I may get hated on for saying so, but I do not think this young lady is cut out for motorcycling as much as for social media. There are lots of pictures of her posing with motorcycles, but damn few videos of her riding. She seems to lack some basic understanding of what a motorcycle is, how it operates, and what it means to become really involved with riding. In the aviation community she would be known as a "hangar pilot." If she is serious, she should get out and ride somewhere and tell us about it. Watching her videos so far seems like a good inducement to never get on a real motorcycle.
6:40 People new to sport bikes always complain about sore wrists & numb hands. *Your wrists are not meant to support your upper body weight.* Your thigh muscles are much better for that job. Grip the fuel tank with your legs, and apply just enough force on the handlebars to countersteer. Your wrists & hands will thank you for it 👍
Former classic Norton Dominator rider, just pulled the trigger on a low mile one owner racing pedigree 02 Daytona. I have just begun to experiment with riding positions. Been pretty much figuring out the same thing. Being flexible even now, it’s easy for me. For others maybe not so attainable. But definitely sensible. Triumph triples rule. -Matt’s dad
Even if it costs $$$, save up and wait for it, if it's THE bike. The feeling once you finally obtain it is unparalleled; you cherish, learn and preserve it for such a long time!
I know it's years out of date, but in case anyone stumbles on this, the reason the Street Cup feels faster than the Twin is the sprocket ratio. Both have 17 teeth on the front, but the Twin has 41 on the rear, whereas the Cup has 44 on the rear.
Me too. A Street Triple R is more a sportbike and a definitely a different style. I do love the Street Triple too. But, I bought the Street Cup just because I love the classic retro style!
The heat🔥 on the duc you test ride, it's not just that model. I own a monster 796 and it burns from time to time. It's my first and haven't learned enough to move on to another on this journey.
This was one more of your typically intelligent videos, Doodle. Clearly you've done your homework, you've learned valuable lessons along the way, and are well on your path toward the perfect motorcycle acquisition. Although many have provided advice (and continue to do so!) the verity is that no one knows you better than you! You'll be fine! Free advice is worth what it costs, and even the best advice can never substitute for your personal experience.
I love my SV650, have 62,000 miles on it which I bought new in 2000. Don't give up! (But I'm 6'1" male, 215 lbs. so it's not the best for me when I ride long distance. It's a fabulous canyon carver - I'm a peg scraper.) I'm glad to see you working this thing. Keep riding! Practice skills.
I have the ducati scrambler and I think it compares favorably to all those bikes, although I understand about the engine heat. However as long as you’re moving it’s not an issue. Plus it has a great growl 🐯
You did a fantastic job here! I really liked your honest comments about each of the bikes. I agree with you that a bike that is top heavy can make it difficult to really enjoy in the long run, so your favorable comments regarding the T120 and Street Twin/Cup I will take with me. Great job!
I have been looking at a Triumph T100, then I sat on a Street Twin. Like you, no contest, the Street Twin just felt good. I'm short in the leg and found this so easy to handle. It's now got me thinking. Safe riding. Jeff from the UK 👍
Most comfortable bike. Low Rider. Do yourself justice and ride one. Harley loves to let you test ride their bikes. Low center of gravity and the most relaxed riding position hands down! I know I know to each his own or her own but do ride one if it fits your reach. You'll love the power delivery and low end torque. The wieght is down low but gives a very smooth ride at highway speeds. And I'm not bias. I ride everything! Theres not the image with the product that everyone stereotypes but you'll also love the HD camaraderie. Just my 2 cents. Be safe, nice videos
If you like the ride of the Triumph Triple the best and you like the look of the Street Cup ... you might like the Yamaha XSR900 (the retro version of the MT-09). I really like the blue they used on the 2017 XSR900. I don't know about the red 2018 model. That yellow Street Cup looks awesome, though. I like bikes that are around 400 lbs. because I don't feel like I'm going to get blown off the road by a semi on the highway, but I can also tip it over pretty far without getting scared I'll drop it.
I would start with sport bike vs cruiser. For naked, SV650 or Ducati Monster. Hipster looking cruisers? Harley Iron 883, Yamaha Bolt C-Spec, and Honda Rebel 500. All are decent looking with lower center of gravity.
Hello, the Triumph Street Twin and Cup both share the same engine specs; 900cc liquid cooled at 54HP. The Street Cup has you leaning forward just a tad bit ...not quite a sports bike lean, but sort of. Whereas the Street Twin is more of an upright bike. Moto Guzi bikes are air cooled so even if you liked the weight you would have discovered it will run hot like the Ducati, which is air and not liquid cooled. The Honda CB500 has a very low seat height, which is good. I would say it's more of a semi-cruiser fit. Meaning your legs are a bit in front of you in the seating position> All in all you know my vote - The Street Cup in Yellow/Silver. :)
As always, I appreciate your thoughtful and insightful comments regarding your test rides. Yes, a motorcycle should be functional, safe and confidence inspiring, but the bike should also speak to your emotions, every time you see it and every time you ride it. You have ridden a wide variety of bikes, and know which one(s) you want. In my opinion, the challenge now is to determine what you will have to do to own one of these bikes, then do it. CG
Great video. You highlighted one of the main issues with the supersports. Those bikes aren't really designed for street riding. They are designed mostly for performance. You dont want to be able to flat foot a supersport. Infact with those you want them high enough that youre on your tippy toes with them. The increased ride and seat height gives more clearance for wider lean angles. On the gsxr your wrists were hurting because u were too close to the tank, when youre in the right riding position that's leaning over to full tuck they start making more sense, and it won't hurt. All your weight should be in your lower body and core your arms should be weightless. These things are really designed to be track toys and are great to learn on. Every bike is essentially just a tool. Yes you can use a wrench as a hammer. But a hammer works better for hammering. Just like a wrench is the best tool for wrenching. When people recommend bikes they tend to inject their own biases into the decision instead of suggesting something that will work for what your after.
Out of the 10 bikes you rode, I rode the TRIUMPH Street Cup. Immediately felt buckled to the road. So smooth and each gear snicked into place. Never a moment where I didn't know what gear I was in. I could get in and out of Neutral with ease. So easy. I rode that for two hours. I didn't even realize I rode it for two hours until I got back to the Triumph Dealer and they said "Where'd You go, China? It was supposed to be an hour not two." They were half joking. But that's because I had so much fun going through the twisties on the back roads. This is actually the bike I'm buying if God permits it. I commute to work and hate the drive but have a feeling I'll love it once I'm on the saddle of this. I'm with you 100% I consider myself a Cruiser guy and don't like Crotch rockets because of the modern looks and I personally don't need THAT much speed. It's not my look. So a cafe racer has the classic 60's look that I love. TRIUMPH in my humble opinion has the best line up of modern retro motorbikes out there. There are others that are making their own cafe racers and bobbers and may be just as good but none are up to par with that rich classic 60's look that TRIUMPH has engrained in their bikes. It's basically like TRIUMPH went back in time, brought them back, shined them up, added modern safety components and started selling them all over again. So for someone who loves British motorbike history it has everything I could ever want. You don't compromise anything in getting these new modern Classics.
I started on a Suzuki SV650 and regret that I ever sold it, but it is not set up for long distances. By the time I'd accessorized it to be my long distance buddy, I had spent a lot. I now ride a BMW F800GT, which is perfect for me, and it devours long distances out of the box, so to speak. In one nine month period I put over 14,000 miles on it. New subscriber.
If I had to make a choice on your behalf, I'd get the Cup purely based on the way you describe it. Seems like you are really in love with that bike, and like you I think it's a beauty. By the way, I have a 2018 T120 and before that I had a 2010 T100. I agree with you that Triumph have managed to bring down the centre of gravity enough that it makes it more much easier to move around than even lighter older T100 models. However, if you are on anything other than a flat surface, the can still feel fairly heavy. At home I have to back it out of a small garage while sitting on it, and there's a small lip/bump that I have to get it over. I always have to make sure I build quite a bit of inertia or otherwise I'm not getting it over that bump. Just mentioning in case you get tempted by one of the new T120 or T100 models, make sure you try moving it around (specially backwards) while sitting on it as sometimes you have to do that when you've parked in a cramped space. Good luck in your search!
If your ever kicking around swing bye the Indian dealership. You’d look great on the Scout 60. Cruiser comfort with Sport bike (almost) fun factor and carries its weight very low. Not too heavy at all. Keep up the great work kiddo!
Loved hearing your perspective. Enjoy your shopping. I am a big fan of the street triple. The way your eyes lit up discussing the street cup makes me think this is the bike for you. Cool bike for sure.
