2011 Naked Middleweight Shootout: Shiver, F800R, STR, FZ8

[Rincewind]

Motorcycle.com's 2011 shoot-out matches the Aprilia’s Shiver 750 with the new-to-US BMW F800R, the Triumph’s Street Triple R and the brand-new FZ8 from Yamaha.  

This is my favorite segment of riding.  

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2011-naked-middleweights-shootout-90414.html








Posted on: February 14, 2011, 09:14:50 AMThe video that accompanies the review.

[Sport-Touring]

[county]

This ought to be combined with the getting old thread...

[GRN]

675 instead of the Tiger 800?

[nevinfs327]

I enjoyed the article - reinforced my decision  .  I do like the Shiver too.  Shame the Duc wasn't involved.  I'll watch the video when I get home.

[Oxblood]

675 instead of the Tiger 800?

The Tiger 800 isn't considered a naked street figter like the other bikes in that test. It is billed as a middleweight ADV bike.

[nater]

I enjoyed the article - reinforced my decision  .  I do like the Shiver too.  Shame the Duc wasn't involved.  I'll watch the video when I get home.

It's hard to beat that Triumph exhaust note, that's for sure.

[MadOzodi]

been sick as a dog...finally getting around to checking out the comparo

[Rincewind]

I liked the Shiver a lot when I tested it, and here it came in last place. And when I tested the F800GS, I did not notice it being vibey, like the review said of the BMW F800R. Hmmm. I need to try the Yamaha, but for the money the St3R looks like the buy. I think the hard bag options will be best on the Yam and the BMW.

You are probably right about the hard luggage probably being best on the FZ8 and BMW.  A FZ8 with Givi V35 sidecases would be a pretty sweet set-up.

Here is the Euro 1/2 faired FZ8 with the V35's.



That said, I have a rack and Givi V46 topcase on my Street Triple R and find that is sufficient.  I have seen Givi PL racks modified for the Street Triple, but there are no "off-the-rack" options.  

[GRN]

The Tiger 800 isn't considered a naked street figter like the other bikes in that test. It is billed as a middleweight ADV bike.

The 800XC is clearly a mid ADV bike, but the regular 800 is a pretty strait forward road bike with similar ergos to the FZ8. I realize that the vernacular is limiting, but that aside, the T800 functionally fits that grouping better than the S-trip 675. Just sayin'... I think a good comparison would take the form and function in to greater account than the marketing adage, as I believe it will with the more attentive and active segment of the market. They even said the 675 was the odd ball due to it being of a more sporting nature... would you consider the T800 to be even less of a fit?

[Jeff]

All I know is that when I was at the IMS show last weekend my favorite bike of the show was the Street Triple R. It's becoming a favorite enough that, without riding either, I'd choose that over the Speed Triple. It's the only bike of the show that I sat on three times. I also butt tested the new Speed Triple, both Tiger 800s, Ducati Monsters and Hypermotards, the Z1000 and the CB1000R. I kept going back to the STR. Love it, and can't wait for the demo day this summer.

Jeff

[Greg Awesome]

The 800XC is clearly a mid ADV bike, but the regular 800 is a pretty strait forward road bike with similar ergos to the FZ8. I realize that the vernacular is limiting, but that aside, the T800 functionally fits that grouping better than the S-trip 675. Just sayin'... I think a good comparison would take the form and function in to greater account than the marketing adage, as I believe it will with the more attentive and active segment of the market. They even said the 675 was the odd ball due to it being of a more sporting nature... would you consider the T800 to be even less of a fit?

I can't really agree. That 19" front wheel was a poor choice for a road going bike. The STR, despite being down on engine size, was still rated as the most fun of all the bikes to ride. Also, the Tiger 800 looks almost identical to the BMW F800GS, and both bikes are kind of ugly and should maybe be compared to each other as well as *maybe* a VStrom.

If I was in the market for any of the bikes in this group, the STR is the correct choice out of Triumph's line up to make the comparison. As it stands, I was in this market, test rode a Shiver and Triple, and bought the Triple. Not looking back, STR is an amazing bike

[GRN]

I can't really agree. That 19" front wheel was a poor choice for a road going bike. The STR, despite being down on engine size, was still rated as the most fun of all the bikes to ride. Also, the Tiger 800 looks almost identical to the BMW F800GS, and both bikes are kind of ugly and should maybe be compared to each other as well as *maybe* a VStrom.

