2009 Triumph Street Triple R

I rode a Speed Triple some time back and was very impressed, but lamented how much power it had. Power is a good thing, but the Speed Triple would get me arrested if it was my daily rider. Who could resist that much temptation every day?

With that in mind I’ve been wanting to get my hands on the 675cc Street Triple. This year Triumph added an adjustable suspension and called it the Street Triple R. The short review: one day I will own this bike.

The long review: Before riding I checked out the sitting position and features. In motorcycle boots I was easily able to stand up with my feet flat on the ground (I'm 5'10" in stocking feet). The sitting position is upright and comfortable. There's a lock releasing the seat, providing access to a very small storage area and no helmet locks. After a brief search I even asked one of the factory reps about a helmet lock, and it was his only complaint. Apparently they've been sending feedback up the chain for years, asking for helmet locks to no avail.

Another nice feature was the gear indicator, something I've come to appreciate on the GSX-R. Any of us who've searched for 7th gear or lost count somewhere in the middle could find this handy. Stainless brake lines come standard, and during the safety brief the leader warned us that we could stop these bikes with two fingers (didn't the MSF course tell us not to do that?).

The route was a nice mix of turns and straight aways, and the leader led a spirited ride. The Street Triple was quick and nimble, fun in the corners and accelerating nicely through the gears without that feeling of unused potential. Ok, maybe some unused potential (it was a demo ride on public streets, after all) but not the "can we please get on the interstate so I can get above 2nd gear???" vibe I'd been dealing with. Just a quick glance down showed 70 in 3rd gear, not redlined. (Just for comparison the Gixxer 750 hit 92 and climbing in 2nd.) The dual disc front brakes stopped the bike quickly but at slow speeds trying the rear brake on it's own I barely slowed. Rather weak, weaker than alot, but the rear kept the bike stable and avoided an endo. The rear brake is not non-functional, and really it feels like nitpicking to find a small flaw on an otherwise incredible machine.

So in summary, this is an exciting naked motorcycle that's a beauty to look at and to ride. There's little storage but Triumph makes tank and tail bag accessories. A great little bike which will one day be in our garage.



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Don't See That Every Day

Do two V-Twins make a W-4?


This is not an antique. Ridley, the folks who make automatic transmission motorcycles, are bringing back the motorized bicycle. One of these was breezing through the crowd, and for the life of me, though I don't want one, it just seems cute. Available with 50cc or 70cc engines.



An actual Ural on the actual road. I've heard about them twice, once from a buddy who's a fanatic and future owner, and once from a TAC officer in a rare moment of humanity. Neat features of these bikes: the sidecar is powered, not just the rear wheel of the bike. Also it was designed for use in rural areas, far away from any bike shops, and can be worked on without any special tools. This one's owner says you still need to be a bit handy, but was quite pleased with his.


I just love how they incorporated the brake light into the painting.

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Bike Week 2009

Rode down to Daytona from Jacksonville on the Gixxer, just a straight shot down 95 in an attempt to get to the Speedway before all the demo rides were filled. My two biggest priorities for the day were the Triumph Street Triple and Yamaha FZR 6. I love the Speed Triple but felt it was more power than I’d use on a daily basis, same as the Z1000 and for that matter the Gixxer. Fast bikes are great when you can go fast but just frustrating and borderline boring when forced to go slow, and for too long I haven’t been utilizing the Gixxer’s 750 cc’s for more than short bursts to get around traffic. So today’s goal was to look at a few smaller displacement sporty-ish bikes with an upright riding position, something Heather and I could swap back and forth comfortably.

I parked close to the Yamaha tent and walked up with helmet in hand. The demo bikes were parked on the service road, the tents were up, the tables and chairs set, but the merchandise was still being put out and there were the random preparation activities that hinted the factory area wasn’t ready. Just to be sure, I asked someone when the demo rides start. “Not until 8 tomorrow. Pretty much everybody is just setting up now.” I asked if helping set up would get me some seat time on a V-Max, but no such luck. I walked past the Suzuki, Honda, Buell, and Aprilia (Aprilia!!!) tents with as much luck. Honda brought a bunch of Civics to a motorcycle rally, which begs the questions who is in charge of marketing and shouldn’t they have unloaded a few motorcycles first.

Thank God for Kawasaki. They were open for business, had short lines, and let me sign up for two bikes at the same time, a Concours and a Versys.
While waiting for my appointment time with Kawi I walked to the other side of the Speedway and was able to sign up for a Triumph as well.

Killing time at a bike rally is no chore at all. I love people watching and motorcycle watching. I saw four generations of women walking together; great grandmother walking with a cane, grandmother, and mother pushing daughter in a stroller. The sight of those four wandering about highlighted how family friendly Bike Week can be.

