So... Street Triple. What's the dealio...

[grr666]

99% sure this is what I'll be buying next. In an ideal world I'd like the low single exhaust but the round eye
headlamps. But am happy to spend a bit more on an 'R' model if it's worth the extra. I don't completely hate the
kidney shaped lights and could suffer them if it would be better to buy a later one.
I could afford new but would sooner buy a very clean low miles used one on account of depreciation. Just
can't bring myself to take the hit on a brand new bike.
I've done some background reading, they all seem to have the same power regardless of being round eye or
Dame Edna, and the 'R' seems to be more handling oriented than power oriented.
Been to Fowlers for a sit on a couple of their overpriced ones, but may have to try and blag a test ride
on their demonstrator. Thing is, ( and this is my second question) I have no intention of buying from them
so is this considered bad form?
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
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[stevo as b4]

I would still take the dealer demo test ride though. This is what dealer demo bikes are for, and if they had a secondhand nice one in stock and could see you was serious about buying one, then they might be willing to negotiate more or give you a better deal or trade it etc?

I would much prefer trying out a dealer demo bike, than a private seller's bike if you just want to see how you like them etc. I always believe that if you test ride a private seller's bike it's because your 95% certain that particular machine is the one you want and will be buying, but the test ride is just to confirm everything works ok before you hand over the cash, or give you the option to make an offer if you discover any issues from riding it.

I've never test ridden any bike that I was not almost sure I was going to buy, as I think it's bad form and a bit wanker attitude to mess private sellers about.

Are you trading in the ER6 and if so what have they offered you for it? It might be worth taking it to a Kawasaki dealer to see what they would offer you for it, and also you never know they might have a secondhand STR in the shop themselves?

I know Cradley Kawasaki had a Street triple in the show room for sale about a month ago when I popped in anyway.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Albigularis]

As far as they're concerned, you may just not like the bike, so as long as you don't go in and say you don't plan to buy it before riding it, then its fine. Triumph provide them with demo bikes so that people can try them. That's how you get to know/like a bike.

The 'R' is worth it for the brakes and nicer colours alone, the suspension is a cherry on top.

The older models may feel a bit more responsive at lower speeds as they have a shorter first gear, new shape ones are very slightly more leant forward and a little lighter.

You can get old shape low single can models, Arrow Lowboy pipe etc, like so-

https://i.imgur.com/taomvJU.jpg

I don't like the underseat cans either, they make the bike look too bulky.

I miss mine, now that I have no bike, if I could have any of my past bikes back it would be the Street Triple-

What is you budget and we can advise from there?
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Biking history so far-
Aprilia RS125 - Kawasaki ZXR400 - Triumph Street Triple R - Suzuki GSXR1000 L3 - BMW R1200GS - Kawasaki Z1000 - Kawasaki ZX10R C1H - Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring - Suzuki Hayabusa

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[ipip]

As it's Fowlers, I'd take the test ride. It will be karma for the bike I bought from them having to test ride elsewhere :evil

[grr666]

I suppose up to about 6k is the max I'd be happy to spend on one of these.
Good range of different age condition spec available within that budget.
Fowlers have loads in at the moment but they all seem a bit overpriced to me.
The black one above looks ace with the low exhaust.
Not sure what to do with my ER6. It has super low (3400) miles, and is in terrific condition. Think I may get more for it as
a private sale but haven't enquired about selling it back to Kawasaki or indeed offering it as a PX.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[P.addy]

All about twin exhausts and round lights.

Can't really fault it. Great bike. Try an MT09 though...

[Albigularis]

If you want a newer shape (I would tbh), there's this one which is bloody good value - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-Triumph-STREET-TRIPLE-R-/181809487019?hash=item2a54b09cab.

If you wanted one that's newer, there are a bunch of sub-1k mile '14+ models for not much over 6k. If you're comfortable with a normal one - not an 'R' - find a blue one, they look brilliant.

[P.addy]

I have not. I shall. I'm happy with my triple and don't wish to ruin it

[Pigeon]

I didn't like the red paint on the current R. But now wish I'd bought the R purely for the slightly higher rear and adjustable suspension.

Borrowed an R for 90mins and never troubled it enough to notice the brakes being any better than the standard. Would be a different story on a trackday.

The round headlight version looks the best, definitely has a lot of class.

But the diamond lights looks ok, everything on it is slightly pointy so the whole thing works. I did think about sticking some round lights on it, but because the rest of the body work is pointy(ish) it might look rubbish.

