Get the Street or Speed Triple or keep the FZ6

[Karate.Snoopy]

I went over to the dealers to check out the Speed and Street 3's.
Man I have to say I loved the feel of the Street, it feels light, the size felt right, the seat height is about 32.1 inches which is alright for some one my height 5'8". The bike looked great. Too bad they weren't allowing demos especially since it was raining out.
The 2012 Speed felt a bit bulky, couldn't flat foot this fella, I did learn from the dealer that the 2012 is higher(32.5) than earlier models (32.1).The seat felt a bit wider and not as comfortable as the Street.
But other than that both the bikes felt pretty good.

While watching motorcycle porn on CL, I saw a tonne of Speedy's but a decent Street for around 6k wasn't to be found.
There is one Speed 3 that I have come across. It is a 2006 model with about 9k miles,aftermarket exhaust and some other mods price at around 5k.
Given my budget of 6k I am conflicted. After the FZ6 the Street seems to be the logical choice but since there aren't any available in the market as of now, would I be better off waiting till Spring OR do you think the Speed at the price of around 5k is a good deal and I should get go for it?

My paramount concern is moving up to a liter bike, I have 2 years of riding experience. 1st year on the ex500 and now the FZ6. I consider myself a rather moderate to safe rider. Most of my riding is a fun commute to work and a few excursions every now and then. Would I be in over my head getting a big bike like this one?
I guess what I am trying to frame is , how radical of a jump would it be for an adolescent rider from a FZ6 to a Speed 3.

Or may be I should just hang on to my FZ6, the bike has been good to me. How does one know when one has outgrown the FZ6?

 

[outasight20]

I don't think you outgrow the FZ6. You may just get bored of it or want more power, but you certainly don't need more power. Having said that, I've ridden a big literbike (A Bandit 1200S), and the difference is in the delivery of power and the torque. It comes on much lower in the RPM range and with a more pronounced "snap". Much easier to pull the front end up with the added torque. I think the Speed triple has something like 82 foot pounds of torque and 130 HP, which is insanely powerful compared to the FZ6's 98 HP and 45 foot pounds. But I don't think the power jump will be an issue at all if you take it easy at first. The main issue as far as I see it is do you want to lose money by selling your current bike and then spend more money on a new one when you could keep the FZ6 for years to come and get much more value out of it.
To answer your main question, it really isn't a radical jump going from the FZ6 to a Speed Triple. Probably similar to switching from your EX500 (which I have also ridden and has no balls compared to the FZ6) to the FZ6.

 

[Karate.Snoopy]

Thanks dude, btw I am in Westborough neighbor :thumbup:

 

[Erci]

I don't think you outgrow the FZ6. You may just get bored of it or want more power, but you certainly don't need more power. Having said that, I've ridden a big literbike (A Bandit 1200S), and the difference is in the delivery of power and the torque. It comes on much lower in the RPM range and with a more pronounced "snap". Much easier to pull the front end up with the added torque. I think the Speed triple has something like 82 foot pounds of torque and 130 HP, which is insanely powerful compared to the FZ6's 98 HP and 45 foot pounds. But I don't think the power jump will be an issue at all if you take it easy at first. The main issue as far as I see it is do you want to lose money by selling your current bike and then spend more money on a new one when you could keep the FZ6 for years to come and get much more value out of it.
To answer your main question, it really isn't a radical jump going from the FZ6 to a Speed Triple. Probably similar to switching from your EX500 (which I have also ridden and has no balls compared to the FZ6) to the FZ6.

+1! Very well put! Particularly like this part: "I don't think you outgrow the FZ6. You may just get bored of it". No one *needs* more, really.

If you're smooth on FZ6, speed T will be just fine. It will certainly punish you if you grab a handful of throttle when you're leaned over, but at this point you should know better.

It WILL make you smile/giggle though just rolling on the throttle at low RPM in straight line.

MCN reviewed new Street Triple and said it was more fun to ride than just about anything else, including Speed T.. up to 100mph.

 

[rsw81]

Saw your post on NESR as well...

I went from the FZ6 to a Street Triple R and loved it. Much more torque, better brakes and suspension. Having said that, I've also ridden the Speed several times. They are very different bikes. The Speed is even torque-er and has an amazing engine. However, I found the brakes to not be as responsive and the handling to be slower to turn in. Once you've got it leaned over, it's rock solid stable. But getting it leaned over takes more effort over the Street.

I agree with other's here that your transition from EX500 to FZ6 to Street or Speed would be fine either way. At this point, you've learned proper throttle control, so you should be able to handle any bike you throw a leg over so long as you can control your urges to twist the throttle too much.

Good luck with the hunt for a new bike!

 

[Karate.Snoopy]

Alright fellas, I really appreciate the input here.
I am considering getting the Speed Triple.
The one I have been looking at is a 2006 model with around 9k miles on it and an aftermarket exhaust with a couple of other trivial mods such as bar end mirrors etc.
The guy is asking for 5600$. A quick search on Nada and KBB gets me the trade in at 4000$ and retail at 5800$.
Simple average gets it to 4900$.
Now since I will be purchasing the bike in the dead of winter and probably won't be riding much till Spring of 2013, considering that the value of the bike will further depreciate by Spring of 2013, how much would you say I should offer the guy?

 

[outasight20]

Alright fellas, I really appreciate the input here.
I am considering getting the Speed Triple.
The one I have been looking at is a 2006 model with around 9k miles on it and an aftermarket exhaust with a couple of other trivial mods such as bar end mirrors etc.
The guy is asking for 5600$. A quick search on Nada and KBB gets me the trade in at 4000$ and retail at 5800$.
Simple average gets it to 4900$.
Now since I will be purchasing the bike in the dead of winter and probably won't be riding much till Spring of 2013, considering that the value of the bike will further depreciate by Spring of 2013, how much would you say I should offer the guy?

I would offer him $4,500 and leave yourself about $500 for wiggle room. He might be dead set on his asking price so you never know.

 

[Karate.Snoopy]

Hey Fellas
Went out for a ride yesterday on my Fizzer, had a blast. Decided I am not quiet done with my lady in red yet. I am keeping her for at least another season.