Triumph Street twin 2019- Honda CB650R?

[guzzi850m2]

I think the time has come to sell my Versys650 mk3, just need something else/new.

 

I have sort of shortlisted above bikes, the classic new Triumph Street twin and the new Honda CB650R.

 

Huge differences in the 2 bikes, one is for relaxed rides with 80Nm toque, the other one; cafe racer styled and 95HP, hmm.

 

About 100K baht differences in price in favor of the Honda.

 

I tried the new Street Twin at Watchara Marine Pattaya last Saturday but only on their land around the shop as I was out with my family in the truck and didn't have any bike gear with me. I only managed getting into 2nd gear very briefly, man 1st gear is looong. You can't judge a bike based on that but to my surprise; I was told, I can take it out for a spin if I bring my bike gear, so will do a proper test ride sometime this week, which I look very much forward to. 

 

Saw the Honda at Big Wing, also a somewhat nice looking but not in same liege as the Street Twin in my opinion, the Street Twin is a true looker.

 

Sadly Big Wing is under the umbrella of Mityon that sits heavy on the bike/scooter market in Pattaya and I doubt a test ride is forthcoming since they are a greedy bunch but I will go and ask, also later this week.

If I can't do a test ride, I won't be buying.

My big bike is only a toy for me nowadays, don't ride much and if I see rain clouds around, I take the truck. Used to be a real biker, toured EU and Australia when I was young. On my V I only managed 1 touring trip to Koh Chang, which I actually enjoyed but doing 1000km a day as I did a couple of times in Aus is definitely over.

 

Not interested in the new R.E. twin, no thanks.

 

Looking forward getting some inputs from fellow big bikers.

 

 

[DILLIGAD]

I’m pining for a new 900 Scrambler. Haven’t yet seen the Honda in the flesh so I’ll resist suggesting the ‘Trumpet’ is better.


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[guzzi850m2]

Well it's very hard comparing the 2 bikes since they are so different.

 

There is a Youtube video about the CB650r eisfeld posted in another topic (see below).

 

The tester is over the moon with it, smooth, slipper coupling, lovely sound.

 

I like gunning my bikes and I don't ride like an old man, love the thrill of the acceleration but I am extremely careful when riding and normally quickly go down in speed again.

 

I suspect the Honda is much more fun to ride than the Triumph which is a bummer for me. 

 

[VocalNeal]

Guzzi,

 

There is a Honda dealer in Bangkok, or more specifically Nontaruri? where there is a farang sales/service guy.

They used to sponsor a forum section here. Might be worth a trip there?

 

Sumet cycle but My grey cells are working overtime to come up with the guys name but  nothing yet...Aha [email protected] ....Brian

 

Location i can find easily for you.

[papa al]

What's the question exactly?

[guzzi850m2]

Thanks but just visiting Big Wing again today and they told me that they will be getting a test bike later on.

Guzzi,
 
There is a Honda dealer in Bangkok, or more specifically Nontaruri? where there is a farang sales/service guy.
They used to sponsor a forum section here. Might be worth a trip there?
 
Sumet cycle but My grey cells are working overtime to come up with the guys name but  nothing yet...Aha [email protected] ....Brian
 
Location i can find easily for you.

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[guzzi850m2]

Thoughts about pros and cons on the 2 bikes.
Anyway I will test ride both of them and then make up my mind.
Also waiting for more tests to surface online. Both bikes are just being launched now hence not much now.
I wonder how much service is on the Triumphs?

What's the question exactly?

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[papa al]

Oh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV3DobvJ_VQ

 

The cool wheels are...

cool.

 

Maybe best to buy one of each.

papa recommends that.

[guzzi850m2]

Well today's visit at Triumph was underwhelming to say the least, no test ride outside their land I was told!

 

I came on my V in full bike gear and I had a long talk to one of the bosses that was a nice and polite guy.

 

He was feed up with expats coming and asking for test rides and then they are gone for 3 hours riding all the way to Rayong having lunch and one as mentioned before crashed one of their bikes (not insured). Some even showed up in shorts and flip flops, 555, trying getting a ride but that is a big no no.

 

I told him that I will not shell out over 400k on a bike without testing a similar model first, what if I don't like the bike.

 

He said okay; I can see you are riding big bikes so I will try arrange a proper test ride next week, a escorted ride. This will be the customer loaner bike that he will get fully insured.

 

He further told me that Thais are not so picky, they do a test ride around the shop and buy if still interested.

