Street Triple to Streetfighter?

My main riding friend has a 2012 Street Triple R which I've ridden (but not extensively). Feels broadly similar to the SF848 although the styling is markedly different. The ST engine requires a little more revving, which I guess is obvious given lower capacity and extra cylinder. The SF was noticeably more 'vibey' than the ST for me.

However, and here comes the heresy, you have to test the latest Speed Triple 1050. It's feisty like the Street Triple but with much more torque and presence. Never ridden the larger capacity StreetFighter but I guess that's also 'more'.

They're all great bikes, for me it would come down to which one you love and hence want the most. And of course finance....

 

Firstly, I'm a big believer that if it's something you really love and it won't send you to the poor house, then just do it. After all, you only live once.

I test rode an 848 (faired) and loved it but because 1098s were more plentiful, I actually went that route and got "free torque" and all the power I'd ever need. Plus no insurance penalty. Looks as though you're finding the same.

As the great sage Nike once said...Just Do It !

 

I test rode the trumpet speed triple and liked it, but it suffered terrible wind blast at around 85mph which I did not like, even pushing beyond that it got a lot worse. Yes it could have been a lot of factors and could have cured it with a screen but I decided to test ride the Streetfighter instead. Well I am glad I bloody did because it was much more of an animal to ride, lovely it was quicker much more nimble and had character which the trumpet lacked. I have had my bike some 8 months now and is nearing 9000 miles on it.

 

A mate who is just doing direct access is going for either a ST or a Honda CBR600F. I think his decision will sway towards the Honda as he wants that sportsbike look. I am sure he'd be having more fun on the ST but I wouldn't suggest he tries the SF848 as I think it's more bike, just imho.

Both the Triumph and the Ducati have bags of character and although I'm biased, the SF848 looks a lot better outside the showroom. There's probably not a lot in it riding wise given the ST has a great engine, the SF848 is going to be more vibey for sure, all the Ducatis have that character. Going from Triumph to Ducati is like changing toothpaste brand, not a light or easy decision to make. The SF848 is a great bike for the UK roads and far easier to live with than a sports bike for hooning around. I don't like mine much above 90mph as you are exposed (I don't have the girlie screen PeterT requires...) but then it's far better blasting along the A roads than any sort of M-way cruising.

If you have in your head that the SF is the bike you want then go for it, you're only alive once so no point in pondering.

 

I have 1098S (Superbike tho) and test rode Street Triple R and used to own a Daytona 675. Out of those 3 bikes the STR was by far the most fun on the road. Brilliant handling and plenty of power without being overwhelming. That being said I love my 1098... Triumph has nothing on it in terms of sound and looks and the Ducati feels much more stable although it requires a bit more effort in the corners.
Go take the Streetfighter for a spin... if Street Triple is not enough then I'm sure you'll love it.

 

I had a 2010 STR from new and chopped it in back in March for a 1098 Streetfighter. Didn't even test ride it, I just knew i wanted one and have always thought that at some point in a biker's life, he (or she) ought to own a nice red Ducati! I went for the 1098 over the 848 also because a I got a great deal. Think they're cheaper because the dealers are getting rid of old stock - am I right in thinking that from this year Ducati only make the 1098S or the 848? Anyway, it was definitely the right move. The SF is a very different ride (my first v-twin) and have found that I need to change my riding style a lot; particularly at low speeds and on roundabouts etc, where slipping the clutch is much more necessary. And I'm still only at 400 miles, so haven't exceeded 6000rpm yet, but when the revs do getup there the bike feels fantastic. It does feel bigger and heavier that the STR - but it is, so shouldn't be surprised. Sounds fantastic (have an SC Project single can on) and have really noticed people turning heads compared to the STR. The only criticism I have is that it's quite noticable how different the bike is to work on compared to my STR (and my GSXR). Where everything fits nicely and is easy to access on the other two, the SF doesn't seem as well put together or thought through. I don't mean that it doesn't feel well put together, simply that everything's a bit more fiddly.

 

Oh yeah... the clutch! It's heavy. Really heavy. I got arm-pump pretty quickly, whereas never had a problem with the STR. Solved it though by lowering the clutch lever a little and by adding a washer to the springs on the clutch plate (actually installed a Ducati Performance clutch plate to match an open clutch cover - the washers came in the kit and instructions say that you can add them to make clutch lighter if desired).

As for the exhaust, I wanted twin cans originally but couldn't afford Termi's. However now glad I went for SC Project - looks awesome, lets you see single swing-arm, and sounds amazing without baffle in!

 

Quite right, I took me ages to choose between Colgate and Arm n Hammer but I went with the latter, coz although it's a premium brand so more expensive, it's got character.

 

Had a test ride of both at Ducati Leeds the other week & I loved the 848 sf , for me it was just more fun to ride and easy to flick about .Just like a sports bike without the bad neck !
It will be my next Ducati when the back and neck tell me I'm to old for the sports bike.

 

Not too bad. Getting the old ones off was the trickiest bit but once that was done the SC went on really easily. No tuning required!

 

What is the SC project?

 

It's a secret project, if we tell you then we have to kill you.