Triumph riders, I need your input

[xerowun]

Howdy BARFers. I've been riding my Ninja 250 for a few months now and I am starting to hit the limits of the bike on a daily basis, and this has me shopping around for the inevitable upgrade. On the top of my list I have a couple of Triumphs; the Daytona 675 and the Street Triple. I know a few of you guys and gals ride these bikes, and I am curious what your experiences have been with these bikes. How reliable are they, what do typical scheduled maintenance expenses run you, and have you had any issues I should be aware of? I do all my on maintenance as it is with the Ninja so I know my way around a bike pretty well. Also specifically for the Daytona, how is this bike for commuting and negotiating traffic?

 

[Roadstergal]

Read this recent Tell Me About Your Triumph thread in General.

Two additonal things to consider.

-They're a big jump up from a Ninja 250. Not just in terms of the power, but in terms of the responsiveness of the throttle, brakes, and steering. It's definitely a plus of the 675/STR, but don't just jump on one and ride it like you rode your Ninja. You can be pretty hamfisted on a Ninja and get away with it. Not so much on these.

-If you liked the upright seating position of your Ninja, get the STR over the 675.

I've been riding my Ninja 250 for a few months now and I am starting to hit the limits of the bike on a daily basis

This is generally the 'riding a moto on the street doesn't frigten me as much anymore' moment in one's riding career, rather than the 'actual massive jump in skill' moment. Just keep that in mind.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Having just sold my D675, I do regret it a bit. Performance wise it is similar to most 600cc bikes, but the low end and mid range of the engine is just superb.

I tried commuting on mine, i could never get use to it. The engine response and the brakes were nice, but the seating position is very sporty, the wind protection isn't that great unless I tucked all the way in, the under tail exhaust is uncomfortably in warm in the summer when traffic is at a standstill (AKA, warm nuts). Change the scenery to some twisty back road though and the bike is awesome in every way.

 

[Daks]

I'm thinking of doing the same thing, since I fell out of love with fared bikes and into it with nakeds. And the triples with the big ol' double round headlights look fuckin awesome.

I hear they're lower than a lot of other larger bikes? Or are they just narrow and lighter?

 

[Roadstergal]

They're definitely narrower than your typical I-4, on the lighter side for a streetbike. Dunno about the exact seat height, they're just in the normal one-foot-down range for me.

 

[EarlyApex]

OP you must be a beast to be riding the limits of that bike after just a few months. Any vids?

I've ridden my buddies 675 a handful of times. I foresee myself owning one someday soon.

FWIW he has had a few electrical bugs with his. The most recent was a pressure sensor in the manifold I believe, which caused the bike to bog down once warm. Took forever to diagnose.

 

[Daks]

They're definitely narrower than your typical I-4, on the lighter side for a streetbike. Dunno about the exact seat height, they're just in the normal one-foot-down range for me.

Considering that I've thought about putting a lowering kit on my ninjette since I'm on tippy toes with that, I will definitely have to sit on a few of these to see if I can even reach. :|

 

[Roadstergal]

If you have your happy starter bike at the moment, it's well worth your while to practice left-foot-down and right on the brake, just to get comfortable with that. It will open up your riding options massively, and it's all just about having the confidence.

 

[xerowun]

Thanks you all for your input (and sarcasm! I love it.) This purchase is obviously a ways in the future, I am just trying to get an idea of what one deals with these buys on a daily basis as I would expect it to last a few years. My big question is reliability. How reliable are these bikes?

 

[Roadstergal]

Per the linked General thread - R/R issues on some years, clattery noise on startup that could be nothing and could be CCT on some years. Revised shorter oil dipstick for a higher oil level.

 

[xerowun]

Per the linked General thread - R/R issues on some years, clattery noise on startup that could be nothing and could be CCT on some years. Revised shorter oil dipstick for a higher oil level.

Between that link earlier and your posts since, you have really been a great help. Thanks! What are your personal opinions on your STR?

 

[CreekRider]

I have a D675R that I got about a month ago. Since I've had it such a short time can't speak much to the reliability of it. I've had a variety of sport bikes over the last 10 years and I think this is the best handling of the bunch, and probably the least comfortable. Although that could just be me comparing it to my VFR.

