Triumph demo truck, SoCal Triumph, 2011 Speed Triple

[SVTNate]

(to be updated in 24 hours)

The demo truck will hit SoCal tomorrow, and I have been invited to SoCal Triumph for a test ride on the 2011 Speed Triple.

It's down to this and the 2011 BMW K1300S, which I rode a couple weeks ago.  I know, very different bikes, but I am exploring my options.  The K1300S is a great bike, let me tell you.  

I will report back.  I have taken a 2009 S3 down the road a time or two, but it's been awhile, so I'm not sure I can make a respectable comparison between the two.  Perhaps I'll ride both tomorrow, if I can.

[pushr0d]

If you're like me, and they have the 'catalog' parked together, you'll walk up to the Street Triple by mistake...

The Speedy looks a LOT different now.

Try to keep both tires on the pavement!  They (and John Law) take a dim view of riding the bike like it wants to be ridden.

[Rincewind]

I look forward to your update and review.  The BMW and the Triumph are quite different rides - sounds like a possible head vs heart decision.  The BMW will have a huge lead on touring accessories and downright HP.  

 

Glad to hear the new S3 is on the demo truck for this season.  

[SVTNate]

So last week I'm sitting in the waiting area at Stillen, waiting on an oil change/intake install on my 370Z.  Bored, I decide to call my local Triumph dealer to see when the redesigned Speed Triple will be for sale.

They tell me April most likely, but this Fri/Sat the factory demo truck will be on site and I can ride one.

I give work the middle finger today, and head over to SoCal Ducati/Triumph in Brea, CA.



This is the scene.  Sign in, bring your gear, 15 mile escorted rides on a mix of twisty road/boring surface streets/little bit of freeway.

So of course I sign up for the new Speed Triple immediately, throw my gear down, and ask if I can sit on it while I wait for the ride to start.





Man, it is just not attractive to me.  The new lights, radiator surround, and gas tank bring a sense of ugly that the cool new wheels and frame just can't save.  That's my first impression.

Sitting on the bike, it's more upright and the seat is closer to the ground.  

I've been lusting after this one for awhile, reading every article I can.  They say the handling, power, brakes, etc. are all better.  Honestly, I was expecting more.  Yes, I'm sure if you ride motorcycles for a living and get to wring them out at the track, you can feel all those differences.  To me, riding on surface streets, not being a hyper-aggressive rider, it pretty much feels the same aside from sitting more upright.  Very nice bike, but I was expecting to love it like I loved the last gen.  

So next I take this little bastard out for a ride...



Street Triple R.  Very cool bike.  You can tell that Triumph was shooting to mimic the ergos of this bike when the designed the new Speed Triple.  I really like it.  The 675 has plenty of power, it looks cool, it's comfortable.  My only complaint is that the motor (this one had an Arrow exhaust) just didn't have that beautiful howl that the Speed has.

Next, I take out a Thruxton.



This one had Arrow exhaust as well.  What a cool bike.  It's too small/too soft to be my primary bike, but I can see myself buying one later this year for around town.  The parallel twin sounds awesome with the Arrow, it looks cool... it's not the fastest, or the best handling, but this bike puts a smile on my face.  I have rode a Bonneville before, and prefer the lower bars/rearseats/overall look of the Thruxton.

This Daytona 675R was on hand with carbon Arrow and other carbon goodies.  Notice the red trellis subframe unique to the new R-spec bike.





I did not ride this bike, but doesn't it look great?  I did ride one of the dealer's own Daytona demo bikes, which is red with Arrow exhaust.  It has a typical torture rack sportbike riding position, which I hate, but it sounds great and looks fantastic.  If you are a light/middleweight sportbike guy, I think this is the most pretty option out there.

So at the end of the day, what did I think?

New Speed Triple - Nice, but I think the moto journalists made me believe I'd feel this huge difference and I didn't.  The new look loses a lot of the character I love about the Speed Triple.

Street Triple R - Cool, really cool.  A bit small, and the noise isn't as cool as the Speed, but a very, very good bike.  I wish it had a wider rear and some single-sided swingarm sexiness.

Thruxton - So much fun.  The parallel twin sounds great.  Power is adequate, as are the brakes, and the vibration is pretty intense going down the road, but it'll make you smile inside your helmet.

I had taken some great bikes down the road all afternoon.  Do I wait and order a new Speed Triple?  Man, I just don't like the look.  It lost the character of the current one.  A Street Triple?  Great bike, but I think I'd constantly be wishing that it had the sound and single sided swingarm of the Speed.  Thruxton?  Fun bike, but the vibrations would get old aside from short trips.  I might buy one later, especially in this nice red/white stripe combo, but it'd be for messing around locally - not for canyon/mountain hijinks.

At the end of the day I traded in my 2009 FJR1300 for this..

*see post below for updated pics*

Technically a 2011, but the "old" body style.  It's not the latest and greatest, but I like it better.  I got a good deal, and they threw the Arrow 3-1 system on there before I took delivery.  It sounds... awesome.  So awesome.  I already ordered several more mods for it.  I will have this bike fully built out as fast as parts arrive in the mail and 100% done before April is done.

Paint matched seat cowl/fly scree/belly pan, OEM bar end mirrors, and passenger peg mount block-offs are on order from British Customs.  I will also get black CRG levers, a fender eliminator, powdercoat the heel guards and headlamp housings gloss black, and possible flush mount turn signals.

