Help & FAQs    Search BCF    Members    Groups    Events Calendar
Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


To Triumph or not to Triumph?

 Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> New Bikers
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

captainmoore
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 01 Dec 2010
Karma :
PostPosted: 19:55 - 05 Jun 2012    Post subject: To Triumph or not to Triumph? Reply with quote
Dear All
I am not especially new to biking as I've a few years on two wheels but none before on anything over 600cc. So my question is what sort of bike should I be looking at getting. My budget is topped at £7500, give or take a few quid. My utter lust is a Triumph Rocket 3, but many people so far (some not bikers) have advised me to get cheaper to maintain Honda, Susuki or Kawasaki. So is a cheaper to repair Japanese custom cruiser better than a European one?
Or should I scrap the custom idea and get a Sports bike? Bearing in mind I will be doing lots of long haul riding.

Thank you for reading my post. Safe journeying to you all.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

WannaBeDude
World Chat Champion



Joined: 05 Jul 2011
Karma :
PostPosted: 19:56 - 05 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
MMmmmm - not clear what you want or need from your post tbf ...
____________________
Jogging on, destination living.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

Slacker24seve...
World Chat Champion



Joined: 10 May 2010
Karma :
PostPosted: 19:59 - 05 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
If you're new to biking, buying the largest production triple on the market is probably one of the stupidest things you can do.

Tell us a few more things about what you want the bike for, what your experience is and how old you are. Also, if you have a preference for arseless chaps then yes, cruisers are ideal.
____________________
Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

captainmoore
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 01 Dec 2010
Karma :
PostPosted: 20:05 - 05 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Slacker24seven wrote:
If you're new to biking, buying the largest production triple on the market is probably one of the stupidest things you can do.

Tell us a few more things about what you want the bike for, what your experience is and how old you are. Also, if you have a preference for arseless chaps then yes, cruisers are ideal.


Haha, chaps no but thanks for the image. I ride to work everyday on a CBR 600, I rode to work even when it snowed last year, fell off three times on my way from Heathrow to Gatwick on the eve of the snowfall. You could say I am not a fair weather biker but more of an adventure seeker. I am 30 years old and would use my new bike for occasional 100 mile plus motorway journeys and short trips to the shops and work, I.e. a workhorse. Effectively I need a really reliable bike that can eat up the road, and looks fantastic too! Naturally.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Bendy
Mrs Sensible



Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Karma :
PostPosted: 20:13 - 05 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
I wasn't aware of triumphs being particularly more expensive to maintain than Japanese bikes. Indeed the triumphs I had had 6000 mile service intervals rather than the 4000 of my Hondas or 3500 of my Suzuki... seems like a saving right there.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Slacker24seve...
World Chat Champion



Joined: 10 May 2010
Karma :
PostPosted: 20:21 - 05 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
captainmoore wrote:


Haha, chaps no but thanks for the image. I ride to work everyday on a CBR 600, I rode to work even when it snowed last year, fell off three times on my way from Heathrow to Gatwick on the eve of the snowfall. You could say I am not a fair weather biker but more of an adventure seeker. I am 30 years old and would use my new bike for occasional 100 mile plus motorway journeys and short trips to the shops and work, I.e. a workhorse. Effectively I need a really reliable bike that can eat up the road, and looks fantastic too! Naturally.


If Trumpets are your thing and a Daytona 675 is one of the sports bikes you're considering, get a good test ride in. The engine is excellent for the road (lots of torque and midrange) but the riding position is very focussed - I'm 5'10" and seem to be just the right dimensions; I've done a few hundred miles in a day without needing a chiropractor. Quite a few others have described them as torture racks though Laughing Oh and it looks fantastic, goes like shit off a shovel and handles brilliantly. The suspension takes some setting up though and is stiff from stock.

For mega miles a 600 isn't ideal though; something a bit more flexible could be the way to go rather than the all or nothing delivery of a modern supersports. How about one of the midsize adventure bikes like the Tiger 800 or BMW F800? Or if you want a sports bike you can tear about on whilst still being a decent allrounder the GSXR 750 and 1000s are both pretty big and comfy. My mate has an RR8 Blade that is a fantastic bit of kit; sofa like riding position and an engine that is very flexible and friendly (for a thou) but mental when you want it to be. Or for the tourer stuff, BMW R1200RT or a VFR800? Triumph Sprint? Loads of options. Get some test rides.

Cruisers are an acquired taste; thats all I'll say on the matter Laughing
____________________
Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

captainmoore
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 01 Dec 2010
Karma :
PostPosted: 21:01 - 05 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Slacker24seven wrote:
captainmoore wrote:


Haha, chaps no but thanks for the image. I ride to work everyday on a CBR 600, I rode to work even when it snowed last year, fell off three times on my way from Heathrow to Gatwick on the eve of the snowfall. You could say I am not a fair weather biker but more of an adventure seeker. I am 30 years old and would use my new bike for occasional 100 mile plus motorway journeys and short trips to the shops and work, I.e. a workhorse. Effectively I need a really reliable bike that can eat up the road, and looks fantastic too! Naturally.