You should seriously test ride a 2017-2018 Ninja 650. They did a revamp of it last year and it lost a whopping 42 pounds compared to the Ninja you test rode! It looks much sportier yet retains pretty much the same comfortable seating position. It has a 3 position adjustable windscreen. It also has upgraded gauges giving you a gear indicator, shift light (the tach needle actually changes color from white to orange to red as the rpm's rise!). It also tells you mpg, average mpg and miles until empty (a feature I love!). I bought one last June to use as a sport/touring/commuter bike and it fits the bill perfectly. I also only paid $7000 for it brand spanking new. It's basically everything you liked about the Ninja 650 you test rode but much lighter and better all around.
You seem to lean toward triumph so I would suggest looking at the bobber. Don't expect a super smooth ride but speed and style are definitely there. The Indian scout will be another that will have you grinning. If you go sporty I would suggest fz6r. You just can't beat that 4cyl sport bike sound. The sv650 and fz07 are similar in performance and a lot of fun also. Fz09 was fun but a little tall. I don't think the cb300/500 f or cbr 300/500 will have the zip you want. Nothing wrong with them very comfy and capable just more commuterish. Anyway, happy hunting.
Keep an eye out for the new Kawasaki 400. Weight, power, and cost are really worth looking at. At 44 h.p., it performs much as 650cc bikes of decades ago which were more than adequate.
The Bonneville T120 has caught my eye as well. You mentioned wanting to ride to the mountains and seat comfort was important. Try to rent a street cup for a day or two so you can evaluate seat comfort on a long ride. This will tell you more than a short test ride. Try to rent any bike before buying. Any annoyances will be more likely to show up on a longer ride.
Sv650 worth the wait to try out. Super easy and smooth. Cheap easy maintenance and insurance. Will embarrass some bigger sport bikes on the track because of easy confidence.
If you insist on new. Kawasaki Versys S 650 cruiser with their fitment system which tailors the bike to you. There are still Victory Octanes out their. Great bike, low seat height and center of gravity, basically the same as the Indian Scout.
As a Street Twin owner if you like that I'd go for the Street Cup. It's so easy to ride and the stock exhaust sound is great. Its a bit costly but we'll worth it IMO.
Street Cup is gorgeous! And, I own the 2017 Thruxton R and a 2016 Rocket Roadster. The Cup is a beautiful bike and way better than the original 900 Thruxton in all ways!
I think you should have test ridden the Moto Guzzi V7 as well. I loved mine. Alternate affordable and lighter option would be Husky Svartpilon 401 or maybe newer 701 but more expensive. Just traded for a Benelli TRK502 and you might want try it as well but heavier. I liked the reviews and also enjoy trying new bikes. Keep up the good work on TH-cam! I just subscribed.
I own a Suzuki 650 S40 and have ridden Triumph Bonneville & America + BMW 1200C like in James Bond movie but LOVE my Kawasaki Vulcan Classic (900cc) that had lowering kit on it when I bought it which was perfect for 5'4" person. VERY SMOOTH!
Whatever you do, buy used be it the Cup or Street Triple. You will save thousands and you can find low mileage units. I would go for a 2013-2017 street triple which can be had for $5-$8K range and will be 100 lbs lighter than your Bonnie.
Hey Doodle, Of the bikes on your short list, I'd vote for a used Ninja 650 (and then save up for the Street Cup). It has decent power for you to keep up with your friends. It is comfortable enough for those 2 hour rides to the mountains. It has the features you enjoy having. The Street Triple is a great bike but the throttle is quite sensitive and could get you into trouble. If you have time to test out a couple more bikes I would strongly suggest a Honda Rebel 500 and Kawasaki Vulcan S. Two cruisers with weight down low so they're not difficult to handle. They should have enough power, comfortable for long rides and have features you will like.
Hey Doodle. Love your passion and content. I realized after you mention many times throughout you videos that you have a 31" inseam. I'm 5' 10.5 tall and I also have a 31" Inseam. I must be a freak of nature with an extra long torso. Lol. Thought I would give you a good laugh. Keep up the great Content and be safe out there.
SV650! I wanted that bike to be my 1st, but ended up getting 2012 YZFR6 RAVEN EDITION instead and I’ve been with her ever since. CRUISERS are a great choice. Ride safe y’all. Shoutout from NYC.🍎
That was another great video Doodle!!! Good pointers for 1st time buyers/riders. I know the bike that would suit you very well but Suzuki stopped making it over 10 years ago, it has a very low center of gravity due to the gas tank is below the seat, rides like a big cruiser cause it has a 1500cc engine but the draw backs are only a 4 gal tank and the seat is uncomfortable after a couple of hrs. but even you would be able to flat foot it easily. They were the LC 1500 (carb) and the C90 (injected). I have friends that have over 100K miles and still going. BTW.... I'm slowly catching up with watching all of you're videos!!!!
I have been riding cruisers my entire life until I bought 1 Ninja 600R. I ended up selling it because I could not stop doing wheelies and I was always speeding. It was just too tempting for me, even though I loved it I didn't want to end up loosing my licence or dying.... Back to the cruisers I went. You made a great choice in the end, the bike suits you.
Look at the Yamaha XSR 700 and the XSR 900. A bit of classic touch in a modern chassis with low weight. The 700 is a twin, the 900 is a tripple engine.
Its ok to not have 1 perfect bike for you. I've had so many different sizes and styles of bikes over the past 30 years and i wouldnt have it any other way.
If you like the Ninja why don't you check out the Kawasaki Vulcan S? Same engine as the Ninja. Plus it there is the Ergo fit system. They customize the fit by what feels comfortable to you, for free. It's lighter than most cruisers too.
Also consider maintainance costs, the Triumph will be a lot more to keep up, the Ninja will cost little if you learn chain adjustment, lubrication, cleaning. Oil and filter changes, spark plug changes, just the basics then you are truly a motorcycle enthusiast.
I haven't ridden a Stripple, but I have ridden the latest gen SV650. It is lovely, light & nimble bike that is fairly low and thin. Suzuki demo days should be coming up in a couple months so you can ride one. Of its range, I consider the Stripple to be the high-end/mark. If you're going to change suspension for higher a lot stuff, go for that. If not, th SV deserves a look as well as the SFV650/Gladius (heavier, supposedly not as thin at the tank/seat, covered in a lot of stuff the Suzuki pulled off to make it the New SV, a little less power). If your friend's SV is of the 02-08 vintage, it will feel a bit more tippy compared to the more recent SVs. Also kind of wondering how you would feel about the GSX-S750 (not the Gixxer). Oh, and do crosSFit. :p
Back in '97 / '98, I had the opportunity to test ride a Triumph street triple. If I could close my eyes and ears, it was wonderful to ride. The power, throttle response, braking, handling, etc. were excellent. However, the bike was not attractive to the eye, not in any way. The sound of the traditional 3 cylinder firing order was not my cup of tea, it sounded like half of a V6. Not soul - stirring. However, Triumph now has the "T - plane" triple in some of their bikes, it sounds like heaven.
Just keep riding and smiling. I've owned and riden many. I always say too many bikes and not enough time to own them all. Your like my beautiful smart and brave daughter. Keep going God Bless.
Thanks for your experiences! I'm an old fart (75-year-young) riding every day a 2010 660 cc Yamaha mono cylinder MT03 (Not the new 321cc) but in the 80s I owned not one but two Suzuki "Savage" renamed "Boulevard 40" with a Yamaha Virago 535cc in between. I confirm that the Savage/Boulevard 40 is a GREAT CITY BIKE & since I live on a 20 square miles island with only two straight lines to clean the carbs/injectors, it was perfect! I sold the last one to get a BMW Scarver 650 that I kept from 2005 'till 2017 :)
Great choices. I started riding on a Ninja 650 and recently upgraded to the Street Triple. The Ninja was a great bike, but the Street Triple is a significant upgrade - a lot more power, buttery smooth, very balanced and flickable. I can't say enough good things about the bike. I picked up a 2014 Street Triple R with 1500 miles for $6k, but I had to be patient to find a good deal. I really like the styling of the Street Cup, but haven't had a chance to ride one.
Jeff Triple is an awesome bike and is a beautiful sport bike! I suggest you test ride a Cup when you can. This is vintage Triumph and to me nothing sounds like a twin 270 degree engine. The torque is unlike your triple and WAY more usable for daily riding. It's got tons of pull at 3500+ RPM. You would be very lucky to win a "Roll on" against a Cup in the same gear. Everyone thinks horsepower is King. That's ok if you are Moto GP racing at 15,000 rpms and getting 200+ HP. Real world is you and I. This is where torque is King. I own a 2016 Rocket 3 roadster that puts out 163 Ft/Lbs of torque at 2750 rpm. Not one bike on the planet has matched it yet in gear for gear roll-ons. Fastest bikes on the planet lose big time! Sorry to bore you but the Cup is a torque bike that I think you should test ride. I think you will find it may have better "Drive ability" for you in the day to day scheme of life. Peace man and keep riding! Ride safe and Be safe!
