First impressions as I sat on was, 'Where's the bike?'. Small doesn't even come close, Not so much low, but just short and narrow. Felt like my knees were touching. Set off and straight away the difference in riding position became very apparent, feeling like I was tipping forward and I could feel the weight on my wrists more then I remembered from other similar bikes. That and the narrow seat meant both wrists and testicles seemed to be taking all my weight.
Engine-wise, it's eager. Very eager when given its head. I had it in 'Road' mode and it was chomping at the bit a-plenty, though the traffic was being a PITA this morning, along with the myriad of speeding devices that litter the route. I was really expecting it to be a bit more revvy, but it's still quite languid in low revs, coming to life only when ragged a bit, though smooth as you like, with that engine/exhaust note you only get from the Triumph triple. Standard exhaust sounded a bit muted, mind. Arrow can would be a must.
In comparison to the Tiger, the instrument panel is almost under your nose, with these odd blue lights on top, indicating, I'm guessing, your approach to the red line. Not sure why they're there, as I just found them a distraction. I'm surprised they haven't thrown a full TFT screen on it. I know many of the newer Triumphs have them.
My only disappointment in the package was the cornering. Maybe I'm out of practice but when I did find a curve or roundabout it felt like it needed too much heaving over, rather then just dropping in. I suspect this is more me than the bike, as people rave about it's 'flickability'. Maybe I'm too much into pushing on the big wide bars of the Tiger rather than shifting weight on the seat like some circus ape.
Looks wise, I like it. All grey and red and aggressive angles. Looks like a quality bit of kit, as well. I'm very impressed with the Tiger's build quality, albeit I'm having to have the right hand switch gear changed today (£85+vat+fitting. Could have been worse).
Would I have one? No, but that's more a reflection on the bike's target demographic audience being 25 years my junior I would imagine.
I had TechSpec tank grips on the first two Streets which helped with braking and I'll get them for this one soon - maybe before Pembrey.
