Test rode a Street Triple, but really want a Thruxton. CRAP!

macphisto

macphisto

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Hey everyone,

I haven't posted in uh, FOREVER. But here I am. I'm selling my Harley. Long story short: it's not doing it for me anymore, it's been a money pit, and it doesn't inspire. I'm posting a for sale ad soon, and looking at getting another British bike. I had a Bonneville before my Street Bob and while it was pleasant, it was a little boring. However, it was also terribly RELIABLE, which is more than I can say for my Bob.

Today I went out to Ride Motorcycles in Vaughan and test rode their PURPLE Street Triple. It is a hilariously fun bike. It is FAST and it is freakishly dangerous, because it makes you want to SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!

It effortlessly leans into twisties, turns and curves. It is not twitchy in the least and braking is solid. I had one scary moment when the bike would NOT get out of neutral! The light just turned green, and I was like "WHAT THE CRAP", and I had to kick, kick, KICK and finally it went into first.

Everything about the Street Triple is easy. The friction zone is very wide too, and I was pleasantly surprised with this. My only complaint? My wrists hurt. I found if I gripped the tank with my knees I was able to almost completely lift my weight off my wrists.

The sales guy made me an interesting offer: he would take my Street Bob off my hands for an even trade for that very demo Street Triple. It's purple, did I forget to mention that? I'm not sure I want a bike in purple. I LOVE PURPLE, but on a bike? The demo just had it's 1000km service and passed with flying colours. It's also got a longer than standard warranty because it's a demo.

But I really, REALLY want to test ride a Thruxton, and maybe even a Scrambler. Both of those are going to be impossible because NO ONE HAS THEM. Sales guy has had nearly every Triumph, and says the ST and Thruxton are both equally fun, but the Thruxton is his FAVOURITE BIKE EVAR, and it has that old-school nostalgia. I love that crap too. Which is why I so want a Thruxton.

****. WHAT DO I DO?!?!! Anyone have a Thruxton they'd let me try out? I know that's a stretch, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice :D

- pat
 
GP Bikes had a Thruxton in the showroom just a week or two ago ;). I was there trying on bikes and saw the lovely thing stuck in a tight corner in the Triumph section.

How about checking them out?

BTW, I think the Thruxton is just about the hottest thing ever. I've seen some nicely converted Bonnevilles that look almost as nice...but not quite...

I'm eyeing Monsters atm. Good luck in your search :)!
 
I haven't ridden a Thruxton but I have a 2012 Street Triple R bought from Ride in the spring. The bike just gets more and more fun. FYI, I think the "stuck in neutral" is actually normal for the bike. I sometimes find myself in neutral if I don't give the gear shifter a solid enough kick. You need to release the clutch then you can get to 1st gear as normal.

Can't go wrong with the Street Triple...I hear you on the purple though. The Thurxton is a nice looking bike though.

macphisto said:
Hey everyone,


It effortlessly leans into twisties, turns and curves. It is not twitchy in the least and braking is solid. I had one scary moment when the bike would NOT get out of neutral! The light just turned green, and I was like "WHAT THE CRAP", and I had to kick, kick, KICK and finally it went into first.

- pat
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Holy crap - you are both selling now?? Ho boy...Harley really ****** you off, eh! Hell hath no fury...!

A few weeks ago we brought some old Cycle Canada mags up from the basement and the May 2004 issue has a glowing review of....the Thruxton 900! I love nekkid bikes and the thing looks sweeet! If I were looking for a new bike I wouldn't mind testing one out myself. -UM
 
I have a tiger 1050 that has a sweet triple engine in it. Nice ergos and a blast to ride. Have you looked at that bike?
 
Yep, both short stop and I fell out of love with our Harleys. We realized they are not all what they're cracked up to be. The first year I had mine, I rode the **** out of it. I drank the kool-aid, bought the shirts. Now the honeymoon is over :-\

I am such a sucker for vintage looking bikes. I do like the look of the Tiger, and it's do it all-ness. But I don't think I'd really utilize it. Right now I use the Harley to commute to work. Hell, I don't even take it out for joy rides anymore! Maybe that would change. Not really sure.
 
imho, i'd go with the street triple...it's a sexy looking beast...and the purple is dark enough that it's not just a chick colour (and i'm a chick, so i can say that LOL)...whichever one you decide on, enjoy!
 
I've ridden a Thruxton. It's a nice bike..but it is what it is. Be aware. I personally find the seating position to be a bit too much reach..no that comfortable. It has ok power..has modern suspension and brakes. It's really a very competent bike. But it's not a "fast" bike. I imagine the Street Triple (which I've never ridden) is quite a bit faster and more "hooligan". They're different bikes really..different targets. If you're looking for retro, you won't be unhappy with the Thruxton. It's reliable, fun, fairly comfortable and is pretty well sorted out. Get rid of the pipes and get something a bit louder...
 
macphisto said:
Yep, both short stop and I fell out of love with our Harleys. We realized they are not all what they're cracked up to be. The first year I had mine, I rode the **** out of it. I drank the kool-aid, bought the shirts. Now the honeymoon is over :-\

I am such a sucker for vintage looking bikes. I do like the look of the Tiger, and it's do it all-ness. But I don't think I'd really utilize it. Right now I use the Harley to commute to work. Hell, I don't even take it out for joy rides anymore! Maybe that would change. Not really sure.
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The tiger 1050 is more like a retuned speed triple for guys that want to stretch their legs a bit more. Off road use is limited, it's more of a street bike.
 
I'm not really after a stupidly fast bike. I want something fun that won't bore me after two years.

I just contacted Sturgess Cycles out in Hamilton to see if they have a Thruxton for demo-ing.

No matter which bike I decide, I *will* get slip-ons!

Before I forget: I did sit on a Thruxton today, and the seating position felt about the same as on the S3.
 
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GPbikes had a Scrambler when I was there a few days ago, if you're still sort of looking for one.
 
macphisto said:
Today I went out to Ride Motorcycles in Vaughan and test rode their PURPLE Street Triple. It is a hilariously fun bike. It is FAST and it is freakishly dangerous, because it makes you want to SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!
Click to expand...

You sound like you need a race bike ;)
 
macphisto said:
I had one scary moment when the bike would NOT get out of neutral!
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If you hold the clutch in too long, it won't easily go into first. Either release the clutch, pull it in quick and immediately kick it in to first, or roll the bike forwards or backwards while holding the shifter down, it'll click into 1st.

-Jamie M.
 
I've test driven a few bikes these past few weeks both SS and Street Triple. Hands down the Street Triple is a very fun bike to ride. Everything about it from the sound to the feel to the character just makes you want to do bad things when you're on it. :)

That purple demo was fun to ride and the Street Triple is still one of the bikes on my list to own.

Regardless, there are many bikes to choose from so I don't envy your decision making process. Good luck with your search and hopefully you are able to demo the bike you really want to own. It makes a huge difference.
 
If you want a Triumph and don't need to go new, I am going to be selling my 2003 Triumph Tiger 955i/ The bike is amazing, fun to ride, great mpg etc. but it is too damn big for me.

This week I put on 2500 km's, got lots of stares and comments, but it is too big.

From the height of the seat, to the stretch of the clutch lever - it screams for a rider larger than someone 5'8" / 30" inseam.
 
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