Featured Test Rode S1000r Today

Discussion in 'Speed Triple' started by SteveRS, Aug 19, 2019.

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  1. SteveRS

    SteveRS First Class Member

    Jan 12, 2019
    862
    500
    British Columbia
    There was a 2nd annual bike meet today at a ski resort near to where I live. They where also doing test rides on various BMW, Ducati and Triumph bikes, so why not go for a ride and test ride some bikes. Well it was very busy with about 400 attendants, so I only rode one bike, the BMW S1000R. I’ll start with the pros, or things I liked better than what my Speedy has to offer. The quickshifter seemed to actually work at high rpm’s and it’s quicker at getting the job done compared to the Speed. The engine feels like it has a little more power at the top of the rev range than my Speed. This next one is sort of a pro and a con, the steering. It’s quicker to turn in than the speed but that made it a little less planted as well. I have to work a little to get my speed through a turn compared to the BMW. Unfortunately it makes the bike feel more twitchy or less settled than the Speed. That’s all that I found it to have over the Speed. The cons, or things I like better about the Speedy. Our Speed’s have noticeably more torque throughout the rev range. The brakes on the BMW were grabby initially with far less modulation, which is not good when attacking corners aggressively. Our MCS master cylinder is far superior. I found the dynamic damping control suspension to be less plush than our Ohlins, but other wise was fine. The fueling was not as easy to hold a speed, as it would surge a little. The in line four cylinder just doesn’t do anything for me, sound or performance wise. The exhaust was very quiet and made the bike sound very buzzy, but it did have a nice over run burble when letting off the throttle. The foot pegs are higher up, and maybe back slightly, than the Speedy which made the overall comfort suffer a little. The seat was not as comfortable either, as it was kind of too firm or was possibly lacking support. And finally, it just doesn’t have that “fit, finish and feel” of my Speedy. Also, I think my Speedy is gorgeous with all the carbon fibre bits, chiseled tubular frame and single sided swing arm. The BMW looked rather vanilla by comparison. Anyway, it’s still a very nice bike, but I certainly made the right choice with the Speed.
     
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  2. Dougie D

    Dougie D Crème de la Crème

    Jan 30, 2016
    10,664
    1,000
    Blairgowrie Perthshire
    i also had a long test ride on the S1000r, brilliant bike but bland is the best way i can describe it
     
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  3. RSReggie

    RSReggie Active Member

    Apr 9, 2019
    114
    43
    North West UK
    Good to prove we made the right choice !
    BTW if you get your rear sag reduced (back end raised a little) and some good tyres then your speedy should turn nice and quickly !
    I notice a big change to steering as rear tyre wears....

    Happy with my Speedy too. The S1000R should go more ballistic at top revs than Speedy - your review doesn't suggest this is the case ?
     
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  4. SteveRS

    SteveRS First Class Member

    Jan 12, 2019
    862
    500
    British Columbia
    I noticed when the bike was new it turned in a little quicker, so your right the tires have a role in that for sure. Yeah, I didn’t go into too much detail on the top of the rev range, but your right is is faster up there but not by a whole lot. Maybe this has to do with the fact that I have the baffles and discs removed from my bike. Both my brother and I noticed a significant improvement when they were removed. It pulls harder all the way through the rev range and now feels like it’s as fast on the top end as his GSX S1000, Which it wasn’t before when just the baffles were out.
     
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  5. SteveRS

    SteveRS First Class Member

    Jan 12, 2019
    862
    500
    British Columbia
    Oh, and thanks for reminding me to recheck my sag Settings, I haven’t done that in a while.
     
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  6. Bad Billy

    Bad Billy Baddest Member

    Jun 1, 2017
    6,800
    1,000
    Southern Softyville
    Pretty much agree with your summary there mate, I found it capable, fast but completely underwhelming when compared to a triple or V Twin, yep I think beige summed it up perfectly!
     
