revtothelimit - motorbike forum

tricol wrote: Mon Mar 21, 2022 11:40 am So Saturday was one year to the day that I collected the Trident. The year has gone by quick enough, but winter was a drag and I missed getting out.

I thought I would give a bit of a summary of my first year of ownership after passing my test in Dec 2020. I'll stick to the bike really, as it's fair to say I'm still very much a beginner and learning every time I go out.

Good bits:
- The handling. It's firm, it's light, and it gives me confidence. Easy to change direction and it gives me lots of feedback so I can feel how it is behaving.
- The looks. Almost. Few bits I don't like, the swingarm plate holder for example, but overall I like how it looks. Retro features, modern design.
- Running costs. I average around 55mpg, although the onboard computer always seems to show a bit more, but my own calculations work it out at around 55. That is a mixture of town riding, and b-road blasts. First annual service is £190. Insurance, well that's big negative but not down to the bike.
- The engine. It's torquey from low down, and it pulls hard through most of the rev range. Staying in 3rd and 4th is all you need when you're having fun. 80hp has not got boring, yet. More than enough for how I ride.
- The brakes. Really nice, considering they are old sliding type calipers. Not loads of feel through the lever, but powerful enough and good bite.
- The tyres. The Road 5's have been great. Still loads of life in them after 3300 miles. Warm up quickly.
- Build quality. I'll say this is mostly good, but you can tell where they have kept costs down. Rear brake pedal is really cheap, and some of the plastics are a bit rough, but it's well screwed together, and no corroding from any of the fixings.

Bad bits:
- Gearbox. I just can't get on with it. It did improve after about 500/600 miles, but it feels very clunky in most gears, despite adjusting cable tension to keep it right.
- The engine. Yes, it's mostly great, but does get buzzy at certain revs, especially through the bars
- Long distance comfort. My skinny arse suffers after about 1hr 30 on the bike.

So overall, I've really enjoyed owning it. I think I will keep it for another year. Who knows what next, something like a Street Triple R, or an MT09. I think I'll stick with a naked bikes for having fun on the weekends, but long term plan is to get something a bit bigger that I can potentially tour on but still have fun with.

tricol wrote: Tue Mar 22, 2022 3:33 pm I've not got the tools or the confidence to do the chain adjustment myself. It's going in for a service next week so perhaps they will adjust it.

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Fri Apr 01, 2022 4:12 pm The old "give him a bike he might buy as a loan bike" sales ploy

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Fri Apr 01, 2022 4:12 pm The old "give him a bike he might buy as a loan bike" sales ploy

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Fri Apr 01, 2022 4:20 pm I suspect I'll be getting either a Z900RS or GSX-S1000 when my 750 goes in for a service

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Fri Apr 01, 2022 4:12 pm The old "give him a bike he might buy as a loan bike" sales ploy

Ditchfinder wrote: Fri Apr 01, 2022 7:33 pm Maybe 'Best Loaners' needs a thread of it's own....