Speed Triple vs Street Triple, which one would you pick

[Karate.Snoopy]

Two badass bikes Speed Triple and Street Triple

There is a big power(do not need a liter bike) and weight difference(flickability is huge), and makes Street the clear winner in my case as I have only a couple of years of riding under my belt.
"The" Speed Triple (used) seems to be more readily available than the Street (cant find a Street at all unless I go for a brand new one) and I find them going for almost the same price which presents the conundrum.
Which one would you pick?

To add I weigh about 173 lbs and am 5'8" tall

[e30addict]

Street = fast
Speed = stupid fast.

I almost bought the street triple earlier this year fwiw.

[gregp]

I prefer the Street. Just because I do not usually ride that far, nor that fast, and the roads I find myself on are usually quite tight. So, just like my dirt bikes, I believe that smaller is better.
For a longer, interstate trip, with a passenger, I would not be looking at this segment at all.
My ideal garage would have: a small 125-250cc 2 (125-200cc) or 4-stroke (250cc) street legal dirt bike, a Street Trip for every day street riding, and a 'Wing.

[soofle616]

Personally I don't care for smaller bikes. Physically they are cramped for a guy my size, and they're just not as much fun to ride because I have to work harder to make them go thanks to my weight. The street is definitely more flickable but the times I've ridden them I've been very underwhelmed by the motor. The speed takes a little more effort to turn but is still pretty damn agile imo. The motor is definitely more than I need for a street bike but I'd rather have that extra for when I want it than have to wring out the smaller bike just to make it go.

That said, it sounds as though you've already made up your mind and just need to find a deal on a street. Being the newer model there's not going to be as many of them for sale and people are going to be asking more for them as a result. They do come up from time to time though so if it's what you want just be patient and scour craigslist daily.

[SRTie4k]

The Street has 105HP in a 400lb package. = .26 HP/lb

The Speed Triple has 133HP at 470lbs. = .28 HP/lb

I think you're easily getting your money's worth with the Street Triple.

[obsolete]

I rode the street and the speed and I own the Speed. I think it's not only faster, it has more "grunt" and is better looking. The street seemed kinda buzzy to me while the Speed was just much more beasty. Coming from a 1k twin the Speed just felt more familiar to me. I know it's not a numbers comparison but machines have soul, style and purpose. If we all just looked at numbers we'd all be riding Vstroms and uniforms. Best bet, ride them both. See what feels good to you. They're both great bikes and you probably won't be disappointed in either.

[DesmoTull]

I'd go for the Street.

[01xj]

I bought a street triple a few months ago. It is still stupid fast IMO. I will never see the speeds that a speed triple is capable of on the street so I personally don't see the point. Both bikes are close when it comes to ergos. I haven't noticed any "buzzy" feeling too it while on the highway. Still does power wheelies in first and second gear.

[nhbubba]

I have not ridden either. On paper I like the Street way better. And on paper I like their smaller ADV option (the Tiger 800) best too.

I rode a 1200 for about 10 years. Now I ride a 650. I feel I've been there, done that with the liter plus bikes. I like the 650 a lot better nowadays. The only places I miss the 1200 are when passing (rare for me) or on the highway. Although I've learned to live with rolling at 6k RPM on my 650. It isn't hurting it any and I still have some power left to roll on.

If we all just looked at numbers we'd all be riding Vstroms and uniforms.

[obsolete]

I bought a street triple a few months ago. It is still stupid fast IMO. I will never see the speeds that a speed triple is capable of on the street so I personally don't see the point. Both bikes are close when it comes to ergos. I haven't noticed any "buzzy" feeling too it while on the highway. Still does power wheelies in first and second gear.

Speed really isn't that different. Most sport orientated bikes will do 150 plus. Speed doesn't really matter, its the acceleration, how it happens, where it happens and how it reacts through the power band at full and part throttle. I think buzzy maybe a bad adjective. I guess I'm trying to describe the difference I feel between the 2. The Street feels more zippy to me and the Speed feels more powerful. What I'm trying to describe is probably the difference in torque, total and the whole curve.

[obsolete]

I thought about buying one and I like them but they're about as utilitarian as you get. When I rode one it didn't make feel like I should buy it. And they're ugly. lol

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (HTC EVO "DROID" )

The only issue that I see is that neither of your choices has an R after it

[01xj]

Speed really isn't that different. Most sport orientated bikes will do 150 plus. Speed doesn't really matter, its the acceleration, how it happens, where it happens and how it reacts through the power band at full and part throttle. I think buzzy maybe a bad adjective. I guess I'm trying to describe the difference I feel between the 2. The Street feels more zippy to me and the Speed feels more powerful. What I'm trying to describe is probably the difference in torque, total and the whole curve.

Having come from an I4, and several parellel twins I get what you are describing.

[Kenn157]

I rode the street and the speed and I own the Speed. I think it's not only faster, it has more "grunt" and is better looking. The street seemed kinda buzzy to me while the Speed was just much more beasty. Coming from a 1k twin the Speed just felt more familiar to me. I know it's not a numbers comparison but machines have soul, style and purpose. If we all just looked at numbers we'd all be riding Vstroms and uniforms. Best bet, ride them both. See what feels good to you. They're both great bikes and you probably won't be disappointed in either.