On the >=2013 model:
- I like the taller first gear (74mph). It's handy around town and filtering. A winner at traffic light GP.
- I like 55mpg (still > 45 when going a little quicker).
- I like the tidy up they did around the wiring. The battery re-location, the connector blocks sorted by the airbox to make maintenance easier.
- I prefer the low exhaust (although the standard can is an abomination).
- I probably have gotten away with carrying a mahoosive topbox full of crap on the back because the subframe is much thicker.
- I like the build quality. It seems a fairly solid bike.
- I really like the clocks. Clear digital and old school tacho.
- I love it's small size, light weight and fruity noise. I love it's late braking and corner speed. It's eagerness to scamper out of corners and you can feel exactly what is going on.
- I love the fact I can do 3 hours without stopping. 9 hours in a day and still look for the long way home so I can hit some cool bends

- I'm not keen on the weird surge coming off full throttle into corners, it's small but noticeable.
- Not a fan of around 6krpm, there is a slight fuelling issue where you feel you want to go slower, or faster, but not stay there. Apparently the official Arrow fuel map sorts this out.
- I wasn't a fan of the original tyres (Rosso Corsa's), but this was probably due to my slowness.

I will be replacing standard can with HP Corse Hydroform in a few weeks
https://www.m4tuning.com/114497/hp-corse-triumph-street-triple-r-675-hydroform-trhy1001-ag.jpg


https://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w559/pigeon35/140724%20-%20Llangorse/20140729_155913resized_zpsac2b23c3.jpg


If I had my time again:

https://moto.zombdrive.com/images/triumph-street-triple-r-2010-6.jpg

[stonesie]

I like the points Pigeon made so no point typing them out again, I was never that taken with the Mk1 though, they interested me but I didn't have to have one.

I like that the bike can use its economy and comfort for this kind of caper..
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10151844_10152721935969002_2392736867682543270_n.jpg?oh=e5f25e758e2dcf109738154e591f1009&oe=56665878

And power/handling for hunting sports bikes...
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11825842_10153574384953436_7859645260180204398_n.jpg?oh=1e4e1e66d65181193d6c3adf34e5e11a&oe=5669329D

They really are a do anything bike.... Get the R, get the suspension set to your weight, fit the can of your choice and the Arrow map then enjoy

[grr666]

Brilliant feedback so far . Here's another question, hows pillion comfort on these?
I would want to take the wife out for a spin occasionally but never for more than an hour or so at a time.
Most of the time it would be just me getting my kicks on a sunny afternoon, but I'd want to add some kind
of grabrail for her. It seems like there's loads of aftermarket stuff available for this bike, lots of it original
Triumph stuff too from what I can gather but a discreet grabrail would be a must.

Edit- Found one. £115 Yikes!
https://www.worldoftriumph.com/product.php/2966/grab_rail_kit

Thinking about the headlights, would it not be possible to order a brand new pair of the old style round
head lights and the necessary brackets from Triumph and just fit them to a later bike?
I can't imagine the wiring is that different?

Not cheap to get original parts and retro fit no doubt but it's nice to think it's a possible mod.

I have to say, the one I sat on at Fowlers felt a much better fit than my ER6. Really must book a test ride.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[P.addy]

The Street really isn't a bitch carrier. Trust me on that one I'd not go two up on it again.

I'd suggest if you need to do lifts with the Mrs that you get something in the 4.5-5k budget Street wise and then spend another 1k on something like an FZS600 or Thundercat for woman duties.

[Polarbear]

They are OK with a pillion as long as she isn't on the larger size.

I had the round eyed R, loved the bike but not the best thing for touring.

I would want the fly screen and belly pan on any that I had. It vastly improves the look of the bike, especially the lozenge light versions.

My missus has an ER6 and riding on that, then on the STR, you couldn't believe the difference.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Slacker24seve...]

[Moxey]

I got my 09 R model for 4.5k with 4500 miles (jinx) on it in January this year, I'd highly recommend, never been able to ride a bike this hard before or done this many miles on a single machine in such a short time.

Been spot on reliability wise (on 10k miles now so still fairly low) changed oil at 7000, due another soon, valve clearance check again soon (12k miles) along with headstock bearings and swing arm spindle re greasing which is a bit of a ball ache, mine had the mosfet rectifier already fitted so can't recall what the original unit that's prone to failure looks like but check for this (if buying an older round headlight model, think the later models came from factory with a mosfet rec)

As my sole means of transport I have fitted it with the touring gear for camping and shopping trips along with the centre stand for maintenance but it still handles like its on rails and scratches well on back roads.

Also round headlight and twin exhaust is for real men, Dame Edna shades and single can are for women children and furries!

Photo whoreage ahoy!