Then I was reminded how family friendly it can not be. Walking past one of the many parking areas I heard a guy yell “Lord, I wanna see some TITTIES!!!” It was pretty loud, so of course I looked in the direction of the noise. My curiosity was rewarded with “Not yours, bro. No offense, but not yours.” We all had a good laugh. And I walked away wondering if I have man-boobs.

At the end of the ride home I tried a few new stretches Heather taught me. In addition to the usual (neck rotations, elongation stretch, hamstring stretch standing, calf stretch, etc.) I placed a doubled over pillow under my back and lay there for 30 seconds at a time. After three sets I switched to something I don’t know the name of but think of as a Double Diamond. Laying down flat on the floor put the soles of your feet together and raise them into the shape of a diamond, like a groin stretch seated except you’re laying down. This is supposed to release the muscles in the lower back. To help circulation I create a second diamond shape with my arms over my head, again for three sets, about 30 seconds each.

Really, I don’t have man-boobs. Really.

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It *Almost* Sounds Dirty

Some time ago I wrote an article on motorcycle maintenance for one of those 'article-whores inventory' websites. Nothing fancy, I didn't get paid for it, it was just another article I can put into my portfolio.

Well, I was searching for some other information and found, via Google of course (gotta love Google, where was it when I was in elementary school having to write papers?) a copy of that article that was translated into Greek.

Yes, Greek. Why Greek, I don't know, that's another mystery for the world right up there with Banker's Hours (I mean, really, 9 am to 4 pm?) and putting nuts into chocolate (Seriously? why mess up chocolate like that?).

Anyway, I digress.

So, since I wanted to see what my article on oil changes said when it was translated in to Greek and then back into English, I clicked on that handy little 'translate' button. And what I found seems rather silly and nonsensical at times and rather dirty with innuendos at others.

Here, see for yourself:

The coverage of the smaller things can be lent to a better spin on your motorcycle.

With a new meter roses, a fabric, and the owner's manual available, to speed my motorcycle with a mild sense of concern. What I do here I am a girl who wins the car for oil changes, and then only when I remember.

This is different. Guide his hands up, so also to acknowledge to know my machine in an effort to improve performance. With a motorcycle can have access to the oil itself, in a control to keep order. Oil, gas, tires, chains.

Substance covered in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation * class training, substance to be tested before each round to keep us on the road. The launch at a glance, decide that the wheels look good, are fairly robust and in good shape.

The break in the meter diploelenchontas the manufacturer's recommendations on sidewall shows that the pressure is in the order. I have heard of the stalks covers cash / valve roses will turn colors if you take the pressure too low, which sounds like an excellent idea.

In practice, however, are apotharrynmenoi on a motorcycle because the weight will wear the valve stem faster. The thin stalks appear, no remarkable tear or wear rubber in roads to be careful, so check the tires on the mental list. Initiation of the chain, because I sit right here.

No twisting the connections sfinchtike is not just a few weeks ago to examine the distance in miles and it seems like it should. The recommendation is to add the lubricant oil every 500 miles or so, right after a round in the lubricant oil can work together within the chain cools down, keeping the steady traffic from the main drying out.

What it takes is frowsy pollutant that attracts so much fat! The kerosene cleans quickly, removing the grime, and there are other products that will work equally well without the hard results of gasoline. The teeth seem to alyssotrochous well, a nice settlement in furrows that give a solid grip while adding fat to the lower loop points and fees in the chain.

While the chain keeps turning roses, and the wheels keep turning roses, gas and oil keep the machinery moving. The manual will offer the best octane fuel to keep the machine to capacity. And like most people, I discovered my tank and capacity reservation by myself, so I know exactly now how many miles I can go before fuel is supplied.

The oil will keep the engine from seizing on to dress and protect the moving parts inside, like a lubricant oil in the chain. The oil filter seems quite easy to access for an oil change and after a few seconds, find the level meter and check the levels. I am glad to see that my bike works well with the levels at this time, so note to me that I can change the oil in the other a few miles.

One less hour of the night my basic test and maintenance will help prevent the types of disasters or explosions grinding below the road. Changes such as the introduction of air and scarves, or the carburettor settings will add more strength to ensure a machine. By leaving a great feeling in my next round I know that basically covered so I can relax and enjoy the round.

From: Heather Francell

About the author

The Heather Francell independent writer for Indocquent.com. the Indocquent.com is an online resource that allows businesses and individuals to promote their products and services in 20,000 cities in over 200 countries around the world.

Well, I was entertained... how about you? (What is sfinchtike anyway?)

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Distance be damned, where do you ride?

