Experienced rider looking at Triumph Street Triple vs. Aprilia Shiver. Thoughts??

Question

currently on v star 650, looking for more exotic looks and ride, not interested in anything from big 4. lifetime of dirt riding and casual street riding (40 yrs old. more of a standard guy than a cruiser or gsx-r guy

Answer 1

i like the speed triple a lot

Answer 2

I love the look of the shiver.

Theres a Street Triple 675 too.

Answer 3

The triumph is probably a little more civilized, if that is what you are looking for......

Answer 4

I'm also looking at getting either of these two bikes. Here's my thoughts:

the Shiver looks way cool. It's got this new option where you can select a different fueling map, Normal, Touring or Rain. I don't know if I'd ever not use Normal though. The Shiver's downsides are cost and weight. The Shiver costs $1000 more and weighes about 50lbs more.

the Street Triple sounds so sweet. You should check out youtube to hear it yourself. The engine revs like a son of a gun. Plus its got more ponies along with the less weight, you got an awesome combo.

I have yet to sit on the Triple. I can't comment on it's ergos. I did see a photo of a guy at a cycle show sitting on one and the bike looked tiny, I think the guy said he was 6'2. I'm 5'5, so I bet I'll look fine on it. The Shiver's ergos is pretty nice but it feels a little top heavy. The Apirilia forum says if you replace the exhaust, you can shed about 20 lbs.

From what I've read in the magazines, both bikes have suspensions that are lacking if you ever decide to really push the bikes to the limits. I hear Triumph will have a Street Triple R for next year maybe. It'll have the same brakes and suspension as the Daytona 675. Nice.

On paper the Street Triple makes more sense for me: price and power. However I can't seem to take my eyes off the Shiver. Which ever one you chose, the odds are you probably won't see another one on the street. Everybody else will be on a bike from one of the Japanese four. I say you can't go wrong with either one.

Answer 5

They just did a review of those two bikes in Motorcyclist. Depending on what comments you want to agree with both bikes were good but had pluses and minuses depending on what you were looking for. I like the Triumph but for handling they liked the Shiver.

Answer 6

Keep in mind that Triumph has a much more established and stable dealer network and parts are readily available and in stock in the US.  Not the same for Aprilia.  In 2009, Triumph is releasing a Street Triple R model which will have the same spec engine/brakes as the Daytona 675, along with some cool flat paint schemes.  The British magazine BIKE did a comparo in their March 2008 edition.  Ride both of them before buying either one.  

Answer 7

The Street Triple is the 675 (and is not the Speed Triple) although cosmetically similar, I sat on one recently and although delightful I am fairly sure the ergonomics would cripple me on a decent length ride.