almost forgot. I like the looks of the belly pan, but yes, it collects every bit of grime and grit on the road. Just one more thing to clean at the end of the day.

Oxygen · 05-05-2008

Couldn't agree more, 5-6th gear passing on this bike is amazing, even when I get lazy and pass in 6th at 40mph. Sure you can downshift and go even faster, but the point is, you don't need to!
But when you do wind it up, WOW!! it's a Rocket.

The suspension is another matter, seems pretty harsh to me, I weigh 185 lbs and will be spending money on the suspension. With this incredible motor, it really deserves better suspension.

Brakes---- Hard to improve on the brakes for street use.

Oxygen

Shakey · 05-05-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxygen

... The suspension is another matter, seems pretty harsh to me, I weigh 185 lbs and will be spending money on the suspension. With this incredible motor, it really deserves better suspension.

Oxygen

There again you're 45 pounds heavier than I am. For us feather weights the suspension is passable in most situations. Like I said I may end up working on the suspension, but I'm in no hurry. It suits my needs for the time being. The bike does roll on in a hurry though doesn't it.

ridesallyride · 05-05-2008

I'm 160 lbs, and have exactly the same observations as you. No problems with seat suspension, breaks, etc., and get 45 MPG even when having fun. Good comments to balance out some of the not-so-good vibes about the stock shock.

Brett675 · 05-05-2008

I'm in agreement with the original post. I just picked up a black Street3 10 days ago, and although the front suspension is firm, I wouldn't call it harsh. I'm 6ft. and 160 lbs. and it feels pretty good to me! I'm not saying it's the case with any of the riders here, but I've seen riders (especially on MXr's and enduros) that have made negative comments about the suspension set up on bikes that simply need to relax more and ride with the bike, not on it. If your not relaxed on the bars or the pegs you'll feel like everything is hammering you. Hey, it's a hooligan bike, not a tourer. I'd been really disapointed if the suspension had been on the soft side!

Brett675 · 05-05-2008

I would say that the fact that so many riders have such varied opinions as to the merits or lack thereof of the stock suspension, would indicate that the rider input has its effects. I don't relate hard suspension to good handling, I simply don't want a spongy, touring bike fork on a bike like this that would be devoid of any feedback to the rider. If you feel the stock suspension is crap, by all means change it. No one is trying to change your mind, we're just stating our opinions, and for some of us, while the stock units aren't great, I've definately ridden worse. Have fun with your mods and let us know what fork setup you decide on.

Thirdway · 05-05-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brett675

I would say that the fact that so many riders have such varied opinions as to the merits or lack thereof of the stock suspension, would indicate that the rider input has its effects. I don't relate hard suspension to good handling, I simply don't want a spongy, touring bike fork on a bike like this that would be devoid of any feedback to the rider. If you feel the stock suspension is crap, by all means change it. No one is trying to change your mind, we're just stating our opinions, and for some of us, while the stock units aren't great, I've definately ridden worse. Have fun with your mods and let us know what fork setup you decide on.

Thats what I mean. The fork spring IS very soft, its only the high speed compression damping that makes it feel hard/harsh, the upshot is that the fork struggles to cope with road imperfections (a bit like having sticky fork seals) and transmits the shock to the frame and rider. Under braking or heavy dips the fork just collapses (put a tie wrap around the fork leg and see how much travel is used during a ride.....I use it all the way to the bump stops). All it needs is a stiffer spring and the proper damping.

On a smooth road, or one with just a few minor bumps, its not an issue. get on a Yorkshire B road which was last repaired in 1960 and I am off the seat and on the pegs and gripping the tank like a jockey, arms as relaxed as possible while still holding on. It gets a bit tiring after about 20 miles

Most bikes I just get on and ride, the exception being a 955i Speed Triple which I also had modified........it was similar to the ST, although the suspension was actually better, it really had to be muscled around on small twisty back roads. Suspension mods made it really nice to ride in all circumstances and I began to see what a proper setup could do without spending a fortune on top spec stuff.

The forks are being modded by Maxton in the UK.....stiffer springs and new cartridges.

Shakey · 05-05-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thirdway

... On a smooth road, or one with just a few minor bumps, its not an issue. get on a Yorkshire B road which was last repaired in 1960 and I am off the seat and on the pegs and gripping the tank like a jockey, arms as relaxed as possible while still holding on. It gets a bit tiring after about 20 miles

With all the taxes you guys are saddled with the least they could do is give you some decent roads.

I've only been to Scotland and Spain quite a few years ago. Anything other than main highways were abysmally rough and narrow. Riders don't know how good they have it this side of the pond.

Thirdway · 05-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shakey

With all the taxes you guys are saddled with the least they could do is give you some decent roads.

I've only been to Scotland and Spain quite a few years ago. Anything other than main highways were abysmally rough and narrow. Riders don't know how good they have it this side of the pond.

When I get the chance I will post some video onto youtube just so when we talk suspension, other riders get an idea of why its worth doing in the UK and might be OK elsewhere. Scotland has better roads than England and so does Spain!

drlapo · 05-08-2008

does the 675 Daytona shock fit the Street Triple?
has anyone done it?
results?

my son has a wadded Daytone that he is parting out maybe he shoud keep the shock for the Street 3 he is saving for