[JtownJJA]

My first Demo-Ride experience was a lot of fun! MotOhio in Columbus hosted the Triumph Demo Truck for the Customer Appreciation Days this weekend. My boys and I arrived around 10:00 in the morning, and I signed up for a 1:30 ride. The boys liked looking around the dealership.

My oldest took right to the Piaggio MP3 500 (reminded me of Eon).

My youngest took right to the “Buddies” as he called them.

And they both liked the Vespa “Buddy” scooter.

I signed up to take the Street Triple R for a ride. It sits a little higher than the Street Triple, but still not too high. The ride looked sweet… black with gold trim.

The Street Triple R was very easy to ride. The seating position reminded me of the Kawasaki ER-6n. I was amazed at how quiet it seemed compared to my GS500F, and how easy it was to shift gears. I really liked the gear indicator on the panel. Many times I was surprised to see I was already in 6th gear as it still felt like I had another gear or so to go. However, a bit of a twist on the throttle and the Street Triple responded right away, very nicely! I don’t think we mention the Triumph Street Triple on here much, but I would place it in the category with the Suzuki SV650 or Kawasaki ER-6n. Perhaps not a good beginner bike for someone with no experience at all, but definitely within reach for some. From a cosmetic standpoint, I guess the only thing I don’t like about it is the retro headlights, but I don’t have to look at them when I’m riding. (ha ha)

While we were there, my youngest kept asking if I liked the new BMW S1000R. Yes, to look at, but it is too much bike for me! Perhaps in the future, it will be just right for him.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

The Triumph Street Triple base model costs $8,899, while the “R” model’s MSRP begins at $9,599, extra money for a suspension much better for track days. They both have 105 horsepower at full throttle with their 3 cylinders, closer to a 600cc 4-cylinder sportbike than the less powerful and less expensive 650cc twins available. They are rated very high, but are probably much better as a second bike than as a first bike.

[eternal05]

I agree with you about quite a few things. The Triumph Street Triple is one helluva bike. It’s pretty sweet looking, great to ride (I’ve test-ridden one as well), and a solid contender for next-bike-if-I-ever-sell-my-ninja-and-somehow-don’t-need-to-eat-for-a-year. It is NOT however a good candidate to go in the SV650/Ninja650 category, and there reason is simple: it’s basically a streetfighter-ized Daytona 675, Triumph’s middleweight sportbike. It has 105hp, whereas an SV650 has around 75hp, and that’s already pushing it for a beginner. My GSX-R600 also has about 105 rear wheel horsepower. This is serious kick, and not a great choice for beginners imo.

You’re not a beginner, however, so you should probably get one and then post pictures so I can live vicariously through your purchase

[JtownJJA]

I hadn’t looked that closely at the numbers. Just after riding it, it felt comfortable and easy to drive for me. But like you said, eternal, I’m not a beginner any more.

[TrialsRider]

Your youngest has great taste in motorcycles, you should buy that one ride it for 16 years and then give it to him to enjoy for another 16

[megaspaz]

Best answer evah! hehe

[Author]

Posts