Be Devil's advocate on Street Triple R

[Rabidsnipe]

After a brief stint on a V7 Classic, a purchase made with more heart than head, I'm now considering a Street Triple R.  I think it rocks and I could live with it for years.  It is your job to tell me why this is a terrible idea and I'm making a bad decision.  I've made impulsive motorcycle buying/selling decisions in the past and I want to make triple sure this is the right choice.

My intended uses are:
1. 3 season commuting.  About 50% of the time April-October.  51 miles round trip, 35 miles interstate, 16 miles surface streets.
2. 1-2/year Arkansas trips.  2-5 day trips to Arkansas to rail through the Ozarks.
3. In-town transportation and errand running.

It might be useful to know why I sold the V7.  It had everything to do with the highway riding to/from work.  The V7 is a naked bike with a very upright posture.  I learned to hate holding myself up against the wind with my arms or abs.  This was compounded with the anemic performance at 70+ mph.  Top gear roll-ons are a joke on the V7.  I also missed the power around town.  Up in the mountains where you're constantly in the meat of the powerband, I didn't notice the lack of power as much.  It didn't help that we had a miserably hot summer that significantly dampened my desire to ride and screw with gear.

Prior to the V7 I had an FZ1 with Traxxion Dynamics suspension (and many other tasty bits) that made decent work of the highway riding (with buffeting) and was a blast in the twisties.  The bike was great functionally but was losing my interest.  My eye was starting to wander towards bikes with fewer cylinders.

I've ridden a Street Triple and loved the smoothness of the bike and airflow.  I haven't done long stretches on the freeway.  My thinking is that the more aggressive stance of the Street Triple should help alleviate much of the windblast issues I was having with the V7.  Obviously I'd be adding a flyscreen.  The handling is phenomenal, I love the light weight, and frankly the Street Triple is a dead sexy cycle and it now comes in a glossy red for 2012.  Why am I a fool for considering one?

Edit to add:
Also, while it would be heresy, LSL Spiegler makes a single headlight conversion that relocates the instrument cluster and allows running with a single round headlight.  This would make fitting a universal windshield much easier should the windblast be a big enough issue.  I would consider this a last resort option however.

[gradus]

I don't enjoy my Street Triple on the interstate.  It's a necessary evil, but ok since I'm close to the mountains.  If I lived another 100 miles from the mountains, I'd probably own something else.  

[1moreroad]

Only two things I can think of: Triumph headlights are about the worst in the business.  This may be a factor with commuting.

Those high cans make luggage a much more difficult proposition.  That could be a factor in 5 day tours and commuting.

[Rabidsnipe]

I'm not too concerned about the luggage options.  I did a 6 day trip to Big Bend and Hill Country on the VFR with just a top case and tank bag.  And I've only ever commuted with a topcase.  Rince has given good reviews of the SM Motech hardware so that can fulfill my requirements.

Regarding the headlights, have you seen any comments as to whether the new headlights are any better than the bug eyes?  I've seen a few postings regarding different bulbs that have helped in that regard.

Interstate riding is my biggest concern.  The ride home includes 22 miles of interstate and I lost interest on the V7.  However there were other reasons not to like that bike.  While heading to Arkansas, I normally make it a point to take two lane roads as much as possible.  So not too concerned there.  And frankly, I've never ridden a bike that I enjoyed on the interstate.  I guess I'm just trying to avoid one that sucks so bad it makes me want to sell it (a la V7 Classic).

[bucktownbilly]

Perhaps new Tiger 800 be a better choice

[Papa Lazarou]

The Street triple is an amazing little bike. Headlights can be uprated simply by changing the bulb. Done it to my TBird and it's fine now.

Buy it.





Devil's advocate bit-the finish on post 2002 Triumphs isn't as good as earlier ones. But still better than, say, Honda or new BMW.

[Yankee Dog]

The devil says buy it.

 

[Rincewind]

I wouldn't expect the LSL headlight kit to allow for easy installation of a universal windscreen.  It's not a normal single headlight and the instrument cluster may get in the way.   Here's a current thread about that kit - http://www.triumph675.net/forum/showthread.php?t=57810

Other than the small OEM and aftermarket flyscreens, there aren't a lot of options for more wind protection.  That said, the OEM screen and visor cut the wind adequately for me.  However it still puts you face first into the wind blast -- you would really need a different bike to escape the wind blast.

A few other points:

The bike can get hot in the summer with heat off the engine and high-mount pipes.  It gets less hot after many miles, but still can feel hot if the outside temperature is above 90-95°F.

As mentioned, the high-mounts interfere with sidemount hard luggage options.  But there are new options for semi-hard side luggage from Givi and SW-Motech, and there are multiple rear rack options.  

