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Street Twin owners: any regrets?

28K views 20 replies 16 participants last post by  Featherock 
#1 · (Edited)
My about-to-be-sold current bike is an Aprilia Tuono 1000r; it's a fast V-2 sport bike that really packs a punch! Before that I had a Triumph Tiger 1050 SE; also quite a beast. Fun, but there's a definite down-side to being able to pass everything in sight. The Tiger was tall & top-heavy, made a lot of engine heat and weighed in at well over 500 lbs. Tuono is light at 409 lbs but is very taut and hypersensitive, IMO and also makes a lot of heat. It's essentially a track bike; wife hates it. Both great bikes for their intended purpose and intended riders. Which is to say younger, more physically resilient and likely bigger people than myself (148 lbs).

But I do enjoy ripping open the throttle at times. Very exhilarating! :)

So I'm Just curious to know, has there been any times you wished your ST had more power and that you'd opted for the T120 instead? Can the ST keep up with the pack when you're out for a blast with friends ect? (I knew a guy with a HD Sportster 1200 who wouldn't run faster than 80 kmh as bike felt unsettled. He traded it on a full size HD boat.)

If ST lack of power is an issue do you consider a big deal or... just how bad is it?

Would appreciate your feedback.
Cheers!
 
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#2 ·
I haven't put a lot of miles on my ST as of yet, but as someone who hasn't had a naked bike for a long time, the only thing that slows you down on the ST is the wind blast.

I think the power is adequate, the torque curve is very nice and smooth. You can easily run into the rev limiter if you are not careful, as mine is still in run-in mode, have been easy on it, no rev limits as of yet, but you can tell when you are nearing it.
 
#3 ·
Got 2200 miles on my ST, no regrets. I have a Triumph windshield on it for the wind blast on the highway. It feels fine at 75 mph on the highway. Most of my riding is secondary roads, and I have never wished for more power. It is quick enough and fast enough to scare me any time I want it to. If you plan to ride some two-up, you may want to consider a T120. Also, the 6th speed of the T120 would be better for longer rides. Good luck, ride safe.
 
#4 ·
Didn't really consider the ST but I've been really pleased with my T120. Handling, power, shifting, braking and comfort are all nearly perfect. The sixth gear, tach, and factory standard grab bar and center stand have all been very nice to have. I'm getting over 60 MPG, too. I can foresee no combination of load, grade and altitude that would bog this bike down.
 
#5 ·
I'm just about to 5000 miles on my Street Twin, lots of city commute, country roads, and one 2,000 mile touring trip this summer so I've ridden it in lots of different ways. In my opinion, the new 900 motor has plenty of power for 99% of the things I do with it. I'm 6' 200lbs and the bike never feels sluggish pulling out of turns or passing semi-trucks on a country road. All that torque really shines through on a day-to-day basis and still surprises me sometimes. When out riding with a pack of Tigers, Harleys, or sport bikes I've never had trouble keeping up at all...unless the sport guys start going above 120mph as that's about all the Street Twin can do (uh...hypothetically). Riding 2-up is never a problem either, my GF and I love going out and riding all over town together, no power or handling issues and relatively comfortable for her. Touring is definitely do-able on the ST. I rode from Iowa to Utah and back and regularly cruised around 80-85 MPH with no wind screen. I'm not saying it was super comfy by any means, but the bike itself was very composed the whole time.

In the end, it's up to you. Personally, I like how light and nimble the ST feels and there are products coming out now to help squeeze a few more ponies from it. If you prefer to sit back and cruise more, I would opt for the T120.
 
#16 ·
Stop. Stop. Stop! I wanted the ST, but I never got to even sit on one because they are all back ordered here. I love the retro styling with modern touches, and how lightweight the bike is. The guys at the dealer assured me that my 6' 190lb frame was too big for the ST and I'd be better off with a t120 or thruxton. I rode, loved, and ended up buying the thruxton but everytime I see a street twin I can't help but wonder what might have been... quit making this harder than it is!
 
#6 ·
+1 to the last two posts

this is coming from a t120 owner's perspective. I have a feeling I would love the nimble-ness of the ST but i like having the 6th gear available but that's not to say the ST could do things like a long tour or two up. I mean, it is still like 50 HP and a 900cc engine. Dealers will always talk you into a bigger bike (and they did in my case) but i'm still happy. I've taken the t120 on some twisties and although I'm a conservative rider, it handled well. I probably could've been a bit more aggressive with a ST.

If a ST is the bike you want then GET IT. Don't let anyone sway you. It will ge the job done.
 
