Light bike, low seat for "A" test.

[Tony Norton]

Hi All,

I'v dug a bit deeper into this. I've downloaded, and superimposed the power curves for both the Rebel and the Striple. As Nobby says, the Striple doesn't become a beast until above 7500 rpm. Below this, say up to 6000 rpm it is only developing about 30% more power than the Rebel. This is the sort of rev range that I tend to use.

I know, most of you would say "what a waste" if I were to apply similar limits when riding a Striple. Surely though, how I ride it is my choice. At my age I'm not going to be pulling wheelies, or even, as I have already said, cornering on my sidewalls or looking for somewhere to "see how fast it will go". I did the equivalent of that sort of thing back in the 70s on 4 wheels.

At tickover the Striple has roughly 50% more power than the Rebel, reducing to 30% up to 5000 rpm. That is the sort of rate I would expect to be going on my first trial of it.

My nephew's firm, Crescent, has a Striple in at the moment, and I'm hoping to give it a trial sometime during the coming week.

Of course the whole idea becomes a "no-no" if I am not comfortable on it, or the switch from unrestricted to restricted, and back again, is not a quick easy job.

Wish me luck!

Cheers
Tony
____________________
Newbie in 2021 at 83. Now the proud holder of an A2 licence. That's far enough! Bikes: YSL 125, AJS Cadwell, Honda Rebel 500, Z300 (to get through A2 Mod 1), MT-07 (Restricted), Eliminator 500.

[Nobby the Bastard]

pretty sure the current street triple has too much HP to be restricted to A2, you'd be looking at a pre 2015 675cc one.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Kentol750]

Nobby, I think they make a specific detunable version of the engine now.

Tony, you're right. Your money, your choice. However all the over analysing is too
much like sucking the joy you can get out of a bike. You can push a rebel to its limits and have loads of fun until it lets go. An a2 compliant striple will handle a lot better.

Also kawasaki do a low seat, lowered suspension z650. We have a low seat model, 5'3" can flat foot it.
____________________
Some bikes.

[Tony Norton]

Hi Nobby,

I've spent far too much money on bikes, see below, since this exercise started, so I've got now to settle for a used one. The Striple that Crescent have is a 2012 675, which hopefully is restrictable. How, I don't know, but hope to find out this coming week.

".gov.uk" list a restricted Striple 675 as "A2", but there is no reference to year of manufacture.

Hi Kentol 750,

I was originally intending to go straight from "A1" to "A", and bought a new, lowered, Z650 for the purpose. This was based on a promise from my "insurers", (so-called. They're not really insurers are they. Just brokers. It's the underwriters who have the power). The promise was "Although we can't get you an annual policy, don't worry, because we can always get you 24 or 48 hour cover so you can do the tests."

It was on the basis of this promise that I bought the Z650 in May last year. When I contacted the so-called "insurers" and said "Can you get me cover for next Thursday?" the answer, eventually, came back "No. The underwriters won't cover it." Had to sell the Z650 back to the main dealers who were very fair but, of course, I lost money on the deal. Apart from a test on the lane behind the shop I had never even ridden it!

Hopefully Honda Insurance, who cover my Rebel, will cover me on the Striple. I'll be in touch with them tomorrow.

Cheers both,
Tony
____________________
Newbie in 2021 at 83. Now the proud holder of an A2 licence. That's far enough! Bikes: YSL 125, AJS Cadwell, Honda Rebel 500, Z300 (to get through A2 Mod 1), MT-07 (Restricted), Eliminator 500.

[struan80]

I have both a Street Triple (675) and a 500 Rebel (Took a brain fart).

Striple is in almost every way a better bike. More fun than the Rebel. But then a striple costs a heck of a lot more than the Rebel. I'm selling the Rebel, it is good for cruising about I suppose but I like a bit of excitement. Saying that you can still have a lot of fun on the Rebel. The rebel is not overly stable when slow riding, behind very slow moving traffic. Maybe it's just me but it is annoying.

