Hi,
Just thought i'd post up my experience test riding these two bikes.
A bit of background: I've been riding every day for two years, commuting two and from work. Until now, i've only ridden bikes that are learner legal in Australia... a Kawasaki GPX250 and a Honda VTR250 (different from the one in the US).
Street Triple Impressions
I first test rode the Street Triple. The ergos on this bike are sweet. Within a few minutes of being on this bike, it felt like i'd owned it for months. It is very comfortable and has loads of power off the line. It felt somehow, familiar.
The test ride was mainly on a freeway. I quickly got to 6th gear on the bike and unexpectedly found myself looking for a higher gear. I was expecting to be blown away with the power of the 675 engine but it kinda left me wanting more... which I found odd considering it was the first time i'd been on a bike bigger than 250cc. I suspect I was not pushing the engine hard enough.
Daytona Impressions
Next I rode the Daytona - Caspian Blue 2010, all stock. First thought, wow... sportbike ergos really are aggressive! This was the first bike I have ridden with proper sportbike ergonomics and I quickly found I was feeling my wrists. I imagine this could be difficult on longer trips, but I plan to use my next purchase mainly as a commuter on under 30km trips so I guess I don't care too much. On the positive side, it felt like the bike had much more grunt that the street triple and a much better top end. It felt like I was going much faster on this bike too, even though I was doing the same speed limit as I was on the street triple. Another thing I quickly noticed was the heat coming from the underseat exhaust. It suprised me that even at 100km/h+ speeds I could feel the heat on the backs of my thighs (wearing jeans)... I expected to only notice it at a standstill. It isn't even a hot day (26C/80F). This kinda worries me.
Common Impressions
I found both bikes that the exhaust note was much quieter than I was expecting - I could hear the traffic easily over the bike unless accelerating hard. I suspect I was riding the bikes wrong... I wasn't really making the engine work hard I don't think.
One thing I found I really dislike is digital speedometers. I am so used to the analog dials I think it will take some getting used to seeing my speed in digits.
Impressions and influence on decision
I have been lusting for the Daytona for months. I didn't like the looks of the Street Triple initially, but I must say they are growing on me. After test riding both bikes, I have the following conclusions based on my personal circumstances
Reasons to buy the Street Triple:
Reasons to buy the Daytona
Obviously from what I am saying, with my circumstances, the head would choose the ST3 and the heart would choose the Daytona.
Why does it have to be so difficult? If only there was a Daytona with the ergos of the ST3. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Sorry for the long winded post
Ty
Just thought i'd post up my experience test riding these two bikes.
A bit of background: I've been riding every day for two years, commuting two and from work. Until now, i've only ridden bikes that are learner legal in Australia... a Kawasaki GPX250 and a Honda VTR250 (different from the one in the US).
Street Triple Impressions
I first test rode the Street Triple. The ergos on this bike are sweet. Within a few minutes of being on this bike, it felt like i'd owned it for months. It is very comfortable and has loads of power off the line. It felt somehow, familiar.
The test ride was mainly on a freeway. I quickly got to 6th gear on the bike and unexpectedly found myself looking for a higher gear. I was expecting to be blown away with the power of the 675 engine but it kinda left me wanting more... which I found odd considering it was the first time i'd been on a bike bigger than 250cc. I suspect I was not pushing the engine hard enough.
Daytona Impressions
Next I rode the Daytona - Caspian Blue 2010, all stock. First thought, wow... sportbike ergos really are aggressive! This was the first bike I have ridden with proper sportbike ergonomics and I quickly found I was feeling my wrists. I imagine this could be difficult on longer trips, but I plan to use my next purchase mainly as a commuter on under 30km trips so I guess I don't care too much. On the positive side, it felt like the bike had much more grunt that the street triple and a much better top end. It felt like I was going much faster on this bike too, even though I was doing the same speed limit as I was on the street triple. Another thing I quickly noticed was the heat coming from the underseat exhaust. It suprised me that even at 100km/h+ speeds I could feel the heat on the backs of my thighs (wearing jeans)... I expected to only notice it at a standstill. It isn't even a hot day (26C/80F). This kinda worries me.
Common Impressions
I found both bikes that the exhaust note was much quieter than I was expecting - I could hear the traffic easily over the bike unless accelerating hard. I suspect I was riding the bikes wrong... I wasn't really making the engine work hard I don't think.
One thing I found I really dislike is digital speedometers. I am so used to the analog dials I think it will take some getting used to seeing my speed in digits.
Impressions and influence on decision
I have been lusting for the Daytona for months. I didn't like the looks of the Street Triple initially, but I must say they are growing on me. After test riding both bikes, I have the following conclusions based on my personal circumstances
Reasons to buy the Street Triple:
- Insurance is cheaper
- Less fairing = less damage if dropped
- Its cheaper
- Its more comfortable
- Its easier to work on (bits under the fairing)
- It was cooler on my thighs (perhaps due to it not being 100% warmed up when I rode it)
Reasons to buy the Daytona
- It looks better (of course, individual choice)
- I've been lusting and losing sleep over it for months
- It will be cheaper to throw on an Arrow slip on (3-1 vs 3-2 on Street)
- Bigger top end, perhaps more suited to rides on a weekend
Obviously from what I am saying, with my circumstances, the head would choose the ST3 and the heart would choose the Daytona.
Why does it have to be so difficult? If only there was a Daytona with the ergos of the ST3. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Sorry for the long winded post
Ty