Speed Triple update...

darthrider · Post by **darthrider** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:25 am

I picked up the S3 last Thursday and have been able to put on only 250 miles since then...rain, work, etc. are the culprits.
I'm going to have to wimp out on pics and ride report for now, but you can take a peek at this link for a pic assortment and some inpressions. This pics on here will enlareg twice for some reason.
http://www.ntnoa.org/newride.htm
As for comparing with our 50R's, there is no comparison. The S3 is better. And worse. Depending on what you're doing with it, what your wants, needs & expectations are, how much stuff you are taking, how comfortable you want to be and how fast you want to go.
The S3 handles better, is quicker, faster, lighter and has better brakes. The 50R is more comfortable, more refined, more versatile and carries stuff.
There is no surging *at all* on the S3 and absolutely no turbulance or buffeting *at all* up to 110MPH...don't know yet about faster than that.
The 50R's suspension is better for rough roads, the S3's better on smooth.
The S3 is very neutral in turning, the 50R tends to "fall into" corners.
But comparisons are not valid anyway, apples & oranges. These bikes are more different than alike. The "nakedness" is the only real similarity. That and the "cool factor" which is off the charts for both!

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:44 am

Mmmmmmm nice one Darth.

Check out those cool radial mounted front brakes..

Nice,nice,nice....I'm not sure about the bar-end mirrors..

Do the instruments and headlight vibrate...mounted on a stalk like that..

Pleeease be careful Dave...don't go loopin' it...

DJ

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:55 am

Oooooo, I like it. But.....That rear license plate bracket can go. I love the short bikes, but the overall looks get dinged with that 'shelf' hanging out back.

Nice bike.

Post by **arkline** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:56 am

absolutely no turbulance or buffeting *at all* up to 110MPH...don't know yet about faster than that.

But, I suspect that you're gonna find out RSN (Real Soon Now), huh?

You be careful out there, bud. Don't want a passle of Rangers knockin' on your door...

darthrider · Post by **darthrider** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:24 am

R4R&R -
Yeah, just waiting for someone to make a "fender eliminator kit". You should have seen it before I did surgery to it! I'll build something if the aftermarket doesn't produce one soon.
A friend and I are seriously considering producing a small line of CNC aluminum and carbon fiber accessories for these, we'll see how that goes.

DJ -
The CRG bar-end mirrors do look a bit odd...at first. But they look a hell of a lot better than the stock Mickey Mouse Ears atrocities and I *really* like them, after using them on my Motard for a while. They are *very* slightly convex. It doesn't shrink the objects much and give 1.5 lanes' visibility on both sides, plus a good view behind. They are a very high quality part (expensive) and can be mounted in an infinite number of positions.
See: http://www.constructorsrg.com/crg.html

arkline -
Real soon now, real soon now...must wait, must wait.
Screw those Rangers! They'll never take me alive!

Time to go ride to lunch...Hoochie Mama!

Post by **arkline** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:18 pm

I was just thinking that the single sided swing arm and the inboard rear disk is just the bees. Very, very clean looking application of technology. I'd like to see more of the front wheel too, but you'd prolly have to go the Buell brake route to get more view.

Still and all, with that little screen, it looks like a horny little devil...

Post by **rdsmith3** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:46 pm

Great looking bike. very nice indeed.

Just a few minor things, but really it is cool:

- the brake fluid reservoir looks like an after thought. it sort of sticks out.

- do the mufflers look as huge in person as they do in the pictures? why is that? I noticed the same thing on the new K1200R/S from BMW. The mufflers look freaking huge.

darthrider · Post by **darthrider** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 4:51 pm

I have another image I'll post of that 320MM front brake with radial calipers, pretty cool and stops RIGHT NOW with no drama at all.
The swingarm setup is pretty neat...talk about "mass centralization"! I got one of those pit stands that raises the rear by lifting up the big hole where an axle would be, if it had one. I miss my center stand!

The brake fluid reservoir does look like an afterthought. Pretty standard for most sport bikes these days...that's one nice thing about the Beamers, they do integrate the brake & clutch reservoirs. I'll replace that "sore thumb" with a nice billet aftermarket piece when I do the Pro Taper handlebar conversion.

I really like having plenty of things to "do" to the bike. That's one of my hobbies I enjoy the most. This bike will be entertaining in lots of ways for a long time.

The muffs are probably not quite that large (looking) in person, but they are fatter & shorter than the proportions we are used to. I really like them as they are different from what we usually see. The hand work in the metal is beautiful, like a Remus system, very nice. And they go with that stubby "street fighter" rear end!

The switch gear is European standard stuff and I love it. I got on it and intuitively knew where everything was. After 200 miles I got back on the 50R and couldn't remember where most things were...never really knew anyway with that counter-intuitive layout. The hi-beam "passing trigger" is right there for your trigger finger and the horn is where you think it is.
The closest I can ever get to using these on the 50R is to turn on the turn signal to flash the hi beam and turn on the hi beam trying to honk the horn...by then the Blue Hair in the Buick has already nailed me!

