Few questions after 1 day of riding

[dgrtech]

So after 1 day of riding my new striple, I have a few questions:
1- Where do I put the owners manual? Its in that nice plastic cover to protect from the elements I assume, and under the seat theres a spot to put what looks like an owners manual. But it doesn't fit in there right. It bulges out and I'm afraid it'd sit on the battery and cause trouble.
2- My MPG is reading about 50-60 MPG on average when taking it easy. Am I reading it correctly and is that what I'll be expecting?? If so- thats freaken awesome being that I'll be doing daily commuting. I was reading only about 40-50 mpg from many people here, but I'm assuming thats after I break it in and I can't lay off the throttle.
3- How well are the tires in the rain?
4- The Datatool alarm has an option to integrate my key with the fob/remote. I had a third key that didn't have the little knob on it for some reason, so I tried to integrate it into there. Well, it was pretty easy by just popping open the remote and screwing it in- but our keys are too thin for the remote. Is there some sort of plastic filler or something I can order from Triumph/Datatool so it fits in there properly? Also, I was reading in the manual that its possible to use a pager with the Datatool. I couldn't find anything about it on their site... anyone know??
5- Although I don't want to think of this- I live in an apartment complex. At night, I park my bike in a parking space and then block it in with my car. Both vehicles have excruciatingly annoying/loud alarms. Once I get the disc lock for the bike this week, short of someone towing out my car and lifting the bike out- is there a way someone can get it out?

[Diego]

I can't answer all of the questions, but maybe I can start you out.

1- Where do I put the owners manual?

In a safe place at home. As you've noticed, the underseat spot is not sufficient for it. It's barely adequate for a copy of your insurance card, service record booklet (if applicable), and/or any other documents your state requires you to carry. If there's some info from the manual you'd like to have with you at all times, perhaps the thing to do would be to photocopy just the relevant pages.

2- My MPG is reading about 50-60 MPG on average when taking it easy. Am I reading it correctly and is that what I'll be expecting??

You're probably reading it correctly, but don't expect to actually see that averaged over any given tankful of gas. The reading is just an estimate, based on throttle position, of fuel economy at that moment. It's not a cumulative or average value for your ride. It does not take into account the fuel consumed in starting and warming up the engine, either, and it does not take into account the higher friction and energy loss in the brand new engine. Such a reading is way overly optimistic right now, but you'll get somewhat closer to it after the first service. (IMO, it's kind of silly for them to include such an indication on a bike. At best, it's just a relative indication of efficiency.)

3- How well are the tires in the rain?

With the caveat that wet traction is always less, so don't press your luck, I would say: they are surprisingly good. In cold weather, they do seem to need a bit of warming up before they reach optimum performance, but rain doesn't seem to bother them too much.

Congratulations on the new bike! If other folks' experience is any guide, you'll just grow to enjoy it more and more.

[Fconic]

I was just reading one of your questions if someone is able to pick it up and go and the unfortunate answer is yes. Since the bike only weights around 367lbs. it is easily picked up by to strong guys.

I had a friend of mine that had his motorcycle (R6) stolen by someone picking it up and throwing it in the back of the truck.

Lojack might be something you should concsider.


Another question, I can help you with is the key without anything on it ("just a key") is your wallet key.

Hope this helps

[Thirdway]

Its easy to steal bikes and amazing how often victims of crime neglect obvious ways of having things stolen from them.

If you can, fit a ground anchor to your parking area and get a high security chain and padlock. Get it around a frame spar and a wheel if you can. If you cant fit a ground anchor and there are no handy fixed anchor points like a lamp post then maybe you could fit a tow bar to one of your cars and fix the the chain around that. Try and use two types of lock, a disc lock is really easy to remove a high security U lock is the best bet. Ride magazine (do a search) have a pdf of the best locks in the UK and many other products, they are well tested and attacked with everything from freezing spray to angle grinders.

Last, but not least, get a scruffy tarpaulin cover and shove it over the bike, tie it with some scruffy rope. That way, prying eyes dont notice what you have and the tarpaulin makes it look like you dont care.

On a final note, one of the most common ways of having something stolen is to be followed home. Keep an eye out for vehicles following you, if you suspect your being followed try doubling back.

[Shakey]

You won't need the manual so keep it in a safe place at home. With 1500 miles I average about 45MPG combined driving. The best method for checking mileage is to divide your trip meter (which you reset upon fill up) by the amount of gas you fill up with. I try to top off every 120 miles or so. I don't like hitting the low fuel light and I'm ready to stretch by then anyway. The tires hold the road very well in the wet, but as previously stated common sense tells you to slow down a bit when riding in the rain. If someone wants you machine bad enough they will probably find a way to take it. Chains, locks and alarms all help keep honest people honest, but a criminal that has no regard for you, or your property will get it given enough time. The best security is out of sight and out of mind. My bikes are both kept in a garage and even then have disk brake locks and steering locks set at night. Keeping it insured at least puts you back in the saddle in the event of theft. Enjoy your new bike.

[wozza.ie]

4. Re the integrated key -> fob

You should have gotten some plastic spacers that fill out that space - I did, and it looks factory now

[triumphboyz]

I had all the same questions after my first day, you will find it pretty stable I use the bike alot with my girlfriend on board and stii sweet and easy to ride. I am averaging between 53 and 56 mpg. The datatool alarm is great, it is very sensative and always set it off even if I move the cover, should scare off most unwanted admirers!!

[Tommypl77]

Is the datatool alarm come with every street triple ? I think my bike doesn't have any factory alarm.....

[Diego]

No, alarms are an optional accessory.

[wozza.ie]

I had all the same questions after my first day, you will find it pretty stable I use the bike alot with my girlfriend on board and stii sweet and easy to ride. I am averaging between 53 and 56 mpg. The datatool alarm is great, it is very sensative and always set it off even if I move the cover, should scare off most unwanted admirers!!

Friend of mine (not into bikes) was lookin at all the bugs on the nosecone and jokin bout em. He was doing more mock 'last seconds life of a bug vs the triple' ending with some taping on the nose, and bam! the alarm goes off. Just from the tapping! I was well impressed (he wasnt )