[Kentol750]

You're not the first to struggle to get insurance for tests. It's often more than a course would cost you.
We also hear regularly of companies that won't transfer ncb from 125 to larger bikes and students end up running a 125 for a few months more just to keep it up so they have 1year ready for larger capacity bike. 1 guy (25) kept a 125 over winter in shed. Save 1k on difference in insurance. (Also sold 125 in March rather than November and made a few ponds.)
____________________
Some bikes.

[Nobby the Bastard]

I'd also question why you are buying abike that you really arent going to use just to take a test when its going to be a nightmare to insure.

Just go through a school, use their bike and keep your rebel and save yourself a load of shit and money.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Tony Norton]

Struan 80,

always assuming that I can get the Striple at the spec I want, I'm reckoning to do a part-ex, my 22 Reg Rebel, with less than 1000 on the clock, for a 61 Reg Striple with 10K on the clock. I'm hoping for a near as dammit straight swap.
Agree with you about slow traffic riding the Rebel. I can manage 4 to 5 mph without wobbling, less than that and it's 'let a long gap develop' then close it down.

Kentol750,

I've never been quoted more than 3 figures for insurance, and have a 2 year NCB. By next summer, with luck, it will be 3 years.

Nobby,

If the above deal happens, and I can get insurance, it is not my intention to use the Striple just for tests. I will run it for a year or so in restricted format before going for the "A" test, which is why I need the 'Un' to 'Res' to be an easy job. Ideally it would mean 2 ECUs, and swapping as appropriate. I have gone freelance for both my "A1" and "A2" test, and would reckon to do the same for "A".

Cheers, and thanks to you all for your comments.

Tony N
____________________
Newbie in 2021 at 83. Now the proud holder of an A2 licence. That's far enough! Bikes: YSL 125, AJS Cadwell, Honda Rebel 500, Z300 (to get through A2 Mod 1), MT-07 (Restricted), Eliminator 500.

[Tony Norton]

Hi All,

this project has died a death. The Striple I was looking at is the 105bhp version, which means it cannot legally be restricted to A2 classification.

I'll just have to keep looking.

Cheers

Tony N
____________________
Newbie in 2021 at 83. Now the proud holder of an A2 licence. That's far enough! Bikes: YSL 125, AJS Cadwell, Honda Rebel 500, Z300 (to get through A2 Mod 1), MT-07 (Restricted), Eliminator 500.

[Easy-X]

MT07, similar seat height and I know A2 is a bolt-on throttle restrictor plate.
____________________
Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[ThunderGuts]

Tony - I know you've been down this avenue already, but as others have said, the best option is really for you to take your test on a bike school's bike. If you don't like SV650s, have a look around and try and find a school that uses something else. Alternatively, get some more saddle time with an instructor on an SV until you get used to it (which you will!). It will almost certainly still cost you a lot less than buying and insuring an derestricted A bike then trying to insure it/derestrict it for test day. it'll also be a lot less hassle.

Once you've got your A licence, you can buy whatever bike you want, without having to worry about if it meets the A test requirements or not.
____________________
TG.

[MarJay]

If you think the SV kicks you up the backside, then a Street is probably not for you either...

IMO? Ride the SV, get used to it.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Tony Norton]

Got to admit,

it was nearly 3 years ago that I was introduced to the SV650. The school had bought 2 new ones. I dropped the one they put me on twice, probably due to the seat height of 800mm being too tall for me, and it was a lot heavier than the 125 I was used to. I dropped it, stopping at "T" junctions.

Luckily the school had the sense to protect it with some scaffolding before letting an aged learner out on it.

Got to admit to being tempted by the earlier Ducati Monsters. Funny thing, they seem to get lighter the newer they are. The 696 is nearly 40Kg lighter than my Rebel, which seems to get heavier every time I take it out. Or is that just me getting older?
____________________
Newbie in 2021 at 83. Now the proud holder of an A2 licence. That's far enough! Bikes: YSL 125, AJS Cadwell, Honda Rebel 500, Z300 (to get through A2 Mod 1), MT-07 (Restricted), Eliminator 500.

