Street Triple R 13k Update (long w/pics)

[Rincewind]

I bought my 2010 Street Triple R (STR) in December 2009 and now have about 13,200 miles on the odometer.  Time for a little update.  

Brand new.  Those shiny silver headers did not stay shiny or silver very long.


The riding I have done has been multi-day tour, commuting, and sporting rides.  As expected, the STR is better at the sport than the tour.  On the longest tour with this bike, 2000-miles or so, the seat really started to bother my legs on the last day.  Last Christmas I got a Sargent seat and so far it's been much better.  It sort of changes the riding ergos with its more cafe-bike like cut.  The carbon finish is also quite nice.

No exhaust, suspension, or engine mods for me.  I am happy with it stock.  Though the bike has not a ton of torque it has plenty for normal riding fun.  And when the pace heats up, accessing the higher HP in the upper rev range is really a delight.  The programmable LED rev lights let me know when I'm near redline, so bumping the rev limiter is rare.  I don't normally ride it to super high speeds because I prefer not to, however with proper shifting it will accelerate hard for quick passing.

The suspension I would call sportbike taut without being very hard-feeling.  It can be slightly harsh on bad pavement.  Compared to my last bike, the Tiger 1050 soaked up bad pavement much better, as you'd expect.  The taller suspension of the Tiger has its benefits, but also its negatives.  Cornering a tall bike takes more space and time, where the Street Triple stays low and hugs the corners in a very satisfying way with less work.  The STR is phenomenal in the handling department.

This is my first 675cc triple, having previously owned 1050cc and 885cc triples.  I find the 675 to have some if the similar qualities of the larger ones, while offering a magic all its own.  They all have fairly smooth, electric-like power, which whirls and feels like a turbine as the revs climb.  Where the larger triples have more torque and a more linear powerband, I find the small 675 is more engaging.  It requires more attention to revs for hard acceleration but also rewards the rider with a really addictive zing at the high revs.  It's really down to rider preference as to which is "better".  The 1050 has more instantaneous torque, naturally.  Personally I have liked all the triples I've ridden, but for now the 675 is my favorite.

Maintenance costs are about the same as my 1050 - not much savings there.  Insurance was more than my 1050 by $200, so no savings there either.  Fuel economy is only better during ideal conditions - normally it is about the same as what my 1050 would manage.  The somewhat generous 4.6 gallon tank shows the fuel light at 3.6 gallons, which occurs after 100-170 miles depending on riding style.  With very careful riding, I believe I could get 200-miles to a tank.  My highest has been around 190-miles on tour.

Though I have had the dealer do most of the service so far, it's dead simple to lift the tank.  Two bolts to remove at the front, and the tank will swivel up at the rear.  Most of the fuses are under the tank.  Unlike some Triumphs with bolt-on seats, the Street seats are key operated.  The battery is right there underseat for super easy access.  The only warranty repairs have been for an ignition connector which went bad, and the RH fork seal got a leak this winter.  I have been doing less wheelies since then, but the bike is so light and easy to wheelie that it takes discipline not to do it.

Now for the add-ons.  OEM accessories I bought include the flyscreen and visor.  These fairings mounted items have served their purpose well.  It's not very much protection but they are aerodynamic enough to provide a small channel of wind break with absolutely no helmet buffeting.  The mounting to the fixed instrument cluster is pretty easy, but I have noticed it can vibrate some in strong winds at high speeds.  I'm glad removing the items is a snap for summer riding.  

I also bought the OEM hugger which keeps my legs drier when the roads are wet.  I have bought two huggers as the first one cracked because I was too lazy to pull the rear tire and mount it correctly.  Lesson learned.  Part of the bike deal included the Triumph tank bag, which is a stout item with hefty magnets.  I don't use it very much though as it doesn't let me lean into the tank.

I added the SW-Motech ALU-Rack soon after getting the bike.  This has performed flawlessly to hold my Givi topbox.  The SW- Motech center stand also deserves praise for constant ease of use.  To finish the SW-Motech love, their handlebar bolt RAM balls have held my farkles well, although they get negative point for slight rust on the bolt heads (only rust to be found on the bike).

Oxford heated sports grips have been outstanding.  The underseat storage is minimal so I use a Powerlet Termin8 for the electric accessories, including the Widder vest connection and Powerlet outlet I installed on the RH radiator shroud.












I had to buy a replacement rear brake pedal and bar end.  This was from a mishap while riding my new bike the week after Snowpacalypse 2010.  I was out tagging and had ridden over quite a few snow drifts, but there was one by a field that had bad drifting and the wind was blowing horizontal.  Within a short second my bike was horizontal as well.  This was at walking speed, with both feet walking.  After getting it home and fixed I was impressed that it had not been damaged too badly.

Tag


Whoopsie-daisy


and my brake pedal went...









What do I miss or want in my next bike?  Hard saddlebags.  And I'd prefer a shaft or belt drive, but that's not a big item.  

My favorite demo ride after having the STR was the Ducati Monster 1100.    The new Monster EVO model with traction control and ABS has my interest.  We have TC on our car and sometimes I wonder how it would be to have it on a bike.  The new Speed Triple ABS also ranks pretty high.  But neither of those do hard saddlebags, and the difference to my STR, other than electronics, is not that great.  The Stelvio and Tiger 1050 still hold appeal, but not a huge amount.  The R1200R ticks most boxes, and I like the XR1200 and Griso.  