One more contender for you to consider is the new Aprilia rs660 if you want something with bodywork. Its a bit roomy so I worry about your inseam but man that bike has everything on your list, looks, tech and power. Some of the triumph naked classic looking bikes have a ton of tech hidden away in them(traction control and ABS) that i think would serve you well in the mountains.
Have you ridden the yamaha bolt i have one of those as well as the Thruxton it has a vance &hinze slipon with fuel controller does 160 ks. no probs. nice low seat and low centre of gravity very comfitable.
Have you checked out a Sportster 883 low? For a bike of that vintage, they can probably be had for cheap, like maybe 3-4 grand. They run pretty good, and insurance in cheap, because they are less than 900 CCs. I mean, you like cruisers, right? Used makret is flush with bikes right now, because Harley came out with something new. Good deals to be had through the winter.
Get the street cup. I got my 1st choice on my first bike. Indian Scout. No regrets. Will get a sport bike eventually, maybe an R1 or FZ 10, as second bike
Nice video. Between the Triumph T100 and T120, the T120 is 43-lbs heavier and has .4-inch taller seat height. Your experience of the T120 being easier to handle in the showroom has to be on account of the empty fuel tank. With a fuel capacity of 3.8 gallons, a full tank (up high) weighs nearly 23-lbs and that will make a huge difference in feel empty vs full. Shoes matter too - taller shoes allow a person to have their feet further apart on the ground, dramatically increasing their leverage against the weight of a bike.
I'd also recommend that you check out the Kawasaki Vulcan S. It's basically the same engine as the Ninja 650 but it's been tuned for a bit more low and mid range power. And it's a cruiser. I believe that they have a selection of handlebars and seats to adjust the bike to fit the rider.
Don't listen too much to those sales ladies! Like the Street Cup but its heavy. Ducati Scrambler is the one, light, character and fun. Fix the heat problem and you'll love it.
The Cup is very nice, if you'd like a bit more go, test ride a Triumph Thruxton R, it's pretty much a T120 Bonnie with some styling, suspension, and performance improvements (I say styling improvements cuz the Bonnie is I dunno, a bit plain for me... maybe...). Personally I like the café racer styling of both, but the Thruxton is just more, and very capable of going, stopping, and turning... the one I jumped on had the optional bullet fairing as well. Would love to own one and I probably will. It would make a good garage mate for my Speed Triple R, but right now I've got 3 bikes, I'm trying to emigrate, and all 3 are probably coming with me. Maybe when I get to New Zealand... oh also, have you ever ridden a Speed Triple R? You know, the prettiest bike they make, the one with the 1050 motor, and the single sided swingarm? Try get a ride on an R with the low mount 3-into-1 arrow exhaust system, it trims like 14kilos of under the seat mass from the bike making it much more nimble. It's one of those "makes your right hand lazy" bikes, loads of torque on the highway for overtaking sports cars, but it's not a retuned superbike motor that makes a sudden squirt of torque a bit lower in the rev range like many naked bikes motors do, the torque is always there, just like the recent Street Triple (except the SR which is apparently more of a naked Daytona), only a lot more go from the 1050 motor
Two hours to get to where you want to go? Forget sport bikes, look at the seat....does that look like something you want to sit on for any length of time? A 15 minute test ride will not make this limitation apparent. You liked the Suzuki S40, why not try the S50? More power, smoother.
As the weight of the bike are very important for you. below is the weight of the triumphs fuelled up and ready to goThe Kerb weight of the Street cup is about 220 KG (485 pounds)the Street Triple is 186KG ( 410 pounds)your old T100 was 230kg (507 pounds)
Hey Doodle, was recommended to your channel by McRider, and when i watched a couple of your videos, I thought one bike you might want to look at, and test ride, is the Honda CB1100. I will stop their and recommend that you would watch Jon's moto garage, and the test ride he took on the 1100. If you were to ever give that bike a shot, give yourself at least an hour on that bike, and hit the highway with it. Thank you for your time. The segment on the 1100 is called blown away. Thanks again.
That t100 was likely the best based on what you say your looking for. The t100 and 120 are virtually identical except for 1200 vs 900 engine and six speed transmission. I got the t120 for touring long range riding purposes. I could recommend the Harley 883 iron. Its very short.
Street triple or Ninja 650 would make you very happy.. triple is going to be a bit more money I'd think.. but it sounds to me like you should follow your heart with the street cup...
If you liked the ninja 650 you should try to test ride a 2017. They made the bike 42 lbs lighter with roughly the same ergonomics. If you prefer a naked bike the z650 is available and is a bit lighter than the the ninja 650.
hey doodle, i bet i know why u liked the ninja, kawasaki tends to set up the bikes from the factory for a typical japanese test rider, you might be only a little lighter than them so it feels pretty good right from the dealer, sag and preload very important for it to "feel right" letting u relax your shoulders is best way i can explain, im like 200 so i had to crank my Z way up when i first got it (big improvement) now that your doing all those wonderful scoot and stand tricks with one leg (clever af!) id love to hear your thoughts on bikes that are set up too soft/too stiff
I don’t think you like Harley’s but you should check out the 2018 superlow. 25.5 inch seat height. It doesn’t look hot stock but change the air filter and exhaust and make it yours.
1:33 ... The Street Triple in those colours is gorgeous. (I had a look on the Truimph website, and that colour scheme is not there on any current model. Must have been a previous generation scheme.) 9:51 ... lovin' that face-pull. Heheh.
Only real difference in Street Twin and the Cup (other than alloy/tubeless wheels and the flippable bars) is in the ECU. Different mapping. Very understressed engine. The Street Triple is a nice bike but I just didn't like it on long rides, and got tired of trying to figure out where to stow luggage. Stay away from the Guzzi unless you want to spend a lot of time wrenching in the garage. I would +1 on the XSR700. I rode the XSR900 and was impressed. Can't beat Japanese reliability.
I'm also a big fan of Triumph and hope someday soon to purchase the new T120 Bonneville. On another note, you look so much like Joanne, who has the TV reality show "Fixer Upper", as if you were her daughter. Amazing. Love your videos, keep 'em coming. Cheers from down under...
Oh Doodle, where to start? You really need to just get a used bike (take along someone who knows what problems to look for). Older Kawasakis are like sand in the desert and cheap as well. Honestly, forget about features. Get a bike you're physically comfortable with. Spend your money right now on good gear instead. Gloves and trousers that have knee and hip protectors. Consider finding a nice soft patch of grass and dropping the bike on purpose. Then pick it up and clean it. And then just ride, bit by bit and with time you'll find your confidence.
I'm sorry, I have no idea where you get that idea. That is just offensive and prejudiced. My comment above has nothing to do with Doodle being a girl. It has to do with her (oh, excuse the pronoun btw) obvious nervousness while riding that she displayed in her videos and her, to my mind, losing focus of what would help her gain confidence on a motorcycle. Motorcycling is dangerous. I don't think any motorcyclist with a halfway level head would disagree with that. A bit of fear or respect is a good thing to avoid complacency and overconfidence, but a too great a lack of confidence and you raise the chances of hurting yourself. Concentrating on features and looks of motorcycles at this point in her motorcycling career is, imo, not paying enough attention to the basics. But, of course, it's just advice in the end, and she's free to do what she likes, obviously, including having a chip on her shoulder. Just like you do.
Agree. I've been tap dancing around some truths here in hopes that some of the advice would be taken to heart without all the while seeming too terribly heavy handed or needlessly critical. That's not my personality nor my intent. I've addressed her directly as well as through others posts and thoughts.The truth is Doodle loses concentration often. It's easily identifiable and demonstrable in her video's. She's had some lapses in concentration (on video) that quite frankly could have been really serious. She drops her bikes not because they're heavy (that's head in the sand stuff) but because her skill level is still developing and she mentally drifts. Honestly I don't want to see her end up in a bad situation that is ALL TO COMMON for riders with even higher skill levels than her so I continue to hope for some motorcycle self realizations to emerge. Then to add gas to the flame talking' about wanting a Street Triple R as her next bike sends me deeper into concern. I see some light at the end of this tunnel however and I hope she takes up Jerry Palladino's generous offer. At this point I think it's simply the very best investment (even though monetarily it'd be free) she could possibly make for herself and ultimately for her safety.
