Speed & Street Triple back to back ride.

[Reppyboyo]

Today I has myself booked in to ride a Triumph Speed Triple & a Street Triple back to back.
I`ve been having trouble deciding which I wanted as my next bike and was hopeing the test rides would decide it.
It didnt, it made it harder as I liked them both for different reasons.

Anyway, I took out the Speed Triple to start with, 2007 model with over 3000 miles on it, a rusty chain and some paint missing around the filler cap.
Rough start in life eh?
I was given a warning by one of the sales men to take it easy as the engine has alot of punch to it, also the brakes bite hard as they are Radial, with this in mind I set off to do an hours ride.

The riding position was a little more forward than I was expecting, still comfortable at speed but after a while in town it makes you ache a little, nothing risers cant fix.
One niggle of the riding position was my left foot kept hitting the rear pegs, yes I have big feet.
Initial impression was it didnt feel heavy at all, the engine was smooth and torqey setting off in a hurry if you cracked open the throttle.
The engine could not impress me enough, grin inducing torque sending the Speed lurching forward at an alarming rate, even just snicking it into 6th it would still pull brilliantly.
Slow speed manovers were easily done, again thanks to the smooth engine and the bikes excellent stability.
The brakes however, I did not like. The rear seems to be there for MOT purposes, I could rarely feel it doing anything but for such a heavy bike it didnt surprise me much.
The front brake has far too much travel to bite. I'm used to pulling the lever in a small amount to get almost all the brake power I need, however on the Speed I had to bring it in half way to the bar to get any sort of bite out of it. Once it did bite however, the feel was smooth and progressive. I dont know if the brakes needed bleeding/pads replacing or what but I couldent help but think that my S4`s brakes are much better than these.

Sadly I didnt have enough time to get onto some twisties but admittedly the time I spend on twisties is little. Most of my rideing is on A-Roads and in to which is where I spent most of the demo. Was still great fun though.

Oh and the engine sound, devine, like roaring thunder. Thats with stock cans too!

Next up, the Street.
1500 miles, very clean and one rusty as hell chain! (one of the worst I`ve seen).

The Street has a better riding position than the Speed, more upright and relaxed.
It has a low seat, at 6ft 2 I was comfortably able to put both feet flat on the ground which unlike the Speed you could get only 1 down fully.
The stock seat makes your arse ache after about 45 mins tho.
The engine reminded me of my Speed Four....but with torque. Fun, fast, revvy and pulls from every gear much like the Speed.
The brakes were more akin to my S4, the fronts bit hard and quick, better than the Speed`s. Yet, just like the Speed, the rear brake felt useless.
The ride was an interesting one, the cheap suspension shows it self on bad quality roads making the ride jittery and nervous, also sending shock after shock up my arse. It felt fine on better roads however but still makes me wish it gave a more plush ride over the bumps of british roads.
One of the more annoying parts of the Street was the throttle, it was too sensitive. Often going over irregularities on the road would send the bike lurching forwards or engine braking suddenly.
The bars were also somewhat vibey, although fine for my hours ride I can see it becoming annoying for longer rides.
Finally, whoever designed the rad cowls should be shot, they are bloomin huge!

Overall, two great bikes, both with their own annoyances and characters, which do I choose?

Right now, I dont know, I may even go do another back to back next week.
Currently Im leaning towards the Speed however, its smooth torqey engine, stunning looks and devine sound have me allmost won.
The Street however, with the sensitive as hell torqey engine, stunning looks and devine intake noise (you owe it to yourself to hear it in person) is also an attractive option.
Only problem being it reminds me far too much of my Speed Four.


Hopefully below will be a few (crappy) pics I took of the demo bikes for your enjoyment.
I`ve probably missed out on commenting on a few things I havent thought of, so feel free to ask about the bikes.

EDIT: Seems the forum software loweres the res of the pics, so they look a little odd.

https://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Reppyboyo/DSC003671024x768.jpg

https://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Reppyboyo/DSC003661024x768.jpg

https://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Reppyboyo/DSC003651024x768.jpg

https://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Reppyboyo/DSC003631024x768.jpg

https://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Reppyboyo/DSC003621024x768.jpg

https://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Reppyboyo/DSC003611024x768.jpg

[neatbik]

nice one mate
ive currently got a speed 4, and guess what....
im thinking about changing to a street or speed triple in a year or so.
let us know what you decide on

[oliherst]

I love both of these bikes, and would love to own a Speed T one day. Reading your reviews, from an outsiders prospective, it seems like you are more drawn to the Speed than the Street T. Either way, let us know what you choose
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'92 NC30

[johnsilva]

The street lapped the PB test track (nurburgring) faster than the Speed.

Not bad with a 375cc defecit.
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Current Bikes: ZX7R P5; KR1S C2; GPX250R F3
Previously: CBR400RR-R; YQ50 Aerox

[MarJay]

I think the Speed suspension is better quality, but the Street is more 'flickable'.

The street suspension was set up waay to hard for me, and the forks needed something to reduce the preload.

I prefer smaller lighter bikes, so the Street would have been ideal for me if it wasn't for the suspension. I think the addition of a simple fork preload adjuster (a la SV650) would transform the bike for me.

But thats just me.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[tintin]

Save yourself the choice - buy an Aprilia Tuono!
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The older I get the better I was

[Steve-D]

Wierdest looking end cans ever
But apart from that both look nice.
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www.southwestbikers.com
Tristan The said 'Dunno what my pace will be like, fastish slow puncture on the rear and if I go too fast I risk my 'keys' falling out'

[Reppyboyo]

[dudeskin]

[Fastgut]

I have done both back to back too although I own a Speed trip. The Street is a cracking little bike. One thing I would warn you about...not to sound too vain....but check yourself out on the Street. At 6'2" you might look a little big on it, rather like a hippo riding a kid's bike.
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Was a driving instructor now working in Insurance
Bikes:2005 Speed Triple and 2004 FZ6 Fazer (now the other half's)

[Reppyboyo]

I rode a CBR125 for a year which is even smaller than the 675.
I sure did look like a muppet

[Fastgut]

[Reppyboyo]

Yup, Im looking to keep it for at bare minimum 3 years.

Saying that though, Im not really concerned on how I look on a bike.
Although the Striple is small, its very comfortable, unlike my CBR which hurt

[chris-red]

I love my speed four to much to change it, to me the street triple would seem like a downgrade, seeing has it has slightly (1,2bhp) less power (not enough to make a difference) and is slightly heavier IIRC, the biggest issue would be that it has lower quality suspention and brakes, the Speed Four is a TT600 sans fairings and with different cams, the Street Triple is a cheap 675.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Reppyboyo]

I wouldn't regard it as I downgrade apart from the suspension.
The torque of the engine makes it far better to use than the S4 and the brakes were allmost on par with the S4`s.

As for heavier, I dont think so, it felt a fair bit lighter to me.
I dont have any weight figures tho.

The Street Triple is supposed to be a cheap 675, its aiming for a different market, namely aiming at SV650`s and Bandits.

[Fastgut]