Following my disappointing test ride last year of the much hyped Super Tenere, curiosity got the better of me - I went for a test ride on the equally hyped Triumph 800.
The test route went through some local streets with speed bumps and tight roundabouts; B grade roads and few well surfaced twisties, a section of hi-way full patch jobs where roadwork are being completed - it lasted about 20 minutes and covered about 15kms.
I am a commuter/touring rider doing about 90% road and 10% unsealed road riding - not a real dirt rider my any stretch of imagination.
With that in mind, i choose the base 800 model to test ride. I did also seat on the XC and was very surprised to find that standard seat on low setting gave me the same ground reach as a stock Wee. This is no easy task as i barely have 30inch inseam. Long body and short limps are just not built for riding dirt/dual purpose bikes.
Anyway started her up and carefully and slowly go out of the dealer's driveway. First thing i notice is how very light it feels and how very stable it is travelling at less than 3km/hr and moving between dealers bikes - i have both both feet up and absolutely no wobbles- i felt like i didnt even have concentrate using throttle and clutch at all. I was so confident that as i pull out the driveway and do my traffic checks, I simply held the bike standing still for a couple seconds without putting my feet down. While i could do that on the wee strom too, it's a lot harder work, though and usually less gracious.
This is the first time i rode a triple and i am fascinated by its almost turbine whine as the speed picks up - love it! the gear-change on this 1000km sample is lightest i have ever encountered on all bikes i have ridden. it only requires foot pressure a little toddler to get it moving!
I gave it a bit with the right hand, the power is strong, obviously stronger than my Wee with overloaded farkles can punch out. But it's not scary like my old 1000 fireblade nor the FZ1 i had, which always commands a good level of respect. At one point on 3rd gear, the rev drop down to around 2,000 rpm, i roll on the throttle - it graciously picks up without any complaint.
The fueling seem very sorted - a few deliberate off-on engagement seem not bothering it too much. But made no mistake compare to the Wee, the flywheel on this bike is a lot lighter and more compareable to naked sports bike - it tugs at the leash every chance it gets.
suspension on the base model deals with surface imperfection and small bumps and potholes i rode on quite well. Rear got a bit choppy when the going gets a bit tougher, but front composure is always good as far as compliance is concerned. There's a fair amount of brake dive and the stock brake is rather ordinary - sufficient but not really confidence inspiring. Of course i am 92kg, net, :green_lol: so YMMV.
Seats on this bike is a lot firmer than Super Tenere. ST soft seat seem like a good idea to start with and u go over a bump, it bounces u up and down like u are on a trampoline.
I feel like i am sitting on top of the bike rather than in, like my Wee. Hi-way wind protection is a lot less with the Triumph on stock setup compare to the Wee. The pegs are set further behind and handlebar are quite forward for me ( but i do have short arm) - overall i feel more like riding a sports bike rather than adventure bike- HB should be an easy fix with riser though.
This bike reminds me of my old 2006 FZ1, my last bike before the Wee Strom. It's sporty, you are in a almost ready to attack position trying to catch your mate on his sports bike. It's lightness would probably make it less comfortable for touring, but appreciated when commuting (i would still put a raiser to get more comfort), and assuming ergo is correct, doing off road, manoveouring over obstacles should be a breeze.
It takes a little getting used to such a light-feeling bike again after riding my farkle laden Wee for the last 3 years.
Overall, i am very impressed with the Triumph, great noise from the engine, great tapping on the gear change. I still prefer the touring nature of the Wee - rock solid road feel and wind protection. But the triumph is the weapon for taking it to even just unpaved road, commuting, showing off the manoeuvribility in the car park, and carving the canyons. Only if they put a slightly more heavy flywheel to damp some of the bikes enthusiastic nature- i am buying a touring orientated adventure bike here-not a naked tiger sports bike! Again your preference would be different!
Australia is not getting a lot of these bike - according to the dealer one ABS version is being shipped in late july, all other ABS bikes would have to wait till November onwards. Demand definitely seem to outstrip supply
I dont know what's the reliability of triumph bike and cost of spare parts and consumerables.
Assuming all the box is checked, and in a couple years when there's sufficient aftermarket farkles around, AND dealers are more willing to discount, i might very well pick it as a replacement for my wee.
please share your thoughts if u have tested the 800.