If money is an issue, go for the Ninja 650. Really low $$ entry point, lots of mods if you want more performance, great on highways, etc. I just got mine and am loving it. Keep it a season and then upgrade. You won't lose much money on it either. Personally, the street triple scared the shit out of me. It was WAY too twitchy. It was used, so the previous owner could have messed with the throttle, etc. But you can get into trouble on that bike. I know I would.
How do you get more performance. The 2018 version has less hp than the 2017 but is 42lbs lighter so maybe it works out the same but a 650 twin will never be a performance bike.
I've watched alot of reviewers in the past 6 months and yours comes out with points I haven't heard before. Especially how to check the comfort with weight. Thanks. Buy triumph street twin. Do you mean street triple?
I have a 2017 Yamaha R3, I've had a KTM RC-390 aswell. I enjoyed both motorcycle greatly. I still have the Yamaha R3 and really enjoy it for all driving, I dont need it for breaking the speed limit at interstate speeds. If I need to accelerate around traffic on the interstate I have no quarrels for its abilities. When I first got it, I got on the interstate with it and then got off at the next exit because "I" didnt know how to drive it and the wind from traffic was blowing me all around. Now interstate driving doesn't bother me the least bit. Is it more challenging than a larger motorcycle, of course but I find that to be the fun of it. To each their own but I love my R3 mainly because I dont drive more than a couple hours because my body can't handle driving anything even 4 wheeled for more than a couple of hours without being in pain. I also installed a tooth less inner sprocket than factory "13T" to give me more lower end because I wanted more throttle/clutch control. I got it up to 109mph jumping from exit to exit and that's well enough for me. I've had some higher speed fun with other vehicles I dont need that out of my $4,250 toy.
100% agree with you regarding Ducatis and heat, hottest seats of any bike I’ve ridden. Maybe they’re trying to reduce the population lol. GSXR is only comfortable when your knee is on the ground, I’ve owned four and loved them. Have you ridden any BMW bikes besides the GS? Had an S1000XR and that was an insanely capable machine.
I get you like the Street Cup and all but you've mentioned several times about long distance and comfort. The Street Cup (based on rider position) wouldn't exactly be the best choice to address your main complaint. Sounds to me like you need something light, with wind protection & enough power to muscle through the highway. Not sure the Cup satisfies all those needs. Don't ever buy a bike strictly on looks either.. it's a combo between looks & comfort :-).
Airtouch67 I rode the Street Cup for literally 2 hours and didn't feel any apparent discomfort. It was so much fun I didn't even notice I was riding for that long. It's not uncomfortable to tour on. You're only slightly leaned forward. Not like a sport bike position. And the pegs are standard not rearward. So you're very comfortable. Plus that Alcántara seat is so soft. I felt like I could keep riding all day. I just had a grin the whole time. Couldn't believe how much fun the Street Cup was. Besides, the British have it all figured out. Brand New, the Street Cup comes with Traction Control, Ride by wire throttle, torque assist clutch and ABS ALL as STANDARD. You'll be paying an arm and a leg if you wanted those extras on a Harley. That's not standard for the American brand motorbike. You get the whole package with the British motorbikes.
Spartan.. I actually own 3 bikes (including the Triumph) and with all due respect going out for a "2 hour ride" is like a jaunt around the block. There is a big difference between 2 hours and 8-10 hours. Everyone gets to that threshold where their ass starts to hurt.. could be 2, 4, or 6 hours, etc. The Triumph is a great bike yes.. but you also have to consider wind protection, etc., which also causes fatigue after several hours. A 5mph wind day is different than a 20mph wind day. I believe Doodle mentioned she was looking for "all day" comfort. If you actually go out and ride street cup for 8 hours a day for a few weeks you would probably be able to provide a little more input. I could probably sit on a bar of steel for 2 hours (although short ride comfort is also important). When I go on long rides 6+ hours I take my FJR1300, when I am doing 2-3 hours I will ride my Triumph.. and for the short jaunts 2 hrs or less.. I hop on my Yamaha R3. But keep in mind.. a bike that is comfortable for 8 hours for 1 person may be a nightmare for someone else who rode it for 1.5 hours.. depending on height/weight/size, etc. That's why buying any bike really is "risky" in a sense because it's not like the dealer lets you ride the bike for 2 weeks before you buy it. But I agree.. the Triumph is a great bike and looks amazing. I am fortunate to have several bikes so I can choose based on what I am doing for the day. I could never do a 6-8 hour day on my R3 ! That's why I love sport touring bikes ! Gobs of power and comfy too. But of course its 640lbs & there is no way Doodle could possibly ride it :-).
Very well said. You're right, I haven't ridden it for more than those two hours. So I can't comment or speculate on that. It makes sense what you said. If Doodle will be traveling longer than two hours every day than it makes sense to get the best of the best and not compromise.
I personally am more into the Cruisers than anything else but a Cafe Racer is right there underneath it. You made me think of what you said. I do not ride for more than two hours because I'll just ride to work, which is an hour commute, since I work 6 days out of the week. I won't have time to ride more than that except on my days off, which I would LOVE to ride all day. It's an amazing feeling. But I have a family and can't be selfish and just leave em behind for an 8 hour ride. I just don't personally have that extra time. But it would be awesome man. Sincerely. I want to do that one day. Explore my entire State on two wheels, stop at cafe's and meet fellow bikers and great people and talk face to face without the interruption of cellular devices. Just being in the moment. Phones just take you out of the moment constantly. Thanks for your insight.
No problem Spartan. I've been in your situation too (I have 3 kids) - but fortunate for me now they are all grown and have left the nest ! You'll get there one day. It's the cycle of life. Just try and squeeze a few good runs in when you can to keep the interest :-). Meeting bikers from all over really is a lot of fun too. You will really enjoy that :-).
If you liked the ninja 650, you should go for the Yamaha YZ600R. It's a four inline instead of a two inline so you have a better sound and better midrev tork if you're lazy on shifting (you can check the dyno runs on the Akrapovic site if you want to). The look is also much better then the beluga gas tank on the Ninja 650. The Honda CBR650F is also a good choice for the same reason as the Yamaha.
I once owned a Kawasaki z1R, bored, balanced and turbo charged. At 150, my eyes started watering from the wind seeping through the cracks in my full face helmet. Fun times!
I may get hated on for saying so, but I do not think this young lady is cut out for motorcycling as much as for social media. There are lots of pictures of her posing with motorcycles, but damn few videos of her riding. She seems to lack some basic understanding of what a motorcycle is, how it operates, and what it means to become really involved with riding. In the aviation community she would be known as a "hangar pilot." If she is serious, she should get out and ride somewhere and tell us about it. Watching her videos so far seems like a good inducement to never get on a real motorcycle.
I bet she'd never get on a big bagger or ride through a coastal flood warning!
@@DoodleOnAMotorcycle And she would definitely never ride solo from Denver to Sturgis.
She has gone out and "rode somewhere and told us about it." You should watch more of her videos than just this one.
Doodle is dandy.
mf really watched one video and didn't even bother to click the channel
Stick to planes then? Doodle can ride
6:40 People new to sport bikes always complain about sore wrists & numb hands. *Your wrists are not meant to support your upper body weight.* Your thigh muscles are much better for that job. Grip the fuel tank with your legs, and apply just enough force on the handlebars to countersteer. Your wrists & hands will thank you for it 👍
You know what its not what we think it's all about you.
Former classic Norton Dominator rider, just pulled the trigger on a low mile one owner racing pedigree 02 Daytona. I have just begun to experiment with riding positions. Been pretty much figuring out the same thing. Being flexible even now, it’s easy for me. For others maybe not so attainable. But definitely sensible.
Triumph triples rule.
-Matt’s dad
Even if it costs $$$, save up and wait for it, if it's THE bike. The feeling once you finally obtain it is unparalleled; you cherish, learn and preserve it for such a long time!
I know it's years out of date, but in case anyone stumbles on this, the reason the Street Cup feels faster than the Twin is the sprocket ratio. Both have 17 teeth on the front, but the Twin has 41 on the rear, whereas the Cup has 44 on the rear.
I am so proud of your spirit and knowledge!!
Even though you're physically very different from me (6'4"), it's been useful hearing your reviews.
I own a 2017 Street Cup in silver/black and absolutely love it.
Me too. A Street Triple R is more a sportbike and a definitely a different style. I do love the Street Triple too. But, I bought the Street Cup just because I love the classic retro style!
The heat🔥 on the duc you test ride, it's not just that model.
