Featured 2018 Speed Triple Rs – Ownership Thread

Glad you like

I figure that I'm more interested in how it runs and how it feels, over actually knowing what the figures are (albeit it would undoubtedly explain what's going on). If I head in that direction, it will be in the spring - all I can say for now, is that it's better baffle in, and it certainly appears to pulls like crazy in all the gears.

I get it though - we don't actually know if it's really any better.

(I think it is )

 

This suspension stuff is a black art to me (despite years of fitting height/camber/bump/rebound adjustable stuff with knobs, to cars).

I made a trial and error tweak to the rear when I first got the bike, setting it to R15 C18 (instead of R16 C19 as standard...I think).

I asked for a note of the new rear settings (R14 C20) as they can be inadvertently moved, but I honestly wouldn't want to mess with the front. He adjusted the preload on the front and rear, but I can't give you any references.

I'm 75kg and 179cm. Add 9kg for hat, boots and leathers.

Not much help I know

 

He adjusted the preload front and rear - said the rear was on the stiff side, but felt it would be OK. I don't know what the sag is set too - all I can say is it feels great (to me!).

I'm sorry...this is why I took it to someone who knows what they are doing

 

Safety (and savings) in numbers at Hilltop maybe. Keep us posted if you get a suspension tune - a second opinion is definitely a good idea (just in case I'm a really bad judge of what feels good ).

There are some brilliant roads around Dunmow - my favourite is Takely to Hatfield Broadoak. My route back on Saturday was via Fyfield and Ongar...I consider myself lucky being on the edge of some great countryside.

 

Welcome to the forum Simon .

I was thinking this thread was rambling on a bit, but it seems right to keep 'the ownership experience' in one place. I'm really pleased you've found it useful!

You're doing exactly what I did, when I migrated from my old Matt Graphite 2016 R - and yes, the scaffolding looks really strange when you put it back.

Enjoy the upgrade process...there's nothing like picking up a new bike and then getting on with making it your own - and don't hesitate to post up any questions that you have along the way.

 

Possibly one of my smaller changes, but I don't think the original looked right.

Before:



After:

 

How about a red clutch cable guide?

 

Without the thickness of the pillion peg brackets, you'll definitely need to buy shorter bolts and perhaps washers to go with them...but that's easy:

M8 x 16mm flanged button head bolts

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M8-8mm-F...L-KAYS-/361137933592?var=&hash=item92cbc333f6

M8 Form C washers

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORM-C-W...DE-RIM-/150939016233?var=&hash=item68ce53dc40

Here's a close up of my old 2016 R (with the hanger for the Arrow cans):




One of the cheaper modifications that you can do

 

I'm going to the Motorcycle Live show at the Birmingham NEC on Friday, so that might identify some new mods. I'm hoping for a Wallet Transplant operation on Thursday, so I hope that comes through in time...

In the meantime, I've spoken to Hillside about a remap. I learned that fitting a stubby can, will have 'destroyed' the bike's characteristics as there's not enough volume in the system to create the necessary back pressure (or words to that effect). These race-orientated systems are ideal for flat out, straight line, top end power...which isn't so helpful for your average road riding experience.

I personally wouldn't say 'destroyed' - perhaps 'changed' is a better word. We discussed how fitting the baffle helps recoverer some of the characteristics, and interestingly, Hilltop consider their map won't completely cure it, but will make it 60% better (compared to how it rides with the Arrow under-seat cans). More importantly (they said) is it will ensure that it's not running lean and protect the engine from potential damage. They disagreed with Triumph's opinion that the ECU will self-learn and will be fine. Sales talk maybe...but they were very helpful and convincing.

Sending the ECU by post gets you a 96% perfect map...putting it on their dyno and doing some tweaking gets you 99.5% (their estimates). So to answer your question, I'm now considering whether to book a slot before Christmas and send it to them (it's returned next working day), then see how it feels...and perhaps do the 200+ mile round trip to get it tweaked (if necessary) in the Spring.

Last word...it feels great as it is, but I'll never know what an improvement feels like unless I take the plunge