Hello from Essex

Hi Everyone - I've been lurking on the forum in search of technical tips and advice for about a year, so it's about time I joined!

I bought a Speed Triple R 2016 last April as an upgrade from a Yamaha MT-125. I've been riding for one year, but driving since 1982, so I'm a late starter.

People said, "you don't want such a big bike" and "you need to work up gradually and gain experience" but they are wrong! I'm just about to start my IAM training (IAM car member since 1984) and I'm loving every minute of it.

Why didn't I do this earlier!?

 

Thanks for the warm welcome - from very far and wide. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the IAM though...the pressure is most definitely on.

As for the bike...well it's stunning (you already know this of course) - in fact all the Triumphs are stunning, but choosing the Speed Triple felt obvious to me...the right feel and fit. My son has a Daytona 675R and the pair of them together is a beautiful thing!

Here's a shot from the summer - I've since swapped the tail tidy, added a Conquest Carbon hugger and chain guard, a rear seat cowl and I've removed the pillion pegs for a cleaner look

 

Thanks Phil. Well she was only 3 months old when that pic was taken - and now after 9 months, she looks...erm...the same

I'm a very OCD when it comes to cleaning - I have all the right products in my detailing kit and OK, she's very low mileage and I avoid the rain (definitely the salt) but it makes it easy to keep her looking tip-top.

Plus...I share an MT-07 with my son for grubby days.

 

I considered the Street, but couldn't resist the muscle (both performance and looks) of the Speed. A Street instead of an MT-07...well yes, that sounds like a good move.

My son has a mean looking Phantom Black Daytona 675R, so the MT-07 was specifically for regular riding and the winter. It has an ear-bleeding Akrapovic full system and the no-baffle twin sound is fabulous (if that's what you like)...but it doesn't have the build quality that the Triumphs have. That's the point though...a very usable and easy to live with bike, that doesn't leave you worrying (so much) when it's left chained up somewhere.

 

I like cars. They don't fall over so easily and I swore I would never ride a bike. Not ever.

My son started riding four years ago and our motoring paths never crossed. He kept on at me and eventually convinced me to do my CBT last November - just to see if I liked it. Nothing to lose (he said). Then I did the Theory (just in case) and as it was cheap being winter, signed up for Mod 1 and 2...and was all done by January. Whoops.

I will never ride a bike

 

I try to limit the amount of danger that I'm 'generating' - and I'm taking my time to find my two wheels.

Addictive definitely, but dangerous...yes of course stuff happens that you can't control - but I reckon that texting while driving is statistically more dangerous than riding.