today was triumph demo day here, including the GT

the triumph big rig was here (metro atlanta) today with the new bikes.

i rode 3 bikes:

1- bonnie T-100, because i wanted to ride a standard.
nice, comfortable, but a pretty long stretch to the bars for me.
i was not as taken with this bike as i thought i might be.
the scrambler is probably a better ride with the 270 crank.
scrambler would be a cool coffee shop kinda bike.

2- the new Sprint-GT is an impressive long haul trucker.
because i couldnt get more than approx 8K on the big clock,
all i can say is that the 1050cc pulls nice with plently of torque,
and seemed very smooth at low RPM (smoother than my 5G)
bags look good, and the fit and finish was as good as i would need.
one knock, it was ROASTING my legs at boot level, esp the left.
apparently not as much of an issue on the ST.

the tiger was booked, and the new "adventure" is not here yet, so...

3- the bike that i should NOT have touched was the Daytona 675
i wanted to ride it mostly to see just how tiny and light it really feels.
i was not prepared to be SO taken by the song that 3-cyclinder sings !!!
of course the arrow exhaust didnt at all hurt the aural experience.
i love the V4 sound, but this damn thing was what i guess crack must be like.
and... as before, i never even got it over 7or8K with the demo constraints.
i shudder to think what the wild shreek would be like at about 14or15K

makes me want to go back later to demo the speed-tripple after the big rig leaves
so i can take it futher out away from the watching corp eyes.
PS- triumph dealers keep demos of most bikes on hand to ride (and sell them after)

 

Awesome, I did consider the 675 as my 2nd bike but I read up forums and reviews and the consensus is that they have reliability problems with the electrical systems.

 

As opposed to the VFR, known for its bulletproof charging system... :smile: Just kidding, Joey_D. What kind of problems?

 

Yeah the VFR isn't perfect but with the VFRNess and wiring harness recall it's very reliable.

As for the triumph horror stories check these links out:

2008 Daytona 675 Electical Problems Again - Triumph Forum: Triumph Rat Motorcycle Forums

Bike wont start! Electric problem? - Triumph675.Net Forums

Triumph Daytona 675 - CBR Forum - Enthusiast forums for Honda CBR Owners

High Mileage 675? Reliability? - Page 3 - Triumph675.Net Forums

Some owners even had engines blow up with less than 10k on the bike. Plus some had ECUs fry, I just don't know it doesn't look great to me.

 

I did a lot of research myself, before falling in love with my beautiful 675, and all I can say is there are precious few reports of RR issues after 2009; AND there are also two aftermarket wire harnesses much like the VFRNess, that help to resolve the issue. Based on my research, it's no worse then the RR issues the VFR had.

I have that Arrow exhaust, and I can tell you, you'll never, ever, wanna hear another bike after hearing her scream! Like a F1 car at full song...

Oh, and it does feel SUPER light and nimble! As I mentioned on my ride report: http://vfrworld.com/forums/trips-ev...ona-675-special-edition-emma-ride-report.html

 

Yeah, i made the same mistake when the demo truck was here: never ride a NEW bike or your old one will seem almost pitifully primitive.

Street Triple did it for me, and the HOWL of the 3 is delicious !

I'll be looking for one in about 10 years when i can afford a used one.

 

Got a linky or two for the aftermarket wire harnesses? I think you just un-changed my mind

 

Did they have Rocket demo rides? You havent experienced the insanity until you ride one of these bikes. As big as it is you can do a full steering lock u-turn in no space what so ever. Pretty kewl cruiser bike, if I won the lottery tomorrow, me thinks I would have one of them. Cheers.

 

Here's the one everyone seems to like: MOSFET Regulator with Custom Connectors/Harness for 675 - Triumph675.Net Forums

And here's one with a TON of info: The Definitive 675 Charging Diagnostic/Upgrade Thread - Triumph675.Net Forums

Another on replacements: http://www.triumph675.net/forum/showthread.php?t=44514&highlight=regulator

Advanced search for more...

 

All I can say is... I was fortunate to test ride the 675 back in 2008, and I still :drool: when I think about it. I will never replace my VFR, but if I could have a 2nd bike, the 675 would be it.... it was like riding smooth, silky thunder that read my mind and did what I wanted before I even knew what I wanted it to do.... why can't they build a man like that?

 

the big rig was back here again today.
stopped before work to sample 2 more.

1- scrambler, while i was waiting for,
2- street triple R

im thinking the S3R just may be the single best "street" bike on the planet
the R adds the better suspension, and the demo i rode had the arrow exhaust.

it pulls like crazy at any RPM, and sounds like no other bike ive ever ridden.
make no mistake, i love the V4 song, but the 675/3 is even more infectious.

as an everyday bike, i cant imagine a more sh!t eating grin inducing machine.

 

If you liked the Street Triple so much, you should try the Speed Triple. Love the power on mine and it handles beautifully. Just my opinion of course but I think it looks a little better as well.

 

They really like the new 675R...

2011 Triumph Daytona 675R Street Comparison - Motorcycle USA

 

They did that here a month ago. I rode the Thruxton, Tiger 800 & the Thunderbird. 2 weeks ago, I bought a Thunderbird Storm. Triumph makes better bikes than I ever gave them credit for.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Very cool, it is one of the bikes I'm considering for the wife to be happier with; I even have a thread on it: http://vfrworld.com/forums/anything-goes/34520-sport-tourer-cruiser.html

So how you like your Storm? How does it handle?

 

I'm going to do a full write up once I have it broken in. My initial impression is the TBird Storm is a fantastic bike for a cruiser. I can't park it or take it anywhere without people asking about the bike. It started at 42mpg & is going up. Last fill up returned 45mpg.

It will out handle any cruiser made that I can think of. My neighbor has 3 VROD's & he can't hang with me in the turns. In a straight line, it will absolutely destroy any cruiser made with the exception of the VROD or VMAX & yes, I did verify this. I had a guy on a VTX1800 try to run on me & I walked away from him & I could hear him bouncing off his rev limiter. The regular air-cooled HD's don't stand a chance.

About the only thing I can complain about is the front feels light to me. This is most likely due to the 19" front wheel.

I will say this, Triumph hasn't quite worked out the bugs yet. I did a quick read on the Triumph RAT forum. Apparently, all TBirds come factory stock with a coolant leak from the thermostat housing. So, with only 300 miles on it, I need to take in it for service. Needless to say, it's not Honda reliable. If they can work this little faux paux out quick, I'm willing to overlook this since I do really enjoy riding the bike. I'm having complications with my knee surgery, so a crusier is much easier for me to ride for the moment.

Alas, the VFR gets my un-divided attention for the next 2 days & I drop the TBird off at the dealer on Tuesday.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

2011 Supersport Shootout IX Track - Motorcycle USA

Guess who wins?

 

They did dear, but I am married now. Sorry. :tongue:

 

The 675R has Ohlins front and rear from the factory, unlike the standard 675.

"The 675R is equipped with Ohlins suspension, 4-piston Brembo monoblock calipers, Brembo master cylinder and a quick-shifter all for just $400 more than its most expensive Japanese rival."

Triumph unleveled the playing field. Good for them! If I had the cash I would buy it.

 

And don't forget the Brembo brakes... The quick shifter is an option for my "standard" 675SE. Other than that, the Ohlins and Brembo's, I already have all the rest of the trick parts of the R (and them some).

But for mere mortals such as myself, I'll never ride my 675 hard enough to notice the difference, and neither will 60% or more of the rest of the Daytona owners. Even so, had the R been out, I'd a bought it...