Can The Speed Do It All

Hi @Dustywheels , my thoughts on my 2019 RS and my previous 2014 Speedy.
I just turned 60 in December and have had a dodgy left knee since I was about 18. I find the Speedy comfortable for a couple of hours at a time, by then either it's fuel up, brew or pee time . I have done several tours around Scotland with 200-270 mile days one after the other no problem. I do wear cycling shorts under my trousers for extra padding though. According to the on bike trip meter I get 60+ mpg, bike is waaay too fast for UK conditions, it can carry plenty of luggage with a tank bag and tail pack and never fails to put a smile on my face! Go for it

 

I'm 61, ride a 2020 Street on the track and a Tiger 900 on the road, but have had both the Tiger Sport and a 2018 Speed RS as well in the past.
Obviously the Speed is a lot nimbler than the Tiger, but not as nimble or as light as the Street.
Ridden both on the track, the Street is definitely the better track bike for me, the Speed didn't seem quite as at home on the track, slightly lazier gearshift, bit more weight etc.
But I think the Speed is probably a better road bike, the extra torque (although not as much as you'd think) over the Street, and the extra weight makes it a bit more planted and it's slightly more comfortable for long trips.
It's always a personal choice/preference, but the 1050 Speed RS is what I'd go for on the road out of your choices.

 

Like I said, that's from the dash readings and generally riding at touring pace. Could be a bit less on a sunny evening scratch

 

I haven't done a multi-day ride on mine yet. Got one planned for this year but I would say the Speed can do it all. Great bike!

 

I am now onto my fifth Speed Triple, currently riding a 1050 RS at the age of 74. Obviously I love Speed Triples but also had a 1050 Tiger in the past. I still find the Speed comfortable even though the seat is a bit hard for my aging bones.

 

I replaced a BMW R1200RT and Ducati SuperSport with a Speed Triple and haven't looked back.

Over 60 myself I don't feel that the Speedy is uncomfortable on long rides, but it does force me to pack light - which is a good thing!

I've found that the hobby/activity of riding bicycles has tremendously improved my comfort and endurance with the motorcycle, especially as I get older.

I do have one other bike, a DRZ400s that's used for dual sport adventures and the really tight twisty paved roads in the mountains here. For the twisties I have a set of 17 inch SM wheels that get swapped in.

I feel that these two bikes do it all for me.

 

As long as you're riding solo then the Speed3 is fine for touring (I'm nearly 70), but no chance IMO for pillions. No problems mounting a satnav either. Luggage, you can even go the full pannier route, I did (mistake) but wouldn't recommend, way too wide and only used them once, I'd go for a Kriega tail pack now. But as I usually tour with SWMBO pillioning I've defected to a second bike (S1000XR) for that.
It's a shame Triumph haven't produced an upated version of the Tiger Sport.







(Speedy has seen quite a few mods since those photos were taken and just gets used for local day rides now)

 

Ditto for the Kriega tail pack.

 

I just use a Ram ball mount in the bar clamp, still on the bike, I'll wander down to the garage in a mo and take a snap.

 

I just use a Ram ball mount in the bar clamp, still on the bike, I'll wander down to the garage in a mo and take a snap.

So, the rider's eye view sees the satnav just below the instruments, not as ideal as a full on tourer with screen and mounted closer to normal road view but not much different to a glance at the speedo. I ride with intercom so voice prompts save taking your eye off the road too often.


Close ups of the Ram mount, not too obtrusive when riding without the nav.

 

Hi Dusty wheels.
The Speed RS can do it all. I just love mine. Have used it for touring and scratching around. It handles superbly, steers beautifully and with the Kriega packs you can go anywhere..
I tried the street triple but found I was sat too much on top of it, with a lot of wind blast. With the flip fairing at the front on the RS I still get some blast but it is bearable.

 

Here you go…

 

Dusty you don’t say whether you are riding solo or 2 up. You will find that as you get older the weight of the machine and how easy you can paddle it around whilst sitting on it become more important. Whilst the Speedy is only 10 kg more than the Street every little bit helps. I’ve never ridden a Speedy but would not be surprised if the Street were the more agile of the two.

Regarding luggage, back in 2012 I bought the Ventura system to fit my Ducati and have managed to repurpose it to fit my Street Triple (when I bought the machine they didn’t have a fitment kit available).



Mounting your satnav should not be a problem using the Quadlock system. Below you will see my diy lash up.



Once again, this year, I will be riding with two of my sons and our mates for six days in mid Wales, covering the best part of a thousand miles and I probably have at least ten years on you guys. So I would stick with your 765. As @Dawsy says, the Speedy is way too fast for UK roads, the same can be said for the Street Triple as last year I surprised myself when I hit the limiter at 135, in third.

 

Just sold my 2016 speed triple, l mostly used it for long rides and to be honest l found it uncomfortable and the suspension way too hard.
I've gone back to a big traillie again now which although slower is easy to ride for hours.
I loved the speed and power of the speedy, but realistically how often do we ride them to the max? Personally not very often.
Like you I'm getting on a bit and I'll leave speed triples to the "nippers" now!