I'm blessed enough to live in a state with amazing vistas and these absolutely sexy winding roads hidden in between. I guess you can find a road to ride just about anywhere you go, factoring in the weather and just where you're aiming to go.

With the directions we're aiming to take Ride & Rub, we're going to be exploring some of these rides in yet another effort to explore what we can do with our bikes, how far we want to go on them, and just where do we go?

Do you prefer to roll down the driveway and turn down the street just for a quick zoom to run errands? Or do you prefer to zip down the driveway to the nearest highway and cruise for several hours?

If the destination you have in mind is an hour away, do you ride? What factors in for you? Is it the weather? Is it the distance? Is it the clothes you're wearing?

I once said no to a potential six hour ride, round trip, because we were going to a funeral and I'd be wearing a dress and having to do my hair once we got there. This particular trip I asked if we could drive because we could spend the time talking along the way.

But I'm pretty open to taking off for a day trip to ride an hour or two away, stopping for lunch in a cafe or diner, wandering some antique stores or a museum, indulging in my penchant for taking pictures of old buildings and landscapes.

For some it's all about the ride, though, right? Take off for a destination 300 miles away just to stay in the saddle of a motorcycle and feel the wind rolling over your body for several hours.

I'm not brave enough to aim for an Iron Butt, just so you know. I'm more the type where the ride is the journey, not just the destination.

But if I've got somewhere in mind that I want to go, then it's a matter of figuring out just how long I/we want to ride to get there. Right?

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Oh, to glide down the road on two wheels...

I'm without two wheels right now. It's easier to say "between bikes". Sounds less pitiful.

But I just want to say that knowing what it feels like to have those two wheels underneath your grip as you soar down the black asphalt on a sunny day, and then not having that on a sunny day... ouch.

To have the wind rushing over your body, to feel the warmth from the sun, to lean into those beautiful turns...

Yep, I'm jonesing to be on two wheels again!

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Beach Blvd Motorsports Grand Opening

Well, Ron Turner has apparently decided to retire, removing his name from the Suzuki/Yamaha dealership on Beach Blvd in Jacksonville. However, the dealership is still there and there are still some familiar faces. Beach Blvd Motorsports had a grand opening Saturday with all kinds of shiny. Music outside with a DJ, the Winghouse girls handing out wings and coupons, and Team FMX East thrilling the crowd with a great motocross show.

Just a side note, but why is there always "that guy" in the crowd? As in "Don't be that guy." Team FMX East was beginning to perform with a member on the mic explaining what they were doing, and mentioned that sometimes you'll see a rider pull out of a jump because it doesn't feel right or isn't lined up right, and they don't want any broken bones this show. Understandable. "That guy's" yelled comment was "We do!" before laughing at his hilarious joke and looking around to see who else was joining in. I can only hope he got the point when no one else did. Sheesh, I'm embarrassed for you, dude.

After the show I went back inside to look at all the shiny pretties that should follow me home. Heather and I have been talking about a FZ6 to get her into more sporty type bikes, and she's been very interested in the new Star 950. Inside was a beautiful white FZ6 with gray tribal markings and pink pinstripes. Sure, it looks like a girl's bike, but it's a badass girl's bike. Not too Barbie-ish, not trying too hard, just tastefully done. For me, I'd kind of prefer it naked, but I'll admit I'm starting to like the Fizzer on paper. Unfortunately it wasn't available for a demo ride, but I'm looking forward to Daytona for a little seat time.

What was available for demo was the Star 950. I like the way Beach Blvd Motorsports handles their demo rides, like a car dealership but without a pushy salesman riding along talking about how great the stereo sounds. After photocopying my license and signing a waiver, I was given the bike and told to bring it back whenever. For any not familiar with Yamaha's V-Star 950 it is an air cooled, fuel injected V twin cruiser with a 5 speed belt drive. I'm partial to water cooled bikes personally, but the weather's still cool enough and I wasn't planning to be in stop and go traffic. The throttle was responsive and the bike accelerated through the low range up into highway speeds well enough for it's class. We went down one of the few roads in Jacksonville with twisties and found a few traffic circles on the way back. As expected, the floor boards don't allow a whole lot of lean angle, but the bike is light and manuverable otherwise. My only complaint is footpegs are not available and (according to the salesperson) aren't expected to be. Although the gauge cluster is mounted on the tank it was easily visible despite a full face helmet, and the reset button is convenient on the right handlebar.

Overall, I was surprised at how fun this little cruiser was. It never felt underpowered for what we were doing and was enjoyable even while puttering around at slow speeds. The grand opening was a great way to spend a few hours, and I wish Beach Blvd Motorsports the best of luck.


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