Test Road a Triple

Err... "Rode", not "Road"

Went to the nearest Triumph dealer (2.5hours away) and test rode a 2009 Street Triple they had. Wow, what a bike! I'm in the process of sleeping on it to decide if it's what I really want. Only thing I can think of that would top it is the R version. Trouble is, only R I'm seeing around, the seller is asking $900 more than what this dealer is (same year, comparable mileage, similar extras). Not sure if I'd be able to notice the suspension differences $900 worth. This thing felt great to me. I'm going to use it to see if the person I was talking to about the R will come down on price a bit. I'd pay a $400 premium for an R.

Also went to a motorcycle gear shop and got the fiance all fitted out with new helmet, jacket, and gloves to join me riding too.

All figured, a most productive day.

I have never ridden one, but the R is the only bike out there that I would consider if something happened to my Monster S4Rs. but first mod would be to lose the two lights for. Single one from a brutale or something similar.

09 has round headlights, not angular ones.

Just trying to decide how much more the upgraded suspension is worth to me.

Nice riding position, more aggressive than a traditional standard, but not riding on your wrists like a race-replica.

ShadowSix wrote: Nice riding position, more aggressive than a traditional standard, but not riding on your wrists like a race-replica.

Absolutely. The bar, hand position, and lean felt just about perfect for me. Foot pegs... possibly a bit higher than I'd like, but still nicer than the Ninja. On longer rides, my right knee starts to cramp up on the Ninja. Not sure if I'd run into the same issue with the Triple. Really tough to tell on the 20 minute ride we took, but I felt totally comfortable at the end of it.

I wanted to test ride a Bonneville too, but unfortunately, we showed up about an hour before they closed.

One of my business partners has an 07 speed triple and loves it. Recommends it as a great bike for experienced riders (ie not me). However, if anyone gets the newer model with the terrible headlights, my company makes a bracket to install the KD lights or any other light on it. The bracket will fit almost all bikes but the new speed triple has truly terrible lights.

These bikes have my interest in case I need to replace my VFR for some reason. Never ridden one but you've got my support. And +1 to getting a decent headlight on the thing, singular, not plural.

pres589 wrote: These bikes have my interest in case I need to replace my VFR for some reason. Never ridden one but you've got my support. And +1 to getting a decent headlight on the thing, singular, not plural.

Why the singular light?

Dual headlights on a Speed Trip are iconic.

Get the R, its worth every penny. Trust me

Blitzed306 wrote: Get the R, its worth every penny. Trust me

I decided that is the plan. Found an '09 R model with 14k, where the lady is willing to deliver up to the area here since she has friends in the region. All figured it will cost me probably $700 more than the one I saw at the dealer. I figure that difference is less than what it would cost to convert a basic one into the bike I want, which is what the R is out of the box.

In reply to Appleseed:

He's talking about a Street Triple, the follow-on with the smaller motor and conventional swing arm. So I dunno how iconic the thing is anymore.

In reply to Beer Baron:

I just feel like they look better, plus you get more windscreen options that won't interfere with the lights.

pres589 wrote: In reply to Beer Baron: I just feel like they look better, plus you get more windscreen options that won't interfere with the lights.

I like the look of the dual rounds. I also like a single large round. When I feel the need to put an aftermarket windscreen on the bike, I'll consider whether it is worth the cost of the light and screen.

Congrats, BB! I've eyeballed all sorts of new stuff on the market, and the Street Triple and R is the only thing I find myself drawn to emotionally. Not terrible to look at, and that 675 is just so sweet... well bought, sir.

There are a lot of other things I'd rather spend money on lately, but if I were to get a new-to-me bike I think that's exactly what I would want. I sat on an R when they first came out and it just felt like it fit, I love the look and the sound, and they seem like a great value for the money.