The test route went through some local streets with speed bumps and tight roundabouts; B grade roads and few well surfaced twisties, a section of hi-way full patch jobs where roadwork are being completed - it lasted about 20 minutes and covered about 15kms.
I am a commuter/touring rider doing about 90% road and 10% unsealed road riding - not a real dirt rider my any stretch of imagination.
With that in mind, i choose the base 800 model to test ride. I did also seat on the XC and was very surprised to find that standard seat on low setting gave me the same ground reach as a stock Wee. This is no easy task as i barely have 30inch inseam. Long body and short limps are just not built for riding dirt/dual purpose bikes.
Anyway started her up and carefully and slowly go out of the dealer's driveway. First thing i notice is how very light it feels and how very stable it is travelling at less than 3km/hr and moving between dealers bikes - i have both both feet up and absolutely no wobbles- i felt like i didnt even have concentrate using throttle and clutch at all. I was so confident that as i pull out the driveway and do my traffic checks, I simply held the bike standing still for a couple seconds without putting my feet down. While i could do that on the wee strom too, it's a lot harder work, though and usually less gracious.
This is the first time i rode a triple and i am fascinated by its almost turbine whine as the speed picks up - love it! the gear-change on this 1000km sample is lightest i have ever encountered on all bikes i have ridden. it only requires foot pressure a little toddler to get it moving!
I gave it a bit with the right hand, the power is strong, obviously stronger than my Wee with overloaded farkles can punch out. But it's not scary like my old 1000 fireblade nor the FZ1 i had, which always commands a good level of respect. At one point on 3rd gear, the rev drop down to around 2,000 rpm, i roll on the throttle - it graciously picks up without any complaint.
The fueling seem very sorted - a few deliberate off-on engagement seem not bothering it too much. But made no mistake compare to the Wee, the flywheel on this bike is a lot lighter and more compareable to naked sports bike - it tugs at the leash every chance it gets.
suspension on the base model deals with surface imperfection and small bumps and potholes i rode on quite well. Rear got a bit choppy when the going gets a bit tougher, but front composure is always good as far as compliance is concerned. There's a fair amount of brake dive and the stock brake is rather ordinary - sufficient but not really confidence inspiring. Of course i am 92kg, net, :green_lol: so YMMV.
Seats on this bike is a lot firmer than Super Tenere. ST soft seat seem like a good idea to start with and u go over a bump, it bounces u up and down like u are on a trampoline.
I feel like i am sitting on top of the bike rather than in, like my Wee. Hi-way wind protection is a lot less with the Triumph on stock setup compare to the Wee. The pegs are set further behind and handlebar are quite forward for me ( but i do have short arm) - overall i feel more like riding a sports bike rather than adventure bike- HB should be an easy fix with riser though.
This bike reminds me of my old 2006 FZ1, my last bike before the Wee Strom. It's sporty, you are in a almost ready to attack position trying to catch your mate on his sports bike. It's lightness would probably make it less comfortable for touring, but appreciated when commuting (i would still put a raiser to get more comfort), and assuming ergo is correct, doing off road, manoveouring over obstacles should be a breeze.
It takes a little getting used to such a light-feeling bike again after riding my farkle laden Wee for the last 3 years.
Overall, i am very impressed with the Triumph, great noise from the engine, great tapping on the gear change. I still prefer the touring nature of the Wee - rock solid road feel and wind protection. But the triumph is the weapon for taking it to even just unpaved road, commuting, showing off the manoeuvribility in the car park, and carving the canyons. Only if they put a slightly more heavy flywheel to damp some of the bikes enthusiastic nature- i am buying a touring orientated adventure bike here-not a naked tiger sports bike! Again your preference would be different!
Australia is not getting a lot of these bike - according to the dealer one ABS version is being shipped in late july, all other ABS bikes would have to wait till November onwards. Demand definitely seem to outstrip supply
I dont know what's the reliability of triumph bike and cost of spare parts and consumerables.
Assuming all the box is checked, and in a couple years when there's sufficient aftermarket farkles around, AND dealers are more willing to discount, i might very well pick it as a replacement for my wee.
please share your thoughts if u have tested the 800.
...but a whole headlight incl. globe is $180.