[ThunderGuts]

40kg lighter than a rebel and it won’t meet requirements for the A test. I would go back to the school and just explain you found the SV too much a few years ago but want to get your A now. You will almost certainly find it less intimidating now you’re used to the weight and size of a bigger bike. The first time I laid hands on a motorcycle it was a CBF125 and it felt massively heavy, it would feel like a push bike compared with my VFR now
____________________
TG.

[struan80]

You need one of these. I think it feels like a 125 on steroids. It's a quite low and light. Can pick them up quite reasonably these days.

Any excuse for a pic!

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/yy224/struan80/300796476_1250259899068781_5613818567521386131_n_metkxrnHhprs611PXFTbZi.jpg

[Tony Norton]

Yeah, but what is it? I know, it's a Triumph. But what model?
____________________
Newbie in 2021 at 83. Now the proud holder of an A2 licence. That's far enough! Bikes: YSL 125, AJS Cadwell, Honda Rebel 500, Z300 (to get through A2 Mod 1), MT-07 (Restricted), Eliminator 500.

[struan80]

[Tony Norton]

Very nice, but I've been this road and, at 105 bhp, it is too powerful to be restricted to 47 bhp on the 50% rule.

Nice picture though.
____________________
Newbie in 2021 at 83. Now the proud holder of an A2 licence. That's far enough! Bikes: YSL 125, AJS Cadwell, Honda Rebel 500, Z300 (to get through A2 Mod 1), MT-07 (Restricted), Eliminator 500.

[Nobby the Bastard]

There were 2 striples 5 years ago. One that could be restricted and one that couldn't. Pretty sure I've already posted about that.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Tony Norton]

Yes Nobby, you're right.

But I haven't been able to find a 90bhp one.

Cheers mate.
____________________
Newbie in 2021 at 83. Now the proud holder of an A2 licence. That's far enough! Bikes: YSL 125, AJS Cadwell, Honda Rebel 500, Z300 (to get through A2 Mod 1), MT-07 (Restricted), Eliminator 500.

[to v or not to v]

Triumph also sell a low version of the striple for shorter people.
____________________
current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
Moto Guzzi V7.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

If the SV is too powerful, isn't a striple even more powerful?

Gutted the Monster doesn't meet the requirements on power for you mate. Would have been great.

Have you tried sitting on a bandit? I got on one and it felt like I was on a cruiser and it blew the shit out my knees trying to get them angled when my feet were on the pegs. It feels super low to me.

Then again, I am 6ft 5in and have 33" inside seam.... and I still can't flat foot my own bike
____________________
PRESENT: 2018 BMW S1000XR SE Sport.
PAST: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6F. 2021 Zontes ZT-125U.

[Tony Norton]

Thanks to all of you for your advice and comments.

It's handy having a relative in the bike trade. My nephew Paul's empire have come up with a 2022 Yamaha MT-07 with 5750 on the clock. The trade in value of the Rebel, plus the income from the sale of my Cadwell, which was also handled by Crescent, cover most of the cost.

When I ride it home it will be lowered, restricted, serviced, and in tip-top condition. It's slightly lighter than the Rebel, which seems to get heavier the older it gets, and I think it will be my ideal mount.

Happy biking to you all. See you around. OK, I hear you, "Not if we see you first!". If you break down, and I'm around, don't expect a lift, because the pillion seat and pegs will be the first things to go when I get it home.

Cheers
Tony N
____________________
Newbie in 2021 at 83. Now the proud holder of an A2 licence. That's far enough! Bikes: YSL 125, AJS Cadwell, Honda Rebel 500, Z300 (to get through A2 Mod 1), MT-07 (Restricted), Eliminator 500.

[kawakid]

I have a 2008 ER6n that i've had from new.

That's really low and my lad will be doing his full A test on it.

He's currently on an A2 and has another year to go.
____________________
I've a twin and a 4.

[Tony Norton]

"I've a twin and a 4"

Siblings or bikes?
____________________
Newbie in 2021 at 83. Now the proud holder of an A2 licence. That's far enough! Bikes: YSL 125, AJS Cadwell, Honda Rebel 500, Z300 (to get through A2 Mod 1), MT-07 (Restricted), Eliminator 500.