| Author | Message | ||
     Steveford |
As the old Buell Useless lurches and leaks it's way towards 90,000 miles I'm thinking of picking up a Triumph Triple for boat loads of commuting, running around and two up use. I don't want a big load of a bike that weighs a ton or a monster enduro type, I want something like a Buell S3T or a Lightning Long w/ better weather protection. I know, buy another Buell! I have four Buells, it's time to try something a bit different for a spell. Any recommendations from Triumph owners? (Message edited by SteveFord on August 14, 2014) | ||
| Lake_bueller |
I have friends that ride both the Trophy and Tiger. Both absolutely love their scoots. If you're used to the Useless, the Triple will seem to small and "aggressive" for commuting (IMHO). | ||
| Malott442 |
My Daytona was problem free except for the charging system. I would replace the VR with a MOSFET unit from a Yamaha R1. There are lots of write ups on it. The 2001 and up Tiger, 2002 and up S3 and Daytona, and the 2005 and up sprints have a few issues laid to rest, as well as great power. Earlier models had the starter sprag gear clutch internal to the cases, huge PITA to fix. I've got no experience with the 675/800/1200 triples yet. The 955 and 1050 are in my opinion highly underrated. Fuel injection is spot on, trans shifts affirmatively, yet silky smooth. Vibrations are non existent. One of the smoothest bikes I've ever ridden. As smooth as my K1200RS. I really miss having a Triple in the garage. | ||
| Malott442 |
I think you would like a Tiger 955i if you like the Uly. 104 hp with a smooth power delivery... 2002 and up had stiffer suspension. The Speed Triple 955i is sitting at 120hp Daytona 955i at 149  | ||
| Steveford |
A trip to my local Triumph dealer is in order. Good tip about the sprag gear as that sounds like a complete nightmare. | ||
| Thumper74 |
I have a buddy that's into them. He had a Trident before, now a Daytona 955i. I really like those motors. | ||
| Sifo |
Wife had a Street Triple 675 for a number of years. Put about 35K on the clock. Awesome bike. Commuter duty is no problem for it, it's very well mannered. Wind it up and it will run with my XB12Ss no problem. We ran it across the country to California two summers back. Very happy on the expressway. It did have a stator failure along the way. It also had two breaks in the wiring harness that would on occasion open up and drop a cylinder. Some times drop two cylinders. That was the most aggravating problem I had with the bike. I finally tracked down the exact problem the same day that the wife saw the Moto Guzzi Griso that she now rides. The Griso won that battle. She still talks about getting another one in the future though. My best riding buddy had the 675 Daytona and had over 40K on the clock when it got totaled by another biker this year. His bike was pretty much flawless for those 40K miles. Slightly different tune on the Daytona, but still a very well mannered bike in traffic. The fuel mapping on both 675s is pretty much perfect. Both bikes may be a bit small for two up riding, but that's up to you and your wife, what you are comfy with. Right now I've got a Sprint ST 1050. That bike went on the California trip under me. I've got 33K on the clock right now. It has burned the stator up. It's burned up the voltage regulator. It's burned the wiring connector between the two. For some reason, a bit over a month ago, it started to not want to fire up after it was hot and sat for a while, such as a lunch stop. I still haven't figured out that problem, but have become comfortable with the idea that it will eventually start. Once it does, it's a great runner. Again, spot on fueling that makes it an easy bike in traffic. I did drop the front sprocket a gear. That makes it even better around town. It's geared really high. Still did the CA trip with that gearing. This bike would be more comfortable for two up riding. There have been fairly minor changes to the 1050 Sprint over the years. 05-06 models had slightly lower bars, and suffer from slow starting when cold. No big deal, they just crank for 3-5 seconds before they fire. Early models did have expensive sprag clutch problems with the starter. The updated part is solid though. In 07 they raised the bars a bit for more comfort and changed the FI so cold starts are better. When they went to the Sprint GT, the bike got a couple inches longer. Even better for two up riding. Very similar to the Sprint ST for the most part though. I would buy another Triumph triple in a heart beat. In fact if you would like to discuss buying my Sprint ST, I was just looking at a nice Speed Triple.  The 800 Tiger is a winner too. If they turn the 800 into a more sport touring model before my next purchase, it's probably a done deal. It probably helps that we have a great Triumph dealer in the area. They keep a good stock of parts, and can usually get a part from the warehouse the next day. I know others with 675 and 1050 triples too that have had very good experiences with them. P.S. The Sprint ST has a reputation of having a hot seat with the exhaust right there. After my XB12Ss experience, I laugh at the Sprint's heat issues. Still, I did header wrap on the pipe under the seat. Then I taped some header wrap to the bottom of the seat with aluminum duct tape found in the heating/AC section of Home Depot. Then I sealed up all the placed that air can come up from below the sub frame with the same tape. I hit temps as high as 108 crossing Utah and heat from under the seat was never a problem. Anyone interested, I can let it go for $5,000...  | ||
| Sifo |
 $5,000 - School bus not included!  | ||
| Glitch |
Damn Tom, why'd ya have to go and put up a deal like that? | ||
| Sifo |
Hey Glitch, didn't you mention that you were coming up this way anyway sometime in the near future? Stop in. I'll put the thumb screws on you. Comes with the stock exhaust in a box and the stock fender is still laying around in the basement. BTW, back to the original post (or am I still advertising my bike?), the Triumph side bags are quite good. They seal up nice and tight. I've never seen any sign of water getting in. They are reasonably roomy, but too small to hold a helmet. Dry secure storage though. Pop on and off easily with the ignition key. Common to many of the various models until the last couple of years. | ||
| Glitch |
Yeah, we'll be up your way in May. Cody wants to go Air Traffic Control, so he had to sign up for Delayed Entry. | ||
| Sifo |