If Trumpets are your thing and a Daytona 675 is one of the sports bikes you're considering, get a good test ride in. The engine is excellent for the road (lots of torque and midrange) but the riding position is very focussed - I'm 5'10" and seem to be just the right dimensions; I've done a few hundred miles in a day without needing a chiropractor. Quite a few others have described them as torture racks though Laughing Oh and it looks fantastic, goes like shit off a shovel and handles brilliantly. The suspension takes some setting up though and is stiff from stock.

For mega miles a 600 isn't ideal though; something a bit more flexible could be the way to go rather than the all or nothing delivery of a modern supersports. How about one of the midsize adventure bikes like the Tiger 800 or BMW F800? Or if you want a sports bike you can tear about on whilst still being a decent allrounder the GSXR 750 and 1000s are both pretty big and comfy. My mate has an RR8 Blade that is a fantastic bit of kit; sofa like riding position and an engine that is very flexible and friendly (for a thou) but mental when you want it to be. Or for the tourer stuff, BMW R1200RT or a VFR800? Triumph Sprint? Loads of options. Get some test rides.

Cruisers are an acquired taste; thats all I'll say on the matter Laughing


Thank you for your suggestions, lots of browsing on various bike websites for me for a while. Any idea as to most cost effective to run?
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

LordShaftesbu...
World Chat Champion



Joined: 03 Sep 2008
Karma :
PostPosted: 21:11 - 05 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Fair enough you want a Triumph (I love them too), but something like a Street or Speed Triple or even better a Tiger 800 or 1050 would be best if you're going to be using it for everything.

I sat on a Daytona once and it seemed to me that you have to be some sort of Yogic master to feel comfortable. My heavily muscled legs simply cannot bend 180 degrees at the knee.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

captainmoore
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 01 Dec 2010
Karma :
PostPosted: 21:16 - 05 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
LordShaftesbury wrote:
Fair enough you want a Triumph, but something like a Street or Speed Triple or even better a Tiger 800 or 1050 would be best if you're going to be using it for everything.

I sat on a Daytona once and it seemed to me that you have to be some sort of Yogic master to feel comfortable. My heavily muscled legs simply cannot bend 180 degrees at the knee.


I'm definitely going for a test ride but I'd like to narrow it down to three bikes, although I am filled with national pride for Triumphs I don't want to be forking out a monthly salary every time something goes wrong either. Does anyone know if this is the case for other makes or have I been misinformed about Triumphs?
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

LordShaftesbu...
World Chat Champion



Joined: 03 Sep 2008
Karma :
PostPosted: 21:27 - 05 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
You have been misinformed about Triumphs; my Street Triple doesn't seem to cost me any more than my Kawasaki ER-6n, if anything the labour costs at the Triumph dealership are less.

The Tiger 800 and 1050 should deffo be on your list. The 1050 is a bit sportier and is a true all-rounder, will do hooning, commuting and touring, all well. Fast enough, sporty enough handling, decent weather protection, luggage options and a tall riding position so you get a nice view over the hedges. If I had to get rid of both my bikes and replace them with one it's probably what I'd buy.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Slacker24seve...
World Chat Champion



Joined: 10 May 2010
Karma :
PostPosted: 19:30 - 06 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
captainmoore wrote:
LordShaftesbury wrote:
Fair enough you want a Triumph, but something like a Street or Speed Triple or even better a Tiger 800 or 1050 would be best if you're going to be using it for everything.

I sat on a Daytona once and it seemed to me that you have to be some sort of Yogic master to feel comfortable. My heavily muscled legs simply cannot bend 180 degrees at the knee.


I'm definitely going for a test ride but I'd like to narrow it down to three bikes, although I am filled with national pride for Triumphs I don't want to be forking out a monthly salary every time something goes wrong either. Does anyone know if this is the case for other makes or have I been misinformed about Triumphs?


Yes you have been. Triumph make some great bikes but take the reviews with a pinch of salt; you never can tell how much the comics are in the manufacturers' pockets. Plenty of people have ridden modern Triumphs without issues. I won't pretend my bike's fit and finish is as good as a CBR600 but its not a million miles away, its also very well thought out and easy to work on. Something like 14 bolts to remove the side fairings and tailpiece; about half as much as an R6 Laughing

Why do you need a shortlist of three? Test ride as many as you can!
____________________
Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

arry
Super Spammer



Joined: 03 Jan 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 20:45 - 06 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Try the sprint. I went from a cbr6f to one, it's just a bigger, more grown up, more punchy and charismatic step up really.

It's all day comfortable, 200plus miles to tank, fast, has luggage, looks well, has a great dash, and the engine is brilliant
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

multijoy
World Chat Champion



Joined: 03 Oct 2008
Karma :
PostPosted: 21:15 - 06 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
The Triumph of today isn't the one of the sixties - they're easily comparable to the Japanese triumvirate. KTM is who you go to for highly strung bikes these days!
____________________
'11 CBF1000A, '99 C90, '98 CB500
silky666: He rode amazingly well considering his bike is the weight of a small van and had slicks on.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 13 years, 251 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> New Bikers All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
 You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 
Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.16 Sec - Server Load: 1.35 - MySQL Queries: 13 - Page Size: 82.21 Kb