1100 EVO vs Street Triple R / Blasphemy?

[El-Twin]

Are you going to try the Street Triple R?  We impatiently await your findings

Rode one today! Very impressed.

I can't elaborate right now, because I just got home from the ride and dinner is coming up. So a big  to the day I had today, and I'll try to follow-up soon.

PS: My dilemma just got way more complicated.

[Curmudgeon]

Hmmm...

Look at it this way. If you grew up with high center of gravity Jap 4's, maybe that bike feels more like "home". The evo is all about torque, (of which it has massively more), low CG and a heartbeat.

Too bad your ride wasn't back-to-back. Some people "get" an L-Twin and some don't. Maybe you belong on a Triple. It has Kawasaki genes.

This shouldn't be all that intellectual. Buy what feels "right" and go with your "gut". I'd prefer my 796 on Rt. 33 out of Ojai. Just less work for me. Your mileage may vary... http://binged.it/x2XHgG

[EvilSteve]

Wouldn't this be the case with most or all bikes with a fairing?

You would think but it's not. The Daytona had a particularly aggressive cut on the low and high beam. Compared to even the 08 Sprint ST, there was a very clear difference. I've also owned an 06 GSX-R750 which worked as I expected, i.e. the low beam had a good cut in it so that you wouldn't blind anyone (as you'd expect) and the high beam lit everything up so that 1. you could see down the road and 2. you could see around corners with the high beam on. I've read that Triumph tend to have a more aggressive cut than most and that was true in my experience with the 09 Daytona and the 08 Sprint ST.

Took my EVO and my wife's 796 out for a spin today, amazing the difference between them.

[RC Fan]

Rode one today! Very impressed.

Excellent!

[SDRider]

A few years ago I was seriously considering the Street Triple and almost bought one but decided to buy an SV650 instead.  Loved that bike and rode the hell out of it for 3+ years then I sold it and bought the Monster 1100 EVO which I absolutely LOVE!  I just can't get past the new look of the Street and Speed triple, they just look like someone ripped the plastics off a sport bike and left the headlights... as if the whole design was an afterthought.  Maybe that was the point but I don't get it.  Your bike should be something that is beautiful to behold and fun to ride.

That said, it's your money.  Get the bike you think you'll be happiest with and enjoy it! 

Cheers!

[El-Twin]

Hmmm...
Maybe you belong on a Triple. It has Kawasaki genes.

Ouch! I'm feeling a little heartburn coming on.

Hmmm...

Look at it this way. If you grew up with high center of gravity Jap 4's, maybe that bike feels more like "home". The evo is all about torque, (of which it has massively more), low CG and a heartbeat.

I did cut my teeth on the Jap 4's, so it's a natural feel for me. But I especially like your comment about the Ducati "heartbeat." Thump...thump...thump...thump... Yes, I can dig it. 

I'd prefer my 796 on Rt. 33 out of Ojai. Just less work for me. Your mileage may vary... http://binged.it/x2XHgG

Haha... That was one of my preferred routes "back in the day." In today's world it would probably be the outer limites of my range.

I appreciate your comments very much.

[RC Fan]

Can you give us the details now?   What did you think of the Street Triple R?

[Curmudgeon]

Can you give us the details now?   What did you think of the Street Triple R?

 

You have a "dog in this fight"? Why did you sell your 696 for a 250? Looking for something more explosive now?

[RC Fan]

As previously noted, I have a 2012 Street Triple R on order.  It was supposed to be in sometime in December.  As I won't get out until April likely, I am trying to live vicariously through others.

I didn't sell my 696 for the XT.  The XT is my other bike.

[Curmudgeon]

Ouch! I'm feeling a little heartburn coming on.

I did cut my teeth on the Jap 4's, so it's a natural feel for me. But I especially like your comment about the Ducati "heartbeat." Thump...thump...thump...thump... Yes, I can dig it. 

Haha... That was one of my preferred routes "back in the day." In today's world it would probably be the outer limites of my range.

I appreciate your comments very much.

Seems I'm getting through then?  Between the earlier thread and this, you certainly have a wide range of inputs from evo riders. We're still comparing apples and oranges here.

Usually the bike mags compare the Street to the 796, not the evo. They prefer the Street by a hair but I'm not convinced they know how to ride a Ducati. I'm old and ride twisties solo and the evo was more than I needed. The 696 didn't have enough. My main goal was "nimble" and torquey.

BTW, a Ducati is sneaky fast in case you missed that. They don't howl like a swarm of killer bees. They are never "busy". You'll look down at the clock one day and you'll be doing 100. On my 851 that was more like 140, with a lot more to go. 

We used 33 for two product launches. Otherwise I wouldn't know. Looking at a map, I see that would be a longish loop for you. You could always have lunch in one of the bars on the golf course though. I would..., but I'm retired! 

[El-Twin]

Can you give us the details now?   What did you think of the Street Triple R?

  I can throw some details out there for sure, because now I think I'm more qualified. But I want to process it overnight so that I can give a logical response.    Ha! That in itself doesn't even make much sense does it, since motorcycles are more much emotional than logical (at least for me). 

But I really appreciate the great responses you are all providing. If I added-up all of the $.02 worth that's rolled in, I'd feel like Uncle Scrooge in his Money Bin. Sorry, but I guess I'm showing my age with that remark, but this is helping me a lot.     

[El-Twin]

Seems I'm getting through then? 

Yes you are sir, and I approve this message.

[jgrm1]

Maybe you belong on a Triple. It has Kawasaki genes.

There MAY have been some truth to this...in 1994.

-Jeff

[Curmudgeon]

There MAY have been some truth to this...in 1994.

-Jeff

After all..., I did say genes. Fairly common knowledge that Bloor got some help with the original triple on his visits to Japan. Heard this again at Mallory Park in 2006, just down the road from Hinckley. So..., unless John Bloor told you personally something different...

[El-Twin]

Here's my riding impression of the Triumph STR.

First, the dealer has a perfect test circuit at his disposal. It's a 9-mile loop that includes city streets, freeway, country highway and a canyon section. The STR moved out smoothly without any fear of stalling, as happened to me the first time on the EVO (much to my embarrassment). There was absolutely no sign of too-high gearing or too-lean fueling as on the Duc. The test bike was fitted with Arrows slip-ons and a reflashed ECU, so that may have helped. Plus, the Arrows looked and sounded hot.

Going through the gears, tha transmission was silky and smooth with pleasntly close ratios. My biggest impression of the gearing was that in 6th gear it felt as though there should be another gear left to reach the top, and acceleration was quite strong without needing a downshift. This is in marked contrast to the Duc.

The power delivery was exhilarating, encouraging a mad charge up through the gears. It was very user-friendly in the way it put the power to the ground, and was happy at all rpm's. Really, the triple is a little jewel of a motor, and the sound of it at speed is a thing of beauty.

This brings me to the torque vs hp argument. Really, for me, it just didn't matter. I'm a big fan of torque vs sheer hp, but the Triumph felt so powerful and nimble that I felt totally in control (after a few miles) and could call on the power whatever my intension might be, and it was right there where I wanted it. Very smooth and very linear with no surprises. I know that this is not everyone's cup of tea, but I was very happy with it. It was really great fun!

So my summary so far is that the Duc is still the sexy Italian mistress with the throbbing heartbeat, while the STR is more like a wild animal with the manners of a swiss watch. Googly-eyes and all.

So my next move will be back to the Ducati dealer for a refresh on the EVO while the impressions are still (somewhat) fresh.

Thanks for the interest that some of you are showing. It's really encouraged me