What Bike Next?

[HippoDrone]

With the disappointment of the KTM 790 Duke (unless they launch an "R" version by the time I am able to spend some money), I am struggling with what to go for.

Does anyone here have the Triumph Street Triple 765 RS, or ridden one? What are your thoughts on it?
Any other suggestions, wants to be an upright bike that is capable of strutting it's stuff on trackdays as well as munch some miles. Not really into bikes with fairings. I am also a short arse, so no tall seat heights either!

 

[R-Rated]

With the disappointment of the KTM 790 Duke (unless they launch an "R" version by the time I am able to spend some money), I am struggling with what to go for.

Does anyone here have the Triumph Street Triple 765 RS, or ridden one? What are your thoughts on it?
Any other suggestions, wants to be an upright bike that is capable of strutting it's stuff on trackdays as well as munch some miles. Not really into bikes with fairings. I am also a short arse, so no tall seat heights either!

Alright, what is your inseam?

 

[HippoDrone]

30"

 

[R-Rated]

30"

You are not making this easy.

I say that because naked and sport bikes are going stand taller in the inseam. Cruisers will put a person's butt closer to the ground which would give you the best stance at a stop. But you will lose lean angle and probably not be able to hang with the sportbike track day crowd.

So that would steer towards shaving the seat and dropping the suspension on a naked or sport bike.

If you carry camera or regular gear more than 50% of the time I would try the FJR1300AE. Check with the track to see what mods (like removing the panniers) would need to be done. I would check if your drone would fit in the bag too.

If that bike would not work then the Yamaha MT-10 with shaved saddle and dropping the suspension might be good.

Both are 4 cylinders and from the videos I watch, I think you need 3 or 4 cylinders for the style of riding you tend to do.

I did not ride the MT-9 but in the review of the MT-10 I did, there was a tall guy and gal on the MT-9 and that bike seemed to do well with them.

Just my 2 cents worth. Sorry I do not have more experience on other bikes out there.

 

[HippoDrone]

Soz, should have said, I don't want a big bike, looking at between 600-900cc and not a tourer.... I want to be able to munch miles, but I travel light so don't need bags!

The MT-10 was on my radar for a while though, I tried taking a demo on one a year ago and every demo bike at all the dealers around me were broken which put me off a bit (it was crash damage not due to unreliability) but it is still quite a big bike.

Am not really a fan of lowering bikes either as it affects the weight distribution, the steering geometry and relative wheelbase which all reduce how well it would handle.

Triples are a great road engine, inline 4s are good track engines so I like where you are thinking kinda, maybe I should have a look at the MT-09?

 

[R-Rated]

Soz, should have said, I don't want a big bike, looking at between 600-900cc and not a tourer.... I want to be able to munch miles, but I travel light so don't need bags!

The MT-10 was on my radar for a while though, I tried taking a demo on one a year ago and every demo bike at all the dealers around me were broken which put me off a bit (it was crash damage not due to unreliability) but it is still quite a big bike.

Am not really a fan of lowering bikes either as it affects the weight distribution, the steering geometry and relative wheelbase which all reduce how well it would handle.

Triples are a great road engine, inline 4s are good track engines so I like where you are thinking kinda, maybe I should have a look at the MT-09?

Looks like the MT-9 might be on your list then. Plus you could always use some soft luggage if you decide to take it further.

So that and the Street Triple. I see that Triumph has a Street Triple Low Ride Height model coming soon here but the price is about $2k more than the Triple S.

I would like to know how Triumph achieved the lower height.

 

[R-Rated]

Visordown has a comparison review video on YouTube of the two which seems pretty well done.

 

[HippoDrone]

I'll check it out, ty bud!

 

[HippoDrone]

I see that Triumph has a Street Triple Low Ride Height model coming soon here but the price is about $2k more than the Triple S.
I would like to know how Triumph achieved the lower height.

The lower ride height looks to be with either different front forks as it has less front wheel travel than the non lowered version, am guessing it has a sculpted seat too.

 

[R-Rated]

The lower ride height looks to be with either different front forks as it has less front wheel travel than the non lowered version, am guessing it has a sculpted seat too.

So it would be back to changing geometry on the suspension a little maybe? Would it be worth to pay $2k USD more for that?

I have seen shorter inseam riders drop the forks down on the front tubes of bikes in the past. It leaves the same travel so dialing in the suspension is crucial to not bottom out. Then they add a little something to the swing arm to change the mount point and angle of the rear shock.

But that was more than a decade ago. Surely technology has gotten better.

Shaving a saddle is a bit easier in my opinion but if not done properly may bite you in the arse.

 

[HippoDrone]

The Street Triple has 4 versions:

The 660cc basic one (old model)
The 765cc S
The 765cc R Low
The 765cc R Std
The 765cc RS

They have different spec and power to each and more electronics too as the price goes up. The UK prices go from roughly £7k up to £10k

 

[R-Rated]

The Street Triple has 4 versions:

The 660cc basic one (old model)
The 765cc S
The 765cc R Low
The 765cc R Std
The 765cc RS

They have different spec and power to each and more electronics too as the price goes up. The UK prices go from roughly £7k up to £10k

I think Visordown was comparing the RS to the MT-9 but I might be wrong...

I think you got yourself a series of videos here documenting this quest! I know I am curious for sure.

 

[HippoDrone]

I'll def be wanting to demo the 765 and the KTM 790, as I still want to keep it as an option as I may be able to get one at a good price

 

[R-Rated]

I'll def be wanting to demo the 765 and the KTM 790, as I still want to keep it as an option as I may be able to get one at a good price

Maybe you can leverage your 390 let down into them letting you demo the bikes at your pace/style.

Don't forget night riding in the country too so maybe an overnight trip?

 

[HippoDrone]

my local KTM dealership only allows demos for an hour unfortunately but they let you scoot off by yourself so not under the scrutiny of a sales guy

 

[lupin]

What are you after mainly, looks, comfort, or performance?

Looks = MV Augusta brutale rr
Comfort = S1000R
Performance = Super Duke 1290

Or if you want a mix of the lot MT-10

 

[HippoDrone]

like I said earlier, am not after a large cc bike, want a light bike that is fun but I have no need for 150+ BHP

 

[lupin]

No your doing it wrong, you NEED a large CC bike.

 

[HippoDrone]

hahahah, I've had large cc bikes, although they are fast as hell, they don't really do much for me..... am also currently on my 4th licence after having been banned 3 times for speeding etc so I just don't need that sort of horse power anymore!

 

[HippoDrone]

.... not that 600-900cc bikes are slow or gonna stop me being able to speed lol