There is only a small amount of underseat storage and no helmet locks.  

The stock seat cut into my thighs after multiple 400+ mile days.  The sargent seat is better.

Fuel economy is just ok, and can be somewhat low depending on how/where you ride (33-50mpg is my spread).

Revs at highway speed seemed a little high at first, but I don't notice anymore.

The headlights, to me, are fine.  They are an improvement over my previous Tiger 1050 headlights, but they are nowhere near being great.

Final point: depreciation will bite your ass with all of your proposed miles on a new bike.  An older Street Triple, Speed Four, or Speed Triple would be a better value in that regard.

Here's a highway pic from a trip to Canada.  Highway riding to me is fine and the 675 is just getting into stride above 80mph.  

[Mr.Black]

Didn't even read your post.



Approved.

[Rabidsnipe]

Thanks for the input guys.  Thanks again to Rince for his feedback from ownership.  And good point about depreciation; I'd end up paying a lot for what amounts to just a different color option.  Although they seem to go quickly on the used market.  

Rince, I was actually thinking of this headlight conversion.



I'm not a big fan of the urban headlight kit.  This one includes a bracket to relocate the instrument cluster.  I think it would be easier to fit a screen with that headlight as opposed to stock.  

[nevinfs327]

I don't have any sort of windscreen on my Street Triple and it takes a few hours before the wind blast wears me down.  Also owning a V7 (though Cafe version) I would say if I had to do a lot of slab the Street Triple would definitely be my preference.  30-some miles of interstate is no problem unless you're fighting a really strong headwind.  The engine really works well on the interstate too.  6th gear roll ons to pass are very easy at highway speeds, and much more effective than the V7.  Dropping a gear (or 2) really delivers results.  

Unlike Rincewind I tend to get 45-50 mpg no matter how I ride, whether it be constantly going between 8k and 12k in 2nd gear for hours on end in rural West Virginia or humming along at 6k on the highway.  

Nevin

[Rabidsnipe]

That's exactly what I needed!  Someone who owns both the ST and V7.  Thanks for the input.  I would imagine the Cafe would be better than the Classic on the freeway because of the lower bars and more rearset pegs.  You'd be naturally leaning into the wind a bit more.

[Rincewind]

Thanks for the input guys.  Thanks again to Rince for his feedback from ownership.  And good point about depreciation; I'd end up paying a lot for what amounts to just a different color option.  Although they seem to go quickly on the used market.  

Rince, I was actually thinking of this headlight conversion.



I'm not a big fan of the urban headlight kit.  This one includes a bracket to relocate the instrument cluster.  I think it would be easier to fit a screen with that headlight as opposed to stock.  

Yeah - that's the nicer looking aftermarket headlight, not to mention that it's half the price of the Urban one.

There is also this option.  I think it looks like ass but it's probably effective.
http://www.triumph-online.co.uk/street-triple-675-adjustable-windshield-hinged-screen-kit-stainless-steel-6731-p.asp

My lower mpg readings are from commuting on backroads with lots of stop signs.

[nevinfs327]

That's exactly what I needed!  Someone who owns both the ST and V7.  Thanks for the input.  I would imagine the Cafe would be better than the Classic on the freeway because of the lower bars and more rearset pegs.  You'd be naturally leaning into the wind a bit more.

Glad to weigh in, though I certainly wasn't helpful in the devil's advocate role  

The V7 Cafe wasn't too bad on the highway largely due to the more crouched seating position, but I've never ridden more than an hour of highway on it.  I would expect the Classic to be similar to my W650 when I first got it with the high stock bars.  That was miserable on highways.  A set of clubmans fixed the problem.

[Rabidsnipe]

Yeah, you guys aren't helping...
http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/2631175647.html

[gradus]

Yeah, you guys aren't helping...
http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/2631175647.html

That's a good deal on an R version with low miles.  Typically you can get above $7500 for an R version one in excellent condition and low miles.  I paid $8100 for an orange 2010 with less than 1800 miles in flawless condition.  It also came with Arrow slipons, which I plan to sell  ...I also had an emotional attachment after totaling the bike in the picture below.  There were also a few expensive accessories salvaged from the wreck and was ripe to overpay.  

For commuting, a top case may be needed.  But it's almost a crime adding one to these beautiful bikes.  I use a Kreiga US-40 system for my multi-day trips, but I'm in a vacation state of mind and don't mind the hastle.  

They aren't cheap, but the low boy takes care of the heat issues.  Reduces weight and puts it in the right place.  You also really feel the extra HP in the 9k-13k RPM range.  Also sounds fantastic.  

[ConPilot1]

my legs are cramping up just looking at that photo.

[Papa Lazarou]

Oh, and wait for the new version...

