24-04-12, 08:30 AM
Nicko
I bought a speed triple in 2009 new, after owning a CB1000R for a year from new. Chalk and cheese is the phrase which comes to mind!....the S3 having bucketloads of character , the Honda bland to the point of sterility. On paper the CB1000R should be the better, but somehow the whole experience never quite happened for me. The S3 by contrast is just so in yer face , awesome instant grunt ,a real motorbike with such throttle response its untrue, loud bellowing cans,fantastic drone on and off acceleration..... and acceptable handling .I always enjoy a ride out on my S3, whatever ! Its no allrounder , and for some it may not be cutting edge in handling , but definitely an experience bike to own.It is a hooligan bike, made just for hooning about on, yet it is comfy enuff for long all day rides, if you can resist the temptation to just charge about.
The new lad I tested last year and its really quite different...so much so I actually have hesitated to buy. Its awesome in terms of handling, and smoothness , but IMO has lost much of that character I love in my 09 model.It came across a pure naked sportbike, almost clinical in its ability.Yet the engine felt like a 4 cylinder bike, not so much low down shunt , not so in yer face. Its awkward for me to criticize it as the new bike does address the old bikes only real weakness, its steering and handling are a bit old school, not bad , just not cutting edge.The price also makes me hesitate as it is a second bike for me ! I have a short list of bikes I want to own, the new speed triple is on it , but I just cant decide at the moment.I also think its worth trying the street triple, it is a great bike to ride, and is 3 grand cheaper ! ( 6899 as opposed to 8999)...giving more scope to accessorize or just enjoy the fun character of the stock bike.Needless to say I too am thinking if a street could replace a speed...3 grand is a big chunk of money....it must come down to just what you want the bike to do. At the moment I am still revelling in the noise and character of my 09 bike,it still gives me a buzz, what a second bike is all about. I aint sure I want what feels like a trackbike , for just hooning around on....will I get a similar buzz...or will it end up being more like the CB1000R - accomplished but ultimately not the experience I am after ??
I bought a speed triple in 2009 new, after owning a CB1000R for a year from new. Chalk and cheese is the phrase which comes to mind!....the S3 having bucketloads of character , the Honda bland to the point of sterility. On paper the CB1000R should be the better, but somehow the whole experience never quite happened for me. The S3 by contrast is just so in yer face , awesome instant grunt ,a real motorbike with such throttle response its untrue, loud bellowing cans,fantastic drone on and off acceleration..... and acceptable handling .I always enjoy a ride out on my S3, whatever ! Its no allrounder , and for some it may not be cutting edge in handling , but definitely an experience bike to own.It is a hooligan bike, made just for hooning about on, yet it is comfy enuff for long all day rides, if you can resist the temptation to just charge about.
The new lad I tested last year and its really quite different...so much so I actually have hesitated to buy. Its awesome in terms of handling, and smoothness , but IMO has lost much of that character I love in my 09 model.It came across a pure naked sportbike, almost clinical in its ability.Yet the engine felt like a 4 cylinder bike, not so much low down shunt , not so in yer face. Its awkward for me to criticize it as the new bike does address the old bikes only real weakness, its steering and handling are a bit old school, not bad , just not cutting edge.The price also makes me hesitate as it is a second bike for me ! I have a short list of bikes I want to own, the new speed triple is on it , but I just cant decide at the moment.I also think its worth trying the street triple, it is a great bike to ride, and is 3 grand cheaper ! ( 6899 as opposed to 8999)...giving more scope to accessorize or just enjoy the fun character of the stock bike.Needless to say I too am thinking if a street could replace a speed...3 grand is a big chunk of money....it must come down to just what you want the bike to do. At the moment I am still revelling in the noise and character of my 09 bike,it still gives me a buzz, what a second bike is all about. I aint sure I want what feels like a trackbike , for just hooning around on....will I get a similar buzz...or will it end up being more like the CB1000R - accomplished but ultimately not the experience I am after ??