Motorcycle review

I drove up to Martin Eurosports in Coopersburg, PA today for their scheduled demo rides. As I mentioned earlier, I was hoping to get a ride on the Sprint ST and the Speed Triple as I’ve not had a chance to try out either of the new models with the 1050cc triple engine.

Well, I got there around 1:00 and all 7 bikes were signed up for both the 1:00 and 2:00 demo rides. The demo collection included 2 Rocket IIIs, one Sprint ST, 2 Daytona 650s, a Speed Triple and a Bonneville America. The last demo ride was going out at 3:00 and the Speed Triple was available so I signed up and took a quick look around the dealership before heading out for lunch to waste some time before I could get my ride on.


Once fed, I returned to the dealership and looked over the Triple for awhile. The paint scheme was the one of kind gold metallic and though quite a headshaker at first glance, I have to admit that the color grew on me more and more as my eyes soaked up the curves. The size of the bike is a shock and what little bodywork there is seems like just enough to get the job done. Everywhere else you look is machinery: the motor, wheels, swingarm and exhaust and it all looks mean and has that trademark Triumph streetfighter DNA through and through.

Once on the bike it completely disappears beneath you, with nothing but the superbike handlebars visible. The pegs are mounted high and rearward compared to every other big Triple which might cramp you up over long distances, but ergonomically the bars and seat fit my 6′2″ frame perfectly. A quick stab on the starter brings that classic roaring growl to life and the engine revs willingly with light pressure on the throttle.

The route we rode in the demo group led first through some choppy, old uphill twisties and then on to clean fresh pavement where the curves started to become tighter and tighter. I was slotted between a Daytona 650 in front and a Rocket III behind me. With the tremendous horsepower of the Triple I was consistently forced to ease off to avoid running up the tail of the Daytona and the only time I saw the Rocket was when he would pull up behind me at stop signs. The engine is smooth as silk and has power absolutely everywhere. Due to the route, I never got out of third, but second is good for anywhere between 35 and 70mph so shifting at legal speeds is altogether optional.

Probably the aspect of the bike that most impressed me was the incredible suspension. It soaked up everything thrown at it, but provided good feedback through the bars and behaved surprisingly well under hard braking. The short wheelbase is a blast, making flicking the bike from corner to corner a sheer joy and lending well to wheelies both intentional and accidental. As with any demo ride, riders are instructed before heading out that wheelies and stoppies are forbidden, but the power got the best of me pulling away from a stop sign midway through the ride and I stood it up momentarily. The bike took it all in stride and did nothing but inspire more confidence in me as it set down easily and begged for some more throttle.

In conclusion, while I’m not ready to get ride of Sprint RS yet, when the time comes, I’ll definitely be in the market for 1-2 year old used Speed Triple. Cycle World rated it their best open class streetbike of the year and if you’ve ridden one, you know why. If you haven’t ridden one, don’t wait any longer, get yourself to a local dealer now for a demo. You won’t stop smiling for the rest of the day.