#7 ·
Similar experiences to Xtoff but at less than 1000 miles still. Haven't toured but have done several multi hour rides over various road types.

Further notes:

Bumps can be very jarring at times. You have to use your legs a bit to soak up the impact. This is on the bench seat but was also noticeable on the stock seat.

5 gears does not feel limiting at all. I typically don't even leave 4th gear unless I'm at highway speeds. 5th gear at 70mph feels like the engine is barely turning. Then again, 5th gear runs out of legs just past the ton, or so I've calculated (ahem, not like I would ever exceed the speed limit).

The Pirelli Phantoms were downright squiggly for the first couple hundred miles. They improved once fully scrubbed in and I have some more confidence at full lean now. If you are into backing it into corners and don't mind a loose caboose, you might actually like the way these perform. I found it a bit unsettling but again got used to it. I also fear they may not be very grippy in colder temps. A more well rounded set of tires will probably help here.

Adding a center stand or paddock stand is a must. How else are you supposed to lube and adjust the chain?

The locking gas cap and refueling in general are awkward but you'll adapt. There's a splash guard collar inside the mouth of the tank opening that ends up creating more splashes than it avoids. I prefer old school tanks with a straight shot into the opening with no guard to get in the way.

Engine performance wise, I kind of appreciate that this is not a scary fast motorcycle. The fact that the power comes on low in the RPM range is sort of like a safety feature since it is more aligned with daily driving on public roads. You don't have to wring the bike's neck to get power, and there is no abrupt powerband kicking in once you're already moving fast. Would I like more power? Sure, who wouldn't, but at the same time, I don't really care because what it has gets the job done and puts a smile on my face in the process. If I wanted a dank wheelie machine I'd have bought a FZ-07(9).

Plus the stock ST exhaust note is absolutely stunning. It is basically a perfect blend of tone and volume, and the tuning even results in some pops and burbles on deceleration. Unique and very satisfying to ride because of the sound.

Overall, I am very happy. The Street Twin is simply stunning in person and gets looks from people who probably dislike other types of motorcycles like sport bikes and HDs. I find the styling of the T120 and Thruxton to be a little flat in comparison as they are more traditional looking, whereas the ST has taken on some modern design elements that create a nice dynamic.

Finally, you can't get your hands on them, at least in my region! Preorder only and of those, they are all already snatched up. Good luck even finding one!
 
#8 ·
I feel the same as those that posted above. No regrets. The only wish I have is for slightly better brakes, but have yet to want more power.
 
#9 ·
Sounds to me like the ST and the T120 pretty much check all of the boxes for everyone. Nice job(s), Triumph!

I suppose I should have looked more closely at the ST before purchasing the T120, but I had probably been biased by owning my T100 for many years. I was ready for more power, and more gears in which to use it.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Not really, but I have to often remind myself to not expect this bike to be something it is not. It has gobs of torque and pulls hard in every gear, even if below optimum revs. Who needs to switch gears right lol?

With that said, I often find myself looking for more power higher in the rev range, it runs out of gas pretty quick. Something I need to get use to. Not usually a big issue except at certain times, and fine for most everyday riding.

I do find it extremely poor on the interstate. I don't feel confident with it weaving in and out of fast interstate traffic, that is where it shows it weakness. It will do it, but not ideal....just doesn't have the guts to move faster around fast traffic to the level I would prefer. Also the Phantoms absolutely suck on concrete rain grooved interstate roads. They really drift about very noticeably. Otherwise, the tires are good and heat up quick and grip well for the most part on winding roads.

On two lane secondary roads when passing traffic, say an 18 wheeler you need to get around fast, well it is not great there either but again, it will do it but not like I would like. I wouldn't expect the T120 to be that much better though in that category. So I try and stay off interstates as much as possible and I am more cautious about quick passes when there is limited road for such.

I love that I can tinker with this bike to make it my own, was one of my driving factors for getting a classic. So of course, I want more power but really don't miss it that much except in certain conditions. It is a blast to hooligan about town and on mountain roads though. Despite being heavy, it is a small and nimble bike, carries its weight down low.

I plan on keeping this one I hope for the long haul, and if the itch for more power becomes too great, I will just add another bike to the stable at some point, it wouldn't be a classic probably because none of these bikes are real power houses. The modern classic line is great for what it is though, so I don't really have any overwhelming complaints. We didn't buy these bikes with performance being the top factor.
 
#11 ·
Thank you for the replies!
I put a deposit down on ST ten days ago and more recently got an email saying they think it'll be here within two weeks. Seems a bit much to me but who knows what hoops and other foolishness dealers must go through to honor their contractual obligations to Triumph.

