RooKie
New Member
This one’s is for you, buzzbomb.
I’ve recently made the switch from my trustee 2010 FZ6R to the sexy 2014 Street Triple. The 6R was my first motorcycle, and had been the only bike I’d ever ridden (aside from the MSF course bikes) up until getting my new ride. With that being said, my review may be obvious stuff to some peeps, but it’s all things that made a big difference to me when making the switch. Let’s begin…
1 - The Gears:
Shifting in and out of 1st on the STR does not make the loud “clunk” sound that the 6R makes.
On the 6R going anything faster than 20mph on 1st makes the engine sound like it’s about to explode. 1st on the STR is long, so I can ride around the neighborhood or get up to speed on 45mph roads without shifting up or making the engine blow up.
Taller 1st gear on the STR also means that I can rev-match down to 1st without the huge difference in engine braking force that happens from 2nd to 1st on the 6R.
The gear shifting overall is very smooth. I don’t have to put much pressure on the shifting lever to switch gears.
2 - Engine:
The STR engine is very touchy / refined. First thing I noticed when riding out of the dealership was that going over bumps took some getting used to, because any small increment on the throttle would cause the bike to charge forward with a significant amount of force. After a couple of days riding it and re-learning to grip with my legs this issue went away and it is now one of my favorite things about the bike.
The delivery of power is also very smooth. between 3k and 8k the bike will pick up speed quickly and steadily. From 8k to 13k, the bike’s beastly power is unleashed. This makes entering the freeway and absolute thrill.
3 - Weight:
Super light. I’m a man of short stature (5’7”) and would sometimes have trouble backing up since the 6R felt so heavy. The STR has not given me longer legs to get a better footing, but it is so light, that as soon as I get the bike rolling back, it feels almost like it keeps moving on it’s own. I don’t have to fight the bike as much to get it to move with my own body.
The lower weight of the bike combined with the lower center of gravity make the bike “dive” into corners. First couple of turns I had to re-adjust mid-turn because it would make such tight turns with very minimal effort. Turning feels almost as if there was nothing under you. It’s the closest thing to flying I’ve ever felt.
4 - Brakes:
I was used to engine braking and dragging the brakes to slowly come to a stop with the 6R. Doing the same thing on the STR took some practice due to the ABS and steel brake lines. The STR’s stopping power can be a bit intimidating at first, but you get used to it quickly.
5 - Ergos:
Very similar to the 6R. The STR has a slightly more aggressive riding position, but nothing uncomfortable. I’ve been riding my a$$ off to get through the break-in period, and the only thing that keeps me from riding it all day is the 100 degree temps in AZ. Heat exhaustion works wonders on depth perception.
6 - Overall:
I miss my 6R. The 6R is like my first love and it will not be forgotten. But when I’m on the STR I forget that I ever loved anything else. The STR is the good girl you want to bring home to mom and dad, but she can also be a freak when you’re feeling feisty.
Please let me know your thoughts or questions. Thanks.
I’ve recently made the switch from my trustee 2010 FZ6R to the sexy 2014 Street Triple. The 6R was my first motorcycle, and had been the only bike I’d ever ridden (aside from the MSF course bikes) up until getting my new ride. With that being said, my review may be obvious stuff to some peeps, but it’s all things that made a big difference to me when making the switch. Let’s begin…
1 - The Gears:
Shifting in and out of 1st on the STR does not make the loud “clunk” sound that the 6R makes.
On the 6R going anything faster than 20mph on 1st makes the engine sound like it’s about to explode. 1st on the STR is long, so I can ride around the neighborhood or get up to speed on 45mph roads without shifting up or making the engine blow up.
Taller 1st gear on the STR also means that I can rev-match down to 1st without the huge difference in engine braking force that happens from 2nd to 1st on the 6R.
The gear shifting overall is very smooth. I don’t have to put much pressure on the shifting lever to switch gears.
2 - Engine:
The STR engine is very touchy / refined. First thing I noticed when riding out of the dealership was that going over bumps took some getting used to, because any small increment on the throttle would cause the bike to charge forward with a significant amount of force. After a couple of days riding it and re-learning to grip with my legs this issue went away and it is now one of my favorite things about the bike.
The delivery of power is also very smooth. between 3k and 8k the bike will pick up speed quickly and steadily. From 8k to 13k, the bike’s beastly power is unleashed. This makes entering the freeway and absolute thrill.
3 - Weight:
Super light. I’m a man of short stature (5’7”) and would sometimes have trouble backing up since the 6R felt so heavy. The STR has not given me longer legs to get a better footing, but it is so light, that as soon as I get the bike rolling back, it feels almost like it keeps moving on it’s own. I don’t have to fight the bike as much to get it to move with my own body.
The lower weight of the bike combined with the lower center of gravity make the bike “dive” into corners. First couple of turns I had to re-adjust mid-turn because it would make such tight turns with very minimal effort. Turning feels almost as if there was nothing under you. It’s the closest thing to flying I’ve ever felt.
4 - Brakes:
I was used to engine braking and dragging the brakes to slowly come to a stop with the 6R. Doing the same thing on the STR took some practice due to the ABS and steel brake lines. The STR’s stopping power can be a bit intimidating at first, but you get used to it quickly.
5 - Ergos:
Very similar to the 6R. The STR has a slightly more aggressive riding position, but nothing uncomfortable. I’ve been riding my a$$ off to get through the break-in period, and the only thing that keeps me from riding it all day is the 100 degree temps in AZ. Heat exhaustion works wonders on depth perception.
6 - Overall:
I miss my 6R. The 6R is like my first love and it will not be forgotten. But when I’m on the STR I forget that I ever loved anything else. The STR is the good girl you want to bring home to mom and dad, but she can also be a freak when you’re feeling feisty.
Please let me know your thoughts or questions. Thanks.