 

It's my impression when buying bikes & cars here in LOS that the sales persons dread expats; we ask too many questions and when the deal is agreed upon; we show up with a cashiers check or even cash, which is bad business for them. Then if the vehicle develops problems then the expat will raise hell over it, ha-ha, they are not used to all that shit coming their way when dealing with Thais, 555

[taninthai]

I seem to have a love hate relationship with my versys ,love comfortable seating position, luggage rack ,reliability hate the bloody engine and gearbox it’s like a tractor,,,,,,,,other options for me cb650, ducati hypermotard ,versys 1000 or Africa twin the last 2 costing a bit more than I want to spend...lol

[baansgr]

Triumph hands down, the CB even though 21st century handles like an old 250 Superdream from 1980. Worth the extra, not to mention status and resale value.

[jackdd]

5 minutes ago, taninthai said:

Africa twin

The Thai version has a 6cm shortened suspension, so it's not really an adventure bike here in Thailand, more a bit funny looking street bike.

 

6 minutes ago, taninthai said:

ducati hypermotard

This also has a shortened suspension in Thailand, might be too small for you as Farang, somebody once reported here on Thai visa how he changed the suspension to the European version, cost him quite a bit.

[taninthai]

9 minutes ago, jackdd said:

The Thai version has a 6cm shortened suspension, so it's not really an adventure bike here in Thailand, more a bit funny looking street bike.

 

This also has a shortened suspension in Thailand, might be too small for you as Farang, somebody once reported here on Thai visa how he changed the suspension to the European version, cost him quite a bit.

Yep this is the problem with both these bikes ,no way would I buy the shortened version ,can find full height versions if you look around a bit.

[papa al]

RE: the test ride.

Look.

We all know that it will ride/perform just fine.

So what is the point really ?

?

Just buy the damn thing.

[eisfeld]

2 hours ago, papa al said:

RE: the test ride.

Look.

We all know that it will ride/perform just fine.

So what is the point really ?

?

Just buy the damn thing.

Have to totally disagree with that. I've testridden bikes that I ended up not liking because of that. The Africa Twin Adventure Sports is the most recent example. There's a world of a difference between the Street Twin and the CB650R. Both in terms of ergonomics as well as engine characteristics. Sure both wont have serious flaws for Guzzi but since this comes down to his own preferences, I think a testride is very important.

 

 

Guzzi, if you don't ride so much then service costs might not be such a big differentiator. But if you ride daily then the CB will be a lot cheaper in the long run. The Triumph of course has a timeless design which on top is very popular with Thais. The Honda while nice, will not be a looker like that. Now if you want a bit of performance then then Honda clearly wins it with 30 or so more HP. I've only ridden the previous CB650F for 1000km which should be very very similar. It handles well at slow as well as fast speeds. The only negative thing were some vibes in the mid of the rev range but newer models have rubber mounted handle bars etc. The Triumph is way lower and very easy for a female to ride if your wife also would like to take it for a spin. Though it does weigh quite a bit more. It's really tough.

 

Happy to hear that you'll be able to take both for a spin. Please report back on how you felt on both.

[guzzi850m2]

Good post eisfeld, you nailed it pretty much spot on.

 

I looooove the look of the Street Twin, the CB650R not so much but yes the CB650R can pretty much run in circles around the Bonnie.

 

I look like an elephant on the Street Twin, even the shop guy said that I am too big for it but I am not really into the Scrambler. If I go for one, I will have to raise the seat.

 

The Street Twin is so pretty that I could put it in the living room and ditch the TV and then just look at it instead, ha-ha.

 

They just got the Matte Ironstone colored S.T. in, oh boy man.

 

I put my V up for sale already, 189K baht if anybody is interested. Rode it out to Bangsaray for late lunch today, so comfortable and good punch if you gun it.

[grego49]

Have you looked at a honda CTX 700 good cruising bike.

[eisfeld]

6 hours ago, guzzi850m2 said:

I look like an elephant on the Street Twin, even the shop guy said that I am too big for it but I am not really into the Scrambler. If I go for one, I will have to raise the seat.

This is an issue on my Ducati Scrambler. It's just a pretty small bike compared to others. My GF also said I look like a monkey on it and that bike is 780mm while the Triumph is 760mm! It looks just fine when a person smaller than 160cm is on it but for someone well over 180cm... At 760mm I wonder how much a raised seat can actually do. It's definitely something to think about. There's also the 1200cc Speed Twin which seems to be a more reasonable 807mm but of course that's a lot more Baht. Then again that's potentially a bike one can keep forever.

[guzzi850m2]

Yes I thought about the seat height/size a lot but thinks it's more a luxury problem and just accept things as they are and I don't planning of going huge distances on it but more day trips and I can always stop and stretch my legs (have a fag).

