We have both. The Street gets WAY more time than the Speed. The Street is like a 2 wheel F1 car-SO very quick to change direction.
There's a fella in GA who has a low-mile 15th Anniversary S3 for sale/trade in the Flea Market. That's always been one of my favorites.
A pig? Wow. Compared to a full-on race bike I guess it is. Anyway.... Trapperj, I am the one NCGS spoke of. I'll actually in your close vicinity in two weeks (Tellico Plains to be exact). Shoot me a PM if you're interested.
I'm a small guy and have never ridden the Speed, so my input may not carry much weight. However, I'm about your age (52) and have owned many larger bikes and I love my Street Triple R. I tend to trade bikes often but this is one I have rarely ever considered parting with (only when I start seeing Ducati red!). Right now it is my only ride, so I not only take it on local rides, I have taken it on a few trips as well. Strap on some Kriega's and off you go! Shep
I test rode a 2012 speed triple and a 2012 street triple back to back during the Triumph demo day last spring. I loved both bikes but honestly, the street triple felt better to me. It will happily chug away from ridiculously row rpms, yet seemed to rev endlessly. It was plenty fast for me. The speed triple had a similar powerband where the motor is basically awesome through the whole rpm range, but the redline came was a few Ks lower. I'm sure it pulled a bit better than the street triple, but I must have been grinning wide enough to never notice on the street. FWIW, I sold my last bike last fall and will most likely pick up a used street triple this spring. I was thoroughly convinced of Triumphs bikes :) I could stretch the budget to a speed triple, but see no reason to - I'm pretty sure the street is the perfect one for me.
Thanks for all the replies. I made it to the Asheville Triumph dealer Saturday. They had just unboxed a street r in the Matt finnish.It had not been serviced yet. Didn't get a chance to ride it. I am going to buy speed or street....really like the idea of the smaller bike.....just worried that I'll look like a duck on a junebug. Comparing the 2 bikes on the floor....they seem fairly close in size as far as how you fit on the bike. I have always bought into the "bigger is better" thing....a few years ago I wouldn't have considered the street. My weight is near my high school weight after being too big for too long...less than 200# with all gear. If I can convince myself I'm not too big for it I'll have one soon.....what's your thoughts on a color choice? I really like the white....but wonder if it'll make me look even bigger. While the black or especially the Matt color would maybe make me not stick out so much?..
Somewhere on the BRP, not too far from Asheville I think. I spent a week there last year and took daily rides out then relaxed each night at the Thirsty Monk. Plan to do the same this year. Shep
The problem with these comparisons to me is that comparing a *sport*bike to a *race*bike is unfair. Does the Striple handle as well as a Daytona? No. Now, the Striple just might be the best overall streetbike going as a lot of people have said, but there's something to be said for twisting the throttle of a liter bike to get you out of trouble (or at least ending the suspense). I'm a big bore whore though. I'll admit it.
I know your asking about the Triumph triples, but I also note that you mention favorably the upright seating position of the GS. I have a GS and was looking for something sporty as a second bike (I am selling the others). I sat on the Triumphs and on the Ducati Monster (the looks of which I love). While I won't say I was uncomfortable on any one of them, I was looking for a little less aggressive position. This weekend the salesman put me on a Diavel, which I had never given a second look to. It is a more relaxed position and turns out to be very comfortable ergos for my 57 year old body, and 162 horses to boot. Took it out for a test ride and was absolutely floored by it. Took it out again on Monday and really, I have never ridden anything as fun - including my test ride of the Multistrada. I'll be signing for a pre-owned one later today. It's a financial stretch for me, but there is nothing else quite like it as far as I can tell. I have already forgiven it its looks. Anyway, if you haven't already, it might be worth checking out. Maybe its not exactly a track bike with its big rear tire and relaxed ergos, so might not work for you, but for the street is all grins.
I totally agree that the Diavel is an amazing bike. I loved the ergos as well, it felt very light and the motor was spectacular, much better than any other Ducati I've ridden. However, at least here in Finland the Diavel costs roughly three times as much as the street triple and over twice what the speed triple does. Running costs are likely much higher as well. I think we're comparing apples to gold-plated oranges here.
The difference is clearly not as great here, especially if you compare a pre-owned, low mileage Diavel to a new Street Triple, and there is little difference at all if you compare to a new Street Triple R. Of course, if you go pre-owned on the Triumph you are back to a difference. And I'll admit that difference is killing me, as I was originally in Street Triple price range, and am having to dig much deeper for those hidden pennies.:eek1
I am the OP. Thanks for all the feedback. I found what I wanted in Chattnooga...may go get it tomorrow...or may wait and let them deliver a little later in the week. I am excited. It never gets old....the warm fuzzys you get when waiting on a new bike. I'll post pics and thoughts later on.. Now if I can just go to sleep."