daveknott Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 Right, I'm a newbie biker and I test rode the Hornet last weekend. Loved it. Great just bimbling along, with loads of power at the top end when you just want to have fun. There's also some good deals on these and I reckon I could get a run-in 2007 model for just over £4k. But all the press guys seem to be raving about the street triple. Obviously there's a waiting list - and it'd be more expensive - but is it that much better? Would a newbie rider really notice the difference? Would it hold its value better? Help me out here guys! Opinions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan32 Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 The Honda is bomb proof. Had a '99 Hornet as my first bike and loved every minute. Did my first track day on it and even though I didn't consider myself to be a quick rider, had guys on faster bikes coming up to me in the pits asking if it was tuned as they couldn't get past me on the straight! 130mph on Snettertons back straight nothing to be sniffed at! Also learnt to get my knee down on it. Considering how cheap they are, incredibly well made. All the metal is top quality and rarely suffers corrosion. Mate had a Speed Triple and that seemed to corrode on a wet summers day! Downside was brakes and tank range but the new model seems to have redressed that. And Hornets seem to hold their money really well. Actually sold mine for close to what I paid for it after a years ownership. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mort Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 For a new rider a 600 Hornet is perfect. There is also a 900 version which is a very handy bike. However.... the Street Triple is a much more interesting bike. Great design, fantastic engine..... The Honda is transport. The Triumph is something to be proud of..... I know which I would choose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byron13 Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 Agree with Mort deff the triple it looks great and rides well for it's size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan32 Posted November 24, 2007 Report Share Posted November 24, 2007 Agreed but my concern would be reliability, longevity of exposed metal and deprecation, especially as a new biker, you're more engrossed in learning to ride than learning to keep the thing clean! Plus, its a starter bike. Proud ownership comes when you move up to the next one 6-12 months down the line so you want something you can shift easily to the next learner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mort Posted November 24, 2007 Report Share Posted November 24, 2007 This is just my personal philosophy on bikes.... but I think you should always go for the bike you really want. Rideability, skills and cost are constraints but you should always go for the bike that "does it for you". I've known lots of people who got bike 'x' but go around saying they really wanted bike 'y'. If its the type of bike you're after, it does what you want it to, you can afford it and you really fancy it... go for it. Don't make excuses for your choice of bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee_ Posted November 24, 2007 Report Share Posted November 24, 2007 Going for a test ride on them would be a good idea, The engine styles are completely different so the way in which they ride will be different too. Personally I'm a Honda fan but the Triumph does look fantastic. What sort of riding will you do? all year round or summer only? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busby Posted November 24, 2007 Report Share Posted November 24, 2007 [ QUOTE ] This is just my personal philosophy on bikes.... but I think you should always go for the bike you really want. Rideability, skills and cost are constraints but you should always go for the bike that "does it for you". I've known lots of people who got bike 'x' but go around saying they really wanted bike 'y'. If its the type of bike you're after, it does what you want it to, you can afford it and you really fancy it... go for it. Don't make excuses for your choice of bike. [/ QUOTE ] That's great advice. Some bikes create an evocative feeling inside you as an individual and different bikes will do this for different people. If you feel that way about the Street Triple then get it - every time you open the grage and see it, you'll feel fantastic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byron13 Posted November 24, 2007 Report Share Posted November 24, 2007 How about one of these, I rode one for half a day and it was a hoot (not that powerful but great fun) Fancy one to keep the R1 company in the garage for those days when I want to take someone on the back. Yamaha MT03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveknott Posted November 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2007 Great advice guys, thanks. I have just test ridden the street triple - and - WOW! Loved it. The engine sounds fantastic and it felt much torquier than the Hornet. Loads of pull from way down in the rev range - and when you get higher up the rev range the acceleration is brilliantly linear and pulse quickening - the induction roar and exhaust noise is also fantastic. It also felt really maneouvrable and very stable. In short - bloody brilliant + it looks amazing as well & felt really well screwed together. Bad news though is if I order one now I won't get it until May next year! I'll be doing mainly town riding (commute in every day) - and the bike will have to cope with year round use (unless its minus temperatures!) - still reckon I should go for the Street Triple? Or do you think Triumph's are far less reliable than Honda's and therefore I should go for the sensible option.......? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SneakyMcC Posted November 24, 2007 Report Share Posted November 24, 2007 Now then, what you really need it a bike like The Riot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busby Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 Read your own review and I reckon your mind is already made up! It's a certainty that the Honda will cope better will the punishment of daily, year round riding but it also depends on how anal you are about cleaning. If you rinse the trumpet down with cold water after each winter ride to get all the salt off then it should be ok. But if you can't be arsed with doing this then it will corrode quicker than the Honda. It will be under warranty for *insert number* years from new so if anything nasty does happen then it will always get repaired for free. I guess it depends what you want. If you want to get to work each day on a bullet proof bike that will do the job and never complain then it has to be the Honda. If you want to get to work each day with a big grin on your face each day riding a bike that you love but you have to put a bit of effort in each day to keep it going then the Trumpets yours! Also, think about the ride that you have. If you are weaving through traffic the whole way to work then you might as well go for the Honda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan32 Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 Latest issue of Fast Bikes has review of Hornet, Faser, Tuono, and Street Triple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avus_Bub Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Latest issue of Fast Bikes has review of Hornet, Faser, Tuono, and Street Triple. [/ QUOTE ] Bike has a group test too. Me? It's got to be the Street Triple All this talk of poor finish is bull, Honda aren't building the bikes they used to. Bikes test Fireblade suffered very bad corrosion damage last year. IIRC Honda replaced all the damaged bolts/fixings that turned to white powder. Imagine putting this through a UK winter......... No thanks ANY bike will suffer in UK winters untill local councils stop using salt on the roads. BUB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveknott Posted November 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 Yep, all things considered, I think it has to be the Street Triple. Now - more questions. Do you guys think I can get any money off one of these right now? Or do you think its list price only as they already have a long waiting list on them? If I can't get money off list - do you think they'll throw in any accessories? Oh - and on the subject of accessories - do you think the Belly Pan is worthwhile? Will it protect the pipes from road gunk and corrosion? or is it just an expensive piece of plastic?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mort Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 For best price ring or email several Triumph dealers and ask for their best price. there's always a deal to be done.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packa Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 Many moons ago i was tempted by a Hornet but looked at Fazer instead, But went and bought a Ducati 749 to go with mi Bimota , Fazer would be my choice if it was my first bike. The Duke was for reliability(Cough LOL) yes i know what your going to say, Bimota's are even worse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan32 Posted November 28, 2007 Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 [ QUOTE ] and on the subject of accessories - do you think the Belly Pan is worthwhile? Will it protect the pipes from road gunk and corrosion? or is it just an expensive piece of plastic?! [/ QUOTE ] It will probably help a little but any bike that is used on UK roads thru winter will need religiously looking after. I used to spray WD40 (I'm sure someone will recommend other products that are better suited but WD40 is cheap) over the entire engine, including the exhaust, after washing the bike down - yes it smokes a little when you start it up and there are many who might say it breaks down the rubber hoses but I never had a single problem and hardly ever got any corrosion on either the Hornet or the 2 R1s I did this on and my mates 2 CBRs and R1 were kept in the same way - and its worth spending few mins when you get home washing the bike down with cold water to get rid of as much salt as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveknott Posted November 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 Cool, thanks for the tips chaps! Made the decision yesterday and got a good deal on a Street Triple so the order is now in. My "Fusion White" Street Triple with Belly Pan, Fly Screen and Smoked Visor will be with me next year - only problem is I have to wait until May to get it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeDesmo Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 Street Triple - you know it makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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