Let's play the yes or no game

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

If it's like my CB1000R it's mostly a piece of piss to service, air filter was interesting to change. Honda recommend changing the oil and filter every 8000 miles, I do mine every 4000, valve clearances are 24000 miles, mine will be going to the dealers for that.

[Trinity765]

I've had a good nights sleep, here's the long story.

I feel like all I’ve talked about here is the problems I’ve had with Street Triples. I’ve had four of them, with a combined mileage of 200K over two 675s and two 765s. I have only had issues with the 765s.

The 765RS might be the bike I’ve enjoyed riding the most and is the perfect size for me as I’m 5’3”. The suspension and braking on the last one was superb and I don’t think I’ll ride another bike that is as great in the twisties. I rode my Street on the Transalpina Highway in Romania this year which will one of the highlights of my biking life and I will never forget it.

I had dodgy cam chain adjusters with both the 765s and Triumph denied it both times. Eventually, the cams had to be replaced under warranty on the first one, so when my last one hinted at the same issue I had to ask myself what next year’s biking experience might be. The last one also had fuelling issues when the ambient temperature was over 25c, it ran rough, like I was on a bumpy road which messed with my head as the next morning (when cool) it would be fine. After a bit of research I could have got some non-Triumph work done to resolve it but I CBA. There would always have been that niggle that it’s not quite right and it may have eventually needed replacement cams. Triumph warranties last two years and you only get breakdown assistance in the UK.

For a few years I had a 2015 CB1000R and loved it – see pic below. The suspension was too soft for me and was told by a suspension specialist that I was looking at new forks for further improvement. I decided to trade it in for another Street and that was one of the few bad biking decisions that I’ve made as I would have been better investing in new forks and it might still be in my garage now. I took the next model of the CB1000R out for a test ride, the one that @Le_Fromage_Grande has got, but didn’t like the styling or the flat seat/tank thing. I remember thinking I may slide up the tank under heavy braking.

So, seeing the new Hornet SP this year, and the price, it was an easy decision. I love the CB1000 engine, there’s something about it that feels like it will go on forever. It’s silky smooth and a very easy bike to ride. When riding around town you don’t know what gear you’re in because they’re all the same, could be 2, could be 4, doesn’t matter. Honda have backed it with a six year warranty and the dealer has backed that up with AA Euro cover for as long as it’s under warranty.
The suspension is better than the 2015 but unfortunately, not as good as the Street (I’m being picky). The sound is awesome with the SC Project exhaust (and a must if you’ve seen the standard one). I missed the burble of big engine braking. It’s a budget bike and even the dealer questioned the build quality of some parts – I took the rear seat off yesterday and it feels like something from Temu. There’s loads of videos on tinternet about the bike, one in particular, Bennets Geek test, explains where Honda have saved money.

I’ve only done 70 miles but so far, it feels a lot like the 2015 one I had, so I’m chuffed.

[weeksy]

You can't go wrong with a mid-range Honda..

[Supermofo]

valve clearances are 24000 miles, mine will be going to the dealers for that.

Mine is due clearances at 14.5k so late next year, early the following. I'm toying with the idea of dealer over independent as it'll put me back under warranty for another year so might be worth the extra. Not that I'll probably need it! I did think of skipping it as the majority seem to on the Gixxus forum but seems to me like the first check is probably the most important to establish a baseline. Plus for me they will only be every 5 years or so and still no plans to move the big Suzuki on.

@Trinity765 sounds like solid logic to me. 1 bike with issues could be a lemon, 2 suggests something more like a flaw. And I reckon I could live with iffy plating or a bit of corrosion over the engine failing with the mileage you do. Good luck with it

[Taipan]

Looks lovely!

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

valve clearances are 24000 miles, mine will be going to the dealers for that.

Mine is due clearances at 14.5k so late next year, early the following. I'm toying with the idea of dealer over independent as it'll put me back under warranty for another year so might be worth the extra. Not that I'll probably need it! I did think of skipping it as the majority seem to on the Gixxus forum but seems to me like the first check is probably the most important to establish a baseline. Plus for me they will only be every 5 years or so and still no plans to move the big Suzuki on.

@Trinity765 sounds like solid logic to me. 1 bike with issues could be a lemon, 2 suggests something more like a flaw. And I reckon I could live with iffy plating or a bit of corrosion over the engine failing with the mileage you do. Good luck with it

I had the big service done on my GSXS750 shortly before I sold it (I had no intention of selling it) at my local Suzuki dealers, £840 in 2023, but it did feel like a new bike afterwards - there's a lot to come off, none of the shims needed changing.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

, the one that @Le_Fromage_Grande has got, but didn’t like the styling or the flat seat/tank thing.

The reason I bought mine was that I like the styling especially the flat seat / tank thing

[Trinity765]

In the news today, Triumph launch sportier Street Triple 765 RX with upgraded front and rear suspension, clip on bars and blah blah about sports tyres. Basically, all the things that didn't need upgrading and aren't made by Triumph.

[The Spin Doctor]

In the news today, Triumph launch sportier Street Triple 765 RX with upgraded front and rear suspension, clip on bars and blah blah about sports tyres. Basically, all the things that didn't need upgrading and aren't made by Triumph.

[Noggin]

I love the CB1000 engine, there’s something about it that feels like it will go on forever. It’s silky smooth and a very easy bike to ride. When riding around town you don’t know what gear you’re in because they’re all the same, could be 2, could be 4, doesn’t matter.

This is what I loved and hated about my Blackbird by the end! But I think that was because I was a new biker - well, not really by the time I changed, but I'd ridden Blackbirds for 8 out of 9 years riding and felt I needed to change to something that needed more rider knowledge/choice/input - or something !!

I am still very very glad that I changed as I got to ride some awesome bikes, but I do still miss that simplicity of the engine just "doing" what it should!! Although I did used to describe the BB as a twist n go


That big Hornet looks lovely; a mate here has his eye on one and he's proper picky!!


Have loads of fun and awesome trips with your new toy