Triumph Story!!!
 

One of our hallowed members asked me to keep him updated on how I was getting on with the Street R and how it compared to my old Gixer, so here it comes oh great GM organiser.

After 21 days now at 1600 miles (i'll get exact mileage tomorrow)

Good side.

1. Engine - Compared to the K3 gixer the engine has a lovely spread of power, its low down torque is very user friendly and my riding style has already changed. I used to scream the gixer in the top 3rd of the revs - using 2nd to 4th gear. I am now riding at the same speeds on the street using the bottom half of the engine revs using 3rd to 6th gear (I have the dash set to give me gear change lights at 8,500 rpm). I still haven't actually got round to seeing what the bike is like in the top half of the engine rev range.

2. Handling - Bike is firm as standard and has been softened slightly, but due to the wide bars I find the bike much easier to ride, I've only just got used to the quickness of the change of direction. overall the bike is a step up from the Gixer which was starting to get a bit soft (20,000 miles does that)

3. Two up riding - I find the bike easier to ride two up compared to the Gixer Kirsteen feels more at one with me on this than the old bike where she was perched miles away from me. One of the main good points (I think) is the fact Mrs Chucca loves sitting on the back of the new bike, we did 500 miles in two days up to Skye and back and she found it comfortable compared to the Gixer she would never have coped with such high mileages on the old Suzuki.

Bad side

1. Practicalities (is that spelt right?) - The bike has no storage, I miss the underseat compartment on the Gixer, also I am struggling to be able to put the panniers on the back because of the high level exhausts. The tail pack I used to use on the gixer also doesn't fit very well either so thats a fail... To be honest I didn't use them that often but would still like to be able to put them on without breaking the seat or setting them on fire with Hot end can's. I've taken to using my old waterproofs bag as a bum bag which is good for days out.

2. trip computer - This may sound daft but I love the fact that the bike tells you what your average speed is over your journey, but its not really a good thing I did 283 miles today, on all types of road (avoiding motorway) and kept my average speed above 50 mph. Now its great fun but you can see where it'll lead... I need to stop it... I did manage 44 mpg though which isn't bad. whats worrying is I'm strict about 30's & 40's.

3. Mirrors - I keep smacking my hands off them, why are they on the bars? They should be on the fairing. oh yeah there isn't one...

Overall I'm more than happy to have changed away from the sports bike style to a nekid bike but it hasn't done exactly what it was meant to do. The bike was bought when the MX dream died, and was supposed to slow me down. Yep its slowed my top speeds and there's been none of that silly hide behind the fairing pinging it off the limiter kind of nonsense... but I'm probably riding just as quickly as sitting up gives me better vision and that engine makes quick smooth progress very simple.

sorry for the novel :)

Re: Triumph Story!!!
 

Love the novel. Always nice to read peoples opinions on a bike I'm interested in.

Re: Triumph Story!!!
 

I was expecting cheek from you my boy...

Re: Triumph Story!!!
 

There's more than one side to me sir. I can be nice and genuinely interested too ya know :D

Re: Triumph Story!!!
 

b*gger you've made me derail my own thread. God Dammit!!! I'll get you... :-)

Re: Triumph Story!!!
 

Have you got the standard cans on this?

Re: Triumph Story!!!
 

Yeah so far. I like the styling on them but have been pricing up a set of Arrows but £650 is a little bit steep... Having said that Three Cross have sets of them at £560 or there abouts... Thing is if you get them fitted at dealer they should change the fueling but they can't do that through the post...

I've also looked at the Triumph Race cans that you can get they sound sweet and look the same as standard they're still £320 though...

Re: Triumph Story!!!
 

So you are riding just as quickly but safelier.:)

Job jobbed.:cool:


...and a good read.

Thought about the arrow full system lo-boy? Justify the cash to the boss by telling her about the extra amount of **** she can take on your next tour, with your now, usable, non melting bags.

Re: Triumph Story!!!
 

I'm not a big fan of the styling of the low level exhaust, I really like the high can's. there's also reports that the low level can looses you bottom end torque so I'm not into that...

You were right about one comment from the April run I got up this morning and have found new muscles in my neck...

Re: Triumph Story!!!
 

He, he :smt077 Another one sees the light! ;)