My interests for heavier bikes is not that high, but I do sometimes wish for a V or L-twin.  Twins have a more palpable engine character at normal revs, but they can also be vibier with shorter powerbands.  The STR and me are a good match, and if the rumors of SW-Motech sidecase racks hold true, I could be made an even happier camper.
 

[GerryPetrecca]

Nice up date Rince.

[Tyrroneous]

Nice review.  Glad you hear you two are getting along well.  

[Rincewind]

Thanks guys.  Like I said, the only serious problem I had was the faulty electrical connector which required a dealer warranty pick-up (free to me).  Other than that, the bike has been very trouble free compared to many other reviews I read about other brands of bikes.  This is one of the main reasons I ride Triumph, along with the fairly reasonable running costs.

Ok, I thought of another problem - the LH side turn signal mount cracked and was replaced under warranty.  I don't know what happened to it, but it was free to have it replaced.  

[expatbrit]

Great write up. I know someone who really wants one of these; sure she'll LOVE to read this one...

[GerryPetrecca]

Rince,

What would you have done if the 800 Tiger had been available?

Gerry

[miles]

It pains me to see a top case on that bike.  

[gradus]

Thanks for the write-up.  Mine will finally arrive on Wednesday.  Accessories are being put on right now.  

Arrow 3-1 low boy exhaust
bar end mirrors
belly pan
fly screen

I also bought the GB Racing crash protection kit.  It's way too expensive online, but $380 shipped through the 675.net group buy.

[Rincewind]

Rince,

What would you have done if the 800 Tiger had been available?

Gerry

I would have test ridden it.  I got hooked on the Street Triples after test riding one overnight.  I still have not test ridden the 800.  My Triumph mechanic thinks I would love it for my type of riding.  He had a week of training on the new Tigers and was very impressed - he said they nailed it, in terms of ease of maintenance.

It pains me to see a top case on that bike.  

Yes it's a fashion travesty, I know.  I will never win any sexiest bike contests at Hooters this way.  

[scottzilla]

Nice writeup.  I like the screen.

[Rincewind]

Thanks for the write-up.  Mine will finally arrive on Wednesday.  Accessories are being put on right now.  

Arrow 3-1 low boy exhaust
bar end mirrors
belly pan
fly screen

I also bought the GB Racing crash protection kit.  It's way too expensive online, but $380 shipped through the 675.net group buy.

Good luck in sleeping before Wednesday!  That sounds like a good group buy, I wasn't aware of it - thanks.

[viffergyrl]

Great write up. I know someone who really wants one of these; sure she'll LOVE to read this one...

I sat on one a week ago and I can almost flat foot it. I'm looking at this very closely.

Thanks for the nice write-up.  

[ANZAC]

Thanks for the update - she's a great bike for sure  

I have the Panzer centerstand too and it's over built like any German product  

BTW, have you replaced your regulator rectifier with the new MOSFET unit facing the rear wheel?  Mine was going out and I had it replaced under warranty.

[1000lbs]

Nice write up.  I've really enjoyed both my 1050s and sampled the T800 a couple weeks ago, but the 675 has just escaped my grasp for a test.  I think I'm about ready, most owners seem very pleased with their purchase. Sounds like a great bike.

[Rincewind]

It's a great bike, but not for everyone.  If you test ride one, I recommend exploring the entire rev range a few times.  

BTW, have you replaced your regulator rectifier with the new MOSFET unit facing the rear wheel?  Mine was going out and I had it replaced under warranty.

No I haven't had any trouble with it.  My warranty is still good thru December and I plan on plenty of miles till then.

[Just_Peekn]

Great write up. I have 31,000 miles on my 08 street triple and love it. At 30,500 ish the stator and rectifier went. The bike was >1 year out of warranty and Triumph fixed both for free. This Saturday I take delivery of my 11' Tiger 800 ABS. The main reason for ordering the Tiger is that I take quite a few trips  with the GF and she wanted more room. We will be keeping the Street long term.

And yes someone please make sidecarriers~!

[falconati]

I love that bike  

[ANZAC]

I sat on one a week ago and I can almost flat foot it. I'm looking at this very closely.

Thanks for the nice write-up.  

My daughter loves the Street Triple and she is a new rider.  She is 5' 8" and flat foots easily.  It's light and easy to push around and handle too.

[SVTNate]

Great review.  I appreciate reviews that offer an honest impression of an ownership experience, much more than a journalist who takes a loaner down the road or a new owner who write a review after 500 miles and leaves it at that.

I haven't had much time to ride my new Speed Triple in the 3 weeks that I've owned it (or a month, whatever) so it only has about 250 miles on it so far.  I know, I know.  I've spent more time buying accessories than riding it, and the weather has been great.  Thumbs down for me.  I'll have to look into luggage options for my Speedie, because I'd love to take a trip on it.

I rode a Street Triple R with the Arrow lowboy exhaust during the Triumph Demo Days event (same day I bought my Speedie).  It's a very fun bike, with a very comfortable riding position.  It felt great to me, and I appreciated the lower seat height (my only issue with the ergos on my Speed).  

[doublen675]

Battle worn.  Just like they should be.