I own a monster 796 and it burns from time to time. It's my first and haven't learned enough to move on to another on this journey.
oh man!! #ducatithing
This was one more of your typically intelligent videos, Doodle. Clearly you've done your homework, you've learned valuable lessons along the way, and are well on your path toward the perfect motorcycle acquisition. Although many have provided advice (and continue to do so!) the verity is that no one knows you better than you! You'll be fine! Free advice is worth what it costs, and even the best advice can never substitute for your personal experience.
I love my SV650, have 62,000 miles on it which I bought new in 2000. Don't give up! (But I'm 6'1" male, 215 lbs. so it's not the best for me when I ride long distance. It's a fabulous canyon carver - I'm a peg scraper.) I'm glad to see you working this thing. Keep riding! Practice skills.
I have the ducati scrambler and I think it compares favorably to all those bikes, although I understand about the engine heat. However as long as you’re moving it’s not an issue. Plus it has a great growl 🐯
You won’t go wrong with a street triple or the new bonnevilles. I’m digging the bonneville bobber myself.
if you liked the Ninja 650, but prefer cruiser looks, have you tried the Vulcan S?
You did a fantastic job here! I really liked your honest comments about each of the bikes. I agree with you that a bike that is top heavy can make it difficult to really enjoy in the long run, so your favorable comments regarding the T120 and Street Twin/Cup I will take with me. Great job!
Thanks!
I have been looking at a Triumph T100, then I sat on a Street Twin. Like you, no contest, the Street Twin just felt good. I'm short in the leg and found this so easy to handle. It's now got me thinking. Safe riding.
Jeff from the UK 👍
awesome! let me know what you end up getting!
Most comfortable bike. Low Rider. Do yourself justice and ride one. Harley loves to let you test ride their bikes. Low center of gravity and the most relaxed riding position hands down! I know I know to each his own or her own but do ride one if it fits your reach. You'll love the power delivery and low end torque. The wieght is down low but gives a very smooth ride at highway speeds. And I'm not bias. I ride everything! Theres not the image with the product that everyone stereotypes but you'll also love the HD camaraderie. Just my 2 cents. Be safe, nice videos
Correction, I meant the Kawasaki Vulcan S. The same engine as the 650 ninja in a cruiser platform.
If you like the ride of the Triumph Triple the best and you like the look of the Street Cup ... you might like the Yamaha XSR900 (the retro version of the MT-09). I really like the blue they used on the 2017 XSR900. I don't know about the red 2018 model. That yellow Street Cup looks awesome, though. I like bikes that are around 400 lbs. because I don't feel like I'm going to get blown off the road by a semi on the highway, but I can also tip it over pretty far without getting scared I'll drop it.
I would start with sport bike vs cruiser. For naked, SV650 or Ducati Monster. Hipster looking cruisers? Harley Iron 883, Yamaha Bolt C-Spec, and Honda Rebel 500. All are decent looking with lower center of gravity.
Hello, the Triumph Street Twin and Cup both share the same engine specs; 900cc liquid cooled at 54HP. The Street Cup has you leaning forward just a tad bit ...not quite a sports bike lean, but sort of. Whereas the Street Twin is more of an upright bike.
Moto Guzi bikes are air cooled so even if you liked the weight you would have discovered it will run hot like the Ducati, which is air and not liquid cooled.
The Honda CB500 has a very low seat height, which is good. I would say it's more of a semi-cruiser fit. Meaning your legs are a bit in front of you in the seating position>
All in all you know my vote - The Street Cup in Yellow/Silver. :)
As always, I appreciate your thoughtful and insightful comments regarding your test rides. Yes, a motorcycle should be functional, safe and confidence inspiring, but the bike should also speak to your emotions, every time you see it and every time you ride it. You have ridden a wide variety of bikes, and know which one(s) you want. In my opinion, the challenge now is to determine what you will have to do to own one of these bikes, then do it. CG
YESSS!!
I have an 18 Ninja 650. Get a 17 or an 18 and you'll love it. Took the older bike and improved it. Its a great bike.
Great video.
You highlighted one of the main issues with the supersports.
Those bikes aren't really designed for street riding. They are designed mostly for performance. You dont want to be able to flat foot a supersport. Infact with those you want them high enough that youre on your tippy toes with them.
The increased ride and seat height gives more clearance for wider lean angles.
On the gsxr your wrists were hurting because u were too close to the tank, when youre in the right riding position that's leaning over to full tuck they start making more sense, and it won't hurt. All your weight should be in your lower body and core your arms should be weightless.
These things are really designed to be track toys and are great to learn on.
Every bike is essentially just a tool. Yes you can use a wrench as a hammer. But a hammer works better for hammering. Just like a wrench is the best tool for wrenching.
When people recommend bikes they tend to inject their own biases into the decision instead of suggesting something that will work for what your after.
Out of the 10 bikes you rode, I rode the TRIUMPH Street Cup. Immediately felt buckled to the road. So smooth and each gear snicked into place. Never a moment where I didn't know what gear I was in. I could get in and out of Neutral with ease. So easy. I rode that for two hours. I didn't even realize I rode it for two hours until I got back to the Triumph Dealer and they said "Where'd You go, China? It was supposed to be an hour not two." They were half joking. But that's because I had so much fun going through the twisties on the back roads. This is actually the bike I'm buying if God permits it. I commute to work and hate the drive but have a feeling I'll love it once I'm on the saddle of this. I'm with you 100% I consider myself a Cruiser guy and don't like Crotch rockets because of the modern looks and I personally don't need THAT much speed. It's not my look.
So a cafe racer has the classic 60's look that I love. TRIUMPH in my humble opinion has the best line up of modern retro motorbikes out there. There are others that are making their own cafe racers and bobbers and may be just as good but none are up to par with that rich classic 60's look that TRIUMPH has engrained in their bikes. It's basically like TRIUMPH went back in time, brought them back, shined them up, added modern safety components and started selling them all over again. So for someone who loves British motorbike history it has everything I could ever want. You don't compromise anything in getting these new modern Classics.
Hi i have had my Street Cup for four years now.I hadnt ridden it for two weeks and when i rode it i realised what a great bike it is.
I started on a Suzuki SV650 and regret that I ever sold it, but it is not set up for long distances. By the time I'd accessorized it to be my long distance buddy, I had spent a lot. I now ride a BMW F800GT, which is perfect for me, and it devours long distances out of the box, so to speak. In one nine month period I put over 14,000 miles on it. New subscriber.
If I had to make a choice on your behalf, I'd get the Cup purely based on the way you describe it. Seems like you are really in love with that bike, and like you I think it's a beauty.
By the way, I have a 2018 T120 and before that I had a 2010 T100. I agree with you that Triumph have managed to bring down the centre of gravity enough that it makes it more much easier to move around than even lighter older T100 models. However, if you are on anything other than a flat surface, the can still feel fairly heavy. At home I have to back it out of a small garage while sitting on it, and there's a small lip/bump that I have to get it over. I always have to make sure I build quite a bit of inertia or otherwise I'm not getting it over that bump. Just mentioning in case you get tempted by one of the new T120 or T100 models, make sure you try moving it around (specially backwards) while sitting on it as sometimes you have to do that when you've parked in a cramped space.
Good luck in your search!
If your ever kicking around swing bye the Indian dealership. You’d look great on the Scout 60. Cruiser comfort with Sport bike (almost) fun factor and carries its weight very low. Not too heavy at all. Keep up the great work kiddo!
I did consider that one for a long time before I decided to go to sport bikes!! 😄
A very good review of each bike and I appreciate you sharing it with us.
Loved hearing your perspective. Enjoy your shopping. I am a big fan of the street triple. The way your eyes lit up discussing the street cup makes me think this is the bike for you. Cool bike for sure.
You should seriously test ride a 2017-2018 Ninja 650. They did a revamp of it last year and it lost a whopping 42 pounds compared to the Ninja you test rode! It looks much sportier yet retains pretty much the same comfortable seating position. It has a 3 position adjustable windscreen. It also has upgraded gauges giving you a gear indicator, shift light (the tach needle actually changes color from white to orange to red as the rpm's rise!). It also tells you mpg, average mpg and miles until empty (a feature I love!). I bought one last June to use as a sport/touring/commuter bike and it fits the bill perfectly. I also only paid $7000 for it brand spanking new. It's basically everything you liked about the Ninja 650 you test rode but much lighter and better all around.
You seem to lean toward triumph so I would suggest looking at the bobber. Don't expect a super smooth ride but speed and style are definitely there. The Indian scout will be another that will have you grinning. If you go sporty I would suggest fz6r. You just can't beat that 4cyl sport bike sound.
The sv650 and fz07 are similar in performance and a lot of fun also. Fz09 was fun but a little tall. I don't think the cb300/500 f or cbr 300/500 will have the zip you want. Nothing wrong with them very comfy and capable just more commuterish.
