Not to hijack the thread too far, but on the subject of trumpets... anybody have experience on a speed triple?
I have ridden several Speed Triples. Here is what I have gleaned from these rides.
Obviously no wind protection- its amaing how people I have heard complain that they do not have wind protection after they ride one. Do they think there is an invisible fairing or something?
Low end power is impressive. It comes on off idle and pulls hard through the mid-range. It wheelies with great ease. I am talking power wheelies not clutch-ups. Power does not have that top end rush that the I-4s have. If I had to compare the power delivery, i would compare it to the FJR. Smooth, linear, and no spot in the upper rpms where it starts to pull you arms out of their sockets. For an example of that, see any litre super sport bike- or FZ1.
Fuel management is flawless with one exception. I know a Triumph dealer and that is where the following comes from. The 05-06 Speed Trips and Sprints suffered from a fuel management problem that made them hard to start and easy to foul plugs. This has been corrected for 07 and if your dealer is nice, maybe they will remap the 05-06 for you to 07 specs. Besdies that though, it is the tied for the nicest F.I. I have ridden. (add 675 to that list as well)
Brakes are excellent. They stop NOW. I'd say they are as good as any I have used on a non-super sport bike. There are reports that some front brakes have issues with sponginess and that it can be overcome. Reports of that seem about as common as ticking FJRs.
Handling- For my weight, about 200 in gear, it is sprung well and the suspension seems very balanced and suitable for my weight and riding style. It turns in willingly and holds its line with ease. The suspension eats up road irregularities with a smile. One of the best suspensions I have ridden on a stock bike for just going down a road in comfort. It inspires confidence.
Seating- opinions vary a lot of course. It felt almost exactly like my FZ1, the difference being the wider flatter bars of the Triple. I could ride one a long way.
Attitude- the exhaust sounds great especially with an aftermarket pipe. The first one I rode was an 05 with Triumphs off-road exhaust. I gave it some throttle and it sounded like all sorts of hell was breaking loose behind me. The "odd" roar of the triple is intoxicating. The stock 06 I rode was quieter and still appealing in sound quality, but... I'd need that aftermarket can.
Fit and finish- I have been a Triumph fan for years and wish they would become even more competitive. That said, they have limitations. Researching triumphrat shows that there are some repeatitive problems with several models. The Speed triple has a few issues regarding quality. Oddly enough the 675 seems really well built in comparison. The Sprint ST seems even worse than the Speed Triple and includes a recall for a defective drag link bolt- a recall that I was instrumental in getting Triumph to issue.
Would I own one? Yes, I would own a 675, or Speed Triple, or a Sprint ST. But not as my only bike, and only because I can do my own work on them.
I am very interested in seeing what the naked 675 is like... That could be real special if they keep the weight near the 675's weight.
Hope you find this useful.
