Hello ppl,
I’ve been without a bike for about a year due to pressure from the mrs, however i’ve now decided to get myself one but am not sure of what to buy. I had a yamaha r6 2005 and a gixxer 750 k8 but would now like a street bike. Something that’s comfortable to ride. I want to be commuting to work on it. Looks are important to me. I don’t know much about street bikes but I’ve been seeing this ducatii monster type bike that I really like. It looks quite aggressive but I can’t seem to find the exact bike on the net. Any suggestions as to what I should buy will be appreciated. My budget is about £4000.
The best street bike is a Triumph Street Triple 675 - 105 bhp, quick off the throttle, fairly reliable, light and fun to ride. You know it makes sense!!:hehe:
I also had a Hornet 600 for a while, which are easy to ride and good about town - there are plenty of mid range street bikes out there - so I suppose it depends what you want it for. For me the Triumph has been good for commuting, fun for riding out on the lanes (although the suspension is not as good as a supermoto - tend to feel every bump) and the odd motorway stint - although not great in cross winds as its a naked bike.
My recommendations are Honda Hornet 600, or Triumph Street Triple 675 - although am sure others will agree to differ!!
Hels is bang on I reckon, the Hornet and Triple are arresting looking and brimming with character! I’d also say it’s worth you taking a look at the SV-650 from Suzuki - semi faired noise machine, and the MT-01 from Yamaha. Nt ridden them but I know people that have them and love them 
I have a Hornet, it’s mega so I’m biased 
Buell XB series.
I think you meant MT-03? 
Of course the MT-01’s a lovely bike too and a step up in cost but not as nimble in town.
DRZ’s get good write-ups too but you know what…if you’ve got the dosh Hels is right- get a Street Trip
I’ve just traded in my Street Triple, brilliant bike for weekend fun on the twisties but not so good for commuting due to the budget suspension, doesn’t get on that well with London’s shite roads IMHO. Though I think it’s a better bike than the Hornet in every way except as a commuter, my old Hornet was alot better to commute on as the suspension is softer so it soaks up the bumps better.
Keep an eye out for ST’s with Maxton fork cartridges, alot of owners go down this route as the front is pretty lousy. Sorry to say you’ve just missed one on Ebay which also had a Daytona shock, but there’s bound to be more.
You can pick up a Suzi GSR600 57plate with extra’s with about 8k on the clock for £3000. Same motor as a GSXR600 just a little detuned. They fly and are comfy. I have tendonitis in my wrists and don’t suffer with her.
I guess it’s either a street triple, a hornet and an MT01. What does everyone think of the ducati monster? Looks,speed and comfort are very important to me.
Sounds to me like you just want the Monster Try them all! Go on! You won’t have an excuse for another few years and the 2.5% VAT increase comes in soon.
Ohh and while I’m on, and apologies for sounding dull, think about the practicalities of servicing. Where is the nearest good garage that you’ll take it to? Is it handy for home/ work? My Ducati place of choice was amazing but they’re in Winchester which was always a bit of a pain.
another thing to keep in mind is stress factor (from theft,damage).
a striple, monster may be more desirable but they are more desirable!
i was considering both the striple and the hornet but in the end i decided that i would be too worried about the striple being stolen,scratched dropped so went for an older (but better looking) hornet
have not regretted it a bit!
Try the KTM Superduke (off course I would say that :D). There’s real bargains on unregistered 08 bikes at the moment (I should have waited a couple of months buying).
I know, it’s controversial, but I didn’t like the Street Triple too much. I test rode the R and it’s obviously a good bike, but not for me, I found it a bit too revvy and small. But then I was used to big tall single.
Definitly also try the Speed Triple. Of all bikes I test rode, I found the Speed Triple and the Superduke the most useable on the road while still offering loads and loads of grins. The massive torque those engines have make them easy to cruise and commute, but once you’re on an open road and open the throttle, they can turn into a bit of an animal. Perfect bikes in my opinion.
A cheaper alternative with just the right amount of power for its category would be the GSR (yes yes I know it’s because I have one!)
There are issues with it but the looks (especially from the rear) and performance make up for it!
i was going to suggest a cheap hornet, then saw your budget and though hmm street tripple…:)Ive got cbr 600 rr for fun but i also picked up a hornet 03 model with less than 10k on the clock for 1700 quid as my everyday bike, its great for commuting, nice and comfortable plus very practical for carrying stuff/pillion etc and good all rounder,i do find it fun on the twisty roads as its a totally different ride to my sports bike but i think the tripple would be awesome fun, looks fantastic too!The like someone said theres the theft thing… after having one bike nicked already i wouldnt be to keen leaving a tripple outside everyday in town/outside work etc where as the hornet isnt as desireable to the potential theif.both have their good and bad points i guess
cant go wrong with a bandit or similar.
even the mk1s are goos for round town and bombing it on the motorway.
my 12 although not highly exciting 2 up open the throttle and it moves.
I went from a SV650s to a Triumph Street Triple R a few months ago, best decision I’ve made. Its huge fun and I’m loving it. Better in every single way apart from nickability, have had to buy an almax and cart it around
Get the arrow slip ons and remove the baffles, commuting in traffic has felt safer ever since!
Yes the Street Triple (I don’t have the latest R) has been fantastic. I have found it easy to ride at slow speeds, very quick off the throttle and just great fun - a real all rounder. I loved my Hornet too - but this is kind of a different experience. The only thing is the small battery, which means that plugging heated grips in won’t be an option in the winter - and the suspension - which isn’t great on windy, bumpy lanes. But it’s a brilliant ride! However, I’d definitely also recommend a Hornet for reliability and about town use too. Or there’s the Kawasaki Widow Maker - ha ha!!
Why not test ride them both - and the Monster of course:) and make a decision?
Just to throw another in the mix - I heart my Fazer FZ6… has the R6 engine but tuned for more mid-range. Nice up-right seating position and plenty of oomph when needed.
but after reading the above I’m thinking of test riding a hornet!
My only problem with hornets, monsters and triples is you see soooo many of them around…
Though the hornet has been around since the stone age and will probably survive a nuclear war…
I tried a Monster and found them extremely uncomfortable, but I agree, they look fab! Loved the gear changing and the sound is second to none, but I commute from SE London to Clerkenwell every day and comfort is a must. I tried a Yamaha XJ6 Diversion, which was really easy to ride but a bit boring and the sound was crap. I have now bought a Kawasaki ER6N. Great commuter, a joy to ride, nippy and light, plus cheap to run in terms of insurance and fuel.