TRIUMPH?!

[Rashad]

I noticed a Triumph ad in the new gayed up harley edition of cycle world.

Ive never really looked at or considered them before.. any info?

What caught my eye was the prices.. outstanding for a unique bike that seems to make really nice power. I like the speed triple and speed four(i think?) and daytona. Nice bikes!

Any opinions or observations on these particular bikes?

[Pam G]

I own a 2001 Triumph TT600.  I bought it used and have put almost 4000 miles on it so far.  I have had a couple minor issues with it, but so far it's been mostly reliable.  One thing that I thought was a problem turned out to not be a problem.  The engine just had to go through 3 run cycles & everything reset to normal.  The other issue (fuel leak) was caused by the service dept. when the bike was in the shop once.
The Speed 4 has the same motor as the TT.

You can find out more info about Triumphs at www.t595.net, www.triumphnet.com, and tt600.org.
There may be a website just for the Speed 4, but you would have to do a search for it.

What kind of riding are you looking to do?  If you would use the bike for commuting & touring, I would suggest stay away from the Daytona 955 & Daytona 600.  The riding position on those bikes is more track-oriented.  But if you're tall, that may not be a problem.

Just my opinion, but I think the MSPR of the Triumphs is too high.  You can get better deals on used bikes & maybe a leftover new-old-stock machine still in a dealership after the new models come out.

If I ever get another street bike, I think it will be a Speed Triple or Sprint RS.  I really want one of the triple-cylinder bikes!

[Rashad]

I own a 2001 Triumph TT600.  I bought it used and have put almost 4000 miles on it so far.  I have had a couple minor issues with it, but so far it's been mostly reliable.  One thing that I thought was a problem turned out to not be a problem.  The engine just had to go through 3 run cycles & everything reset to normal.  The other issue (fuel leak) was caused by the service dept. when the bike was in the shop once.
The Speed 4 has the same motor as the TT.

You can find out more info about Triumphs at www.t595.net, www.triumphnet.com, and tt600.org.
There may be a website just for the Speed 4, but you would have to do a search for it.

What kind of riding are you looking to do?  If you would use the bike for commuting & touring, I would suggest stay away from the Daytona 955 & Daytona 600.  The riding position on those bikes is more track-oriented.  But if you're tall, that may not be a problem.

Just my opinion, but I think the MSPR of the Triumphs is too high.  You can get better deals on used bikes & maybe a leftover new-old-stock machine still in a dealership after the new models come out.

If I ever get another street bike, I think it will be a Speed Triple or Sprint RS.  I really want one of the triple-cylinder bikes!

Thanks for the help  I really want to hear the sound of a triple.. .very badly.

[Laura]

There is a Triumph dealer near where I live. They also sell Moto Guzzis and Kawasakis. I absolutely LOVE the looks of the Speed Triple, and I've heard really good things about the bike. It just seems like way more bike than I'd ever need. The Speed Four looks nice too, but in every picture I see, the rider is leaned way over and it doesn't look very comfortable. I don't personally know anybody who has a Speed Triple or a Speed Four. I spoke to someone who had a Triumph Bonneville America (?I think. It was a cruiser, anyway.?) But he was really happy with it. He had several thousand miles on it, and he only had to have some minor service done on it once. And the dealer gave him a loaner Triumph that had only 60 miles on it. So he seemed pretty happy with his purchase.

Laura

[Laura]

Oh yeah..

A few days ago I was looking at a motorcyle magazine at the grocery store, I think it was MotorCyclist but I'm not sure, and they had an article about the best used bike buys, and I think the Speed Triple was highlighted as a best used buy.

Laura

[JamesG]

I almost bought a TT600 over my YZF. Very nice bikes and Triumph is offering $1K rebates which drops there already decent prices better.

[JasonB]

Is there any problems with Triumph's or the TT600? They dont hold thier value like the Honda's or Suzuki's. You can get a 2000-2001 TT600 for the same price as a CBR600 from 97-98. Nice bike might have to look at one of those instead of the CBR600.

[JohNLA]

CJ got a sweet left over Sprint RS for 5K. That is a sweet bike

[pantablo]

yeah, CJ got a 2000 (or 2001?) new for only $5k...looks sweet and is really smooth.