If I was in the market for any of the bikes in this group, the STR is the correct choice out of Triumph's line up to make the comparison. As it stands, I was in this market, test rode a Shiver and Triple, and bought the Triple. Not looking back, STR is an amazing bike

No doubt the STR is a great bike... if current space resources and green allowed I would have one. I hear what your saying about the 19" front, but having had a VStrom I don't agree that it's a great comparison. If I'm going 650, and I may well be, it will be the DR for a lot less cash, significantly less weight, and better off road manners. The DL650 is a cool UJM bike that's easy to ride - did a little of everything, but the deal breaker for me was it didn't do any of it particularly well.

[forester]

I think I'll keep my DL...for now.  

[Rincewind]

All I know is that when I was at the IMS show last weekend my favorite bike of the show was the Street Triple R. It's becoming a favorite enough that, without riding either, I'd choose that over the Speed Triple. It's the only bike of the show that I sat on three times. I also butt tested the new Speed Triple, both Tiger 800s, Ducati Monsters and Hypermotards, the Z1000 and the CB1000R. I kept going back to the STR. Love it, and can't wait for the demo day this summer.

Jeff

It's kind of a Goldilocks bike - not too big or small, just right.  After having my STR for 14-months, I'm still very much smitten.  Between the sound, high-revving sportiness, low handlebars, and compact riding position, it is my definition of fun.  There are plenty of other bikes that do other things much better, making compromises for comfort, touring or sport.  The STR is distilled down to the essentials: fun handling and a howling engine.  

Having the Tiger 800 in this test would have been interesting, but I don't think it would have had the same edge on the competition as the STR.  A test with the Tiger 800 against the BMW F800/650GS, Dorsoduro, Versys, Hypermotard 796, and V-Strom would be very interesting.

[doublen675]

Streety FTW  

[falconati]

Easily the bike I want the most out of the bunch.

Like Jeff, I originally wanted the Streety more than the Speedy.  I think I could be satisfied with less power, but I have to say that the 1050 engine is just so good, it's hard to think about having less power/torque.

[HipGnosis]

I'm REALLY glad this sector of the market is booming as it is!   This is what I'm looking at for my next (possibly last) bike.
The monster needs to be in the mix.  (obviously)
Then there's the GSR750.  (ya, I know...)
And possibly the Honda CrossRunner.  (just 'cause where else would you put it)

But the Tiger 800 is at the top my list.  I had a 955 RS and LUV the Triumph triple motors.
My only reservation is I'm pretty sure I'll feel mis-lead if they come out with a 800 Speed/Street.

[Rincewind]

I have no inside info, but I doubt they will make a 800cc Street or Speed Triple.  The 675 Street has its territory marked significantly and from what I've read the 800cc triple does not have the same sporting edge as the 675.

HG - I have not heard that we are getting the GSR750, and I doubt we will see the Crossrunner either.    

Back to the test, what surprised me was that the BMW did not have a clear advantage in the efficiency figures.  I have read so many times about the 800cc BMW's getting exceptional fuel mileage and thought that would be evident in this test.  I realize the reviewers spanked the bikes pretty hard, and the mpg figures are not necessarily realistic for other riders, but I would expected a better gap in those results to justify it's small-ish 4.2 gallon fuel tank.  

[GRN]

I have no inside info, but I doubt they will make a 800cc Street or Speed Triple.  The 675 Street has its territory marked significantly and from what I've read the 800cc triple does not have the same sporting edge as the 675.

Totally agree, I don't envision a naked bike to compete with the likes of the F800R, etc.

But, given the move to 'larger' they made with the Sprint GT (longer, heavier, more capacity) from the ST, I would be quite enthusiastic and not surprised if they brought back a revised Sprint ST on the 800 platform. There isn't much competition in that segment yet, while the somewhat frumpy (IMO) F800ST has proven (a bit to my surprise) there is viable market. I loved the Sprint ST, and I wanted to be as enthusiastic about the GT, but it went the wrong direction for me... and from what I've seen around the boards, I'm not alone. Coming from a 1050... Less power would still be enough, less weight would be great, and sharper handling would put it right at the top of my short list... if I don't fall ass over tea cup for a new Trophy first  

[jfurf]

The 800XC is clearly a mid ADV bike, but the regular 800 is a pretty strait forward road bike with similar ergos to the FZ8. I realize that the vernacular is limiting, but that aside, the T800 functionally fits that grouping better than the S-trip 675. Just sayin'... I think a good comparison would take the form and function in to greater account than the marketing adage, as I believe it will with the more attentive and active segment of the market. They even said the 675 was the odd ball due to it being of a more sporting nature... would you consider the T800 to be even less of a fit?

Think about how people use the bikes. Tiger buyers are probably looking for more of a touring bike than people who buy the FZ8 or Shiver. These are all basically production streetfighter type naked bikes... which the Tiger obviously isn't.

Stop being so hung up on displacement. The Street Triple held its own anyway.