Traded in for a Triumph Speed Triple

[twinlove04]

After nearly five years on my  2004 GS500f and 14,000 miles of mostly commuting, I decided to trade up.  My new ride is a 2008 Triumph Speed Triple, which I purchased used with 1200 miles on it and warranty intact.  I'd like to thank all of the patient members on this forum who helped me learn so much about motorcycles in general and the GS in particular.  The moderators are to be commended!  If you are thinking about a much bigger bike, perhaps my observations will assist you (or perhaps not).

What I (still) love about the GS:
Wind protection, especially with ZeroGravity Sport-touring shield.
Light weight.
Gas Mileage.
Looks.
Learnability, from riding technique to mechanics.
Upright riding position and comfy seat.
The handlebars turn the bike.
No one wants to steal a 500, even in Albuquerque (where tons of bikes are stolen).
DIY maintenance...many many dollar$ $aved.
This bike is worth how much after this long?  Not bad.
One can almost daydream on the GS, it's that easy.
The sound of the GS with the Vance & Hines exhaust is superb.  When I traded the GS in the techs at the dealership were dumbstruck, "That's a 500?"
Centerstands just make sense.
Low seat height is great.

What I've learned from the 1050cc bike thus far:
Doubling displacement was not as scary as many make it out to be, but it can be.
1050cc's can be ridden with civility.
The law is much harder to break on a GS.
Naked bikes suck on the highway.
'Torque-monster' is an accurate term.  'Undies-soiler' is, too.
Leaning is mandatory to turn bigger bikes.
The 180 rear tire feels easier to lean on, but the GS can corner just as well.
Double front breaks stop you really fast.
Pavement variations are hardly noticed when steering.  So this is what a suspension is...
No one will work on this bike but the $tealership.
I'm glad I didn't go with a sportbike due to semi-upright riding position.
I would absolutely have picked a different bike if the price hadn't been perfect.  Honda Interceptor, VStrom 1000, Triumph Tiger for example.

That's about it.  Take care,

Patrick

Yes, this is the dealer pic, but I haven't changed anything major to warrant a new pic.


The GS:

[tripleb]

sweet bike man. congrats

[joshr08]

nice bike enjoy it

[bucks1605]

Congrats on the new bike.

[aaronjosephward]

I agree with all your points,
sweet bike!

[ohgood]

mind posting a sound clip/video of the ST running ? first time i heard a stock piped triple i was in lust ! congrats on an awesome machine

hang out and let us know if you find things you don't like about the ST after a few thousand miles. they're fantastic, enjoy the ride !

btw, your nikon did a really nice job (and you composing) of capturing the gs

[twinlove04]

I'll try to get a short vid this week.  The sound is very different from stock. 

Happy riding.

[LimeyYankee]

Congrats on the new purchase!  Did you buy private or from PJ's?  I was down there last week sitting and drooling on the ST 675R and the Daytona's!  I've been riding my GS around Albuquerque since I got it in Aug of last year and have only seen one other on the road since, I guess it is a pretty big town after all.

My dad (68 years young) bought a black 09 black Speed Triple last year, and has decided that he has to many toys, so he asked me if I wanted to buy.  I would love too, but owe some on my bike, so no deal.  I'm glad to hear your account that it's not to big of a jump from a 500 to 1050 though, so thanks.

I plan to upgrade in a year or two to either a 675 Triple or Daytona 675.

Maybe I'll see ya around town, enjoy the beautiful bike 

Matt

[Chokstick]

Me likes!  Looks sexy.

[Rickyz80]

Very powerful, and huge upgrade from the ol' GS, but sensible choice overall.   That 3-cylinder engine in the triumph, or at least the 675, I heard, is an outstanding engine.  Gives all the street ride-ability of a twin, and the punch of a i-4.  That 1050 most likely has power all around, like a bigger version of the 675, this of course =  + .  Awesome choice on bike, and color. Enjoy the great riding weather!

[Canonball]

sick 

[commuterdude]

That's a sweet bike, Triumphs rock the house.....the Rocket III blows my mind.    Checked out some youtube vids on your bike other Triumphs.....dig it.   

[5thAve]

Lucky duck.

[Y2K6GS500F]

Congrats on the new ride. I got to demo a 675 at Bike week in Daytona.  Triumph builds an awesome bike.

[The Buddha]

OK you cannot be twinlove04 any more. 

I suggest you think of something along the lines of "Three boobies are my favorite on a chick" unless you're a chick yourself, in which case you could go with "have 3 boobies and I like em" oh yea 08.

3 cylinder ... who thought of that ...  ... lets see, singles, twins ... and thrins ... yea ... thrins.
Cool.
Buddha.

[TurkeyChicken]

Albuquerque crew... signing in.

Congrats dude.

[joshr08]

i beleave its called a triple buddha.  or in your case triplets....

[Juan1]

Was in Albuquerque visiting my family about a month ago.  I couldn't believe how many motorcycles were out!  Great new bike by the way.   

[bill14224]

What a bike.... What a bike... WHAT A BIKE!!!

Be careful on that thing, you'll need a federal bailout if you drop it!

Aren't V&H pipes something?  I get that all the time.... THAT'S A 500?? 

Why didn't you just keep the GS, take the fairing off, and put a GS1000 engine in it?