Speed Twin would be awesome but can't justify the cost.

I will check further how much service cost/spare-parts are.

18 hours ago, baansgr said:

Triumph hands down, the CB even though 21st century handles like an old 250 Superdream from 1980. Worth the extra, not to mention status and resale value.

Yes I agree about re-sale value. Re-sale value on local made Japanese bikes has plummeted over the last years, Triumph is likely much better. Don't know about the handling, never tried one.  

 

13 hours ago, grego49 said:

Have you looked at a honda CTX 700 good cruising bike.

Yes, likely a good cruising bike but no, not interested at this point, maybe when I turn 70 years old.

[thaiguzzi]

Am i missing something or just thick?

The CB 650 looks just like the previous Transformer model except they have glued or nailed a round headlight on it and called it "Neo Retro"......

Other suggestions for the OP;

Ducati air cooled 797 Monster

Ducati water cooled 821 Monster

Ducati air cooled 803 Desert Sled - a big bike for tall people.

Or a 3 - 4 y/o S/H 87 bhp Ducati 796 Monster for 260k.

Yamaha XSR700 twin with 75 bhp and huge torque, 329k.

Yamaha XSR900 triple with 115 bhp and huge torque, 429k.

IMHO the 900 Triumphs are under powered and overweight.

[guzzi850m2]

Well thaiguzzi the new Street Twin has 65hp, up 11hp from last year, not bad and still same toque.

 

The CB650R got my interest for 95hp & 305k baht and the test ride posted on YouTube earlier; the tester was very impressed with it. Lots of bike for around 300k but agreed, the look is not something I find beautiful and the only "retro" I see is the 4 pipes coming out of the cylinders. 

Thanks for the tip on the Yamaha's will check them out.

Not so sure about Ducati, my friend has one and he never had problems but getting it serviced sometimes takes a week just waiting for your slot. 

For some reason I am just crazy about the Street Twins, I just love how they looks but if the test ride hopefully next week is underwhelming I won't buy one.

[eisfeld]

The retro Yamahas are way uglier than the CB650R to me. They just don't work. I'd even say they are the ugliest of all the big brand retros. I'd just go for the cheaper transformer style.

 

Ducati has some bikes worth considering as Thaiguzzi mentioned. Maybe Guzzi wants my Scrambler? 555

[DILLIGAD]

If the ST is anything like riding a Street Scrambler, I was amazed how light it felt to ride. It was like being on a 250!!!!!!! (To me).


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[pbas400]

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMvLty4Oem8&feature=youtu.be

 

I prefer the new Speed twin but i think more more expensive 

 

else the Honda seems the best bike for riding every days without problems

 

 

[guzzi850m2]

3 hours ago, eisfeld said:

The retro Yamahas are way uglier than the CB650R to me. They just don't work. I'd even say they are the ugliest of all the big brand retros. I'd just go for the cheaper transformer style.

 

Ducati has some bikes worth considering as Thaiguzzi mentioned. Maybe Guzzi wants my Scrambler? 555

I agree that the Yamaha's retros are ugly, I rather have the MT09 (which I also consider)

 

I pass on the Scrambel, thanks.

[EVENKEEL]

The T 100 has a better look, besides the Twin being a bit cheaper, the T100 has a better look....better finishes. 

[DILLIGAD]

The T 100 has a better look, besides the Twin being a bit cheaper, the T100 has a better look....better finishes. 

On an international Triumph forum, a couple of people were saying that the T100 is no longer in the ‘19 lineup????


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[JonnyF]

That Speed Twin is a lovely bike. Not really into the modern retro thing but the Triumph range is fantastic.

[eisfeld]

They revealed the pricing for the Speed Twin in Thailand today: 576k THB. I think this is too much. In Europe I can get it for 12.5k EUR which is currently slightly over 450k THB. At this price it's a clear pass on this one unfortunately. I also think it's a lovely bike and great finish but it's just not worth it imho for the performance and features that one gets. Lots of press ride videos out now on Youtube. Pretty much everyone says they are great bikes with the only negatives being bad fueling in non-rain modes and too aggressively positioned footpegs.

 

Anyways, back to the two bikes at hand in this topic: I think for me the low seat height of the Street Twin would be ultimately the showstopper. I've looked a bit into the bike and a few people say for western male falang heights it indeed can be a real issue. The Street Scrambler is better but again overpriced.

 

Edit: if you can stretch your budget another 90k over the Street Twin then the Z900RS would be worth looking into.

[DILLIGAD]

I hear that the limited edition ‘Jaffa’ version has nearly stopped production now.


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