Glith, PM sent... | ||
| 86129squids |
Been thoroughly enjoying my '02 Sprint GT, managed to get a sweet Givi 15L tank bag that secures to the gas filler ring, all the better to preserve the schweeet paint job Vern did for me! Plenty of character, LOTS of good midrange power, good for 150MPH+... looking forward to a trip down to Suches someday soon. (Message edited by 86129squids on August 14, 2014) | ||
| Glitch |
Back atcha Sifo. Squids, that is one nice bike you got there, for sure! Let me know when you decide to roam down to Suches! | ||
| Etennuly |
Hey Steve, I have not owned one of the triples as of yet, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn.....I mean I rode Squids ST triple. I did not get to use it by any means because I just test rode it to town to get gas. What I can tell you is the seating position is comfortable and very similar to that of the City-X and the power is quite smooth on the lower end(55 mph zone). The wind protection is much better than I thought it would be.  | ||
| 86129squids |
Thanks for posting the pic Vern- looking forward to the last little detail bits, striping! 2 factors help with my bike for the ergos- a previous owner installed 1" bar risers and a Zero Gravity taller windscreen, plus the nicer type throttle lock/bar-ends. The wheelbase is around 3-4" longer than a CityX. Definitely digging it! When I got it, the original plastics were red (blech) and all cracked up from a low speed laydown in the grass... the only way one would know it's a Brit bike was IF you knew Triumph was British, and the itty-bitty Union Jacks on each side of the fairing. It's like they were embarrassed or something, and wanted to look like all the other crotch rockets. British Racing Green, specifically Jaguar paint from a '70's code, makes things right and proper with the world! | ||
| Steveford |
As long as the ST isn't too cramped I do believe that one of those is in my future. If it's too tiny I'll check out one of the big Tigers. The Buells aren't going any where but a change of pace might be in order while the Useless is getting smashed into submission with the Big Hammer. At 86,000 miles and counting it needs to have a LOT of stuff replaced. | ||
| Steveford |
One final question: I've been on Moto Guzzis and Buells since around 1983 and I recall a buddy who bought a Triple saying that it was nice if a bit "Japanese". I watch a Speed Triple go by every morning and the stock exhaust note always reminds me of a giant shop vac SOOOO what's the best route to go for a little racket and are these bikes too refined compared to what I'm used to? I went Norton/Triumph/BSA to Ducati/Guzzi to BMW to Buell if that helps any. I really wanted to go MV Agusta but Donald Trump said I was too hairy to adopt. | ||
| Sifo |
The elusive "character" question. Funny thing, but I've never actually owned a 4 cylinder bike. The reputation for poor low and mid range power just never appealed to me. I know the modern liter bikes have this pretty well solved, but still don't really appeal to me that much. I think the triple is about the right compromise if it's not a twin. They also carry a certain level of mystique. I've got a Trident slip on on my bike and it's on the verge of being louder than I want, but does sound great. My buddy had an Arrow slip on for his Daytona 675 that had a sweet sound while not being wake the neighbors loud. I thought it was just about perfect. Funny thing, but I'm really on the lookout for a mid-sized sport touring bike, or a naked that I can put bags on. Tested the Tiger 800 and was very impressed with the engine. Styling and riding position didn't quite fit what I want though. I noticed the BMW F800GT and figured that may be just the ticket. Nice styling, riding position is about perfect. Great fuel economy. 90 hp should be respectable. I got a test ride and was completely underwhelmed. Very disappointed with the performance unless you had it revving above 5000 rpm, and it was very noisy at that point. I'm sure it is designed to hold together, but it just didn't sound happy. I just couldn't see riding miles of twisty road with that racket going on between my legs. I guess some people get used to it. The Yammy FZ-09 hits all the right check boxes, but I just can't bear the idea of a Japanese bike. Ditto for the Honda 800 Interceptor. They are probably great bikes, but I just can't get excited about them. It doesn't help that my local Hondmaha dealer won't do demo rides. Still I have never gotten the Sprint ST to an area that is full of twisty roads, only fast sweepers. I think it would be great, but haven't experienced it yet. I have ridden the Street Triple in tight twisties though, and it rocked! Still, that character thing is hard to define. To me at least, the newer Triumph triple have it. | ||
| 86129squids |
Dammit, Tom! We'll have to coordinate a ride sometime soon. I know all the "Wicked Twisty Roads" between where I'm at and where you're at... in the meantime, that's a good Reckless Kelly song. If you HAD to go rice, I was raised a Suzuki kid, but I grew to know and love the tuning forks company. Wish I still had my RZ350 and my FZ700- my best buddy had an old '78ish XS750 triple with a Kerker header, one of the best sounding bikes I've known. Plus, I'd still love to have a GTS1000. While we're at it, see if you can find me a clean XN85- whoops, that was another Suzook. Threadjack over- I'm having fun with this Sprint GT. I also would like to find an ideal aftermarket exhaust can, without replacing the whole system and having to re-tune things. And without spending a shit-ton of money. So far I can live with stock, but I know there's more music... | ||
| Malott442 |
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| Byrdock |
 Love my Trident on my Sprint GT!! And as for the triples, like it so good I'm getting ready to get another! | ||
| Steveford |
Is it a trick of the lens or did Triumph really change the tail section a lot on the STs? It looks like they went from more or less flat (which is a good thing) to way up in the air and angled (which is stylish but not so much fun for the passenger). | ||
| Sifo |
The later models have the pillion up fairly high. Some consider this a good thing because the passenger get to see something other than the drivers helmet. | ||
| Pwnzor |
My buddy's Speed Triple has a Zard pipe on it... I don't personally care for the way it looks, but the sound from this thing is awesome. VERY smooth power delivery all the way up.  |
