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I just got back from a test ride on a Triumph Speed Triple... Thought I'd air some of my reflections:

• The brakes are amazing! I thought the brakes were good on the R12R but after the Triumph they felt a bit spongey.
• The suspension likewise, my ESA-shod R12R is on sport-setting and now if feels like a 10-year old Mercedes!
• Much less wind blast on the Triumph (without sceeen) than on my R12R (with sport screen).
• Perfect fueling and great pull from low revs but without sacrificing top end scream.
• Turns on a dime but is incredibly stable. The Triumph felt as stable as my R12R during acceleration but turned alot better.The first few corners back on the BMW felt like I was riding a bus.
• I missed a gear indicator because I am lazy.
• The instruments are nice looking but slightly harder to read than the R12R - probably because the speedo is digital. It took me a week or two to get used to the digital speedo on my old Aprilia.
• The Speed triple is a gorgeous bike (see picture below)!

Now I just have to find the money from somewhere!

i love the looks of the new Trumphy!!!!
now if convince MOFW to let me change!

I dig the Speed Trip as well but comparing to the R12 is really apples and oranges.

That's the only bike that interests me besides the R12R.

The R12R is like a Speed Triple on Ritalin.

Interesting you make the comparison. I'm an long-time ex-BMW rider who went with a Sprint ST 1 1/2 years ago. My main concern was Triumph's quality, which turned out not to be an issue. 17K with no problems. I've had a crush on both the R12R and Speed Triple but don't feel they fit my riding style. The R12R has the gear indicator, fit/finish, hard bags and shaft drive, which I miss but the Speed Triple is probably on par or superior in all other facets. The Speed Triple is about 4-5K cheaper so it would win a head to head comparison pretty easily in my opinion.

Me too! Only I like the Street Triple, 675, and the Tiger, 1050, as well. Great usable power and a lot of fun to ride. Just not sure about the long distance rides!

Buckster wrote:Me too! Only I like the Street Triple, 675, and the Tiger, 1050, as well. Great usable power and a lot of fun to ride. Just not sure about the long distance rides!

Judging by my testride (about 30 mins) I don't think the Speed Triple would be a problem for me on longer trips. The ergos fitted me better than any other bike I have ridden. I am 5ft 9ins and usually have to reach a bit (short arms) but the S3 was perfect. Luggage capacity is ok for solo trips. It's naked so will be more tiring than a faired bike of course. What it can't do is tour two-up, but I am not sure if I'll be doing that again for the forseeable future.

I bought a Sprint ST new in 2000 and can tell you without a doubt that it was one of the nicest bikes I have ever owned. It replaced a K1100RS-ABS. Both bikes had excessive heat for this South Florida rider, with the Triumph worse than the beemer. I also missed the ABS brakes, which Triumph does not offer. But the bike handled extremely well for a touring bike, the fuel injection was dialed in better than any beemer until these new ones. My ST was clocked on radar at 160 mph (the cop said the radar was properly calibrated), and it averaged ~ 55 mpg in all kinds of riding. The luggage worked well, was watertight and was well integrated with the bike, the ergos other than the heat problem were excellent. Dealer support was outstanding, although it only ever required routine maintenance. Triumph is making some of the best bikes money can buy as far as I know.

Bill

Thanks for the input, Bill.

hass wrote:

Buckster wrote:Me too! Only I like the Street Triple, 675, and the Tiger, 1050, as well. Great usable power and a lot of fun to ride. Just not sure about the long distance rides!

Judging by my testride (about 30 mins) I don't think the Speed Triple would be a problem for me on longer trips. The ergos fitted me better than any other bike I have ridden. I am 5ft 9ins and usually have to reach a bit (short arms) but the S3 was perfect. Luggage capacity is ok for solo trips. It's naked so will be more tiring than a faired bike of course. What it can't do is tour two-up, but I am not sure if I'll be doing that again for the forseeable future.

Soooo... Took a two hour testride and decided NOT to get a Speed Triple! In fact, after trying various bikes including a Multistrada I decided to keep the R1200R and spend some money on bling and a new seat.

Apparently, it's better than I thought.

I'm partial to Beemers, but I saw a Street Triple today at a little local rally, and it was sweet. Really pretty, and to my eye nicer looking than the Speed Triple.

AllanCook wrote:I'm partial to Beemers, but I saw a Street Triple today at a little local rally, and it was sweet. Really pretty, and to my eye nicer looking than the Speed Triple.

The Street Triple is very sweet indeed.

I have a black one, get it in Feb. and love it very much.

I had test ridden the Speed Triple, and found it too heavy for me, too cumbersome in turning, and too expensive.
It certainly had a tone of grunt, and brilliant brakes.

Anyhow, having bought the Street Triple, my wife took one look at the pillion seat and pegs, sniggered none to quietly, and walked off. :-(

So I had to buy an R850R, just in case the boss wants to go for a ride.

Hence my presence here.....