A couple things to note. As someone mentioned earlier, undertail exhaust gets really warm on hot days. Chestnuts roasting over an open fire warm The seat is tall, I'm 5'7" and am on my tippy toes on it. I have ridden mine to work a few times, Concord to Foster City, and it's not really suited to that. Get it off the freeway and into twisties and you'll probably wonder why you ever rode anything else

 

[flying_hun]

I've been riding my Ninja 250 for a few months now and I am starting to hit the limits of the bike on a daily basis

This is generally the 'riding a moto on the street doesn't frigten me as much anymore' moment in one's riding career, rather than the 'actual massive jump in skill' moment. Just keep that in mind.

A very gentle response.

OP you must be a beast to be riding the limits of that bike after just a few months. Any vids?

Closer to what you had coming.

Considering that I've thought about putting a lowering kit on my ninjette since I'm on tippy toes with that, I will definitely have to sit on a few of these to see if I can even reach. :|

DON'T DO IT!!!! Seriously, this suggests you're much further from the limits of that Ninjette than you imagine.

If you have your happy starter bike at the moment, it's well worth your while to practice left-foot-down and right on the brake, just to get comfortable with that. It will open up your riding options massively, and it's all just about having the confidence.

Good advice.

 

[Roadstergal]

What are your personal opinions on your STR?

I like it a lot, but I rarely commute on it (I bicycle). I use the Striple mostly for fun trips. I have a topbox, which makes it a much better tripmobile. The brakes on the R are some of the best brakes out of the box I've had on a streetbike, and I've spent good money on other bikes trying to get a throttle as responsive as the one it has stock.

We do have a garage and a lot of tools, and don't mind doing our own wrenching, which takes away many of the 'dealer support and service cost' cosiderations.

I've had other middleweight standards - SV650, FZ6, Ninja 650 - and those are worth hopping onto as an intermediate step. They're reliable as hell, easy to find gently used and cheap, and are easy to get both OE and aftermarket parts for. And if you have some growing pains moving from the Ninjette, they're likely a lot less heartbreaking to drop.

 

[Daks]

If you have your happy starter bike at the moment, it's well worth your while to practice left-foot-down and right on the brake, just to get comfortable with that. It will open up your riding options massively, and it's all just about having the confidence.

Practiced this today. Wonky part is the push off, but I like the stability of one foot planted.


@Hun: I don't really think I'm trying to come across as "knowing my bike's limits" to anyone.
I don't plan on getting a new/bigger bike for a long while now (surely not "after a few months"!) because of both cost and skill. But I want to get feedback for future reference for sure. Love the triumph street triples to bits. But I know well enough not to end up in bits by getting on one too soon.
But seriously, I'm 5'0", and there are some bikes I simply can't reach on without them being unsafely far over if I try one foot. I foresee seat shaving and lowering kits in my later than sooner future no matter what. Dx Not on my ninjette anymore but taller bikes, for sure. I don't see the problem with making your bike more easy to manage for your size, and I don't get this "if you make it easier, you don't know enough" mindset. It's kind of like telling an artist using a digital drawing tablet that if they can't create something of the same quality with a mouse, they're just not good enough.

There's a certain point where skill crosses over with medium/tools (mods/alteration) where you have learned the mechanics and features of the program (motorcycle) and can utilize them. I'm not at that point yet, but it's what I'm getting at, here. Before I spend the money on a bigger bike and making it fit me, I'm going to definitely learn how to ride right first.

/end tangent

 

[Roadstergal]

(I think Hun thought you were the OP for a moment there. )

The reason why we say that is because it's liberating. There are a lot of shorties on this forum, and speaking for myself - I'm glad I can just jump on a bike and ride it, whatever it is. There's certainly something to be said for customizing, for setting a bike up to be comfortable for you when you're riding it. But holding it up at a stop isn't riding it, and those brief moments shouldn't be holding you back from riding whatever bike you want.

You say 'unsafely far over,' but if you build your confidence and skills, you can shift over a cheek and hold up even an ADV porker perfectly well. Of course you can shave the seat; you can even slam a bike if you really want to. But being at a point where it's not a necessity is a lovely place to be.

IMO.

 

[Daks]

(I think Hun thought you were the OP for a moment there. )

The reason why we say that is because it's liberating. There are a lot of shorties on this forum, and speaking for myself - I'm glad I can just jump on a bike and ride it, whatever it is. There's certainly something to be said for customizing, for setting a bike up to be comfortable for you when you're riding it. But holding it up at a stop isn't riding it, and those brief moments shouldn't be holding you back from riding whatever bike you want.

