View Full Version : Advice about Speed Triple
Hi All
I made the mistake of going out for a test ride on a Triumph Speed Triple the other day. I haven't been able to stop thinking of ways to afford one ever since.
My plan at the moment is to sell my SV :(, and my car :( then look at getting a K6 / K7 Speed Triple.
Thing is without a car I will always need to do my daily commute, about 80 mile per day, on the bike whatever the weather.
Anyone with experience of riding one of these fantastic bikes (or something similar) in all weathers?
ThEGr33k
12-05-09, 11:55 AM
Hi All
I made the mistake of going out for a test ride on a Triumph Speed Triple the other day. I haven't been able to stop thinking of ways to afford one ever since.
My plan at the moment is to sell my SV :(, and my car :( then look at getting a K6 / K7 Speed Triple.
Thing is without a car I will always need to do my daily commute, about 80 mile per day, on the bike whatever the weather.
Anyone with experience of riding one of these fantastic bikes (or something similar) in all weathers?
My dad rides his sprint ST in all weathers... what do you want to know? Its reliable enough but then he has a big fairing to protect him and the bike from the weather so it might not be directly comparable :( Sorry.
I'd have to say, don't do it. You've got a long commute and what do you do when your bike needs a service? Also during the many rainy days, you won't be enjoying it so much, so it becomes less important what you're riding.
On the other hand, not ridden one, but I want one too! But I don't fancy my 110 mile motorway commute on an unfaired bike :(
Remember you talking about it, you really liked it.
Probably wouldn't blame you for selling both bikes and the car to get it.
I commute daily for the 3rd year now (all of last year, apart from the 2weeks snow). It can be done but after a while when getting your gear on and walking in the rain to the lock up, you'll miss the cage.
I'll have to see how things go in the near future but I'll probably be getting some sort of chep'o car.
Ophic made a good point.
What if the bike needs a service, or brakes down.. or you snap a bolt...](*,)
I'm really more worried about how the bike will hold up as I ride in all weather anyway and to be honest I'm not bothered about me getting wet just worried about the bike.
rictus01
12-05-09, 12:04 PM
Done pretty much that type of commute for 6 years (76 miles), part threw lower london, and part on the motorway, my weapon of choice was a T5 S3, go into curise mode and that big triple lump is effortless, sure the lack of a fairing is a problem, but keep it below three figures and it won't be....:), get yourself a good set of textiles and it's really not a problem.
Haven't had a car for nearly 20 years now.
Cheers Mark.
rictus01
12-05-09, 12:08 PM
I'm really more worried about how the bike will hold up as I ride in all weather anyway and to be honest I'm not bothered about me getting wet just worried about the bike.
I have no comment on the newer 1050 lump, but of the 6 955! triples I've owned each has managed over 100k with out major issue, and being built for this country and not some sunny asia one they winter fairly well to.
Cheers Mark.
Probably wouldn't blame you for selling both bikes and the car to get it.
in the near future but I'll probably be getting some sort of chep'o car.
There is a chance I won't have to sell the Curvy and also I might be able to get an old Peugeot 306 from one of my mates at work. Needs an MOT but the only thing my mate thinks is wrong is a very small oil leak around the sump which is easy to fix and since he is only asking for 50 quid I think I might take a chance.
Done pretty much that type of commute for 6 years (76 miles), part threw lower london, and part on the motorway, my weapon of choice was a T5 S3, go into curise mode and that big triple lump is effortless, sure the lack of a fairing is a problem, but keep it below three figures and it won't be....:), get yourself a good set of textiles and it's really not a problem.
Haven't had a car for nearly 20 years now.
Cheers Mark.
That's what I wanted to hear :D:D:D
Dicky Ticker
12-05-09, 12:14 PM
Baz, I have an old Sprint[51plate] and have 36KMiles trouble free and considering it is 8year old it has stood up to the weather extremely well and looks as good as any 2year old bike. I would agree in that if you are only having one mode of transport perhaps faired or half faired i.e Sprint-Tiger would be a better proposition.Mileage wise I know somebody who has one with 80K on the clock and apart from regular maintenace and consumables I don't think he has had any problems either.
Don't think you need bother about weathering to such a degree, the level of finish on Triumphs is very good. In my experience, it's better than Suzuki, there's a lot more fixings that are stainless and the paint is thicker.
Decent over suit is a must in my opinion, keep the wet off and takes that edge off the colder weather. They dry a hell of a sight quicker than textile gear.
In my experience, it's better than Suzuki...
not saying much, Suzuki are renowned for being pants.
not saying much, Suzuki are renowned for being pants.
A touch pedantic perhaps?
rictus01
12-05-09, 12:37 PM
the fixings on my 12 year old S3 are better than an sv's after one winter, and the T'bird was the same.
gettin2dizzy
12-05-09, 01:09 PM
Only had my triple 2000 odd miles, but love it. If you're concerned about putting all of your eggs in one basket, then get an older triple. They're practically the same bike; so much so I don't see the point in shelling out for a newish one.
As for weather protection - I've done 7 hour journeys at 100-120 no problems. Yes it pulls a little on your neck, but you're on a frickin' bike, what do you expect ;)
gettin2dizzy
12-05-09, 01:10 PM
And yeah, my 10 year old s3 is in better nick than my k6 SV was... however I also carry around a toolkit everywhere... it is a triumph after all :lol:
The S3 is a good bike.
Keep on top of the maintenance then you will be fine.
My S3 has been dropped, thrashed, dropped, crashed set fire to, dropped, blown up, replaced the engine and drooped several more times.
In all seriousness the above has happened to my bike, and it's been delapidated, been rebuilt and is currenly working quite well supriseingly.
In the bikes defense my maintenance isn't as exact as it should be, and I was at a rack track when the engine let go.
I did 40miles a day on mine in all weathers and it let me down once, because the clutch cable snapped. Again, my fault.
I'm looking to replace mine at the moment, but the only thing I'm considering is a newer speed triple or perhaps a sprint ST.
Dan
Oh, and I dropped my bike again on Friday.
Picked it up, thumbed the starter and rode off. A great commuter!
startrek.steve
12-05-09, 03:06 PM
Dont waste a nice bike on going to work!
Id rather go on a Honda 125 80 miles than wear out one of those beauties!!
Steve
Thanks for all the advice and opinions folks, for better or worse I think I'll be looking at getting an S3, and some new textiles.
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