Triumphrat

thekiwi

We have been looking closely at an SE for my wife. She is shortish & petite so the low seat height of the SE has real appeal.
A friend had just put me on to an 07 T100 that has done a whole 300km
Question, is there any difference in frame geometry between the 2 bikes or is the only difference in running gear simply the 17'' front wheel.
Could I simply lace up a 17" rim to the T100 & get the same ride height & handling as the SE.

davidc

Hmmm...don't know how that would affect the seat height. Only about an inch or so difference. Probably a lot cheaper to buy lower shocks and slide the forks up a bit [think that can be done] for the T100 than a new wheel. A smaller wheel may change the look of the front mudguard as well.

AndyB

An inch is a lot when you are on the short side, believe me!

Basically the differences are:

1. Lowered Seat
2. Smaller front wheel
3. Shorter shocks

Before my current SE, I had one of the original T100s with shortened Hagon Shocks which worked fine for me as a shortie. However, the issue which may be more relevant is upper body strength. If your wife is on the petite side, she may not be comfortable manhandling the bike around as it is quite heavy.

Regards

Andy

thekiwi

She has been riding a GPX 250 for 2 years , manages OK has never dropped it in low speed manouvres but she is still very careful where she parks etc . The SE or T100 will be a struggle if she loses balance but the same could be said for the GPX , she really only rides in my company so help is at hand.
Andy, you are right that 1" does make a lot of difference.
The seat I can get fixed, yes, I could just lower the forks & get shorter shocks.
My understanding is that the SE is a quicker handling bike with a lighter feel to it
I'll have to sharpen up my negotiating skills or it may well prove more economcal in the long run to get the SE.

scottslob

I sat on the se, in the show room and the t100, ultimately I bought the T100, and lowered it an inch. being as i have a 29 inch inseem, i think pushing either bike is probably about the same. it is kind of difficult as the foot pegs are right in the way.Im not sure but doesnt the larger front wheel make the bike more stable?

Mark Savage

.

Hi Scott, the larger diameter wheel does make the bike more stable, and conversly the 17 is more nimble. Its a wonder more consideration is not given to those who are not the 5,9" to 6,1" that most manafacturers cater for..My wife is 5 on the button and started on a Honda VTR 250 lowered to 30". Its more important when your starting,, out as ive had mates on bigger bikes and they become adept at compensating. Putting your left foot down firmly and keeping the right on the foot brake can be a big help when stopped..

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Triumph Sprint 1050 The Highway Star...

Slinky

The 17" wheel should account for the quicker handling. Triumph claim that the cast wheels reduce unsprung weight by 18lb, so that should explain the lighter feel.

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98 Thunderbird, 03 Speed Master

Forchetto

I'm amazed by how fluid and agile a relatively large bike like the Bonnie can be.

When I now ride my XV1100 Virago it feels like riding a bucking bronco... Yet the two have similar weight.