Trumpets and Viffers

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

Read a few reviews, I always find it helpful to know a thing or two about bikes I'm thinking of looking at/test riding.

I haven't gone completely insane (yet) as I'm not going to even consider selling my Blade until I've got some miles of possible-next-bikes under my belt. So, I need to go out for a few test rides to see whether or not the considered bikes are more suited to what I want to get out of biking.

So far, I'm considering:

Triumph Speed Triple

For: Looks (I strangely enough, like the bug eyes(single sided swing arm)), sound, engine, sportsbike suspension, riding position (bars/road presence/view).

Against: A few kilos more than the Blade dry - will this mar its back road ability? Build quality yet to be determined.

Triumph Speed Four

F: Looks, although not as quirky as the Triple, ability to use most (all) of its engine, handling (probably the best I've ever had - lightweight as well), new model.

A: Not as good looking (obscure) as the Triple? Lack of character from the inline 4, lack of low end grunt.

Honda NC30

F: The best bike I've ever owned (previously), got literally everything I want out of a bike.

A: Been there, done that, there are reasons I 'moved on' from the RVF (but really, was there any need to?)

Other bikes not considered (see previous sanity topic for what I'm looking for/turned down) budget has been set at £3500.

Views on the above (previous owner experience (especially from the Fors/Against mentioned above) would be very helpful).

Thumbs Up

mr.z · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Karma :

What do you want to gt out of bikeing? Razz

As for the weight issue on the triumph, weight distribution, frame, suspension, tyres even will have far more effect on the handleing, my 230kg bike i find easyer to ride and more rewarding than other lighter bikes ive ridden

But then thats what testrides are for Wink

____________________
>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

Zimbo · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Karma :

Speed triple for me. I reckon it'll crucify a blade in the right hands on twisty back roads Laughing

there's a LOT more to it than weight, and the grunty engine and wide bars will make tight twistys really fun.

Fastgut · Trackday Trickster Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Karma :

Well I've got a speed triple so I would obviously vote for that as its a whole heap of fun. If you want any info on owning one etc just pm me. Cool

____________________
Was a driving instructor now working in Insurance
Bikes:2005 Speed Triple and 2004 FZ6 Fazer (now the other half's)

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

If only you have the cash for an R7.

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

numark1 · Scared of girls Joined: 10 May 2004 Karma :

Fastgut · Trackday Trickster Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Karma :

I have to say I was impressed with the old triple. My mate has a 2001 trip and I rode it back to back with my 1050 trip as did he. We both noticed the power increase obviously but we were so impressed with the bottom end of the old one in terms of its parity with the new one. The main difference was that it ran out of steam a lot earlier. Brakes are good and the handling is very good too although not on par with the new one. Cool

____________________
Was a driving instructor now working in Insurance
Bikes:2005 Speed Triple and 2004 FZ6 Fazer (now the other half's)

Dark · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Karma :

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

Dark · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Karma :

Hmm i think i know where your coming from, i agree, thrashing a bike down a good B road is addictive.

A problem occurs when you have the amount of power we have under our right hand, we can't really thrash it anymore and hence riding becomes more about self control.

Does that sound familiar?
____________________
My Bikes in order:- Yamaha RXS100 / Suzuki X7 250 / Yamaha RD350LC / Kawasaki
KR1S 250 / Kawasaki ZXR750 H2 / Honda C50 / Kawasaki ZX7R P5 / Kawasaki ZX10R / Suzuki GSXR 400 / Honda CBR1100 Blackbird & Yamaha FZR 600

ram_doom · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Karma :

What about a ducati 900ss? Their a bit quirky, not hugely ridiculously fast, and something about them I cant quite put my finger on just draws me to them Shocked

____________________
TL1000s, KDX200

Wave2k · G's Stalker Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Karma :

If i was craig i would get something uber uber uber tarty.
____________________
Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

Wave2k · G's Stalker Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Karma :

Ducati 748 or 9 whatever style takes your fancy,
just look at the tarting mods avalible and even better most of them are official.
they certainly arnt like a disposable jap bike, have the charm.
____________________
Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

ram_doom · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Karma :

Speed four is my next bike for its superly cheap insurance! Thumbs Up

You've tested one I take it? Very Happy

____________________
TL1000s, KDX200

Dark · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Karma :

minesweeper · Whoah there! Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Can get a new Speedfour for under 4 grand with Alarm, side cowls and belly pan and they look beautifal in Black.
Cant remember where from despite that!

matt

Zimbo · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Karma :

The Ducati 900SS / 1000SS is a really good bike, I owned one and loved it, but it suffers a little from the same problem as the blade, it carries the speed so easily that you do triple figure speeds pretty much everywhere. I sold mine and bought a 900 monster instead, which as just fantastic - something different, orgasmic sound, enough low down grunt to lift the front off the throttle in first and second, great brakes, superb back road handling, and cheap to buy insure and run, and best of all it's FUN FUN FUN (although it does bring out the hooligan in you!!!).
The only bike I'd consider changing it for is the speed triple. Tried a 996 out, absolutely fantastic machine and so much more capable than me, but it's back to rediculous speeds again, 140 just seems easy. I'll stick with my monster.
Oh, and riding round the outside of sportsbikes with way more power than you on trackdays is very satisfying too Razz

landy.s11a · Scooby Slapper Joined: 19 May 2005 Karma :

Hi Craig

I have the T509 and have found it to be the most fun on one wheel sorry mean 2 wheels, wether you are attacking the twisties or powering down the straights its there with you, it may not be the fastest down the straights but its still quite a respectable speed machine.

downsides - naked bikes get dirty too quick......................er.. thats about it for the negatives.
____________________
"Speed:The thing about speed is that you can't catch the people who've attained it to ask them how they got so fast. You chase them day after day, until you find yourself getting closer. Then you catch them, and realize that your question has just been answered."

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

However much I like the look/road (too track orientated?) ability of a 748, I've heard the suspension isn't best suited to bumpier roads - or is that a misconception from the 916 family?

There's another bike I hadn't considered - Monsters - presumably the pre-916 S4s are more realiable (plus the air cooled slightly better looking?) Still like the sound of the Triple though, especially with the wind/comfort limited top speed (so I don't get too carried away).

Cleaning bikes has never been a problem for me Wink

Having an unfaired bike would save me needing to clean the insides of a bike's bodywork (plus I wouldn't need to strip off all that plastic to get to the engine/pipes......)

skida · Trackday Trickster Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Karma :

The 955i Speed triple is the best bike I ever owned, but it may not be for you. I recommend a good test ride before you make any decision. After a Blade most bikes will probably feel slower, but with a naked bike like the Trip you will feel every single mph and that can help in two ways:

1. It's fun.
2. You may keep your licence longer.

The downside is that within a month or two you will find your neck goes up a collar size. Confused

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

Cool, so I get a good workout throwing the bike around/straining against the windblast?

I'm never going to beat any land speed records, and occasional stints on mate's 400s and Dad's Hornet has shown that I don't need to go over 120 to have fun on a bike. The Hornet was good, but looks a little bland for my pallette (as does the engine delivery - no oomph) and higher quality suspension.

As long as it feels quick, handles well and is a lot of fun to ride - well, that's half my owner's satisfaction sorted.

Gotta get a go on one I think...

dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

Hornet 900, detuned carbed Blade engine? Honda X11, monster naked Blackbird grunt.