Quote:
Originally Posted by Xhonda/harleyman
My last three bikes were valkyries-a 99 and 2 97's. Before that and Ultra Classic and wing before that. While I do miss the tunes occasionally this bike is making the valkyries look average at best. It is a torque beast and with the add on pipes from the dealer it has a unique sound uncommon in the bike world. It also adds about 15 hp to the bike. I rode both the old style and the new style and if you want fast riding with no regard to comfort pick the classic or standard, if you want the high hp cadillac that handles like a sports car get the touring model.  |
I tested the Standard and Classic R3's before the R3T and I would endorse what xh/h says above. The extra hp on the original bike does provide you with insane pleasure that the R3T doesn't quite capture, but the Touring's assets more than make up for that.
Let's talk torque. This is where you will capture the grin factor that is supplied by horses on the standard. I could write paragraphs about what this bike can do fully laden - but the best option is to just go and try it and see why everyone has described the machine as a torque monster.
Comfort. Okay, I felt that for my size I needed the taller touring screen, and I fitted the long haul seat with a backrest. But I now consider that there can't possible be a more comfortable bike on the market (Okay, maybe the Goldwing, but that just isn't my cup of tea).
Handling. Steady as a rock at snails pace due to the smooth clutch, low centre of gravity and available torque. Crawling through London the other day I really appreciated how easy this bike is to ride. I tend to drag the back brake to arrest the throttle action and I stay upright when I'm bairly moving (and even at a standstill sometimes) without taking either foot of the boards. But it is in the twisties that you start to see the big difference between the R3T and it's stable mates. This bike handles almost like a sports bike through twists and turns. The skinnier rear tyre may not be so asthetically pleasing, but who gives a toss. I bought the bike to ride, not sit behind and admire it! (I suppose the same could be said about the front end view. I'm really not that perturbed that it has one single light and not two. This is a return to traditional Triumph styling).
I've heard some say that putting the instrument panel on the tank was a mistake because you have to glance away from the road to check your speed. Utter rubbish. Any glance is momentary, and takes less time than it does to check your rearview mirrors.
Style. Look at the R3T. Look at the standard or classic. You decide which has the better style. Beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder.
My advice. Take a test of all of the models. Then buy the R3T. Add TORS for a few extra horses and that unique exhaust sound and then spend every ride marvelling at how wise you were in your choice of bike.
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