Anyway, happy hunting.
Keep an eye out for the new Kawasaki 400. Weight, power, and cost are really worth looking at. At 44 h.p., it performs much as 650cc bikes of decades ago which were more than adequate.
But what about buzzy high RPM / gearing for 65mph?
How much are the 400
The Bonneville T120 has caught my eye as well. You mentioned wanting to ride to the mountains and seat comfort was important. Try to rent a street cup for a day or two so you can evaluate seat comfort on a long ride. This will tell you more than a short test ride. Try to rent any bike before buying. Any annoyances will be more likely to show up on a longer ride.
good idea! hadn't thought about renting...
Sv650 worth the wait to try out. Super easy and smooth. Cheap easy maintenance and insurance. Will embarrass some bigger sport bikes on the track because of easy confidence.
If you insist on new. Kawasaki Versys S 650 cruiser with their fitment system which tailors the bike to you. There are still Victory Octanes out their. Great bike, low seat height and center of gravity, basically the same as the Indian Scout.
As a Street Twin owner if you like that I'd go for the Street Cup. It's so easy to ride and the stock exhaust sound is great. Its a bit costly but we'll worth it IMO.
Street Cup is gorgeous! And, I own the 2017 Thruxton R and a 2016 Rocket Roadster. The Cup is a beautiful bike and way better than the original 900 Thruxton in all ways!
I think you should have test ridden the Moto Guzzi V7 as well. I loved mine. Alternate affordable and lighter option would be Husky Svartpilon 401 or maybe newer 701 but more expensive. Just traded for a Benelli TRK502 and you might want try it as well but heavier. I liked the reviews and also enjoy trying new bikes. Keep up the good work on TH-cam! I just subscribed.
I own a Suzuki 650 S40 and have ridden Triumph Bonneville & America + BMW 1200C like in James Bond movie but LOVE my Kawasaki Vulcan Classic (900cc)
that had lowering kit on it when I bought it which was perfect for 5'4" person. VERY SMOOTH!
Whatever you do, buy used be it the Cup or Street Triple. You will save thousands and you can find low mileage units. I would go for a 2013-2017 street triple which can be had for $5-$8K range and will be 100 lbs lighter than your Bonnie.
Hey Doodle, Of the bikes on your short list, I'd vote for a used Ninja 650 (and then save up for the Street Cup). It has decent power for you to keep up with your friends. It is comfortable enough for those 2 hour rides to the mountains. It has the features you enjoy having. The Street Triple is a great bike but the throttle is quite sensitive and could get you into trouble.
If you have time to test out a couple more bikes I would strongly suggest a Honda Rebel 500 and Kawasaki Vulcan S. Two cruisers with weight down low so they're not difficult to handle. They should have enough power, comfortable for long rides and have features you will like.
Hey Doodle. Love your passion and content. I realized after you mention many times throughout you videos that you have a 31" inseam. I'm 5' 10.5 tall and I also have a 31" Inseam. I must be a freak of nature with an extra long torso. Lol.
Thought I would give you a good laugh. Keep up the great Content and be safe out there.
SV650! I wanted that bike to be my 1st, but ended up getting 2012 YZFR6 RAVEN EDITION instead and I’ve been with her ever since. CRUISERS are a great choice. Ride safe y’all. Shoutout from NYC.🍎
That was another great video Doodle!!! Good pointers for 1st time buyers/riders. I know the bike that would suit you very well but Suzuki stopped making it over 10 years ago, it has a very low center of gravity due to the gas tank is below the seat, rides like a big cruiser cause it has a 1500cc engine but the draw backs are only a 4 gal tank and the seat is uncomfortable after a couple of hrs. but even you would be able to flat foot it easily. They were the LC 1500 (carb) and the C90 (injected). I have friends that have over 100K miles and still going. BTW.... I'm slowly catching up with watching all of you're videos!!!!
I have been riding cruisers my entire life until I bought 1 Ninja 600R. I ended up selling it because I could not stop doing wheelies and I was always speeding. It was just too tempting for me, even though I loved it I didn't want to end up loosing my licence or dying.... Back to the cruisers I went. You made a great choice in the end, the bike suits you.
Not suprised on your love for the triples smoothness. Used to track and race a Daytona 675. The sound and feel is like no other.
Look at the Yamaha XSR 700 and the XSR 900. A bit of classic touch in a modern chassis with low weight. The 700 is a twin, the 900 is a tripple engine.
XSR700 didn't like it when I test rode the Fz-07 (same engine) forgot to mention that one! the 900 couldn't even lift it off the kickstand :'D
I also own a 2018 street twin love it ,I had Harleys all my life never would go back to a Harley!!
Its ok to not have 1 perfect bike for you. I've had so many different sizes and styles of bikes over the past 30 years and i wouldnt have it any other way.
Me too! Love the different experiences of each one!
If you like the Ninja why don't you check out the Kawasaki Vulcan S? Same engine as the Ninja. Plus it there is the Ergo fit system. They customize the fit by what feels comfortable to you, for free. It's lighter than most cruisers too.
Also consider maintainance costs, the Triumph will be a lot more to keep up, the Ninja will cost little if you learn chain adjustment, lubrication, cleaning. Oil and filter changes, spark plug changes, just the basics then you are truly a motorcycle enthusiast.
Your 100% correct, the street cup/ or twin would be perfect, also a Dirt Bike/ SuperMoto conversion you would enjoy
I haven't ridden a Stripple, but I have ridden the latest gen SV650. It is lovely, light & nimble bike that is fairly low and thin. Suzuki demo days should be coming up in a couple months so you can ride one. Of its range, I consider the Stripple to be the high-end/mark. If you're going to change suspension for higher a lot stuff, go for that. If not, th SV deserves a look as well as the SFV650/Gladius (heavier, supposedly not as thin at the tank/seat, covered in a lot of stuff the Suzuki pulled off to make it the New SV, a little less power). If your friend's SV is of the 02-08 vintage, it will feel a bit more tippy compared to the more recent SVs.
Also kind of wondering how you would feel about the GSX-S750 (not the Gixxer).
Oh, and do crosSFit. :p
yes!! looking out for their demo days!
NO to crossfit ;"D
Back in '97 / '98, I had the opportunity to test ride a Triumph street triple. If I could close my eyes and ears, it was wonderful to ride. The power, throttle response, braking, handling, etc. were excellent. However, the bike was not attractive to the eye, not in any way. The sound of the traditional 3 cylinder firing order was not my cup of tea, it sounded like half of a V6. Not soul - stirring. However, Triumph now has the "T - plane" triple in some of their bikes, it sounds like heaven.
Just keep riding and smiling. I've owned and riden many. I always say too many bikes and not enough time to own them all. Your like my beautiful smart and brave daughter. Keep going God Bless.
Thanks for your experiences! I'm an old fart (75-year-young) riding every day a 2010 660 cc Yamaha mono cylinder MT03 (Not the new 321cc) but in the 80s I owned not one but two Suzuki "Savage" renamed "Boulevard 40" with a Yamaha Virago 535cc in between. I confirm that the Savage/Boulevard 40 is a GREAT CITY BIKE & since I live on a 20 square miles island with only two straight lines to clean the carbs/injectors, it was perfect! I sold the last one to get a BMW Scarver 650 that I kept from 2005 'till 2017 :)
hiiiiiii doodle, nice vid! Nice way to make videos in winter
Thanks girl! 😄 ran out of my spring and summer footage 😂
If you wanted to stick with a cruiser, how about the Suzuki S50, the s40 big brother. More power in a relatively small frame.
Great choices. I started riding on a Ninja 650 and recently upgraded to the Street Triple. The Ninja was a great bike, but the Street Triple is a significant upgrade - a lot more power, buttery smooth, very balanced and flickable. I can't say enough good things about the bike. I picked up a 2014 Street Triple R with 1500 miles for $6k, but I had to be patient to find a good deal. I really like the styling of the Street Cup, but haven't had a chance to ride one.
Neat to hear from someone who has owned both the Ninja at Triple R!
Jeff
Triple is an awesome bike and is a beautiful sport bike! I suggest you test ride a Cup when you can. This is vintage Triumph and to me nothing sounds like a twin 270 degree engine. The torque is unlike your triple and WAY more usable for daily riding. It's got tons of pull at 3500+ RPM. You would be very lucky to win a "Roll on" against a Cup in the same gear. Everyone thinks horsepower is King. That's ok if you are Moto GP racing at 15,000 rpms and getting 200+ HP. Real world is you and I. This is where torque is King. I own a 2016 Rocket 3 roadster that puts out 163 Ft/Lbs of torque at 2750 rpm. Not one bike on the planet has matched it yet in gear for gear roll-ons. Fastest bikes on the planet lose big time! Sorry to bore you but the Cup is a torque bike that I think you should test ride. I think you will find it may have better "Drive ability" for you in the day to day scheme of life. Peace man and keep riding! Ride safe and Be safe!