Or not.

[Rincewind]

my legs are cramping up just looking at that photo.

In that pic my toes are on the pegs and I'm leaning forward, so it's somewhat exaggerated.

Here's a more normal leg bend.  I have to crack my knees and stand on the pegs every hour or so, but a compact riding position is not all that bad.  Sometimes I consider adding rear-set pegs.  

[Rabidsnipe]

These are great!  Thanks again Rince for all the owner information.

[ConPilot1]

One thing you can never take away from Rince, he does love his Street Trip.

[Rincewind]

One thing you can never take away from Rince, he does love his Street Trip.

That's true.    However, it is far from ideal for commuting or touring.  It's got taut sporty suspension that feels all the bumps.  It's lightweight with a short wheelbase - good for hooliganism but not for feeling planted at high speeds.  It feels diminutive.  It's got nothing between your gear and the weather when the rain comes.  It has no easy-to-wash fairing but instead lots of dirty nooks and crannies.  It has no electronic ABS or TCS to help out, nor any special trip function instrumentation.  

So overall it's a pretty bare bones bikes that gives a raw riding experience with an emphasis on performance.  It's closer to being a scalpel then a swiss-army knife.  Rabidsnipe started his post saying he let his heart rule his head for the V7 purchase.  I'd say the heart would need to rule again for a STR purchase, because there are many more sensible bikes for the intended purposes.

[Rabidsnipe]

RE: heart vs. head.

One of my goals with my next purchase is to keep the bike for 3-4 years.  I recently calculated that in 8 years of riding (took MSF course in summer of 2003) I've owned 8 bikes.  That's a terrible year/bike ratio (or a wonderful ratio depending on your point of view).  What I’m trying to do is find that happy medium between passion and functionality.  While the FZ1 was functionality fantastic, it just didn’t “do it” for me.  On the other hand, while I sometimes found myself ogling the V7 in my own garage, it wasn’t really up to my mission requirements.  The VFR was the last bike that had a little bit of both.  My tastes, expected riding profile, and experience have changed since then.  The next bike down the passion -> functionality ladder seems to be the Ninja 1000 but I’ve really grown to love the naked/roadster style.

[Rincewind]

8-bikes in 8-years is a lot!   Good for you!   

I rode a Ninja 1000 last summer - nice bike but buzzy at high revs.  I think it would end up like the FZ1 for you. 

If I were in your shoes, I'd definitely try out the middleweight ADV bikes like the Tiger 800, Versys, V-strom, and BMW's.  

But that said, if you can deal with the aforementioned "devil's advocate" shortcomings, the STR is a PEACH!  

[bucktownbilly]

I have to crack my knees and stand on the pegs every hour or so...

I do this all the time on the FZ6 and 919.  Rolling into small towns provide the perfect opportunity to do so before cranking it back up to triple digits heading out

[Rincewind]

Regarding the headlights, have you seen any comments as to whether the new headlights are any better than the bug eyes?  I've seen a few postings regarding different bulbs that have helped in that regard.

One guy put the new lights on his 2010 model and reported that the new lights have a much better spread.  I haven't seen the new ones lit up at night to compare to the old lights.  The one complaint I've seen multiple times for the new lights (on Speeds and Streets) is cracking.  

The older style bug eyes definitely get my bike noticed by traffic, which is great.  I prefer the older style, but the newer style is not that bad.  

[ANZAC]

Yes, the older iconic British Bug Eye headlights are the best and one of the main reasons for buying a Streety  

The new headlights and digital Triumph tank logo are just wrong.  Someone at Triumph  

[SVTNate]

I own a Speed, not a Street, but I think that the worry of wind blast at highway speeds is over thought by many including myself prior to purchase.

I was really worried, because I used to own a Harley clone (V Star 1300) that was miserable at 75+ mph without a windshield.  Then I had an FJR, but obviously it has lots of protection from the wind.

Riding position makes an enormous difference.

My typical mountain run consists of round trip 160 miles or so, with about 90 of those miles being on the freeway at um... yeah.  The speed limit.  Anyway, with ear protection against the noise, it's totally comfortable.  As you know, on a naked it's clean air hitting you, no buffeting, but with the more sporty riding position it's not tiresome at all.

The Street is more upright than my bike, but not by much IIRC.  Should be comfortable.  I wouldn't hesitate to run through an entire tank at 80mph without stopping on my Speed.

[Rabidsnipe]

Riding position makes an enormous difference.

This was my thought exactly. After my test ride on the Street I was dumbfounded by how smooth it was, both the airflow and the motor. Hoping back on the FZ1 the buzzy vibrations from the motor and the buffeting from the screen felt harsh.

Now if I could just find a used one within 250 miles I'd be set.