My friend has a speed triple and I've always loved the sound and look of that bike. He's selling his 95 for $4500. Nice orange color too. Nothing shy about the bike. Wish I was ready for a 955cc bike...

Speed triples are more coveted than the speed 4's. The 4's aren't highly regarded (against the jap 4's that is-it IS a good bike, just not for full retail price).

If they made a speed triple in 600-750cc I'd jump on it. Speed 4 doesnt have anything special about it like the triple does.

Original hooligan bike too...

Triumphs are great bikes all around though and you can definitely get good deals on them.

[Gisser]

Not much wrong with the TT600 other than it competes in arguably the most competitive class in motorcycling.  The problem was that its performance and styling were a generation behind when it hit the market, and Triumph has been playing catch-up ever since.  I think the styling was intentionally understated and that proved to be a big mistake because cutting-edge styling sells in this class.  The latest edition does have more aggressive styling.  As for performance, the Triumph was dead last in the 600 class.  So, why buy the 5th place bike when you can buy the 1st place bike for the same money or less?  Why buy a GS500 when you can get a faster EX500 for a few dollars more?  Well, I wouldn't.  Not at new bike prices.  But you could make the case that the air-cooled GS is a rare breed of animal compared to the plastic clad EX.  And it DOES cost less.  The TT600, on the other hand, shares 99% of its genetics with the other 4 bikes of its class.  Make that 100%.  It IS British for those that like to believe that there's such a thing as races of bikes.  Of course, HD thrives on such superstition.

[JamesG]

It depends on what you want in a bike.

Its kind of sad commentary, but "pose value" is what drives the sportbike market. Even a GS500 has more performance than you can use on the street. People have to have the latest, greatest, even though you can't use more than 50% anywhere but a race track.
Even dead last on the spec sheet the TT600 is a much better street bike than an R6 or GSXR. In fact the only other mid-weight sports that are as "realistic" as the TT are the other "backmarkers", the 99-02 ZX6R, F4i, and YZF600R.
If my YZF had been sitting next to a TT600 in the showroom when I bought it, I would have picked the Triumph. It does everything the Yami does (better in fact) but it has the added novelty of being a Brit bike.  That you don't see everyday.

[WAP]

I was really considering a Speed Triple, but 900-some cc does not a good first bike make. The bike is the epitome of the street-fighter look in my book. Has next- or third- bike potential written all over it.

[Pam G]

Oh, one more word of caution:  it seems that any fully faired Triumph runs warm when in slow traffic or if you have to wait at signals that take long to change.  It may be that the radiators are smaller compared to comparable Japanese bikes (I haven't compared anything in person though), or it could be the design of the lower fairings.  It seems to trap hot air in, then when the cooling fan turns on, it blows hot air onto your legs & even may creep up to your thighs.
I suppose if you ride in Canada, England, or Scandinavia you won't mind the extra warmth, but in most part of the US in summer, or warmer climates, it's downright annoying.

[JamesG]

Thats normal for full faired bikes.  Both my YZF and old CBRF2 would spike up to 110 degrees within 5 minutes of stop and go traffic here in the summer time and yeah the fan dumps all that hot air right onto your legs...

The only bike I've ever ridden that didn't have that problem was a TL1000R. Mostly because of the shape of the ducts and because they were so far away...

[octane]

Love 'em! I almost bought a Speed Triple a few years ago, but my car was giving me fits and I bought a truck instead. Still love the triple though. Since the 955i came out, you can buy a used first gen Triple for next to nothing.

[Baker]

I am definantly leaning towards either a daytona 600 ot a TT600 for my new bike in the spring

[Yohan]

Daytona 600 is a sweek looking bike.

[Pam G]

Daytona 600 is a sweek looking bike.

Only if you like Honda/Yamaha clones (IMO).

I'll keep my TT, Triumph can keep their D6, IMO.

[JamesG]

I'm with Pam.  I don't get this anglular blocky trip the Euro bike makers are going on. It just doesn't look "right" to me.  
Bikes should be aerodynmaic, smooth and rounded.

[kyzee]

I'll take the Speed Triple  anytime. I was told that the Speed Triple shares many common parts with Kawasaki so there shoud not be problems with the parts dept. Man such a SWEET mean hooligan bike!!!