But all your feedback is very encouraging. And I sometimes forget that I once rode a Yamaha XS 650 twin from Vancouver to Kingman Arizona and had no real issues in terms of power needs.

I reckon the ST might take a bit of getting used to compared to my last two bikes but I also think I'm going to enjoy the more manageable ride than.
 
#12 ·
Got 1700 on my wife's ST. She loves it and I steal it when I can. It's not a sports bike but has plenty of power. We have made no changes to the bike and don't have any burning issues with it. Mostly it does the coast road run but interstate is not hateful either. Personally the best 10k I ever spent.


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#13 ·
Zero regrets. I've been both very lucky and very happy owning my Street Twin. I'll just add that for everything you get "standard" on a Street Twin, especially for the price, it's really a no-brainer. Which I suppose, is why some have named it "Motorcycle of the Year" for 2016.
 
#14 ·
No regrets. I went from having an SR400 and then less than a year later purchasing my Street Twin. It's like night and day and man, kick starting sure did wear out it's welcome pretty quickly. I was also looking at an 883 but on paper the Street Twin was easily the best out of the two. I also sat on an 883 without even riding one and knew it wasn't for me, at only 5' 6", I felt cramped on that thing.
 
#15 ·
Hi, I got my ST in June. Unlike you, I had not owned a larger or more powerful bike before but had experience of a higher power (lower torque) naked and a sports 600 (CBR). I was back to biking and took some training to ease myself in. So I cannot comment fully on the change you are making. I suspect though at the higher speeds, above 80mph you will notice a clear difference. It's not made to fly at 130mph down the motorway (but theortetically nothing is!). My view of the Street Twin is not how fast you actually end up going, but how you get there. I have absolutely no regrets and I am just as excited every time I take the cover off as I was the first day I got it. Round town and on the A or B roads it's just a hoot. The torque is the key to this bike. You can trundle through traffic or through a quiet village and enjoy the admiring glances being on what looks like a classic, then when you want to go, it just shifts and does 0-60 in a very decent 5 secs and so it is both a sedate and exciting bike depending on your mood. It's very nimble and involving. It's also pretty forgiving! If someone offered me any swap now, I would not change. I still have a lot to discover about riding on this bike. As long as you can accept it will not ride like an out and out sports bike. Having said that, there is no sports bike I have seen that can cut through a commute better than an ST. It's not a do it all bike though. If I was touring regularly and doing motorways more I would get a faired bike with screen and possibly more power to cruise above 80mph.
 
#17 ·
I've ridden since the 70's and started on a Bonnie 650. Still have my old 83 Suzuki 250 Dual Purpose and in the 90's got a Yamaha Star (sold 8 years ago). Most of my enjoyment from riding came from the Suzuki as I liked back cottage/country roads and trails for fun and just relaxing. The cruiser was nice but I just never really took to it. Never needed the feel of speed or all out power. Just wanted a nice quiet enjoyable ride for weekends and the end of the day.

Retired now so thought I'd look to get back into riding on something midsize and newer (kickstart becoming a pain). When I saw/read about the ST it seemed like exactly what I wanted. Decent power, size, price, and great modern retro look. Put my deposit down in Mid June and picked it up end of August.

No regrets whatsoever. EXACTLY what I was looking for. Great bike and in my opinion the look is incredible. I've started doing some mods, thanks to many peeps on this site, and loving every minute of it.
 
#19 ·
I have no regrets, but I have multiple bikes for different reasons. I use it as a city commuter, within the city limits. It has been a fantastic bike for that purpose. However, I recently had to do a Reno, NV trip from San Francisco and used my Multistrada. I find the ST challenging to keep it @ 70mph due to wind. Also, passing cars under heavy wind is another challenge. I had a dart windscreen and helps, but not enough for me to use it as a tourer. If this bike was my only motorcycle, I would take it to farther on trips, but once you get to a point when you can have several in the stable, you see everything for its specific use. Again, no regrets on my purchase as a city commuter.
 
#20 ·
I know I was complaining about the bike on the interstate, but I want to say I had to do a lot of interstate today...not something I normally do. With the cafe bar it really is much better, the wind was not near as bad. Was able to dart through fast traffic pretty well, even got it up to 110mph on the speedo. It still had a little left I think but I had to back off. The guy on the air cooled side who said this bike will only do 99mph based on one Aussie review is just flat out wrong. Even adjusted for error, that is at least around 105mph. I think it can probably do 110-115mph. Still not ideal for interstate work but not as bad now as I previously expressed.
 
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