| Author | Message | ||
     Macbuell |
I'm thinking of trading (or just buying if I can't get a good trade in $$) the XB12R for a Triumph Speed Triple. I've always really liked those bikes and recently that like has turned to lust. Anyone own or have owned both bikes and have any comments or comparisons? | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Apples and oranges. The Triumph is all about refinement, the XB is raw. The Speeder is turbine-smooth, the XB is not. The Triumph is physically larger, but neither is feather light and both are top-heavy. The Triple is all over the twin power wise- it has torque down low, and never runs out of steam all the way to the rev limiter (about 3,000 rpm higher than the Thunderstorm). Both have well-sorted chassis/suspensions, but the XB can be more finicky about set up. Brakes are adequate on both. Pluses- both have iconic engine sounds, both are from iconic manufacturers, both are usually dead-reliable and easy to work on/maintain, both have a two-year warranty, and both are great looking bikes. It makes perfect sense that these bikes would attract the same type or rider- one is a a mix of new and old (like 1957 old) stretched to the performance limits (XB), and the other is a clean-slate modern version of a classic motorcycle (Speeder). For everyday comfort/performance, the nod would go to the Triumph. For more track-oriented performance capabilities, it's the XB. The best option would be both, but if it can only be one, and you don't do a lot of track days, based on parts/service I would have to say the Speeder... at least Triumph is still in business. | ||
| Danger_dave |
>For more track-oriented performance capabilities, it's the XB.< Not with you there sorry - The Speedy has 25% more horsepower and with a suspension tweak handles almost as well. | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Well, I only base it on my own personal experiences riding a Speed Triple, a Street Triple R, and an XB12R on the track. Hands down, the Street Triple R was the superior bike of the three at Jennings GP (which makes sense seeing as how it's a naked Daytona 675). The XB12R was next best, with less power than the Speeder but much more nimble handling. The Speed Triple was never designed with track performance in mind- and it shows at a technical circuit like Jennings. As a hooligan street bike- it rules, but on the track it's a heavy, slow to respond (but stable), tire-spinning brute. It's hella fun, but nothing for setting best lap times. That's just my experience. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Hmm - yes - track is not my field (groan). I'll change to; I rate it as a much faster bike than the XB in standard trim. The later Showa equipped models are a step up in cornering manners too. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I've been riding a 2009 speed triple for the past several weekends. After owning an xbr for 5 years it is my opinion that the triumph is a superior machine in every regard except one. Low end torque. The triple has its share of power down low and the power delivery is butter smooth all the way up. Ergos, fit and finish are much superior for a 31 inch inseam and a discerning eye. It will not, however, kick you in the ass like an angry mule the way an xbr will. My 2 cents. | ||
| Sifo |
+1 on the Street Triple R. My wife has the Street Triple and it's great. The upgraded suspension would be nice on the R though. Speed Triple really isn't much faster at sane street speeds, but it's noticeably heavier. I find the ergonomics of the Street Triple more comfortable too, but that's something you have to figure out for yourself. We almost bought a used Street Triple R about a month ago. It had just come in as a trade at the local dealer. We were at the point of putting money down when the dealer told us that he wouldn't sell it to us yet. He was waiting for another customer to come back with their down payment. I think the dealer did right by the other customer, but damn I missed out on a great deal! I wasn't getting rid of the lightning though. Parts availability can be somewhat of an issue with Triumph. I had to wait about 2 weeks for a replacement shifter shaft. It's kind of like the parts availability issues I've had with a certain American made sport bike.  | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>It will not, however, kick you in the ass like an angry mule the way an xbr will. << Yeah it will. You just have to twist the throttle a bit harder - and then it actually kicks harder and longer. Just not as effortlessly as a thunderstorm. The Triple has 'most' of the low down grunt of an V-twin and taps out like an IL4. Best engine ever fitted in a production road bike for mine. | ||
| Iman501 |
It makes perfect sense that these bikes would attract the same type or rider haha its funny because i want a tripple as well! |
