Tank Slap - Motorcycle Forum

So, bored with not being able to make my mind up what I want and when I want it I thought it was time to take a bike out for a test ride.

I nipped into Kawasaki Birmingham to book the bike in for a service. Triumph is next door so I went into there and asked about this bike. It's 2015, 3 months left on the warranty, just 1000 miles on the clock and priced at £7,000.

I've not ridden one so they agreed to let me take it out.

The bike is small, really small. And it's very very light. The seat is the right height for me and it seems to be comfortable enough.

This is an old school bike, with no gimmicks or tricks, just abs and a quickshifter.

Fire it up and there's that well known Trumpet Triple Tenor. Nice noise, I'v missed that.

It pulls away sweetly and the triple torque means it pulls well and cleanly. The engine spins up and the dash lights up when it's time to change gear.

Steering is light but solid, loads of feedback without overloading you with information. I will always sing Triumphs praises for the way they get their bikes to handle.

Off through some traffic which it eats up with easy. I'm still getting used to the quickshifter which I don't always use.

Out onto the open roads and this thing sings. It's probably the least powerful bike I've ridden in over 10 years but that only shows up at the top end. That said, as it's naked you notice the speed more and you don't feel compelled to try and break the land speed record.

The small size, sorted chassis, quality suspension and the right tyres all make you feel like this bike will do what you want. It's something to chuck about at will. It gobbles up corners and doesn't think twice about changing your direction.

Triumph appear to have taken a leaf out of Kawasaki's books and worked on aural engineering. The induction is addictive, it really does howl. Great sound. Add to that the burble you get on the run off and it's easy to see why triples have a dedicated fanbase.

I was out for an hour. The bike was easy to use on all sorts of roads and in a variety of traffic.

This bike is a great little weekend tool sure to put a smile on your face.

Good review. Still on the list?

I still remember the one I had as a courtesy bike for a day. Great fun bike.

Yep, it's confirmed I want a little naked action for weekends and bouts of unashamed pleasure.

Don't we all.....

Kwacky wrote:Yep, it's confirmed I want a little naked action for weekends and bouts of unashamed pleasure.

Get a spin out on a Ktm 1290

Too big an engine for me. Plus I'm not a fan of twins.

But when I was at Kwak I bumped into an old mate, who was in the process of part ex ing his zx10r for a new superduke, providing he likes it when he gets to test ride it.

I've got a 690 for a day when my SX goes in for a service.

Kwacky wrote:Too big an engine for me. Plus I'm not a fan of twins.

But when I was at Kwak I bumped into an old mate, who was in the process of part ex ing his zx10r for a new superduke, providing he likes it when he gets to test ride it.

I've got a 690 for a day when my SX goes in for a service.

I love the 690.

When you ride off the car park you'll think it's shit. When you bobble through traffic for the first few miles it will also be shit.

When you hit some twisties and rev the balls off it you'll have a real giggle. So easy to wheelie

As a single its a brilliant engine.

You should take the 1290. If your not buying it then it's just a free bit of fun for a few hours and you could write a good review

I'll ask them in a few weeks once it's been out a few times. They're very good there at giving you demo bikes to ride.

Sounds like a plan. Would be interested to hear how you get on.

Good read.. I guess the 1050 is more up your street - or the new 765 maybe?

My mate just took delivery of a 1290... hasn't ridden it yet but I am pretty certain I can tell what he will say haha

The 765 Street R isn't available until June so I'm going to wait to rest ride one.

The 1050 wasn't available yesterday. The Triumph dealer told me there's a rumour that Triumph want to do a more powerful 1050 Speed Triple to take on the bigger nakeds and to distance it from the new Street Triple. No idea how much truth there is in that but there would be a market for it.

Is the current 1050 euro4 compliant ?

If not this could be the reason for a engine change ?

Dunno. I'll find out but i presume it is as they're still making it.

Not sure if its related to volume of sales but the 1299 Panigale is not Euro4 compliant but that is still for sale for another year.

I'll ask them next time I'm at the dealers.

I presumed that the Speed triple was due an update anyway so they decided to try and take on the other supernakeds.

Clearly this test ride had a big effect on you mate

what makes you think that?