today's V7R ride...and STR-X sit

[bpreynolds]

Ugly sport tourer

or ugly smile producer


Running merely on old regular unleaded, it will seriously do whatever you want.  I don't think I've ridden anything like it, exactly.  Has lots of rivals now from different manufacturers and ones making more horsepower and so forth too, but the Striple - similar in this way to a Guzzi - is more than the spec sheet.  It's almost as if every single thing on the bike comes together in perfect harmony:  handling, suspension, fueling, weight, brakes, all of it.  Makes glorious noise up in the rev band.  Perfectly fine around town, blasting through country curves, or setup the way I have it, even highway work.  You'd think it would buzz your hands off on the big road but the damn thing is just mostly purring at 85.  If you ride it sensibly - you're welcome to try, at least - it will even return good fuel economy in the 45mpg plus or minus range.  Not because I remotely enjoyed it - the opposite in fact - nor because I wanted to brag - why brag about something that scares the bejiggles out of ya - but moreso because I just wanted to see what the little Mighty Mouse would actually do, I topped it out on vacant strip.  Speedo accuracy possibly/likely in question but said 139 with shield and bags attached.  Warp speeds are definitely not for me, but geez, parked later I just looked it over thinking, a 675?  Is this thing for real?  Just bonkers.  

[lucydad]

Tiger, BP:

Thanks for sharing your STR stories and experiences.  I have heard and read of similar reports various places.  Best I can tell Triumph has something special with this bike, and it is super refined by 2014 or so.  My test Friday should be fun, and revealing.  A guy on the Triumph Rat forum who used to live in Katy, TX called the 675 "the perfect Houston bike".  Telling tale there.

If I get one, it shall perhaps be called The Klingon Warbird, and nick named "Worf":  all spikey and aggressive, yet cloaked and civil most of the time?

http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Klingon_Bird-of-Prey?file=Klingon_Bird-of-Prey%252C_profile.jpg

I rode my buddy Ed's Ducati 1099 a couple times.  Man talk about the supreme screaming hot rod.  Uncomfortable, either full ON or OFF--and was very happy to get back on my V7R.  This Triumph is a much more livable bike.  We will see.  The STR was on my very short list when I bought the V7R along with the Ducati Monster 796 ABS.  In the end the Guzzi won my heart with looks, soul, character and that just right,  everything balanced character.  No regrets, at all about buying the V7R and at 11,500 miles she is singing beautiful tunes.

Kev, I will get some garage pictures to you.  Too dark now.  Will do Thursday after work if the apocalyptic rains allow.  Friday weather still forecast perfect for a test ride.  Back to the Alzheimer's clinic.

[bpreynolds]

Tiger, BP:

Thanks for sharing your STR stories and experiences.  I have heard and read of similar reports various places.  Best I can tell Triumph has something special with this bike, and it is super refined by 2014 or so.  My test Friday should be fun, and revealing.  A guy on the Triumph Rat forum who used to live in Katy, TX called the 675 "the perfect Houston bike".  Telling tale there.

Hope you at least enjoy the test ride.  Give it a chance before you decide.  Before I bought my '11, I took a newer model out on a lark.  I was far more interested in the 950 KTM Supermoto they had on the floor.  Almost skipped the test ride even but they already had the little barker fueled up and even idling for me.  First several miles, I'm serious, I wanted to just drive it back to the dealership and start making a deal on the 950.  Striple seat kinda hard, ergos a little more aggressive than I imainged or was used to, and it seemed stiff on several bumps coming out of the parking lot (I'm only 145lbs).  But then I thought well I got the bike out here, might as drive it around some.  Seemed docile in traffic and nothing special.  I was beginning to wonder where the appeal was per se.  Then I finally got the bike up in the range.  Intoxicating sound.  When I made it to some curves, everything began to make sense and the bike just opened up to me.  Older models like mine have a little more top end (106 ponies) than the newer ones but less torque; I have never wanted for torque on mine so I can only dream of how great and refined the newer ones are over and above mine even.  Not every bike is for every person and the Striple does have some niggles even for me.  The seat really is bad.  Even modified, my plank still needs some work - a Corbin is on the short list.  Though I barely care, try as I might with pin stripes and other means, I can't make it handsome, but I figure it's like me in that regard ;).  Though mine doesn't even bother me anymore, some (like an earlier poster here) folks do change out to a softer spring.  But honestly, IMHO out of the box it has fewer nits to pick than any bike I've ever driven.   As stated before, the new ones are reputedly even better than mine on many different levels, something I can barely imagine.  

