Downsizing to a smaller bike

[SmithSwede]

I reluctantly came to the decision that my small block Guzzi V7 Stone was just a bit too heavy for me given my ever advancing age.  And that I needed a lighter bike with a smaller engine than that 750 cc small block Guzzi.

Based on that eminently logical rationale, today I bought a 2016 Triumph Street Triple Rx, with a tiny little 675cc engine. 

I blame Lucydad and PJPR01 for leading me in to temptation, and perchance sinning against the Guzzi Ethos.   

Never fear.  I still have the V7 Stone.   And Dusty swears I won't be banned from the Guzzi rallies if I show up on a Limey bike.   

[Triple Jim]

Over 100 hp and under 400 lbs is a good ratio.   

[PJPR01]

Well...at least 1 Triumph will make it to a GRIT Rally!!

Looking forward to seeing it in person!

[oldbike54]

 Had it out of 2nd gear yet Prescott ? 

 Dusty

[Guzzistajohn]

thats a rockin machine dude. Little bike.........whatev er.   

We'll be the triumph section of the okie CAMPOUT! 

[oldbike54]

thats a rockin machine dude. Little bike.........whatev er.   

We'll be the triumph section of the okie CAMPOUT! 

 We're putting you guys over with the Harley section 

 Dusty

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Or in with the Honda Groms.

[Penderic]

 

[jkristjan]

Something does not add up here. You "downsized" by 75cc and got higher seat and a chain that you need to lube in exchange? I mean, good if it feels lighter to you, just sounds weird to me. I clicked on this topic expecting to see a discussion about selling California 1400 and getting a V9 or V7 or something. And it tickled my interest only because I just discovered today that my V9 is a really small bike. It felt like big when I came to it from my Royal Enfield Classic 500, but after a month of riding it feels like a bicycle :)

PS. Though my age is still quite okay (31), I'm only 5'8'' and 155lbs and my friggin' back hurts, so I figure if it feels small to me, it must be small indeed.. no?

[Triple Jim]

I have a feeling that SmithSwede may have written the original post a little tongue in cheek.   

[SmithSwede]

Triple Jim is on to me.   

But it's absolutely true that the Triumph is a smaller, lighter bike with a smaller displacement engine compared to that land yacht of a V7 Stone.

Hey, you gotta rationalize your moto passions somehow, right?

[Triple Jim]

Hey, you gotta rationalize your moto passions somehow, right?

It may be better to use Kwai Chang Caine's wisdom:  "When you cease to strive to understand, then you will know without understanding."

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Kwai Chang Caine was a man of peace who traveled about beating the crap out of people.

[flip]

Nice ride!

[twowings]

I wouldn't kick it out of the garage for leaking oil!...nice ride, I'm sure you'll have a blast on it! 

[fotoguzzi]

I drool over your downsized HP..
sold my 103HP Buell for a 36hp Thumper.. reduced by well over 100 pounds.. but I lost on the power to weight trade out.
still happy with the change..so easy to push around the garage and pick up when dropped..doesn't break/dent or crack stuff when you drop it either..
It's kinda like when I was a kid on the trail 90.. reduced to the basics of riding..
can still hang with and pass freeway traffic no problem..
If I can only have 1 bike the Dr650 works good for me (now).

[Hymes Inc.]

I catch alot of flak for wanting to downsize to a Royal Enfield 500. Too bad Guzzi doesn't make a single cylinder thumper, of course they wouldn't make it in the $5k range I'm sure.

[ITSec]

Hey, you gotta rationalize your moto passions somehow, right?

"Man is not a rational animal, he is a rationalizing animal" - RAH

(Now I gotta fumigate for the ghost of Ayn Rand!)

[Kev m]

Hey, do what makes you happy, but I'm skeptical of the stated motivation.

I mean first off what are we talking, maybe 50#? And we're not talking bench press here, were talking on wheels with a motor.

But what are the seat heights AND perceived centers of gravity? Because in my experience that can really make a difference. A bike can be 100# lighter but taller and with a higher center of gravity and can feel heavier.

