Hi All, We attended the pre TT Classic on the Southern 100 this May / June on the IOM. I helped as a mechanic for my mucker who brought a 350 and a 500 Goldie. He had 2 DNF (brake line issue and a petcock that snapped off in the tank) and one 8th place. He turned 70 this year (I am 62) and came out of retirement to give it a go having started at the IOM with classics back in 1988. We saw some of the TT as well. We wore our Team Dry tee shirts, being from AZ, and have to note we had no rain for our entire trip. Toured Northumberland and must say it reminded me of the hills in NH where I grew up riding. I love the real road racing and you UK residents are really fortunate to have this. I am envious. Just got a 2016 Speed Triple 1050 S so I thought I'd introduce myself. Have been riding since the 1970's and this is my 20th something motorcycle. I have it set up for solo. I weigh in at 225 lbs. and finding springs for the Showa suspension has been a challenge with both Race Tech and Traxxion Dynamics not having any kit for the 2016 model. Need to be patient, lol. CHEERS, Chris
Hello Chris, welcome to the Triumph Asylum and thank you very much for that fullsome introduction. 'Asylum' you might ask? You'll soon see why........................................................
Hi Chris, welcome to the Triumph playground, (you soon see why I call it that). There's plenty good info and banter.
I love a few pints and a pie, CHEERS to that. What a fantastic welcome from you guys. I thank you all for that. It seems the Speedy comes through set up for a 160 lb. rider. We could not get the sag set correctly so my experience tells me stronger springs are indicated (both Showa and Ohlin's note that preload can NOT be set and stronger springs are indicated. It is an "S" but Showa was of no help. I can fix the rear shock by purchasing an Ohlin's for $1,380 US but would rather just re-spring the front and rear. Problem is that no one can tell me how long (model years) the front 43 mm Showa forks have been used on this model. I suspect many years and as most vendors show springs only up to 2013, I am dumbfounded. EDIT, to add I realize I should post this in the TECH Section but as 2 of you have hit on the weight topic....would love your experiences. CHEERS, Chris
Hi Chris welcome to the forum,I'm sure i read somewhere that most of the bikes are set up for the "average" rider of 160lbs (11.5 stone) Triumph must think we are all Japanese . i think it would be more of a problem if you weighed a lot less than than that rather than a lot more. I'm about 16 stone and i have found the factory settings fine,maybe if i was to do track days the suspension would need a bit of fiddling with. I've been thinking about getting mine professionally set up just to see if i notice a difference,a few speed triple owners on here have had that done and they have noticed an improvement, i don't think they changed the springs though
^ That is a very good question indeed. I asked both Showa and Triumph this exact question. Showa had no response at all. Triumph USA says I need to be patient and wait for aftermarket to catch up for 2016 models. Though Triumph will not offer other spring rates they can not recommend the use of aftermarket parts. Race Tech would help - if I sent them the forks to muck about with and same response from Traxxion Dynamics. Nope I replied, I want to ride it, not be without it . LOL, yes the skinny gym rats that are always edgy and look perpetually hungry - thus the angry, edgy personas. Then we have the super sized H-D riders that can not tuck their belly into a tee shirt. I am tall and broad shouldered and we laughed so hard taking a picture of me exiting one of your old red phone booths in Torksey....I looked like a giant exiting the booth....priceless. Bigger and heavier humans seems to be the trend but only aftermarket companies are focusing on this niche.
^ Dougie D, Looks like I'll be riding it with less than ideal sag for the near term. Not planning any track days thus I bought the S model, love the red paint. I believe you are correct about being over sprung for a light weight rider. Interesting to read that the factory springs are good for you and I really appreciate reading this, thanks for sharing.
I've got the 2014 R which comes with the ohlins as standard, i find them good, i don't think most people would notice the difference between them and the non R shocks, unless they were pushing it on the track
Hi Arizona , welcome in, great read on your posts thanks, can you come back again as we would like some dry weather in early August!!
^ I would love to ship you guys some sunny fair weather in exchange for some greenery and rains. Some of my muckers will be back on the IOM for the Classic TT and they too are requesting a return of Team Dry . The SW of the USA is fantastic in 3 seasons but Summer, not so much, LOL. Here is a pic from the IOM Pre-TT Classic in the Southern 100 paddock. I am praying to the Goldie gods and hugging the beast as I warm her up for my mucker, Vic. That is another friend directly behind in his leathers. These truly are the "Friendly Races".
^ Absolutely correct - the commonality of riding builds bridges like few other pastimes. I intend to come back and hire a proper bike for some road riding up in Northumberland I think. I see you are in Lincolnshire. My mate is in Torksey, CHEERS, Chris
