GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

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?

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!

Quote from: Pam GI 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 :thumb:  I really want to hear the sound of a triple.. .very badly.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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

Daytona 600 is a sweek looking bike. (http://www.t5net.de/tt600_s4/daytona600-2.jpg)

Quote from: YohanDaytona 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.

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.

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!!!  :thumb:

I own a Sprint RS 2000 (purchased this year) and I am lovin it!!!

Power delivery is excellent and the roar of a three-cyl. is sooo purrdy :lol:   I would highly recommend that if your looking for something different, performance and looks, try the RS.   At the bike night that I go to every Thurs.  I am the only on with my bike :thumb:  among the gixxers and R1's and 954RR's.  I do get a lotta looks.  

Cool thing about the RS is that it has the practialy the same engine as the Daytona 955i  and geometry as the Sprint ST which is the sport touring model.  The RS can be made into a sport tourer with a slightly bigger shield and some adjustable bar mounts for $100 and presto!! a full on sport bike tourer  :)  

But the bonus is the insurance.  All Triumph's sportbikes are concidered sport tourers :o and are dirt cheap.  Also you get a 2 YEAR warranty!

Yes, I LOVE my Triumph RS!

C.J.

But my first love will always be the GS! :thumb:

May she rest in peace :(

C.J.

There may indeed be somewhat of a Kawasaki/Triumph relationship.  I've heard that Triumph has a few ex-Kawasaki engineers working for them, and rumor is that many aftermarket endcans for a '98-00 ZX6r will fit the TT600 because they have the same bolt configuration.

A mate has a thunderbird sports, it's very heavy but the name says it all, It's a triumph. If ytou get a new or late model one they now come without the obligatory oil patch in your parking place which is good.

My only complaint about triumph so far, is their lack of good pictures and specs etc... need more info...
:cheers:

You are not wrong there Rashad, try www.triumph.co.uk it is the UK site with links to U.S. and other countries sites.

Ok the biggest question is reliability. I know that out of all of the bike manufacturers, that Triumph does some of the most extensive testing.  Those brits are really commited when it comes to quality of  their bikes. Bottom line, if you want something exotic and different without spending an arm and a leg (ie for Ducati and Aprilia) then Triumph is the bike for you.


:thumb:

I'd get a Triumph tomorrow but for one thing. I recently boaght a new GS for 3k and it also cost me 10k for a new kitchen. I figure her indoors would be looking for a conservatory or similar if I splashed-out 6k for a Bonneville, T-Bird or Tiger. Anyone who says they would not let this influence them is single or speaks with forked-tongue. maybe next year............T-Bird Sports looks good, as long as it's Blue.

Quote from: RedFuelDluxOk the biggest question is reliability. I know that out of all of the bike manufacturers, that Triumph does some of the most extensive testing.  Those brits are really commited when it comes to quality of  their bikes. Bottom line, if you want something exotic and different without spending an arm and a leg (ie for Ducati and Aprilia) then Triumph is the bike for you.


:thumb:

By most accounts from people on other forums, the new Triumphs are excellent bikes with little or minimal problems.  They handle very well and sound awesome!  I think the key is finding a good dealer because there aren't many dealers so you can't just go to the next town over if you don't like yours

I'm currently lusting after the Jet Black Speed 4 (basically a TT600 minus fairings and 'retuned' engine).  With fully adjustable suspension, this bike is an awesome deal at $6499!  The FZ6 MSRP was announced too at 6499 :)

The new Thruxton is so so cool too  :thumb:

I like the Triple but don't want a liter bike as my next bike and don't want a liter bike on my insurance until I finish school.  It is also pretty expensive :(

Early TT600s had some pretty bad fuel injection stumbles, which seem to have been sorted out with more recent software.  I think you can get older bikes updated (it was the same sagem system all the way through iirc).  They have great steering feel despite being a little more portly than their contemporaries, too bad they were/are so overpriced new.  Sounds like the used market has gotten a lot better.  The intakes trumpets look goofy, but I dig the smooth lines outside of that.  Personally I'd go for a yzf-600r in that class for having more midrange, much better legroom, cheaper price, and fitting sport touring duties rather better, but I like the triumphs a lot in general.  Now that triple howl ...

They're also offering free hard bags with a 2003 Sprint ST while supplies last.

How's this for reviving an old topic? 

Anyway- thought I'd throw my $.02 in here.  I own a 95 speed triple- great bike.  Its a 885cc liquid cooled torque machine.  And yes it was my first bike.  I've heard of people getting upwards of 80k on the older (94-97 years), I have 20k no problems. 

The company is really growing fast- and reliability is not an issue. 

The speed triple has been constantly voted the best naked bike out there, new and used. 

The new daytona 675 was recently voted best track bike.

The rocket III has the largest production displacement- 2300cc

The bonnie is a great classic, very reliable

The thruxton is an amazing machine with a lot of power for a vertical twin.

Triumphrat.net

Cheers!

I love the 675, it looks superb... Someone on here owns a gold-ish color one, I want it bad :)