Post by **Biff's R** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:12 pm

Great lookin bike. I really like how the rear wheel is exposed.

BUT,

What do you do if one of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders wants to ride pillion?

Post by **arkline** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:21 pm

In comparison with the R, how would you rate the forks. I've always felt the Telelever was kind of vague because it doesn't dip or dive as much as what I was used to. But having gotten accustomed to the R, would I notice the front end diving in a hard braking situation? Of course, the S3 has much more adjustibility that the R. Just curious.

Post by **1MPH** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:25 pm

Good looking cycle. It looks fast just sitting there. Will we be able to
keep you in sight? Hey let's go on a motorcycle chase.

Jack

pinecone · Post by **pinecone** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 6:08 pm

Looks great and I bet it sounds awesome, too. I was at a BMW-sponsored track day a couple of months ago and one woman was riding a sweet looking orange Triple she had just picked up. It was great hearing all those boxers going by, but that S3 had an incredible sound. Lucky you!

Post by **new2BMW** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 6:15 pm

Incredible Dave. Great bike and nice job on the mods.

I was hoping to have my MT before you got yours, now here I am am suffering all alone!

Post by **socalrob** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 7:08 pm

Darth - sharpe looking bike. Those wheels look light & fit the look.

About the brake resevoir, I've noticed that all of the bike manufacturers seem to have gone to those plastic things. New BMW models (ST,RT,KS,KR) all have them, same with even the high end Italian bikes. Is there some brake performance reason? Hard to believe saving the $10 per bike is worth it.

I'll bet wheelies on that shorty are fun.

darthrider · Post by **darthrider** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:33 pm

Just for fun:

Some serious braking power:

Note the neat little right-angle valve stem. The 50R could use those!
I do miss the 50R's Telelever anti-dive properties. But these forks are very stiff. The action is firm but not harsh and they are very compliant. You are in direct "touch" with the front tire and it has a more direct "feel" than the 50R. I'd say the forks of both bikes are near perfect for their respective tasks. Of course the Michelin Pilot Power tires help that feel too!

What do you do if one of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders wants to ride pillion?

I'd tell her to keep her motor running while I went to get my BMW R1150R sex machine. Then we'd go back to her place and...
Er, uh...Hi Betty! Oh, nuthin', just rappin' with the boys about football.
Yeah, that's it!

Hey let's go on a motorcycle chase.

Betty made me give those up too...

but that S3 had an incredible sound. Lucky you!

Yeah, a Triumph Triple with a good set of pipes has a very unique sound. Kind of a deep screaming howl...or something like that! Mine doesn't...yet!

I was hoping to have my MT before you got yours, now here I am am suffering all alone!

Jeff, I actually felt bad about that...but not for long! You'll catch up soon.

Is there some brake performance reason? Hard to believe saving the $10 per bike is worth it.

No! Yes!
What! You mean this thing will wheelie?

Just for (more) fun:

Gotta go...Betty says there is some woman with the Dallas Cowboys on the phone.
Bye-Bye!

Post by **Bones** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:52 pm

Dave,
I have 5 words for you.

"Sir, you are under arrest."

Congrats. Enjoy!!!

Bones

darthrider · Post by **darthrider** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:59 pm

"Sir, you are under arrest."

"Officer...do you have discounts for senior citizens?"

I know all you cops out there just "badge" each other when you get stopped.
Would my AARP card do me any good?

Post by **Pat** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 12:24 am

Nice bike, nice bike indeed.....

I spoke to a gentleman today who bought one for it's capabilities as a Hooligan bike. He said he has never ridden ANYTHING easier to ride a wheelie on; with it's fat & flat torque curve, he just pops it up and rides it for miles on the rear tire.

He's actually selling it 'cause he lost a couple friends recently to motorcycle accidents. Given the passion with which he described his Yellow Hooligan machine, I can see how he may be swayed into keeping it though.
-----------------------

I spent last night putting tiny dual Gold pinstripes on the edges of my Bonnie's fenders. Oh yeah BABIEE! Regarding riding a mere 60 horsepower Bonneville, WOW..... what a bike for playing through tight twisties! It's not a knee dragger (too many things on the bike drags), but with the lower/flatter/wider bars on the way, and after-market suspension front & rear...... it should be even MORE fun, if that's possible......
------------------------

But it ain't now SPEED TRIPLE!
You Hooligan, you!

darthrider · Post by **darthrider** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 11:44 am

Pat -
Check this out:
http://www.normanhyde.co.uk

Post by **Gord** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 4:16 pm

Dave - Very tasty indeed!

I looked at the Trip when I was shopping for my bike last year. I figured it was too much bike for me - being a novice and all. But the real kicker was when my insurance company quoted me C$4400 per year to insure it! That's compared to the C$1800 I was quoted for the R1150R (down to $1400 this year).

Maybe one day a Trip will find its way into my stable. But I am still lusting after the new BMW K-bikes at the moment...