Triumph Street Triple (2008) - Review - Test By, Trevor Hedge Page 1 (Engine)   /   Page 2 (Touring)   /   Page 3 (Performance)   /   Page 4 (Summary/Specs)  /  Page 5 (Wallpaper)

Street Triple Treat - Page 3 (Performance) By, Trevor Hedge The brakes never gave me any cause for complaint, even after fifty laps of Wanneroo Raceway. While not outstanding they are certainly up to almost any task and only in the spirit of competition could I see anyone needing more performance than the standard stoppers. The suspension is a little soft, especially at the rear, but it is far from atrocious and still enabled me to circulate with the fast group at a ‘Trakdayz’ event at Wanneroo Raceway. Smooth is the key. Be too aggressive or ham-fisted with your inputs and the Street Triple will get upset. Any spirited two-up work would certainly require some suspension work. As little as $500 spent on a new spring and some valving work would make the Street Triple quite a weapon. As it is, the standard set-up is certainly way better than most contemporary middleweight commuters. (And now Triumph has introduced the Street Triple R with slightly more sporting suspenders for those that like to ride harder) Stability is outstanding considering the almost telepathic steering response. Turning the machine is a wonderfully light ‘think and it is there’ process. The original Speed Triple steered like an XD Falcon with flat front tyres and no power steering so the magic steering of the Street Triple was certainly a pleasant surprise. Shod with Dunlop Qualifiers the test machine fell into corners beautifully and lured me into entering roundabouts perhaps a little quicker than prudent. The only black mark against the machine in the commuting stakes is a surprising lack of available steering lock which makes the turning circle bigger than you would expect. Quality of finish seems very good. Every black motorcycle I have ridden at the racetrack has seen the paint on the sides of the fuel tank lose its luster after constant rubbing against my leathers but the Street Triple still came up well. Most of the fasteners certainly look better than some of the lawnmower nuts and bolts found on its competition. The mirrors work well enough and the switchgear is basic but tactile and functional. Overall I can’t imagine there are many motorcycles that prove as fun for the urban commute than the Street Triple. Wonderfully nimble, responsive, comfortable and quite stylish, the Street Triple is a fantastic package that is equally as rewarding for the experienced rider as it would be to the newcomer. The established middleweight entry bike supremo is Suzuki’s SV650. The Suzuki is available from $9490 which makes the jump to the $11,990 ask for the Street Triple quite a chasm. There is no doubt however that the Street Triple is a better ride. $2500 better? Yes, I reckon it is. However that $2500 difference alone will be the simple decider for many. Continue to Page 4...

Triumph Street Triple (2008) - Review - Test
By, Trevor Hedge
Page 1 (Engine)   /   Page 2 (Touring)   /   Page 3 (Performance)   /   Page 4 (Summary/Specs)  /  Page 5 (Wallpaper)