One more contender for you to consider is the new Aprilia rs660 if you want something with bodywork. Its a bit roomy so I worry about your inseam but man that bike has everything on your list, looks, tech and power. Some of the triumph naked classic looking bikes have a ton of tech hidden away in them(traction control and ABS) that i think would serve you well in the mountains.
I just googled it - looks fun!!
Have you ridden the yamaha bolt i have one of those as well as the Thruxton it has a vance &hinze slipon with fuel controller does 160 ks. no probs. nice low seat and low centre of gravity very comfitable.
Have you checked out a Sportster 883 low? For a bike of that vintage, they can probably be had for cheap, like maybe 3-4 grand. They run pretty good, and insurance in cheap, because they are less than 900 CCs. I mean, you like cruisers, right? Used makret is flush with bikes right now, because Harley came out with something new. Good deals to be had through the winter.
Get the street cup. I got my 1st choice on my first bike. Indian Scout. No regrets. Will get a sport bike eventually, maybe an R1 or FZ 10, as second bike
Nice video. Between the Triumph T100 and T120, the T120 is 43-lbs heavier and has .4-inch taller seat height. Your experience of the T120 being easier to handle in the showroom has to be on account of the empty fuel tank. With a fuel capacity of 3.8 gallons, a full tank (up high) weighs nearly 23-lbs and that will make a huge difference in feel empty vs full. Shoes matter too - taller shoes allow a person to have their feet further apart on the ground, dramatically increasing their leverage against the weight of a bike.
I'll stick to my Moto Guzzi Eldorado but that's because I had a California II when I lived in Europe and was absolutely in love with it.
I'd also recommend that you check out the Kawasaki Vulcan S. It's basically the same engine as the Ninja 650 but it's been tuned for a bit more low and mid range power. And it's a cruiser. I believe that they have a selection of handlebars and seats to adjust the bike to fit the rider.
I have a CB1000r and a Kawasaki Vulcan 650S... You might like the Vulcan, fast, low seat height, good on the highway.
Get the one you love. Ride safe.
Don't listen too much to those sales ladies! Like the Street Cup but its heavy. Ducati Scrambler is the one, light, character and fun. Fix the heat problem and you'll love it.
The Cup is very nice, if you'd like a bit more go, test ride a Triumph Thruxton R, it's pretty much a T120 Bonnie with some styling, suspension, and performance improvements (I say styling improvements cuz the Bonnie is I dunno, a bit plain for me... maybe...). Personally I like the café racer styling of both, but the Thruxton is just more, and very capable of going, stopping, and turning... the one I jumped on had the optional bullet fairing as well. Would love to own one and I probably will. It would make a good garage mate for my Speed Triple R, but right now I've got 3 bikes, I'm trying to emigrate, and all 3 are probably coming with me. Maybe when I get to New Zealand... oh also, have you ever ridden a Speed Triple R? You know, the prettiest bike they make, the one with the 1050 motor, and the single sided swingarm? Try get a ride on an R with the low mount 3-into-1 arrow exhaust system, it trims like 14kilos of under the seat mass from the bike making it much more nimble. It's one of those "makes your right hand lazy" bikes, loads of torque on the highway for overtaking sports cars, but it's not a retuned superbike motor that makes a sudden squirt of torque a bit lower in the rev range like many naked bikes motors do, the torque is always there, just like the recent Street Triple (except the SR which is apparently more of a naked Daytona), only a lot more go from the 1050 motor
Two hours to get to where you want to go? Forget sport bikes, look at the seat....does that look like something you want to sit on for any length of time? A 15 minute test ride will not make this limitation apparent. You liked the Suzuki S40, why not try the S50? More power, smoother.
I would like to see you test out a Bandit 1250 S I will let you test out mine if you come to Michigan. Love your stuff and keep it coming.
Air cooled monster 797. Simplicity and style.
As the weight of the bike are very important for you. below is the weight of the triumphs fuelled up and ready to goThe Kerb weight of the Street cup is about 220 KG (485 pounds)the Street Triple is 186KG ( 410 pounds)your old T100 was 230kg (507 pounds)
Hey Doodle, was recommended to your channel by McRider, and when i watched a couple of your videos, I thought one bike you might want to look at, and test ride, is the Honda CB1100. I will stop their and recommend that you would watch Jon's moto garage, and the test ride he took on the 1100. If you were to ever give that bike a shot, give yourself at least an hour on that bike, and hit the highway with it. Thank you for your time. The segment on the 1100 is called blown away. Thanks again.
my wife and I love her 2017 FZ09 very fun and light bike.
Sound like me when I was trying to buy a pistol it took about three months and I don't know how many I went through before I found one that I like
That t100 was likely the best based on what you say your looking for. The t100 and 120 are virtually identical except for 1200 vs 900 engine and six speed transmission. I got the t120 for touring long range riding purposes. I could recommend the Harley 883 iron. Its very short.
Try these naked bikes: Z650, 2018 SV650 and 2018 MT07. Oh! and have a look at Kawasaki Z900 RS
Street triple or Ninja 650 would make you very happy.. triple is going to be a bit more money I'd think.. but it sounds to me like you should follow your heart with the street cup...
If you liked the ninja 650 you should try to test ride a 2017. They made the bike 42 lbs lighter with roughly the same ergonomics. If you prefer a naked bike the z650 is available and is a bit lighter than the the ninja 650.
More of a case the bike was 42 lbs to heavy in the first place 465 lbs (211kg) f800gs is only 207kg !
shadrock99 that's the F800gsa (505lbs) 23litre tank etc. The normal f800gs is 471 lbs at most
shadrock99 145kg that is a very light bike to have 50hp your very lucky most 250's. Crf250l. Klx250s are almost that heavy
shadrock99 crf250l is 328lbs kerb weight and only 23hp
You will be riding all summer and having the time of your life.... It's the perfect bike for you..... Ride safe and BE safe....
hey doodle, i bet i know why u liked the ninja, kawasaki tends to set up the bikes from the factory for a typical japanese test rider, you might be only a little lighter than them so it feels pretty good right from the dealer, sag and preload very important for it to "feel right" letting u relax your shoulders is best way i can explain, im like 200 so i had to crank my Z way up when i first got it (big improvement) now that your doing all those wonderful scoot and stand tricks with one leg (clever af!) id love to hear your thoughts on bikes that are set up too soft/too stiff
I don’t think you like Harley’s but you should check out the 2018 superlow. 25.5 inch seat height. It doesn’t look hot stock but change the air filter and exhaust and make it yours.
Just bought a Street Twin..Love it
1:33 ... The Street Triple in those colours is gorgeous.
(I had a look on the Truimph website, and that colour scheme is not there on any current model. Must have been a previous generation scheme.)
9:51 ... lovin' that face-pull. Heheh.
Only real difference in Street Twin and the Cup (other than alloy/tubeless wheels and the flippable bars) is in the ECU. Different mapping. Very understressed engine. The Street Triple is a nice bike but I just didn't like it on long rides, and got tired of trying to figure out where to stow luggage. Stay away from the Guzzi unless you want to spend a lot of time wrenching in the garage. I would +1 on the XSR700. I rode the XSR900 and was impressed. Can't beat Japanese reliability.
I'm also a big fan of Triumph and hope someday soon to purchase the new T120 Bonneville. On another note, you look so much like Joanne, who has the TV reality show "Fixer Upper", as if you were her daughter. Amazing. Love your videos, keep 'em coming. Cheers from down under...
LOL i get that a lot (@Joanna)! Thanks for watching!
You're most welcome, stay safe...
Oh Doodle, where to start? You really need to just get a used bike (take along someone who knows what problems to look for). Older Kawasakis are like sand in the desert and cheap as well. Honestly, forget about features. Get a bike you're physically comfortable with. Spend your money right now on good gear instead. Gloves and trousers that have knee and hip protectors. Consider finding a nice soft patch of grass and dropping the bike on purpose. Then pick it up and clean it. And then just ride, bit by bit and with time you'll find your confidence.
disekjoumoer great advice. Hope she does this.
I'm sorry, I have no idea where you get that idea. That is just offensive and prejudiced. My comment above has nothing to do with Doodle being a girl. It has to do with her (oh, excuse the pronoun btw) obvious nervousness while riding that she displayed in her videos and her, to my mind, losing focus of what would help her gain confidence on a motorcycle. Motorcycling is dangerous. I don't think any motorcyclist with a halfway level head would disagree with that. A bit of fear or respect is a good thing to avoid complacency and overconfidence, but a too great a lack of confidence and you raise the chances of hurting yourself. Concentrating on features and looks of motorcycles at this point in her motorcycling career is, imo, not paying enough attention to the basics.