Jenn's Duc is maybe 60# lighter, but doesn't feel any lighter me.

Then again I'm a big guy.

[Huzo]

Kwai Chang Caine was a man of peace who traveled about beating the crap out of people.

Yes, but in the words of that great philosopher, Arni Schwarrzenegger, "yes, but they were all bad"

[SmithSwede]

Friends. I was kidding about "downsizing" to a Street Triple to accommodate my advancing age.  Tongue was super-glued to cheek. 

But I confess to moto rationalizing.  In the words of that magnificent Scottish philosopher
David Hume:

"Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can never pretend to any other office than to serve and obey them."

My passions were enslaved when I test rode that little Triumph.   But if you let me, I'll babble about the lighter weight, the safety benefits of twin headlights, the fact that this engine has a "3-plane"
crank, not a mere cross-plane, and other Bravo Sierra.

 

[Brand X]

I had a new 2010 Street Triple R. Great bike.. I am sure the new ones are even better.. I really don't care for the newer ones look, but that's just me..  Be careful with grabbing too much throttle, because they are a pretty good wheelie machine.. Very nice well sorted motorcycle.. (IMO) I know when I bought mine at a place in Portland, Oregon. They had me run it longer then the 500 miles on the first service. something like 800 mile till the first oil change... Some triples were burning oil, if the break-in oil was changed to soon. Not sure if that is still a issue or not? Mine sure did break in nice.. Pretty fast little bike..

[oldbike54]

 Plesse do tell us 

 Dusty

[Kev m]

Friends. I was kidding about "downsizing" to a Street Triple to accommodate my advancing age.  Tongue was super-glued to cheek. 

But I confess to moto rationalizing.  In the words of that magnificent Scottish philosopher
David Hume:

"Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can never pretend to any other office than to serve and obey them."

My passions were enslaved when I test rode that little Triumph.   But if you let me, I'll babble about the lighter weight, the safety benefits of twin headlights, the fact that this engine has a "3-plane"
crank, not a mere cross-plane, and other Bravo Sierra.

 

Ok, that sounds like me too...

[Triple Jim]

...I'll babble about the lighter weight, the safety benefits of twin headlights, the fact that this engine has a "3-plane" crank, not a mere cross-plane...

Oh boy!  I didn't realize my old H2 had that feature too.  A   3-plane crank!   

[Guzzistajohn]

I'm sure Prescott's motivation has a lot to to with the woo-hoo factor of the "little" triumph. I'm sure it'll be a blast compared to the small block guzzi

[Lannis]

Thinking about advancing age (well, it does, might as well face it) and the accompanying symphony of weaker legs, worsening balance, and harder to keep your footing on gravel stops ....

There are LOTS of bikes that I could get right now or from the not-so-distant past for ME to ride solo ... but the problem is that Fay's enjoyment of riding parallels or even exceeds my own.   

So I've got to find a bike someday (who knows when?  No telling ...) that will tote two of us (400+ pounds geared up, plus luggage and yet won't be tall and/or heavy (as KevM says, those two things play off each other) so as to make me nervous at stops or U-turns.

I don't think a V7 is long enough or has enough suspension for that - we've tried.   I'm thinking maybe a redone and updated 1000SP might do it; or the MkIII Norton might get pressed into service for that ... I think I have a good one.

Time will tell.

Lannis

[Cam3512]

I'm sure Prescott's motivation has a lot to to with the woo-hoo factor of the "little" triumph. I'm sure it'll be a blast compared to the small block guzzi

Yea, that's what you want to do in your "ever advancing age" and everything (crappy) that comes with it. 

Go faster.

[Guzzistajohn]

Yea, that's what you want to do in your "ever advancing age" and everything (crappy) that comes with it. 

Go faster.

Prescott is not that old. Also a "tongue in cheek" comment

[kingoffleece]

Good on ya.  I had an 2010 for three years.  Sold it for a, wait for it..........V7!  I found I needed to go 100 per to enjoy the bike and that's not good on the road.  Loved the bike but don't miss it.  YMMV.