[Rincewind]

Congrats, that is a very nice looking Triumph - the "classic" model!  I'd like to see some pics as you accessorize it.  The Arrow looks great.  

You are right that the 1050 engine has a lot deeper and more resonating sound compared to the wee lil 675.  It's only at rather high RPM's that the 675 shows it's own unique character.

[SVTNate]

The Striple R is such a cool bike, and very comfortable.  Even for a big guy like me (275 pounds) it is comfortable and has plenty of power.  They didn't have any R's in stock, or I would have had a more difficult decision.

This is the second time a demo bike lead me to realize that I didn't like a bike as much as I thought I would.  Last year I was eager to ride the new Multistrada, and while it's a great bike it just didn't light my fire.  Same with the new Speed Triple.

I'm still going back to demo the Ducati Diavel, just to see what that's like.  I really wanted to wait for one, but decided that it's just too much money to spend on a bike I won't ride but 1-2 days per week.

[outlier]

Congrats on a great bike! And thanks so mich for tje report + pics (the trailer makes its way here to Chicago in late April). But help out a brother and forgive the ignorant question: isn't the 3-in-1 Arrow option limited to track use (i.e., it's not street legal)? I'm (planning to be) a Triumph newbie that is lusting after that Arrow option but thought I couldn't ride it off the lot here in Illinois?

[ANZAC]

You chose wisely  

The new Speedy has lost the charm of the older model and the iconic British bug eye headlights  

I was real close to getting a 2009 Speedy in blazing orange until I rode the Street Triple.  The Street Triple was just a better fit for me and it has the sweet 675 triple   which I think sounds great right out of the box.

[SVTNate]

Congrats on a great bike! And thanks so mich for tje report + pics (the trailer makes its way here to Chicago in late April). But help out a brother and forgive the ignorant question: isn't the 3-in-1 Arrow option limited to track use (i.e., it's not street legal)? I'm (planning to be) a Triumph newbie that is lusting after that Arrow option but thought I couldn't ride it off the lot here in Illinois?

I think you're right, but I'm not sure.  All I know is that they sold it to me, installed it, and I rode off with the bike without signing anything that showed that I understand it's for off-road use only.

Just do it!  The low mount sounds fantastic, and looks really cool too.  IMO the price isn't bad for a full header-back system, especially when you look at what it'd cost to get a full Akra system for a new Ducati from the dealer.

[falconati]

That's exactly the model I have, but in the 2007 vintage.  You're right, the 3-into-1 Arrow exhaust makes the bike just sound so mean.  I can't adequately describe the sound, it's just great.

[SVTNate]

What mods do you have on yours, and how hard are they to install them?

I'm mechanically... well... not inclined.  I'm hoping I can manage most things myself.  I'll pay for the suspension install, and I'm hoping the R&G tail tidy is easy to do.  I like that it doesn't involve cutting, and uses the stock turn signals.

[skater69]

Congrats....Speed Triples are cool.  I think you're gonna miss the weather protection of the FJR though.  I can't do naked bikes anymore....not for an only bike anyway.....I sold my SV1000N b/c I got sick of only being able to ride it in warm temps.

[Croak]

Wait a minute, you live in San Diego and the proud new Speedy owner lives in OC.  Even a "cold" day there is still warm enough for a naked.  Was for the decade I lived there, anyway.  

[SVTNate]

It's all about the gear!  Having a naked I'm going to need a warmer jacket and gloves, but I think I'll survive  

I may get a power lead installed for heated gear, which I've never had before.  That'll let me ride even in the winter, when temps drop down into the 50's during the day... brrrrrrrrrrrr

[Rincewind]

It's all about the gear!  Having a naked I'm going to need a warmer jacket and gloves, but I think I'll survive  

I may get a power lead installed for heated gear, which I've never had before.  That'll let me ride even in the winter, when temps drop down into the 50's during the day... brrrrrrrrrrrr

Exactly!  It's all about the gear.  I ride my naked bike regularly in 30-50° weather.  When it's cold, I use a heated vest and heated grips, plus properly insulated pants and jacket.  No problem.  

[falconati]

I ride my bike naked regularly in 30-50 degree weather  

[ANZAC]

Exactly!  It's all about the gear.  I ride my naked bike regularly in 30-50° weather.  When it's cold, I use a heated vest and heated grips, plus properly insulated pants and jacket.  No problem.  

That's right    My Streety is fine in cold weather as I have my FG Warm and Safe vest and gloves  

[SVTNate]

Updated pics of the new Speedie.

I gave her a wash, and figured that throwing the bike up on my Kendon lift would be easier than laying on the driveway to install the belly pan.





Finished product, for today.  Bar end mirrors installed as well, and 3M ClearBra tank guard.  I may swap that out for the Triumph carbon fiber tank guard, I don't know yet.



After taking these pics, I removed the fork reflectors as well.

Tomorrow my fly screen and seat cowl will arrive from Triumph of Detroit.  R&G tail tidy is due in this week, too.  Race Tech springs and Gold Valves for shock and fork are on order, price shopping carbon fiber hugger and chain guard, and the headlight buckets/bar risers/top triple clamp/foot controls (including heel guards and shift linkage) will be powdercoated black soon.

[TBone]

The bike looks great, congratulations!  

What bar end mirrors are those?

[SVTNate]

Thanks!

The mirrors are OEM.