Day I got it delivered (first ride in the snow too!)
https://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc425/8Moxey8/Triumph/IMG_09781_zps440d725e.jpg
More recent
https://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc425/8Moxey8/Triumph/IMG_14391_zpsxyishghf.jpg
With touring luggage
https://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc425/8Moxey8/Yorkshire%20Pudding%202015/IMG_1899_zpso2lz1lk8.jpg

Two up touring is possible (will report back after this weekend as a matter of fact, going to the lakes with the missus and tent) but not ideal (my VFR was better space and pull wise).
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Current: 02 FZS 1000 & 91 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Some Bike Pics...
'I was too busy paying attention to pay attention'

[grr666]

It will only be on the rare occasions my 'bitch' fancies a run out and a pint somewhere nice in the country.
But having looked at the passenger seat, it looks far from comfy or secure. Mrs grr isn't what you'd call fat
that's for sure but she is quite tall. Maybe 10 stone???

Maybe the odd run down to Weston or out for a blip around South Wales but really no further than that.
There's a few Ducatis I like too but so many seem to be single seaters, wtf is that all about??
That said, a two bike plan isn't a completely mad idea.


I'm just trying to do the sensible thing and going up in power in smallish bites. 74bhp to 105bhp seems a reasonable
jump in power for this years upgrade, I'm worried I lack the maturity to not just go stupid on a very powerful
bike and dead myself.. The striple should hold a good whack of it's money for a year or so then I'll look again.
It's all to easy to go buy something big and powerful and all too easy to get carried away with it all.
But the idea of fun bike and comfy old sofa hack bike is certainly a possibility.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[P.addy]

Could just as easily get a GSXR1000. you'll go fast if you want to, slow if you want to, be easy 2 up, will do absolutely everything and you'll never match the bikes capabilities.

[Polarbear]

[MarJay]

I have a 2008 Street Triple R. It's awesome.

What else needs to be said? It's comfy, fast enough for me, handles like the best of the best and is immense fun.
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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.

[grr666]

See it's the same problem I have with my car. For what it is my car is fast, but the problem with that is that it's
really stable and competent at even quite high speeds, so in order to have fun you are in the 3 figures zone,
even in the high 80's bends are quickly dealt with and not a feather out of place. To feel involved in my car
you really need to be doing 100 plus. I'd much rather drive something that I have to rag to get the performance out of it,
It's stupid, I get more enjoyment driving my wifes car which has a good 200bhp less than mine. I get far
more smiles per mile wringing the little Fiats neck than I do effortlessly munching miles in Das Audi.

To a certain extent I feel the same about my bikes. But I'm looking for a change now because I've grown
bored with my ER6. Power wise it's okay if I'm pushing all the time but feels hindered by the weight of
a passenger and in all honesty it doesn't really fit me too well either, mostly due to the two part 2 level seat
which kind of forces me to sit further forward than I'd like. It doesn't soak up bumps very well either,
the suspension is a bit basic. Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed owning it and getting back into
biking on it again. I've looked after it, it's in perfect nick and has only done 3400 odd miles so I hope to
get best part of 4k for it selling it on. It will be a great bike for someone else to get started on, but
I'm now looking for a little bit more performance and better handling some now so a lighter bike with a bit
more oomph seems like a good plan. But I don't want to spend bundles of cash on what is essentially a toy.
I've no plans to tour, so have no luggage requirements or wish to cover huge distances. Just want something
for a hoon on a sunny Sunday mostly. I don't really fancy a race style bike, my old back is happier in a more upright
position. I really like the Triumph, it seems like it's been made to fit someone slightly bigger than the 5 foot 7 riders
that Jap bikes seem to be made for. I like some of the KTM stuff too but I think this is a wiser choice for a fortysomething rider.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[Albigularis]

The Street Triple isn't exactly massive so do try to get as long a test ride as possible. Put a good full tank at least through it.

I think it's the perfect amount of rev-happy power that it doesn't have you doing light speed in 6 seconds but is still fast enough to entertain. Litre bikes for all their awesomeness can be a pain because you have to start braking long before the bend. On a Street Triple you may be doing 110 before a big fast long bend, on a litre bike you'd be doing 150+.
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Biking history so far-
Aprilia RS125 - Kawasaki ZXR400 - Triumph Street Triple R - Suzuki GSXR1000 L3 - BMW R1200GS - Kawasaki Z1000 - Kawasaki ZX10R C1H - Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring - Suzuki Hayabusa

[Ben90]

Sounds like the triumph does everything you want it to mate. I wouldn't compromise your choice based on a passenger who will be on it very occasionally. It has something resembling a seat and footpegs, what more does a woman want? I blame disney films

Also, gizza go on the triple
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Yamaha FZ6 S2

[Polarbear]