What bike thread - sort of

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Hello all,

So today I went and test rode 4 bikes that I have been mulling over for my first bike....

Triumph Street Triple R - Wow, amazing performance, so light and agile, really really confidence inspiring, the best bike to ride that I tried today by miles, loved the low end torque

Triumph Thruxton - Probably couldn't be much more different to the Street Triple, felt a lot less stable (understandably) and really slow in comparison however, I LOVE the look and still really enjoyed the ride, the best overall ownership proposition for me I think

Honda CBR600F (2011) - Fantastic looking bike, I really wanted to like this but, I didn't enjoy the ride at all, far far too buzzy for me and where the street triple was confidence inspiring this made me nervous as it felt like it needed to have its neck wrung everywhere

Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F - Nice looking bike, riding position a bit too upright (probably the most comfortable for long journeys of the 4), still quite buzzy but not as bad as the CBR, looked lovely but just didn't do anything to excite me, this wasn't helped by a badly adjusted gear selector which was above the height of the foot peg and seemed to have a very long throw

At this point it's between the Street Triple and the Thruxton for completely different reasons, my question is, is there anything else I should be considering? Anything light, agile and torquey like the Street Triple? None of the Thruxton alternatives (Guzzi V7, Enfield Continental, Kwaka W800) really push my buttons.

Anyone have any opinions of these bikes that they would care to share? Both riding experiences and ownership I'd be interested to hear about.

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Mastodon2 said:

Buy the one you like the most.

That's what I was intending to do but I really like them both, just for totally different reasons.

The Monster I've considered but they just don't look right to me.

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MC Bodge said:

I would be inclined to buy something cheaper and less expensive to drop, and maybe with less performance/softer suspension , as a first bike to scratch around on if you want to learn to ride well.

You say that, however, I'm convinced the Street Triple is by far and away the best bike I've ridden to improve my riding because it is so light, easy handling and most importantly, confidence inspiring (for me at least).

I'm not a kid and I can easily resist the temptation to twist the throttle and get myself in to trouble. I've been driving fast cars for years and generally drive like a boring old fart because I'm just not a speed freak.

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MC Bodge said:

I still say that, though, from experience, but each to their own,of course.

The Street is a superb bike.

Nice to hear others opinions (it's why I started the thread), the thing is that unlike the CBR which made me feel nervous, I immediately felt at home on the Street.

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theshrew said:

Suzuki Gladius, maybe not as good looking as a triumph tbh. I did my lessons on one it had way more torque than my GSXR has and really comfy to ride. Get off after being on it all day and you didn't feel like you had been on a bike + they are pretty cheap.

Thanks for the suggestion but I really can't stand them, horrible things imo.

CarsOrBikes said:

Brutale perhaps?

Hadn't really considered these, don't really know anything about them or even where I might find one!?

TLandCruiser said:

Go on, you know you want one

Actually really like the look of these but don't think a cruiser is right for me at the moment.

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LoonR1 said:

skahigh said:

You say that, however, I'm convinced the Street Triple is by far and away the best bike I've ridden to improve my riding because it is so light, easy handling and most importantly, confidence inspiring (for me at least).

I'm not a kid and I can easily resist the temptation to twist the throttle and get myself in to trouble. I've been driving fast cars for years and generally drive like a boring old fart because I'm just not a speed freak.

I know you think I've got it in for you, but I haven't, despite what I'm about to write.

I'm probably a lot older than you and can not resist the desire to twist the throttle. My cars have been far faster than anything you've got on your list and that has made no difference at all to my desire to ride bikes as fast as I can.

Oh and do we really need another "I'm buying a Triumph, because I'm a fanboi" thread?

Does it really sound like a Triumph fanboi thread? I was giving my opinions on the bikes I rode yesterday, that's all.

That you can't resist the temptation to twist the throttle is totally irrelevant, we obviously have very different personalities.

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MoelyCrio said:

MT09 if you're considering a Striple? Or even the MT07? Both have got lovely torquey engines. Handling of the the 09 isn't as good as the Striple though.

Good point, I was already considering the MT-07 but thought it was a bit uncomfortable to sit on. However, I have not ridden one and suspect it might be more comfortable feet up than just sitting on it in a showroom.

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LoonR1 said:

skahigh said:

Does it really sound like a Triumph fanboi thread? I was giving my opinions on the bikes I rode yesterday, that's all.

That you can't resist the temptation to twist the throttle is totally irrelevant, we obviously have very different personalities.

Then you're buying completely the wrong bike, or will spend all your time either screaming the nuts of it in 1st gear.

Hence the reason why I liked the Street Triple, being torquey at low revs it allows you to have fun more easily at slower speeds or at least, this was my opinion after riding the bikes I mentioned.

