Demo rides were held at the local Triumph dealer last week, so I took a few bikes for a spin. Nothing better than playing on Manufacturer bikes, right?
The factory rep seemed a bit worried, I told him I was comparing the bikes to my Buell that I rode up on. I did, and it turned out ok. Here are my findings.
Speed Triple:
1st one I jumped on.
Looks = sex
Handling, more responsive than my Buell.
Brakes, WAY better than the Buell.
Throttle, Nice and smooth from idle up to redline.
Suspension, not set up for me, so tough to tell. About the same as the 1125.
Trans = Junk
I Got on and immediately fell in love with the handling. It just moved with me, easy to flick back and forth, and very responsive. Throttle was smooth from idle up, never jerky. The brakes were phenomenal. The rep warned us that they are "sensitive". I was 1 finger braking the whole time.
I was a bit supprised on the power however. Figured a 1050 triple with that short wheelbase would be a wheelie machine. I wasn't trying real hard to lift the front, but rolling away from the stop sign and then WFO and the front barely got light. Same thing on the 1125 would have me laying on my back...
Got it out on the highway and was actually suprised at how little wind buffeting there was. Figured with nothing but the baby fly screen I would get killed, but it really wasn't bad. Not a iron but machine, but would suffice for the daily commute for sure.
And now for the major downer, the tranny. It just flat sucked. It had the notchiest, stiffest, clunkiest trans I have ever shifted. I hope to never get on another bike that bad. I did mention it to the rep, and he said it was on the list of changes for that bike, so lets hope it gets better. That was the only down fall I could find on the bike, when used for its intended purpose.
Next, Street Triple.
Very similar to the Speed, just down on power (go figure) Brakes weren't quite as responsive, but still good. Trans was a million times better! Shifted like butter through every gear, clutch or no. Also, the instrument package was far nicer. Put that trans and gauges on the Speed and they would be set!
Third, Sprint ST.
This is a last model. 2010 is it. 2011 it becomes the Sprint GT, bigger luggage, lower pass seat, 5 extra hp, same ergos, more wind protection.
Got on it, and the ergos were good, I could see riding this long distance. The seat felt a little funny, but that could just be me.
The mirrors are awesome (you can actually use them while riding!)
The wind protection is great, as good as the 1125, and that's saying something!
Power is smooth, nothing like the Speed, but more weight and I'm sure a different tune will do that. Still more than adequate.
Brakes are smooth with a good bite and good feel.
Handles smooth and very nimble.
After that ride, this bike is now on my short list.
The Daytona I never got on as they only had one, and it was in high demand.
It started raining with about an hour left of the rides, and they shut it down as there was a lot of new concrete on the route, and it was getting slick.
So, all I have are pics... but the Arrow sounded sexy
