Triumph became a famous name in the world of motorcycles with unique
style as well as innovative ways of obtaining as much performance and
benefits from their bikes as possible. The 2009 Street Triple models reflect their
urban sports strategy best. On one hand, they have the base Street
Triple model which is unchanged for 2009, but on the other hand there
is the all-new 2009 Triumph Street Triple R. So instead of simply
upgrading a bike that was already present in their lineup, they make
the choice of creating a brand new model
derived from it.
As mentioned before, the Street Triple is Triumph’s ingenious way of diversifying their urban sports lineup based on already selling and consecrated models, the Daytona 675 and the Speed Triple 1050.
The engine features softer internal parts, such as the pistons and cams, for a broader powerband than Daytona’s and the best of it was the fact that it didn’t look, sound and feel like a middleweight motor, powering the Street Triple on top of riders preferences.
The Daytona 675 may have donated the engine, tranny and chassis, but the Speed Triple came in with the distinctive streetfighter look that suit the Street triple and Street Triple R so well.
While the first one features the same Jet Black, Fusion White, Roulette Green colors and nothing to set it apart from the previous model year, 2009’s all-new “R” model benefits of preferential treatment and the makeover is outstanding.
The Street Triple is very easy to toss around mostly because the proper weight distribution and the 367 lbs dry weight. It is a machine created for pure rider enjoyment so it is more likely to take it down the track rather than on those long trips involving a passenger and a significant amount of luggage. Being derived from a pure supersports motorcycle, the naked goes beautifully around the corners and the engine’s broadened powerband allows for fairly smooth, but long and constant accelerating.
The three-cylinder motor feels much bigger and potent than ever expected and a fully opened throttle in the right gear easily results into a wheelie (hopefully intended). The same thing applies when grabbing the front brake lever too hard and in the hands of an expert rider, this thing’s capabilities can result in what some of us would call ‘harmonic over-exploiting of a motorcycle’.
On public roads, the Street Triple is the sweetest thing and a reliable companion both in crowded urban environments and on the open road. Most likely, the best thing about it is the fact that it doesn’t address to a specific category of riders so it makes for a good learning bike in the hands of a conscious rider and a real blast when the racing suit is on.
The road’s imperfections are easily absorbed by the fully adjustable
front fork and preload adjustable shock. Speed bumps aren’t harsh at
all and yet the beautifully put together motorcycle remains steady and
reassuring. It’s like having two different
characters and it never manages to bore the rider.
Overall, the Triumph Street Triple R is the ideal model to
complete Triumph’s urban sports lineup as it stands as an easy to
handle, powerful and safety braking model with drawbacks that fade away
once you think what kind of motorcycle you’re riding.
Click the button to contact your local TeamMoto Triumph dealer for more infomation on the Triumph Street Triple R.
2010 Honda Fury VT1300C
You’re looking at the 2010 Honda Fury, an inspired design built around a familiar motor. Featuring chopper styling cues such as the high headpipe and the largely exposed backbone frame tube, the Fury is the first mass-produced “custom” chopper.
The most expensive component of any motorcycle is its engine, so Honda was fiscally responsible and fitted a modified version of the 1312cc V-Twin seen in the VTX1300 variants. It retains the 52-degree Vee angle and single-pin crankshaft, but it differs in its cylinder heads, cams, port shapes and exhaust system. Most important is the addition of fuel-injection to the VTX’s carbureted mill. We expect slight increases from the VTX’s rear-wheel numbers of 59 hp and 71 ft-lbs of torque.
Like the VTX, the Fury has a five-speed transmission and utilizes a shaft-drive system. A color-matched aluminum swingarm with revised styling spices up the back end. Honda gave some consideration to using a belt-drive arrangement on the Fury, but it was cheaper to stick with what was already developed. There isn’t one belt-driven bike in Honda’s catalog.
But the mechanical bits play second or third fiddle to the outlandish (for Honda) styling of the Fury. Company reps emphasized that cruisers appeal to a rider’s emotions, so Honda stepped a bit outside its typically wide comfort zone to create a bike that initially appears could’ve been built in a small fabrication shop.
A lovely front fender wraps neatly around the skinny 90/90 front tire, highlighted by a handsome 21-inch front wheel. A 200/50-18 rear tire resides under a traditionally shaped rear fender with a tidy brake light slid under its tail. Blame pesky federal regs for the large turnsignal lamps that look bulky alongside the bike’s lean design. More appealing is the shape of the chrome headlight arching forward from between the 45mm fork tubes.
As for how the Fury will ride, Honda reps assure us the bike isn’t at all awkward to handle. A 38.0-degree rake angle is quite chopperish, but it’s balanced by a modest 3.5 inches of trail. At 71.2 inches, the Fury’s wheelbase is the longest of any production Honda.
Destined to become a milestone machine, the Fury
captures the pure, undiluted chopper essence, places it within easy
reach of nearly every rider and then backs it up with the same quality
and reliability built into every Honda.
The Fury radiates attitude and delivers a total riding experience approaching the outer limits of motorcycling. The Fury opens the door to the most extreme level of custom looks. But once you're rolling, the Fury experience is all about that special bond between rider and machine: the unmistakable big V-twin pulse, the characteristic Vee engine note and the no-nonsense riding stance bring you back to the core elements of riding. Destined to become a milestone machine, the Fury captures the pure, undiluted chopper essence, places it within easy reach of nearly every rider and then backs it up with the same quality and reliability built into every Honda. Its a radical concept in a unique package, a combination never before offered—until now.
Click the button to contact your local TeamMoto Honda dealer for more information on the Honda Fury.
