Triumph ST - Jelster's Review

Right, I went back and had the ST out for almost 2 hours yesterday and it was better. This time I had my son as pillion to give me a good idea of what it's like 2 up.

Overall the ST is a fine bike, it looks great and rather unique. The sound that emits from that "sports" can (£300 Triumph option) under the rear seat is really good, low deep rasp that crackles & pops on overrun. It's extremely comfortable too. Alex was very impressed with the seating position, comments like "compared to the Gixer my legs feel like I'm standing up" show how well thought out this bike is.

The first couple of corners I ran a little wide, probably due to my tentativeness and the fact that I'm used to the quick turn in of the GSXR. I soon got the hang of it and within 10 minutes was counter steering with confidence and enjoying taking it into turns. Whilst not really "flickible", it is light and responsive on bends, and when combined with all that torque, roundabouts can be a hoot

I like the 3 cylinder engine configuration, which seems to combine the grunt of a V-twin and the revvy nature of an IL4, but not at a compromise. It pulls and pulls in the lower gears, so much so that I only ever got to 3rd until we hit the motorway. Not sure if was just this bike, but kick shifting from 1st to 2nd was a pain. I was hitting neutral more often than not, and reverted back to using the clutch (yuk!).

Ergonomics are pretty good, but I hate the speedo. Why they had to stick with an analogue unit rather than digital I don't know. It has UK & Metric unit crammed into a small space and is a bugger to read, but I guess you could get used to it. The seating position with regard to seat/bars/pegs is nice although a little more upright than you would first think. But my back was fine, and as that's why I'm looking to change that's good.

I'm not sure of the brakes though... The front lever seems to travel an awful long way before you feel it bite. Once there, they work fine, I just found it a little disconcerting. Talking to the staff at Jack Lilley's I'm not the first one to mention this. Apparantly Triumph designed it this way to try and make the brakes more progressive, but there is an unofficial upgrade for £100 which gives you a larger master cylinder and this solves the problem.

Overall I like the bike, it has a few niggles that I could possibly learn to live with, but essentially it does what it says on the packet. However, and you may find this hard to believe, the VFR does feel like a better all round machine. The Triumph is more powerful and has more character, but the VFR does everything better, and if you ride it right, gives you a big smile too.

The ST is £8000, that's a lot of dosh for a bike (that's 2 SV650's!!) but if it floats your boat it's worth the money. As much as I wanted to really love this bike, for me it's an also ran, close but no cigar.....

Jack Lilley's in Ashford Middlesex lent me the bike twice, great service and I recommend any of you who are thinking about a decent sports tourer to give one a try. As for me, I'm back to the drawing board (again)....

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Doesn't it have an adjustable brake lever? My speed triple does, though I keep it set to a large travel for progressive braking.

You get the crackle and pop on the overrun with the standard can too. When I test rode a speed triple I actually had to ask if it had the standard can on it. All of the reviews I've seen have much preferred the ST over the VFR, but it's really down to personal taste.

Originally Posted by wyrdness

Doesn't it have an adjustable brake lever? My speed triple does, though I keep it set to a large travel for progressive braking.

You get the crackle and pop on the overrun with the standard can too. When I test rode a speed triple I actually had to ask if it had the standard can on it. All of the reviews I've seen have much preferred the ST over the VFR, but it's really down to personal taste.

ST is quite quiet on standard cans. The brakes are not to do with the travel of the lever, but the amount of pressure needed to make the brakes bite, hence the upgraded master cylinder (which is off of the Triple I think).

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I've seen a couple of STs (and other new-model Triumphs) at dealers and I've got to say that I'm not impressed with the quality of some of the components. For example, there was rust on those bolt-thingys that locate the front disks and this was on bikes that can't have been more than a week old.

What will they look like in a couple of years? Bike could look very shabby by then and be difficult to sell for a good price.

Wouldn't get that on a VFR and when you're paying your own money then it's something that I, personally, take into account.

Was it the standard or the ABS version you tried

Originally Posted by Jabba-the-Hutt

I've seen a couple of STs (and other new-model Triumphs) at dealers and I've got to say that I'm not impressed with the quality of some of the components. For example, there was rust on those bolt-thingys that locate the front disks and this was on bikes that can't have been more than a week old.

I can't spot any rust anywhere on my Speed Triple and it's been ridden in some terrible conditions, like in a thunderstorm. I'm not one for cleaning bikes much, so it's only been cleaned twice.

Mind you, I did spay it all over with ACF-50 after the first clean. It was embarassing sitting in traffic with clouds of smoke coming off the bike where it was burning off the pipes.

Originally Posted by Jabba-the-Hutt

I've seen a couple of STs (and other new-model Triumphs) at dealers and I've got to say that I'm not impressed with the quality of some of the components. For example, there was rust on those bolt-thingys that locate the front disks and this was on bikes that can't have been more than a week old.

What will they look like in a couple of years? Bike could look very shabby by then and be difficult to sell for a good price.

Wouldn't get that on a VFR and when you're paying your own money then it's something that I, personally, take into account.

We're not all Honda boys who are afraid of using autosol every now and again!

I still like these, but know there no point taking one for a spin, as theres no chance of me getting 8k any time soon. Perhaps in a year or so, I might get one second hand.

Steve

Bummer dude!

Still, I admire your honesty and I have to say I'm 'sitting on the fence' a little myself when it comes to the new ST.

I'll wait for an 'RS' version that's got a bit more attitude thanks...

It's gonna be a Triumph though ... can't stand those Suzuki dealers!

Originally Posted by wyrdnes

I did spay it all over with ACF-50 after the first clean.

whats that then?

spudnuts.