As usual, however, your experience may certainly vary.  Hope you enjoy your ride.   :bike

[lucydad]

Kev, all:

Here is the planned diagonal, two bike, back of garage scheme.  Using bicycles.  Aluminum ramp makes for easy ride up, and back down.







I have assummed each motorcycle is 100 inches long, and 40 inches wide.  Also put tape on floor to figure out angle.
Actual V7R and STR wheelbase and lengths are less, same with widths, but I need room to maneuver.

I think the geometry will work.  Will test a back down ramp tomorrow.  I already use the ride up ramp to park V7R.  To make it easy, I will probably mark the concrete with guide lines.  Ramp is easily moved.  Will have to move one or both cars out of garage.

What do you think?  All I need is some dry weather and Friday's test to scrutinize the STR-X.  Then it will be an overnight meditation and decision.

[Kev m]

You're there ... I essentially do the same thing with three bikes now and, I THINK you could too... Not to sow yet another seed...

[lucydad]

Kev,

Thanks for your nod.  Yep, that diagonal geometry solved the main issue.  Good thing we are out of town for Houston Indian Motorcycle touring truck with test rides.  Here end of month but Scout deliveries are late 2015 best I can tell. The Scout still twists me a bit.  Yep, good thing.  Ms. LD is going to have enough steam blowing if I decide to buy the STR.  Likely will offer her equal funds for whatever....  Maybe in a couple years Moto Guzzi will replace the Griso with something lighter....?

[Kev m]

I hope my garage serves as an example... Especially in how important bad Van Gogh copies are to the overall success of the layout...

[Kev m]

PS, ms. LD has more than two pairs of shoes... She'd get over it... Eventually.

[drw916]

Leave the cars outside and make yourself a man cave.  Now you have a place to retreat to when Ms. LD finds out what you are up to.

[lucydad]

Ooh you guys don't know Ms. LD that well...seriously though I am a very lucky guy.

Test delayed to 1 pm due to significant rains.  Roads still very wet.  Called dealer and they also agreed best to delay.  Drop a bike, and you bought it.
A bit frustrating, but safety first.  Oak trees are dropping leaves in neighborhood:  grind up and turn wet roads into slime roads. 

Big marine air mass hanging around, 100% humidity, no sun.  See  no progress yet on drying roads.  Could be Saturday.   :(

[drlapo]

oak trees are dropping leaves!???
I haven't seen a leaf in 5 months

[LongRanger]

And rain? Haven't seen that for months either!

[lucydad]

All,

Pick it up Saturday morning.



Extremely good fit to my body, no issues.  Easy comfortable ride.  dV/dT amazing, so are brakes, tranny and overall feel. 

Grin machine to the max.

Ms. LD approved.  I am one lucky guy!   Guzzi will have a stable mate.  Took little goose for a nice spirited romp after the STRX test.  Love my V7R and she will now be fitted for bike camping and overnights.  Youngest daughter said she wants it some day, and that could happen.

So let it be written.
So let it be done.

Life is good, I am grateful.    ;-T ;-T ;-T

[bpreynolds]

Wow.  Awesome.  You sir, are in for some fun.  More pics tomorrow, please.  And ride report as well once you get some time on it.  Congratulations.  Very damn fine machine, I'm certain of it.  Change title of thread to bought!


www.Triumph675.net is a great resource and so is the Striple forum on Triumphrat as well http://www.triumphrat.net/street-triple-forum/

 :BEER: ;-T

[O]

Bravo and congratulations!  That's a pretty bike!

[tonUPRacer]

congrats LD ;-T I've never had the pleasure of two-bike ownership, maybe someday!

[lucydad]

All,

Merci beaucoups.  Yep, hits that sweet spot.  Will post more pix tomorrow after Mary Anne is mine. 

[LongRanger]

Now we're talking. Congrats!

[bpreynolds]

It's 8:44 EST.  Picked that bike up yet?   ;D :D
If you don't mind, I'm going to live a bit vicariously here.  Please report back soon.  And with more  :PICS!:
I personally think it will be a fantastic garage partner for the V7. 

[lucydad]

BP,

Not yet, lmfao.  Ms. LD has gone to work out at her favorite gym and I am on Grandpa Larry Alzheimer's duty this morning.  She will drop me off at the dealer around 1 pm and we will write the check, get the paper work done, and I will ride Mary Anne home.  More pix will be posted.  Likely I will take her down Crab River Road past Brazos bend so I can feel her in the big sweeper curves.  Sunday my buddy Ed is meeting me at church and he will be riding his Diavel.  We may swap bikes as he is keen to try the Trumpet out.  Now I have a bike that can keep up with either his big BMW or the Diavel on romps up to Brenham or to the coast.

