So my 675R is my winter bike and today was it's last day out until the end of the year. It has had something of a chequered history with being crashed and written off more than once, but its engine is a peach and with a pair of Racetecs fitted it will run with the big boys all day First stop A1 moto. Cafe attached isnt bad so a Latte with bacon sandwich was the order of the day Looking around the showroom what struck me was the prices of everything.... These are nearly £18k Then we have; Can this really do much more than a STR on the road in real world conditions?
So nicely refreshed I went and had a look at the new 765RS. Salesman came for a chat So does this offer much more than the 1st 765? Oh yes that bit more on everything. Umm, everything, like what? Brakes, suspension you know all the usual. sounds like bullsh7t to me as they are the same calipers and master cylinder as the one I have at home And so I went outside and climbed on my 09 675R with a smile on my face and on with the journey.
A nice little blast through the lanes around York and over to Aldwark bridge. Nice area this with some lovely twisty roads. No charge on the toll bridge for motorcycles Then progress to Wetherby and Tadcaster where I caught a couple of big bikes up. This 675 just entices you in and really can shine against much bigger bikes despite a hp disadvantage..... who needs a thou or a 1200?
Once home, a quick dabble on the laptop and the "winter" bike is now sorn'd and put to bed until further notice i.e. winter.
I've just went from a superduke to a 765. I would never say it has too much power for the road. You can use all of it. I will miss the instant grunt of the 1301cc V-twin, its the best bike I've ever owned! On a twisty road I reckon I'll cover ground faster on the 765 though. And I think the fun factor is marginally more on the street triple. Speed triple vs street triple I choose street every time. For bigger bikes the KTM does it for me. The only thing that made me change is that I just could not behave myself! I mean proper hooligan stuff, thats where the superduke really shined but every ride had licence loosing potential in bucket loads!
Yes @andyc1 if I could have picked "like and agreed" I would as your findings mirror my own thoughts. Looking at the 1200rs naked, bike not me , today, your sentiments were running through my mind. The 765 when I first got it was a noticeable step down from a Honda 1000 in the mid range but everywhere else the Triumph was miles ahead. I'm sure the new 1200 would plug that gap and beat the Honda hands down but would it make any difference in the real world?
Agility and lightness are up there in what makes a great bike! It beats outright power in a lot of real world situations IMO. And the 765 is hardly under powered either, its an absolute rocket if you keep it singing
Yes @andyc1 me and an old friend years ago had many a conversation/debate on this and we both agreed on one fundamental point; Ringing a smaller bikes neck is far more satisfying than pussy footing around a big fast capable bike and ending up feel demoralised!
Went for a local potter round yesterday to just try out the 765 as I haven't used it for 7 months or so. Surprising how things have moved on in the 10 years between my two street's, in terms of both refinement and function, but what caught my attention more was the back brake at the first roundabout I'd forgotten, but noted this last autumn doing the opposite swap around, that the 675 has very little travel in the rear lever so ends up either ON or OFF. In contrast the 765 has more travel so giving more feel but, without any mental calibration adjustment on my behalf the little sub concious drag requested just didn't happen and certainly sparked my attention especially on cold tyres Anyway on with the journey but due to the anomaly in the 765 system the fuel gauge suddenly dropped from 3/4 tank to "RANGE 13 MILES" Yes you guessed, I'd syphoned off the fuel whilst it was stood over winter but the fuel gauge needs 5 mile or so to catch up
1st stop petrol station ...... very soon 2nd stop, a friend had told me Birkin tearoom did some great milkshakes Time now half three ...... umm whats the opening hours
So nothing for it but a ride through the lanes and aim for Squires coffee https://www.squires-cafe.co.uk/
This might be a Triumph forum but I think most people agree, KTM do make some lovely looking bikes. Naturally I had to get my 765 in on the above shot
