765 The Good The Bad And The Ugly

The good bit. I have test ridden the new STRS 765 back to back with the 2020 STRS 765, I was interested in the updated electronics and how they performed, I trailed braked into bends to see how the cornering optimised ABS and cornering optimised traction control worked in the real world, I have no doubt that in an emergency where you had to brake hard during a bend the system would save the day, there is a huge amount of difference in the new RS as opposed to the outgoing model, it has a raised rear that increases the ride height, I'm sure the average rider is not 6ft plus with long legs, so two feet on the ground may be difficult for a lot of riders. The up/down shifter was super smooth as usual, I did notice a difference with the brakes, they feel even stronger than previous models. I didn't notice a difference with power and acceleration for the 2020 model, that said there are some mods on my 22 that make it lighter, along with re mapping amongst other things. Would I change to the new RS, no I definitely wouldn't given the amount of work and money spent to get mine to what I really like.
The bad bit. Well the rear seat cowl on my machine recently decided it would make it's way to the Bermuda Triangle and I have not seen it since it departed on a ride out, I guess it liked the look of all manner of things sucked in the black hole and decided it be better off with it's new found friends.
The ugly bit. Well Triumph had a new replacement in stock and even by their standards I was somewhat shocked, first you buy the cowl, then you buy the attachment plate that bolts to the cowl, then you buy the bolts, then the anti rub strips and if you wish to buy the tool kit (3 allen keys and 1 screwdriver) then that is extra, in all it costs almost £300, to add insult to injury I have just looked out of curiosity at the new 765R extras, Triumph list the seat cowl all ready to fit for under £150, how the hell do they justify this difference in cost, no wonder they can supply the Moto 2 engines. I have owned an awful lot of Triumph motorbikes since the 60s, well enough is enough and no further new Triumph's for me. I re kindled my love for Choppers at the Kickback Show and have decided to build my own from scratch. I am going for a test ride on the Ducati V2 Streetfighter very soon so that may well be a next addition. The servicing costs are not as expensive as Triumph, and once out of warranty I look after them myself. Ride safe all from an ageing Rocker.

 

Hi Baza, I do have the original passenger seat, however I now have an OEM cowl that I fitted yesterday. It's ridiculous the prices Triumph charge for parts, also a lot of parts are no longer available on lots of models that are only a few years old. I recently struggled getting OEM clutch parts for a 2015 Speed Triple 1050, in the end I got some updated parts from Germany. It's possible that given production is overseas that the issue may be external manufacturers, but who knows, a similar thing happened with the UK car manufacturers years ago, during a production run a model could go from say having a Lucas starter motor to a Bosh, ignition systems, lights, brakes etc etc went the same route. Honda by comparison make sure you can get parts even for the very older machines. It may well be that given Triumph bring out new models on a very regular basis, then to stock sensible levels of parts would require huge costs and storage problems for them. Ride safe all from an ageing Rocker.