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  7. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
    Subscriber

    Dec 3, 2018
    21,606
    1,000
    Tucson Arizona
    Terrific review and comparison, Steve! Thank you! When I decided to trade my 2016 Thruxton R for either a BMW 2019 S1000R or a 2019 Speed Triple RS, I did tons of online research and reading and picking owners' brains. Both looked great on paper, and owners of each seemed very happy with their bikes. For me it came down to a back-to-back test ride on each which made my choice to go with the Speed Triple an easy one. Your detailed and eloquent assessment of the differences pretty much nails why I made the choice that I did. A couple of the things that really stood out to me that you talked about..... The BMW definitely felt twitchy to me compared to the Triumph which felt very planted and solid. I liked the engine character and torquiness of the Triumph. The BMW felt buzzy and like I had to ride at high(er) revs all the time which just didn't do it for me. While of course everyone has different taste in bikes, I prefer the appearance of the Speed Triple to the S1000R. Thanks for sharing your observations and thoughts on the two bikes, Steve! I've not regretted my decision and I love my Speedy! Oh, and I bought the Crystal White. :cool: I think it's a little lighter than the matte black....therefore faster. ;)
     
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  8. SteveRS

    SteveRS First Class Member

    Jan 12, 2019
    862
    500
    British Columbia
    Yes I heard that about the white. It’s nearly 100lbs lighter but difficult to acquire one. It had something to do with blessings by Thai Monks, Holy water secretly brought from the Vatican, and a midnight exorcism to drive out the excess weight. You’re one lucky girl Sandi :p.
     
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  9. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
    Subscriber

    Dec 3, 2018
    21,606
    1,000
    Tucson Arizona
    W
    Wow, Steve! I knew my Speedy was special but had no idea just HOW special. I'd better go out to the garage and give it a big smooch before turning in for the evening. :D
     
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  10. SteveRS

    SteveRS First Class Member

    Jan 12, 2019
    862
    500
    British Columbia
    Yes Sandi, I think you should as well. I’ll have you know I was just in the garage with mine, but I’d rather not talk about what we were doing, as I don’t kiss and tell :).
     
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  11. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
    11,318
    1,000
    North West England
    Great write up, thanks for posting. Never really fancied a B*W, so your assessment means I don't even have to try one :imp::imp:
     
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  12. SteveRS

    SteveRS First Class Member

    Jan 12, 2019
    862
    500
    British Columbia
    Thanks. If you get the chance to test ride it, why not. I love seeing what other bikes have to offer. Plus, when you ride away on your own bike nothing beats that feeling of knowing you made the right choice. Unless you bought a S1000R and you’re on a Speedy test ride :tired_face:.
     
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  13. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
    11,318
    1,000
    North West England
    Being virtically challeneged cannot be helped...... you should know :imp:
     
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  14. Oldskool

    Oldskool Elite Member

    Jan 29, 2019
    2,183
    800
    Hertfordshire
    It is strange ! I had a sum of money that I thought I would spend on a second bike, allowing me to have a pure sports bike and a roadster. I looked at the S1000R and as I have a 4 cylinder sports bike, I wanted an alternative engine format as my second bike. Nearly went and test rode a BMW twin and part of me says I should have, but every time I get out on the Speed Triple RS I Know I have got the right bike. It is real world FAST .It handles amazingly and the engine just keeps giving in noise, character and drive. I don’t need to be buzzing the tit’s off a bike on the road, I need grunt and acceleration and the Speed Triple fills the bill fully whilst having enough power to go quick when I want to . It ticks all my boxes !
     
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  15. SteveRS

    SteveRS First Class Member

    Jan 12, 2019
    862
    500
    British Columbia
    Nicely said Oldskool.
     
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  16. freck

    freck Elite Member

    May 4, 2017
    1,719
    750
    Preston, Lancs, UK
    I’d go and have a test ride of a BMW twin, especially the new Shiftcam 1250, they’re a great engine.
    I love my R9T which is the older 1200 boxer twin, it’s a great torquey lump and has a great character :grinning:
     
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  17. SteveRS

    SteveRS First Class Member

    Jan 12, 2019
    862
    500
    British Columbia
    I have to
    There was a R9T available for test ride that day as well. Would have liked to have ridden it, as I think it’s a pretty cool bike. Not a Speed Triple kind of bike, more of a cruiser I guess but probably very capable.
     
  18. IlaOblomow

    IlaOblomow New Member

    Aug 12, 2019
    11
    3
    Berlin
    I was riding the tuono and super Duke, and no one of the bikes has the constant linear pull like the rs, yes thy are stronger but I love the sound and engine character of the rs.
     
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  19. SteveRS

    SteveRS First Class Member

    Jan 12, 2019
    862
    500
    British Columbia
    Have a look at this dyno. Same day, time and dyno. This is from “triumphrat.net” forum.

    DF28AB92-55CC-47BF-8BFC-27F16FEA4D5A.png
     
  20. RSReggie

    RSReggie Active Member

    Apr 9, 2019
    114
    43
    North West UK
    Speed triple RS all day ! Top end not that relevant on the road ...
     
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