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Test Rode a 675

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Joined
May 30, 2006
Location
San Lorenzo
Moto(s)
09 Yamaha R1
Name
Dennis
BARF perks
SBK Slut / AMA #3287659
TrplGrl tricked me into a demo day at the Triumph dealership in Mountain View, by telling me that we were on our way to Hooters.

We never did make it to Hooters.

blue675.jpg

If you haven't yet, find a way to hop on a 675 to substantiate what I'm about to write, because the 675 was impossible not to love. I came into the demo day just to shut TrplGrl up about all things Triumph, because when you know TrplGrl, then it's like knowing a handful of other Triple riders.

Off the bike, it didn't look any different to me than the other middleweights in its class. Sure it had quite a few carbon fiber pieces spread out here and there, and it looked narrow for its size, but once I got on the bike, I was in disbelief. It didn't just look narrow, it is [insanely] narrow. The view of the front end from behind the cockpit is that of a bullet, and the aggressive ergos with it's heavily forward-sloping seat just tells you that this bike would be like a hot-knife on butter in the track. Couple that with the bike's near non-existent weight (I thought that the EX500 was probably heavier than the 675), and you really cannot go wrong with having this to rail on your favorite roads, or as a track weapon. Surprisingly, despite the aggressive stance and my tall frame (at least 6'), I actually felt very comfortable on the bike.

Now that engine, my god that engine. Steady torque from bottom to the top end. Didn't matter which gear you were on, it'll go if you want it to, and steadily at that. I used to think that 1st gear was just to get to the subsequent gears (or wheelies), but not after riding the 675. You can very comfortably stay in 1st gear riding in the city. I thought that the throttle was a bit abrupt when rolling off or on without using the clutch, but other than that, the engine moves through its revolutions very smoothly. I also thought that the foot controls were too flushed inside that I had to twist my ankles inward to grab them, but that is a minor peeve, since I feel like you hardly need to shift between gears. The only reason I could think of that you would need to shift is because you're running out of revs, not steam.

Technicalities aside, the bike is also an awesome wingman. Pulled up to a red light during the demo ride and a lil' brunette hottie on a bicycle turns to me. I nod. She smiles and looks ahead. Looks back at me again with another smile, so I flip the visor up and say: "Wanna race? I'll let you have a headstart." A laugh from her and the light turns green, a small wave from me returned by her. The bike works wonders for your game. :teeth

I swear, it made such an impression on me that I couldn't stop thinking about how I was going to get one in my garage.
 
Joooiiiinnnn usssss...


I love mine, although mine hasn't had the same effect on the opposite gender like you managed to get. :( ;)

Plus 1 on the tall factor too. i'm 6'4 but fit just fine on it, except for the inability to hit the rear brakes.
 
the bike is freakin tall. GOBS of power, and suspension is unbelievable. Only thing its missing is a slipper clutch. But thats only if you are really really lazy.
 
great write up. i was able to take a look at the 675 in concord earlier today. extremely well built bike. i'm 5'8" and i was able to barely flat foot the bike.

hopefully by next year i'll have enough saved up.
 
I saw one at a gas station awhile back, they do look sexy don't they?

That's the thing with this bike. It doesn't just look sexy, it is sexy, with the narrowest waistline to squeeze your thighs with. :teeth

I really just couldn't believe the kind of powerband that inline-triple engine has, and the sound of it too. It's got the guttural rumble of a twin, although not as punctuated, but also has the whir of the inlines. And you hear these sounds simultaneously.
 
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I absolutely love both of mine (one for the street, one for the track!). I race mine with WSMC. There's only 3 of us out there though:(

And I agree with all the statements above:ride Below is me on my 07' track only 675

CP3_9908.jpg


CP3_8449.jpg
 
How long of a test ride do they let you have?

Felt like 5 minutes. :laughing

Honestly, I was the only one in the group that took the 675 for a spin, therefore I was probably the only one thinking that the route they had for us wasn't doing the 675 any justice. We spent most of the time getting out of the rural roads, just for a brief stint in some backroads and the freeway. The good thing about that was it showcased what I've mentioned about the 675's useable torque anywhere in the powerband. With a steady wrist and some proper use of the clutch, you can stay in 1st gear while going through city roads climbing up and down the revs.

Once we got out of the city, and in every opportunity that I saw a sweeping turn, I'd wring the throttle in second and let the bike dip. The smooth climb of the acceleration coupled with the bike's "hanging-off inducing" form really feeds the rider a lot of confidence to just fly through the turns. The brief stint in the freeway also allowed me to cycle through all the gears, and really, from 1st to 6th it almost felt like one long and smooth acceleration.

I hugged TrplGrl as soon as our demo ride ended, and really hoped that Triumph would hold test rides for this bike in a proper road, or better yet, in the track if they really wanted to seal the deal right then and there.
 
I absolutely love both of mine (one for the street, one for the track!). I race mine with WSMC. There's only 3 of us out there though:(

And I agree with all the statements above:ride Below is me on my 07' track only 675

CP3_9908.jpg

Sinncere, just admit it and fess up. YOU'RE HOOKED. You gotta get one, you know you just gotta:laughing

Ofcounsel, question. Have you done any work on the stock suspension? I'm curious because I talked to a guy on triumph675.net and he said that it really wasn't necessary?
 
Sinncere, just admit it and fess up. YOU'RE HOOKED. You gotta get one, you know you just gotta:laughing

Ofcounsel, question. Have you done any work on the stock suspension? I'm curious because I talked to a guy on triumph675.net and he said that it really wasn't necessary?

I know you're asking Ofcounsel, and I'm not sure either if the suspension on the one I rode was tweaked, but shit man, I just hopped on and got going. No quips about the suspension the bike rolled up with. Then again, it was a pathetic excuse for a demo route we went through. :twofinger

Fuck yes I'm hooked!

Ask TrplGrl, cause the only time I wasn't thinking about all things 675 after the demo ride was when she and I were riding through our favorite roads. Anytime other than that, and you could've caught me spacing out working the logistics of how to get a red one in my garage. :laughing
 
general consensus on 675.net is that the stock adjustment is crap when compared to what its like after its been set up. I haven't had it done so I personally don't know how much better it is.
 
how often does mt.view calmoto have demo days? those 675's are beautiful.
 
Yesterday and today are it for now at CalMoto. I didn't hear anything between this one and May last year, so I'm hoping they do this demo day once a year. But you can always stop by there and test ride the bike on your own.

Careful though, last time I test rode a bike there, I ended up with a K1200R a month later. :)
 
It won many magazines bike of the year when it came out. The only problem will be the cost of maintenance and parts. :)
 
I know you're asking Ofcounsel, and I'm not sure either if the suspension on the one I rode was tweaked, but shit man, I just hopped on and got going. No quips about the suspension the bike rolled up with. Then again, it was a pathetic excuse for a demo route we went through. :twofinger

Fuck yes I'm hooked!

Ask TrplGrl, cause the only time I wasn't thinking about all things 675 after the demo ride was when she and I were riding through our favorite roads. Anytime other than that, and you could've caught me spacing out working the logistics of how to get a red one in my garage. :laughing

He threatened to sell his girlfriends dog to get one (she's out of the country at the moment). I told him that that is where i draw the line!
 
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