Speed really isn't that different. Most sport orientated bikes will do 150 plus. Speed doesn't really matter, its the acceleration, how it happens, where it happens and how it reacts through the power band at full and part throttle. I think buzzy maybe a bad adjective. I guess I'm trying to describe the difference I feel between the 2. The Street feels more zippy to me and the Speed feels more powerful. What I'm trying to describe is probably the difference in torque, total and the whole curve.

Far and away is what you'll be on the Speed Triple! Yes, Streety is lighter and flickable like shit! But the brute power of the Speed and its handling blows away the Street. Grep left his Street Triple with me in August to go teach in Honduras for a year. Leaving it with me to ride for him... I did once! Granted I have three Triumphs yes... But, why would I want to try and go fast on his Streety when I could go fast on the Speed! Yeah yeah he wanted the bike to be used and not just sit in my garage. Enters Botto, he voluntered to ride the Streety since he "used" to have one.. And might get a new one? Ithinking he will. He does love the Streety.

[OreoGaborio]

The Street has 105HP in a 400lb package. = .26 HP/lb

The Speed Triple has 133HP at 470lbs. = .28 HP/lb

I think you're easily getting your money's worth with the Street Triple.

If u want a more accurate comparison you might wanna add the weight of the rider... most bikes i've seen operate better with a person on them.


105/580 = .181

133/650 = .205

So you're lookin at about a 12% difference in power to weight (only 8% without the rider taken into account)

[sveesix]

Far and away is what you'll be on the Speed Triple! Yes, Streety is lighter and flickable like shit! But the brute power of the Speed and its handling blows away the Street. Grep left his Street Triple with me in August to go teach in Honduras for a year. Leaving it with me to ride for him... I did once! Granted I have three Triumphs yes... But, why would I want to try and go fast on his Streety when I could go fast on the Speed! Yeah yeah he wanted the bike to be used and not just sit in my garage. Enters Botto, he voluntered to ride the Streety since he "used" to have one.. And might get a new one? Ithinking he will. He does love the Streety.

I do like the Street Triple for its versatility. I would argue that it has a quicker turn in than the Speed, but the brute torque of the Speed makes it near irresistible. Both are great bikes. Test ride both and see which has the better feeling. You really can't go wrong.

[SRTie4k]

Now add the weight of the rider since most bikes operate better with a person on them.

That comparison was after the rider has fallen off the back attempting a wheelie.

[OreoGaborio]

Ha!

Was the rider's name Jim?

[rsw81]

It's hard to compare these two bikes given the displacement difference. I've ridden Kenn's Speed Triple and it's an amazing bike. The motor is seriously addicting. But I have to say that I'm glad I bought a Street Triple R instead. With the upgraded suspension and brakes on the R, it stops harder and turns in much faster and with less effort than the Speed. Also, in an article of the top 50 motorcycle motors of all time, the Triumph 675 Triple was in the top 5, so I'd say it's a pretty amazing motor. Obviously doesn't have the torque of the 1050, but it's still pretty ballsy for a middle weight.

[reks95]

I love how light and thin the Street feels (almost like a twin).
I don't remember the Speed being any roomier.
If anything, I felt the riding position was a little more aggressive than the Street.
At 6' and too heavy, the Street fits me fine.

[drinkingmymilk]

I bought the street because it's the ultimate "only bike". It's good at everything. I've ridden 800 miles in a day two up, track days, spirited runs, camped and down more then a few fire roads.

However, I now have an SV that is a dedicated track/asshole bike. I'd go with the speed because the Mrs. says it's a more comfortable back seat and I'd never have to fling that huge thing into a corner on a track.

[Kenn157]

2011+ Speed Triples have a different frame and setup. Triumph made it more like the Street, they're more agile. But like I said, 2011+ Speedys

[ZX-12R]

The engine on the Speed is much more entertaining than any handling advantage the street might have... But I'm biased towards horsepower.

[rsw81]

The engine on the Speed is much more entertaining than any handling advantage the street might have... But I'm biased towards horsepower.

Says the guy who's screen name is ZX-12R. Unless you are drag racing or doing dedicated track time, there is really no need for that much motor on the street. Today's 600-750cc motors are more powerful than the liters of a decade ago, so I'm hard pressed to find the need for that much horsepower.

2011+ Speed Triples have a different frame and setup. Triumph made it more like the Street, they're more agile. But like I said, 2011+ Speedys

This was the exact issue I had in 2009. The frame of the Speed was too wide for my build, such that I couldn't reach the ground that easily. The new frame is so much better!

I bought the street because it's the ultimate "only bike". It's good at everything. I've ridden 800 miles in a day two up, track days, spirited runs, camped and down more then a few fire roads.

Ditto. I take my Street for canyon runs, touring, 2 up with the wife, etc. It's not the greatest touring bike, but it gets the job done. I even took it off roading once (not on purpose).

[ZX-12R]

Says the guy who's screen name is ZX-12R. Unless you are drag racing or doing dedicated track time, there is really no need for that much motor on the street. Today's 600-750cc motors are more powerful than the liters of a decade ago, so I'm hard pressed to find the need for that much horsepower.

Like I said, I'm biased towards horsepower! What I "need" for power in a motorcycle is irrelevant since I don't actually need a motorcycle. My motorcycles will likely always be a secondary vehicle and are mostly for my entertainment. When you are my size, the 600-750cc class bikes just aren't as exciting as their bigger alternatives.