But, of course, it's just advice in the end, and she's free to do what she likes, obviously, including having a chip on her shoulder. Just like you do.
You seem to have some real personal problems, so I'll just leave you to it then.
Agree. I've been tap dancing around some truths here in hopes that some of the advice would be taken to heart without all the while seeming too terribly heavy handed or needlessly critical. That's not my personality nor my intent. I've addressed her directly as well as through others posts and thoughts.The truth is Doodle loses concentration often. It's easily identifiable and demonstrable in her video's. She's had some lapses in concentration (on video) that quite frankly could have been really serious. She drops her bikes not because they're heavy (that's head in the sand stuff) but because her skill level is still developing and she mentally drifts. Honestly I don't want to see her end up in a bad situation that is ALL TO COMMON for riders with even higher skill levels than her so I continue to hope for some motorcycle self realizations to emerge. Then to add gas to the flame talking' about wanting a Street Triple R as her next bike sends me deeper into concern.
I see some light at the end of this tunnel however and I hope she takes up Jerry Palladino's generous offer. At this point I think it's simply the very best investment (even though monetarily it'd be free) she could possibly make for herself and ultimately for her safety.
+A Babbit People here are showing genuine concern for a fellow motorcycle enthusiasts safety. They are not targeting someone because of their gender.
I think you should try Kawasaki Vulcan 650 S. It's a cruiser with sport bike feeling. It also has adjusting system for people of different height.
If money is an issue, go for the Ninja 650. Really low $$ entry point, lots of mods if you want more performance, great on highways, etc. I just got mine and am loving it. Keep it a season and then upgrade. You won't lose much money on it either. Personally, the street triple scared the shit out of me. It was WAY too twitchy. It was used, so the previous owner could have messed with the throttle, etc. But you can get into trouble on that bike. I know I would.
This^, edit: and it's quite comfortable too!
How do you get more performance. The 2018 version has less hp than the 2017 but is 42lbs lighter so maybe it works out the same but a 650 twin will never be a performance bike.
Street Cup no lighter anyway, it about 200kg dry weight, and low bar, if rider 2hrs to mountain , than arm will pain too. SV650 good to try first.
I've watched alot of reviewers in the past 6 months and yours comes out with points I haven't heard before. Especially how to check the comfort with weight. Thanks.
Buy triumph street twin. Do you mean street triple?
If you have the chance, try out the Royal Enfield INT 650.
I have a 2017 Yamaha R3, I've had a KTM RC-390 aswell. I enjoyed both motorcycle greatly. I still have the Yamaha R3 and really enjoy it for all driving, I dont need it for breaking the speed limit at interstate speeds. If I need to accelerate around traffic on the interstate I have no quarrels for its abilities. When I first got it, I got on the interstate with it and then got off at the next exit because "I" didnt know how to drive it and the wind from traffic was blowing me all around. Now interstate driving doesn't bother me the least bit. Is it more challenging than a larger motorcycle, of course but I find that to be the fun of it.
To each their own but I love my R3 mainly because I dont drive more than a couple hours because my body can't handle driving anything even 4 wheeled for more than a couple of hours without being in pain. I also installed a tooth less inner sprocket than factory "13T" to give me more lower end because I wanted more throttle/clutch control. I got it up to 109mph jumping from exit to exit and that's well enough for me.
I've had some higher speed fun with other vehicles I dont need that out of my $4,250 toy.
Stop saying you are "driving" your bikes and start saying "riding" and then "riders" might be interested in your comments. Drivers never will be here.
@@craigmiller6879 also I know you are trying to help me be more socially accepted.
Triumph cub, Yea my favorite. Saving up.$$ Riding Suzuki 600 Bandit now.
100% agree with you regarding Ducatis and heat, hottest seats of any bike I’ve ridden. Maybe they’re trying to reduce the population lol.
GSXR is only comfortable when your knee is on the ground, I’ve owned four and loved them. Have you ridden any BMW bikes besides the GS? Had an S1000XR and that was an insanely capable machine.
I get you like the Street Cup and all but you've mentioned several times about long distance and comfort. The Street Cup (based on rider position) wouldn't exactly be the best choice to address your main complaint. Sounds to me like you need something light, with wind protection & enough power to muscle through the highway. Not sure the Cup satisfies all those needs. Don't ever buy a bike strictly on looks either.. it's a combo between looks & comfort :-).
Airtouch67 I rode the Street Cup for literally 2 hours and didn't feel any apparent discomfort. It was so much fun I didn't even notice I was riding for that long. It's not uncomfortable to tour on. You're only slightly leaned forward. Not like a sport bike position. And the pegs are standard not rearward. So you're very comfortable. Plus that Alcántara seat is so soft. I felt like I could keep riding all day. I just had a grin the whole time. Couldn't believe how much fun the Street Cup was. Besides, the British have it all figured out. Brand New, the Street Cup comes with Traction Control, Ride by wire throttle, torque assist clutch and ABS ALL as STANDARD. You'll be paying an arm and a leg if you wanted those extras on a Harley. That's not standard for the American brand motorbike. You get the whole package with the British motorbikes.
Spartan.. I actually own 3 bikes (including the Triumph) and with all due respect going out for a "2 hour ride" is like a jaunt around the block. There is a big difference between 2 hours and 8-10 hours. Everyone gets to that threshold where their ass starts to hurt.. could be 2, 4, or 6 hours, etc. The Triumph is a great bike yes.. but you also have to consider wind protection, etc., which also causes fatigue after several hours. A 5mph wind day is different than a 20mph wind day. I believe Doodle mentioned she was looking for "all day" comfort. If you actually go out and ride street cup for 8 hours a day for a few weeks you would probably be able to provide a little more input. I could probably sit on a bar of steel for 2 hours (although short ride comfort is also important). When I go on long rides 6+ hours I take my FJR1300, when I am doing 2-3 hours I will ride my Triumph.. and for the short jaunts 2 hrs or less.. I hop on my Yamaha R3. But keep in mind.. a bike that is comfortable for 8 hours for 1 person may be a nightmare for someone else who rode it for 1.5 hours.. depending on height/weight/size, etc. That's why buying any bike really is "risky" in a sense because it's not like the dealer lets you ride the bike for 2 weeks before you buy it. But I agree.. the Triumph is a great bike and looks amazing. I am fortunate to have several bikes so I can choose based on what I am doing for the day. I could never do a 6-8 hour day on my R3 ! That's why I love sport touring bikes ! Gobs of power and comfy too. But of course its 640lbs & there is no way Doodle could possibly ride it :-).
Very well said. You're right, I haven't ridden it for more than those two hours. So I can't comment or speculate on that. It makes sense what you said. If Doodle will be traveling longer than two hours every day than it makes sense to get the best of the best and not compromise.
I personally am more into the Cruisers than anything else but a Cafe Racer is right there underneath it. You made me think of what you said. I do not ride for more than two hours because I'll just ride to work, which is an hour commute, since I work 6 days out of the week. I won't have time to ride more than that except on my days off, which I would LOVE to ride all day. It's an amazing feeling. But I have a family and can't be selfish and just leave em behind for an 8 hour ride. I just don't personally have that extra time. But it would be awesome man. Sincerely. I want to do that one day. Explore my entire State on two wheels, stop at cafe's and meet fellow bikers and great people and talk face to face without the interruption of cellular devices. Just being in the moment. Phones just take you out of the moment constantly. Thanks for your insight.
No problem Spartan. I've been in your situation too (I have 3 kids) - but fortunate for me now they are all grown and have left the nest ! You'll get there one day. It's the cycle of life. Just try and squeeze a few good runs in when you can to keep the interest :-). Meeting bikers from all over really is a lot of fun too. You will really enjoy that :-).
If you liked the ninja 650, you should go for the Yamaha YZ600R. It's a four inline instead of a two inline so you have a better sound and better midrev tork if you're lazy on shifting (you can check the dyno runs on the Akrapovic site if you want to). The look is also much better then the beluga gas tank on the Ninja 650. The Honda CBR650F is also a good choice for the same reason as the Yamaha.
:O I did not know about that!
If you still like cruisers take a look at the kawasaki Vulcan s 650. Same engine as the ninja, light, handles and looks cool
I once owned a Kawasaki z1R, bored, balanced and turbo charged. At 150, my eyes started watering from the wind seeping through the cracks in my full face helmet. Fun times!
Omg!!