quality for me just didn’t seem to be there, not
in comparison to it’s little brother anyway. I felt
every bump in the road and it lacks the 765’s
beautiful agility. I’m thinking the main factor for
is probably the additional weight. It’s not ‘heavy’
but I’m only 72kg and I just found it a more
‘difficult’ ride. The 765 is ‘easier’.
The Speed is wider than the Street Triple
and slightly higher too. I could really feel that
difference, particularly on the width factor as
the seat nipped at my inner thighs and just
generally felt less supportive. I found it more
difficult to squeeze between the traffic too.
However, one thing I will give to the Speed Triple
is that the handling at speed (subjective I
know...) is excellent.
I did find starting the bike a little niggly to start
with, my old school brain just says “what’s wrong
with just having an ignition key?”, rather than
having to remember a sequence of things in
order to start the bike; push a button, make sure
the key is green, push the ignition button
upwards until the screen comes on, then push it
all the way down until the electrics kick in, then
you pull the clutch in and start the bike! Come on
Triumph, I know it’s 2020 but there’s no need to
go too far with the tech. Personal opinion only. I
can just see myself, tired in the early morning,
coming out and forgetting how to start my bike.
If nothing else, it would irritate me.
As I said at the start, initially I was certain I
would gravitate towards the gruntier engine
and performance of the bigger bike, but having
ridden both bikes back to back, I’d be looking to
buy the Street Triple RS. For New Zealand roads
and my commuting purposes the engine has a
perfect mid range and the light, agile handling
is so easy. It’s comfortable too, pretty much a
fantastic all rounder – now, where’s my nearest
Triumph dealer...?
62 KIWI RIDER