Bicycle ride this morning also, once I get Grandpa watered, medicated, and fed.   ;D

[Kev m]

Well LD, nothing but excited for ya, cause I totally get the joy even if I don't personally get the bike in question.

 ;) Maybe that's cause I'm still not mature enough for a Sportbike (I've been saying that now for over twenty years and maybe I've finally come to the realization that such a time will never come, but I'm alright with it).

Doesn't mean I can't be happy for you though.

Rife safe!

[Chuck in Indiana]

just because a rider has a hooligan bike, with 100 hp and handling to match-  that rider does not have to ride like an idiot.

ahem. Yes you do. It's written in stone somewhere.  ;D

[Kev m]

ahem. Yes you do. It's written in stone somewhere.  ;D

It is for me... That's why I sold the Buell. :)

[biking sailor]

Got a 2013 Street Triple R in the garage, actually my son's, that I can play with and I have found the motor is happy to ride moderately around town, but it also has a side that is a blast on the back roads and begs to be ridden aggressively.  It is a great wheelie machine.  Lots of torque, light weight, and very good suspension. 

Congrats on the new bike.  Saw one of STR-X's today at the OKC dealer and like how they put the Daytona seat and rear cowl on it.  Ours has a fly screen, belly pan, and seat cowl adders and those really make the bike look like it has some attitude.  Just be careful with that power until you get used to it!   ;-T

[lucydad]

Kev,

I have a confession to make.  Doing the "holy mother of acceleration" thing from a stop sign near Brazos Bend park.

Uh. 

I wheelied the STRX.  Just a bit.  In second gear.  Yep, lifted the front. Been decades since I did that.

Not even really trying.

Not tried out the speed shifter yet.

But I will.

I get your comment though.  The bike demands maturity and respect.  Otherwise caveat emptor, or worse.  Damn fast, and I never got it above around 7000 rpm, even that very briefly. 

Silly grins.

[Kev m]

LD, you're a better man than I am.

Some years back I visited my buddy in Phoenix on a business trip and he tossed me the keys to a worked K1200GT for a week. I had problems keeping it under 100 shifting into 2nd or 3rd.

I came home after the trade show one night and confessed about my speed on the "bee line" and he asked if I saw lightening (turns out there were speed cameras all along that stretch).

He never let me know if he got any tickets in the mail. :)

[lucydad]

Kev,

Very much doubt I am better than any man.  We are all unique.

Another confession.  When I bought my 1984 Corvette, in Midland, TX:  took that baby all the way to 150 mph one early morning on two lane road near Midland County airport.  The batmobile flew, even the 210 hp version.  Never did it again.  Could never own a C7 version, would lose my license.

So, yeah I need to be an adult.  Cornering could be pretty seductive though, and I like to get up over and out on a bike. 

You know the smart thing?  I should take the STRX to a couple track days.  Yep.  Smart thing.  Did advanced skills class a while back and it focused on slow and fast riding, especially Houston freeway strategies.  Learned a lot.  But a track day would teach me how to properly handle the Trumpet on the corners.  Kind of a pain due to requirements to tape stuff, and such.  But I have the leathers. 

[Kev m]

Here's the thing, and not trying to talk you out of your new love affair (I understand the allure), we all have our own limits.

But I can take a corner as fast on my V7 or Sportster as I could on my Buell or Jenn's Duc, or my R1100, or Breva 1100, or a press Bandit, or Buell, or...

So for ME the limit is ME and not generally the bike. You may be different in terms of limits so have at it, but occasional straight line acceleration aside there's nothing I want that I don't already have...

[bpreynolds]

Not a thread about me and my bike, but performance is just one example of why I enjoy my Striple.  I'm sure LD will find the same.  The beauty is it's not just a go fast machine.  It's comfortable, ridiculously and surprisingly capable, and it's a total package of a bike.  I just think it is a fantastic motorcycle for just about any experienced rider.  I heard someone on this board - whose wife has one - say he thinks it's the ultimate enthusiast's ride.  That would be totally subjective, of course, and specific use of a completely open definition of bike enthusiast; yet, when I read it, it made complete sense to me.  Mine, I think, is an ugly betty for sure, but LD's new ride is actually really sharp in addition to have many nice upgrades over mine.  Love it. 

[biking sailor]

Not to be downing the V7, but the Striple is gonna have a stiffer frame, better suspension, and the radial Rosso stock tires will have better feel than the Sport Demon bias-ply.  Feel and confidence will be higher on the Triumph than the V7R which IMHO, would give the average rider and the expert more ability to take it through the curves at a higher rate.

Took the Wife's little Breva out yesterday, after riding my Son's Striple, power aside, two completely different handling experiences.