Incidentally, I'm not buying the wrong bike as you say because at the moment I've not bought or decided upon any bike. All I have actually determined is that I didn't enjoy the experience of riding the CBR or XJ6.

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LoonR1 said:

Deranged Granny said:

You'd argue with a floret of broccoli, wouldn't you?

No. Take a look at some of the other threads I've posted on today. No arguing as far as I can see. This thread is like many others I've seen over the years, although a few years back it was Ducati, not Triumph that was the bike. Many people post asking for advice, but really know what they're going to buy anyway and are really just looking for either confirmation, or compliments.

A new rider saying some bikes are low powered is a it disingenuous to say the least. I've been riding for 11 years and do OK, but will rarely claim that a bike has too little power as I'd struggle to extract all of it's performance.

The idea that you buy a modern bike as a hobby and then intend to ride it everywhere at legal speeds is plain daft.

Who said any of the bikes in my OP were under-powered?

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LoonR1 said:

skahigh said:

Who said any of the bikes in my OP were under-powered?

Thruxton was described as "slow" the other two as "buzzy" and the CBR as "needing it's neck wrung".

All of that suggests that they are underpowered, maybe not explicitly, but the message is clear.

skahigh said:

Hello all,

So today I went and test rode 4 bikes that I have been mulling over for my first bike....

Triumph Street Triple R - Wow, amazing performance, so light and agile, really really confidence inspiring, the best bike to ride that I tried today by miles, loved the low end torque

Triumph Thruxton - Probably couldn't be much more different to the Street Triple, felt a lot less stable (understandably) and really slow in comparison however, I LOVE the look and still really enjoyed the ride, the best overall ownership proposition for me I think

Honda CBR600F (2011) - Fantastic looking bike, I really wanted to like this but, I didn't enjoy the ride at all, far far too buzzy for me and where the street triple was confidence inspiring this made me nervous as it felt like it needed to have its neck wrung everywhere

Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F - Nice looking bike, riding position a bit too upright (probably the most comfortable for long journeys of the 4), still quite buzzy but not as bad as the CBR, looked lovely but just didn't do anything to excite me, this wasn't helped by a badly adjusted gear selector which was above the height of the foot peg and seemed to have a very long throw

At this point it's between the Street Triple and the Thruxton for completely different reasons, my question is, is there anything else I should be considering? Anything light, agile and torquey like the Street Triple? None of the Thruxton alternatives (Guzzi V7, Enfield Continental, Kwaka W800) really push my buttons.

Anyone have any opinions of these bikes that they would care to share? Both riding experiences and ownership I'd be interested to hear about.

Actually, the Thruxton was described as "slow in comparison", that is a different thing from simply describing it as slow as I didn't say and don't believe that to be the case.

Apparently the message was not clear because once again you have incorrectly inferred a meaning from my post that didn't exist.

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Deranged Granny said:

LoonR1 said:

No. Take a look at some of the other threads I've posted on today. No arguing as far as I can see. This thread is like many others I've seen over the years, although a few years back it was Ducati, not Triumph that was the bike. Many people post asking for advice, but really know what they're going to buy anyway and are really just looking for either confirmation, or compliments.

A new rider saying some bikes are low powered is a it disingenuous to say the least. I've been riding for 11 years and do OK, but will rarely claim that a bike has too little power as I'd struggle to extract all of it's performance.

The idea that you buy a modern bike as a hobby and then intend to ride it everywhere at legal speeds is plain daft.

It was a light-hearted remark, though you do have a tendency to argue the toss!

As far as I can see, it just comes down to your respective riding styles; he is clearly happy to bumble around under the speed limit; you prefer going quicker. Each is equally valid and reflected in choice of bike.

Glad to see I'm not the only one who understands that different people have different personalities and gain enjoyment from different aspects of a pastime.

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MC Bodge said:

skahigh said:

Glad to see I'm not the only one who understands that different people have different personalities and gain enjoyment from different aspects of a pastime.

Thrusting sounds more like your thing. They can look good too, if that's a consideration.

Yes I think that's basically what I've decided today.

Wouldn't rule out buying another bike next year though.

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Hooli said:

skahigh said:

Hence the reason why I liked the Street Triple, being torquey at low revs it allows you to have fun more easily at slower speeds or at least, this was my opinion after riding the bikes I mentioned.

No, it allows you to not bother changing down as much for slower corners & then pin it back up to speed easier.

Do you realise you actually just agreed wth me? I said 'have fun more easily' I.e, not changing gear as often. Whether that is fun or not is entirely subjective.

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MC Bodge said:

Something else to consider is the large turning circle of the Street Triple and other sports-bike-based machines, not ideal for new riders getting to grips with manoeuvres.

Interesting, what causes the large turning circle? I'd have thought my own ability would be the limiting factor here rather than the bike?

FWIW, I ordered the Thruxton today.