Moto Guzzi Griso 1200

[Alex A]

Apart from the fact that they're way too expensive anyway, neither the Diavel nor the Multistrada appeal at all. Really, I'd be after something with a bit more of a focused riding position (Griso/Streetfighter/Superduke etc). The 990SM is probably the only proper sit up bike that I'd fancy.

Not a massive triple fan either, though the Speed Triple is a good shout.

[Pac67]

Another possibility?

[Alex A]

[macvisual]

Me today riding my Suzuki V-Strom DL1000cc, fun even in the shite weather!

[fryingtonite]

I had a 2006 Speed Triple; I'd never had a three cylinder bike and thought I shoudl find out what I was missing. It was a terrific overtaking tool, a great A to B bike.

In terms of out and out performance, (of course you don't want to spend much time above 100mph at all) it was good, a bit lumpy right at the very bottom, but fuel injection is a bit of a challenge just off tick over it seems, a wee bit too top heavy to be a first class handler and there is more sophisticated suspension around. I wondered if the Street Triple might be better balanced. And the latest model S3 is totally revised with new suspension, brakes, injection and so on.

Mmmmmm, I wonder....

Actually I think the biggest bug bear with the S3 was the stink from the cat; riding to work meant stinking all day - well, more than usual.

The only conclusion is - God's own motorcycle has to be a V twin - Guzzi, Aprilia or Duke, in my books.

Tim

[Howlindawg]

Actually I think the biggest bug bear with the S3 was the stink from the cat

No problem with the smell of the CAT if you leave it at home in the shed.

[Leonard Smalls]

I a wee bit too top heavy to be a first class handler and there is more sophisticated suspension around.

Funnily enough, the only "modern" Triumphs I've ridden (speed triple and TBird) were both top heavy, which made them much more of a handful at low speed. Perhaps because I was used to big twins this was more of a problem!

[Gromit]

Funnily enough, the only "modern" Triumphs I've ridden (speed triple and TBird) were both top heavy, which made them much more of a handful at low speed. Perhaps because I was used to big twins this was more of a problem!

The earlier T3 Hinckley Trumpets could certainly be top-heavy - that tall spine frame with a 25l fuel tank sat on top made the bikes feel that way. With a full tank it felt somewhat odd until you got used to it. Still sweet steering bikes nonetheless, which could be ridden pretty quickly if the rider was prepared to use a bit of muscle. And that original 900 triple still ranks as one of the nicest road engines I've ridden - fruity, fuelled beautifully (good ol'carbs!) and with loads of drive. Sounded fabulous too.

[rockmeister]

and was beautifully engineered. Does anyone remember the engine strip down pics that appeared in Bike. I think they ran one for x miles (memory doesn't serve, but, a lot) and then stripped it out to check wear and tear. It was amazing. Looked new.
The only thing I'm not so keen on with triumphs is the suspension that comes as standard. Most of them really need an expensive trip to a suspension tuner for replacements and fettling before they really shine. A pal spent maybe 6/700 doing this to a Sprint ST and the before and after were well worth the cost.

[Gromit]

and was beautifully engineered. Does anyone remember the engine strip down pics that appeared in Bike. I think they ran one for x miles (memory doesn't serve, but, a lot) and then stripped it out to check wear and tear. It was amazing. Looked new.
The only thing I'm not so keen on with triumphs is the suspension that comes as standard. Most of them really need an expensive trip to a suspension tuner for replacements and fettling before they really shine. A pal spent maybe 6/700 doing this to a Sprint ST and the before and after were well worth the cost.

Sorry John, meant to reply ages ago. Yes, that T3 engine was lovely - I did a Triumph factory tour (with the guys from Jack Lilley) back in '96 during which the tech guy at Hinckley explained the original engine design, and how it was built. Basically every motor was effectively blue-printed, with each part of the engine matched by hand and weighed very carefully before assembly. The best were the original grey finished ones apparently, and once the design was proven, the engine plant was more automated but done so with lessons learnt from the original production runs. Motor was designed with assistance from Ricardo who know a little bit about good engines.

[Pac67]

Sorry John, meant to reply ages ago. Yes, that T3 engine was lovely - I did a Triumph factory tour (with the guys from Jack Lilley) back in '96 during which the tech guy at Hinckley explained the original engine design, and how it was built. Basically every motor was effectively blue-printed, with each part of the engine matched by hand and weighed very carefully before assembly. The best were the original grey finished ones apparently, and once the design was proven, the engine plant was more automated but done so with lessons learnt from the original production runs. Motor was designed with assistance from Ricardo who know a little bit about good engines.

I did the Hinkley tour after buying a 750 Trident and they explained how companies such as Porcshe were visiting them to find out how they got their camshafts to within 3 microns tolerance, something that Porsche couldn't achieve back then!

The guy who's bike appeared in a load of mags visited too (I think he was a dispatch rider), the one they bought back to strip down. He said that it was identical to the one I had, a 750 triple which had covered over 120K miles and was found to be well within tolerance. I think they gave him a new bike in exchange!

I loved my 750. It was comfortable over long hauls, gave away nothing but a little low end grunt to the 900's and spun up really well (same unit with a shorter crank throw so was more oversquare and higher revving). Wasn't great on fuel, was quite top heavy but handled adequately. The only thing that put me off was that from new, the header pipes used to glow cherry red if left on tickover! I also remember that the airbox was a right bitch to remove and you had to replace the whole unit, not just the air filter. Good strong reliable motor though and a sensible cam adjuster for the chain tensioning.