Speed Triple vs Street Triple, which one would you pick

[reks95]

When I took an ERC, a guy showed up not having ridden for years and even then on dirt bikes.
He was on an '05 R1 that his brother-in-law bought and left in the garage for a couple years.
Finally sold it to him to make peace with the guy's sister for a song.
So, his first bike was an R1.

Buy the bike you want.

If you're concerned it might be too much bike and ride it that way, you've already gotten past the reason why people say not to buy them in the first place.

[nhbubba]

When I took an ERC, a guy showed up not having ridden for years and even then on dirt bikes.

...

So, his first bike was an R1.

Sounds like his first bike was a dirt bike to me.

[csmutty]

FWIW: I went from a 30-something HP, 20 year old CB400 to a brand new ~100 HP Bandit 1200 one afternoon when I was in my early 20's. I lived.

I have always been a pretty conservative rider.

Although I will say that highway on-ramps suddenly got one helluva lot more fun and front wheels got a lot lighter.

Same. I started off on a GSXR1100 and had a Kawi 1200R, TL1000, then and SV650, and finally now I have an EX250 and love it. HP and me...well...don't get along.

[Marc R]

In case the OP is still looking for more opinions ...
The street tripple's light weight can be enjoyed all the time.
The speed tripple's HP advantage is enjoyed some of the time.

...
My paramount concern is moving up to a liter bike, I have 2 years of riding experience. 1st year on the ex500 and now the FZ6. I consider myself a rather moderate to safe rider. Most of my riding is a fun commute to work and a few excursions every now and then. Would I be in over my head getting a big bike like this one?
I guess what I am trying to frame is , how radical of a jump would it be for an adolescent rider from a FZ6 to a Speed 3.

Take a moderate/safe rider and put them on a much bigger HP bike, it is likely to keep the learning process slow.

[SRTie4k]

So long as you are not a complete moron, you'd be fine on a 1000. I also rode for two years on "smaller" bikes then finally moved up to a Z1000. I had more fun on that bike than any other I've ridden.

If you feel comfortable with the ergos on that particular bike, and riding in general, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[Karate.Snoopy]

Alright fellas, I really appreciate the input here.
I am considering getting the Speed Triple. The one I have been looking at is a 2006 model with around 9k miles on it and an aftermarket exhaust with a couple of other trivial mods such as bar end mirrors etc.
The guy is asking for 5600$. A quick search on Nada and KBB gets me the trade in at 4000$ and retail at 5800$.
Simple average gets it to 4900$.
Now since I will be purchasing the bike in the dead of winter and probably won't be riding much till Spring of 2013, considering that the value of the bike will further depreciate by Spring of 2013, how much would you say I should offer the guy?

[e30addict]

$4,000. Make him drag you up slowly from there.

[nhbubba]

Mods are worthless, IMO. Use that.

[jhawley]

Have you ever been on a 300-500 mile day with a Ducati owner.



Are you even letting the light come on at 100? My light comes on at 120ish fill up at 140ish. And we both know my right hand is worse then yours.

I can't say I've run into any unhappy Ducati owners though. Add RC-51s to the sub 100 mile club too.


Squids don't count as real riders and they make it more difficult to generalize the legitimate ones.

you suck.
my sv1000s gets a light at about 100 miles... i love the power and torque of that thing but its a thirsty son of a bitch. did i say i love the torque

And TL1000S riders, sadly.

SV1000s are on this list

[ZX-12R]

you suck.

That's why you need a big bore I4. More torque everywhere, more horsepower everywhere, and respectable mileage!

[jhawley]

That's why you need a big bore I4. More torque everywhere, more horsepower everywhere, and respectable mileage!

but also no soul anywhere.

ive ridden my buddy's busa, and scared myself stupid on that as well as a couple of 1000cc SS's.. i thought busas get around 35ish mpg, with my "normal riding im about 35-36mpg, if im riding with my woman, that its 38 or so.

the worst was 26...

[ZX-12R]

So vibration = soul? I thought only Ducatis had soul and rice isn't allowed in the club.

33-35ish is about where I am with mixed riding. If I'm careful on a highway I've done as well as 42mpg. The worst so far was 22mpg on a group ride through VT almost 8 years ago.

but also no soul anywhere.

ive ridden my buddy's busa, and scared myself stupid on that as well as a couple of 1000cc SS's.. i thought busas get around 35ish mpg, with my "normal riding im about 35-36mpg, if im riding with my woman, that its 38 or so.

the worst was 26...

[nhbubba]

A 90-degree twin is a pretty smooth engine.

[ZX-12R]

Compared to a thumper, it definitely is.

[scottieducati]

My ZRX turns quick and has powahhhh. Then again I am 6' and love 3rd gear wheelies... My race bike is now a 400 though. Hrmm...

It sounds like for price point / value though a nice clean Speed is a good buy.