My first rides of both the brand-new Triumph Street Triple 765 RS and Bonneville Bobber were in the freezing cold temperatures of the UK. The RS in particular was ridden at night, in the rain and with 4 degrees indicated on the very flash dash; the bath after that ride was far more rewarding!
However, fast forward a week and our first guests for the Spyder Club Season Starter trip arrived into a beautifully sunny Andalucia, Southern Spain to ride, amongst others, the two new Triumph machines.
Bobber first, it was the bike that whilst riding, I had the best of the weather and roads with back in the UK and I haven’t had the chance to ride it in Spain yet. Straightaway though, it was so easy to ride. The 1200cc motor pulls effortlessly and is smooth as silk.
On dry roads around Northampton in slightly warmer temperatures than I’d ridden the RS the night before, the Bobber flowed beautifully through the sweeping corners. Getting lost in a large town, the motor, handling and controls were predictable and did nothing to hamper my ride as I searched for my way back home.
However, the feedback from our trip guests whilst in Spain has been the most interesting. Here in the mountains close to Ronda, we spend most of our riding time enjoying technical and challenging roads, the Bobber has kept its cool throughout.
Not a single guest has been unsure of the superbly built and quality feeling Bobber. In the past, the retro styled bikes have divided opinion but that’s not been the case with the Triumph. From our guys who enjoy the sportier bikes, to the chaps who are happier with an adventure style machine, all seven riders in Group One have been massively impressed with the Bobber. It handles everything we put in its way: from hairpins, to fast sweepers, it was never left behind and with the glorious twin soundtrack, just put a smile on everyone’s face. It’s been an exciting talking point.
And on to the RS. I have been lucky enough to ride this bike on roads is was built for. On this trip, we have a 2010 Street Triple R, a 2016 RX and the new 765 RS. The reason we bought the RX and RS out to Spain was to get guests to ride both bikes back to back, the 2010 R is Spyder Lizzi’s bike.
I am a massive fan of the Street Triple, it’s the perfect lead bike, enough power to have plenty of fun, handling that competes with many far more focused machines and a predictability to flatter any rider, old or new.
With long term Spyder Club member ‘Quick Mick’ behind me on the RS and me on the RX, we agreed to stop 15 miles in to a 30 mile stretch of 2nd and 3rd gear cornering roads. The RX showed its usual talents and made me smile and giggle for the entire ride.
Stopping in a village to swap, I climbed aboard the RS and within seconds felt the advances of the new machine. It’s so light, so flickable, but as Mick said, ‘it’s a scalpel.’ The precision with which you can turn and hit the exact spot you want to is unbelievable. How have Triumph taken an exceptional motorcycle, the previous generation Street Triple, and made it even better?
