Mistake or not?
Author
Discussion

mike-v2tmf

Original Poster:

889 posts

109 months

Thursday 3rd December 2020
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I decided to buy a Triumph Speed Triple this week , though I'm in my 70th year and gave up biking after a heart attack 18 years ago . I'm short (5ft 6) , anyone have experience as regards seat height, suitability for an old codger ?

rigga

8,806 posts

231 months

Thursday 3rd December 2020
quotequote all
Did you not view and sit on an example before buying?

mike-v2tmf

Original Poster:

889 posts

109 months

Thursday 3rd December 2020
quotequote all
rigga said:
Did you not view and sit on an example before buying?
No , couldn't find a dealer open due to covid, the bike I'm buying is a fair distance away too

Nick928

365 posts

185 months

Thursday 3rd December 2020
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Fair doo’s to you, if you’re going to go for it then you may as well jump in with both feet!
Personally I’d have said the Street Triple might be have been a better bet.
Speed Triple is a cracker though.

warch

2,941 posts

184 months

Thursday 3rd December 2020
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I ride an old Speed Triple, the seat height is quite low, possibly a bit too low for me, although I'm 6.1 with quite long legs. The previous owner was a woman, about 5.2 or 3 in height. The ride height does increase or decrease as you tension the chain.

Power wise mine has the much more powerful Daytona engine but would be nice and safe for anyone to ride, it will power wheelie but nothing like an R1 or anything.

underwhelmist

2,052 posts

164 months

Thursday 3rd December 2020
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I'm about the same height as you although I've never sat on a Speed Triple. I reckon you'll be fine, you don't need to be able to get both feet flat on the floor, just one side. Even then you don't necessarily need to put your foot down flat.

I always tend to put my left foot down when I stop, unless there's a good reason not to. A slight turn of the bars to the right just as I'm coming to a halt makes the bike lean left a little. Helps me anyway, YMMV.

FazerBoy

1,008 posts

180 months

Thursday 3rd December 2020
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What year is it?

The newer Speed Triples have a low seat option. I’m 5’5” and have a 2016 Speed Triple with the low seat option and it’s perfect.


rigga

8,806 posts

231 months

Thursday 3rd December 2020
quotequote all
I'm 5'8 and I had an older speed triple, did feel a touch big, but I had no issues.


Actually I fancy another, but would probably go for the street now.

mike-v2tmf

Original Poster:

889 posts

109 months

Friday 4th December 2020
quotequote all
FazerBoy said:
What year is it?

The newer Speed Triples have a low seat option. I’m 5’5” and have a 2016 Speed Triple with the low seat option and it’s perfect.
2003

mike-v2tmf

Original Poster:

889 posts

109 months

Friday 4th December 2020
quotequote all
underwhelmist said:
I'm about the same height as you although I've never sat on a Speed Triple. I reckon you'll be fine, you don't need to be able to get both feet flat on the floor, just one side. Even then you don't necessarily need to put your foot down flat.

I always tend to put my left foot down when I stop, unless there's a good reason not to. A slight turn of the bars to the right just as I'm coming to a halt makes the bike lean left a little. Helps me anyway, YMMV.
From memory , I did similar

trickywoo

14,237 posts

260 months

Friday 4th December 2020
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I know everyone means well but 18 years off a bike is a long time regardless of how old you are.

I’m 5’10” and rode one of the new speed models recently and found it felt a big bike.

The speed may well be ok for an experienced shorty but just to jump on one is asking a lot I think.

sociopath

3,433 posts

96 months

Friday 4th December 2020
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Im sure you'll make it fit.

I swapped my R1 for a speed triple around 2007 basically because on the test ride I was grinning like an idiot!

Enjoy.

Hungrymc

7,439 posts

167 months

Friday 4th December 2020
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I’ve no idea on the seat height. But they’re lovely bikes and I really hope you enjoy it.

croyde

26,457 posts

260 months

Friday 4th December 2020
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Good on you fella.

I had a bad crash back in 2003 but after 6 years of no bikes I had a heart attack.

As soon as I was back on my feet I decided that I'd rather die in a flaming fireball rather than in my bed so walked into a Yamaha dealer and bought a new MT03.

Didn't get on with it so a month or so later swapped it for a new Street Triple.

Enjoy.

mike-v2tmf

Original Poster:

889 posts

109 months

Friday 4th December 2020
quotequote all
croyde said:
Good on you fella.

I had a bad crash back in 2003 but after 6 years of no bikes I had a heart attack.

As soon as I was back on my feet I decided that I'd rather die in a flaming fireball rather than in my bed so walked into a Yamaha dealer and bought a new MT03.

Didn't get on with it so a month or so later swapped it for a new Street Triple.

Enjoy.
A BIG thumbs up

warch

2,941 posts

184 months

Friday 4th December 2020
quotequote all
Nick928 said:
Fair doo’s to you, if you’re going to go for it then you may as well jump in with both feet!
Personally I’d have said the Street Triple might be have been a better bet.
Speed Triple is a cracker though.
I've always fancied a Street Triple, I ended up with a Speed because it was ludicrously cheap (higher mileage). I don't believe there is much difference in performance, based on comparative road tests, it's more about the power delivery, the smaller bike works harder, the bigger bike is more relaxed for the same effective performance.

Prof Prolapse

16,163 posts

220 months

Friday 4th December 2020
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warch said:
The ride height does increase or decrease as you tension the chain.
...And/or preload.

A poorly understood occurrence by most!

Andy XRV

3,929 posts

210 months

Friday 4th December 2020
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Excellent choice! I’m no spring chicken so quite a few of the gents I ride with are in their 70’s and at least one has just come back to bikes following the passing of his wife.

Added to that the last time I popped into West London Triumph I got chatting with a guy whose speed triple was being serviced and he was in his 80’s!


8IKERDAVE

2,800 posts

243 months

Friday 4th December 2020
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Good man, a fellow Speedy here!

I'm only a shortarse and find it much easier to move around than my old ZX6R. I can't speak for yours as mine is a 2016 model but the power is certainly there when you want it, however if you don't it can just waft along nicely (so I'm told biggrin)

mike-v2tmf

Original Poster:

889 posts

109 months

Friday 4th December 2020
quotequote all
This all sounds like good news ........cant wait to sling a leg over it biggrin