You say 'unsafely far over,' but if you build your confidence and skills, you can shift over a cheek and hold up even an ADV porker perfectly well. Of course you can shave the seat; you can even slam a bike if you really want to. But being at a point where it's not a necessity is a lovely place to be.

IMO.

I tend to jump straight to defense mode in this forum, or you get eaten alive. I apologize. Dx

I think part of it is having a bike that's truly mine. Like I said, I have time to figure all this out.

Anyhow, back to Triumphs...didn't mean to derail.

 

[flying_hun]

(I think Hun thought you were the OP for a moment there. )

Guilty!

The reason why we say that is because it's liberating. There are a lot of shorties on this forum, and speaking for myself - I'm glad I can just jump on a bike and ride it, whatever it is. There's certainly something to be said for customizing, for setting a bike up to be comfortable for you when you're riding it. But holding it up at a stop isn't riding it, and those brief moments shouldn't be holding you back from riding whatever bike you want.

You say 'unsafely far over,' but if you build your confidence and skills, you can shift over a cheek and hold up even an ADV porker perfectly well. Of course you can shave the seat; you can even slam a bike if you really want to. But being at a point where it's not a necessity is a lovely place to be.

IMO.

This!

Practiced this today. Wonky part is the push off, but I like the stability of one foot planted.

Are you really "pushing off"? That's what the engine and the clutch are for.

@Hun: I don't really think I'm trying to come across as "knowing my bike's limits" to anyone......

...I don't see the problem with making your bike more easy to manage for your size, and I don't get this "if you make it easier, you don't know enough" mindset. It's kind of like telling an artist using a digital drawing tablet that if they can't create something of the same quality with a mouse, they're just not good enough.

I don't agree with the analogy. There are trade-offs involved in lowering bikes (as opposed to shaving seats) that you may not be in a position to fully comprehend. The trade-offs are not so much of an issue if you only intend to ride in a straight line, but as soon as you start thinking about going around corners (isn't that why so many of us ride sportbikes?), those trade-offs become more apparent. Bikes are not engineered the way they are to be needlessly difficult to use, but because the the designers and engineers believe they are striking the best balance possible amongst many constraints while meeting the needs of their target market. Ride height is one of those variables they play with.

R'Gal gave good advice about a way to begin working on those things the OP (and you) find difficult without compromising the capabilities of the bike. Even better, her suggestion has a number of positive characteristics:

• Makes you a better rider
• Is costless to implement
• Moves with you instantly from bike to bike

 

[RRrider]

FWIW: I found the Street Triple R to be one of the easiest bikes to ride ... with one significant caveat.

why easy: they are so responsive, and light, no sooner do you have a thought and it is doing it. Tremendous fun. I believe the Daytona 675 is basically the same just a little less comfortable and geared for better top end vs low end speed

Why caveat: they are *so* responsive. a little twist of that throttle and touch of the bar, and the STR will go there. Very unlike the ninjette where you can wring the throttle and push the bar and the bike will lumber it's way in the general indicated direction. So i'd believe the STR to be an easy but dangerous bike for a relative noob. Easy to ride until it radically "over reacted" to one of your unintentional inputs that puts you metal side down.

rider beware.

But they are fantastically fun!

Oh, and wrt to quality: the "old truimph" (of decades ago) had serious quality issues. The "new" triumph has focused on quality with great success. There were a couple of issues with early STR's as said above, but by and large, quality and reliability is good. I'm a repeat Triumph buyer.

 

[corpsedub]

<--- let me tell you about my street

lets get the bad out of the way:

the standard street triple has mediocre brakes and a really crappy rear suspension. it has a really crappy rectifier and stator.

remedy the above before considering awesomeness:
get rectifier replaced from triumph(they have ha service bulletin about this)
opt for the R model. if you cant get an R, i suggest a CBR600rr rear shock (had one fitted at evolution) and get some better pads up front.

other than this, the bike is wonderful. its geared very short. this in combination with the twitchy throttle(might want a 1050 tube) will take some getting used to when you set it in corners. but after 3-4 turns, your mind will figure it out.

oh, and yes, the Arrow full race pipe and tune...so worth the cash.. so so worth it haha