another review...that sweet triple sound:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K1SIIwsFSY
I've watched half a dozen reviews now from that ride in Tenerife - they are all pretty much gushing - a few even apologizing for sounding like fanboys. Is that at all normal for a new bike release? It sure isn't with cars - but the review culture may be different with bikes - I dunno.
It's just a really good, easy to ride bike.
Most modern bikes are really good these days, you just buy the one you like to look at.
TripleBob's right, I suspect it's just because it really, truly is that great a bike.
As Rrocket mentioned earlier, I had a Street Triple a few years ago and it was definitely, by far the best bike I've had. I don't often regret selling my toys and moving on to others, but that one I kinda do. I hadn't even replaced the exhaust on it, but my god, the intake howl when you get into the middle and upper revs was intoxicating. And there have been very, very few bikes I've ridden that handled like that thing. It made even a mediocre rider like me look good, it was so easy and willing to go fast into corners. If my Street Triple had looked as good as the new Triumph, I might not have gotten rid of it.
Cheers gents. I do love the looks of it. And the reviews do seem unanimous in describing it as easy to ride, but not boring to ride. I expect that I'll find no aspect of riding a motorcycle boring, but it's good to know that even seasoned riders found this one fun, if not Street Triple levels of fun.
The whole balanced / forgiving / approachable aspect is definitely comforting to me conceptually as a noob.
OK, my $0.02CAD.
Of all the bikes we've chatted about, I think the Trident would be a great choice. It's light, confidence inspiring, has lots of modern tech, and has an engine with character. Yes you can get cheaper, and or 'more' reliable with a Japanese bike, but personally I don't believe they have the character of this bike. And 'character' in this sense doesn't mean stranded on the side of the road with an oil leak, as per 70's Triumphs.
Gear:
Helmets are a personal choice, find a brand that fits your head and watch some revzilla videos for each specific model. Personally I love Bell and AGV, Arai and Shoei are also excellent. Even through COVID, GP Bikes will let you try helmets on. The one thing I love about Bell is the photochromatic visor, it's so handy in the Summer, I wish every manufacturer had the same tech. When trying them on, it should feel tight, but not rip your ears off when you take it off. I don't think I've ever bought a helmet that was under $500, but you can get some good deals. I think my Bell was reduced from $550 to $300ish.
The Bell Star always goes on sale and is a great helmet:
https://fortnine.ca/en/bell-star-dlx-mips-torsion-helmetOh and no helmet will protect you from wind noise. I ALWAYS wear earplugs, as you can damage your hearing very easily.
I have a few
jackets, two textile and one leather. The leather one can be warm in the Summer, but is also the best all rounder I find. The last time I toured I took that one as it just fits me like a glove, and I also took a couple of additional layers for rain etc. Of the two textile ones I have, one vents very well so is great in warm weather, but gets chilly quickly, the other is the best one I've bought so far, got it this year. It has a ton of zips/mesh to control airflow. You can also get perforated leather which will be cooler than regular. Just remember that if your clothing is perfect for riding, you'll be sweating when you stop, that's just the way it is. If it's the right warmth for standing still, you'll be cold when riding, I've made that mistake a few times. I'd rather be hotter, being cold on a bike sucks and you lose concentration. All jackets come with basic armour, I usually add a back protector too, which costs extra and is inserted into the lining.
Triumph make some nice jackets (retro style), as do Dainese (more racer fit).
https://shop.triumph-motorcycles.ca/jackets/id-MLHS16502/Restore_Brown_JacketAs for
pants, I've tried a few overpant style protection, and never really got on with any of them. Now I just use armoured jeans. The latest tech is very good, but the adddition of kevlar type material does make them hotter than regular jeans, but that's the price. Most have removable knee and/or hip protection. Like everything else, see if you can try these on somewhere, although Fortnine has a great return policy.
These are both good:
https://fortnine.ca/en/klim-k-fifty-2-straight-riding-pantshttps://fortnine.ca/en/revit-lombard-2-jeans (I have these)
Gloves, your main connection with the bike and controls. You don't need motoGP style racing gloves with carbon knucle protectors. I would highly recommend Klim or Held for gloves, both very well made, and both very comfortable.
https://www.gpbikes.com/held-emotion-evo-glovehttps://www.gpbikes.com/held-desert-glovehttps://www.gpbikes.com/klim-marrakesh-glovesBoots. Go for proper motorcycle boots with good ankle protection. As with gloves, you don't need racing gear, but there is a massive difference in ankle protection between good motorcycle specific boots, and fashionable leather boots.
Something like:
https://fortnine.ca/en/alpinestars-ridge-v2-drystar-bootsNot:
https://fortnine.ca/en/alpinestars-sektor-shoesEven these are 100x better than regular boots:
https://fortnine.ca/en/tcx-x-blend-waterproof-bootsWhen it comes to bike gear, everything is a trade off between comfort and protection. Riding is a risky pastime. But the way I see it, less protection can turn a low speed crash into a life changing event, so personally I want to reduce that risk. And also, the more you pay, generally you get more protection AND more comfort/adjustability.
Everyone will have an opinion, but I hope the above helps!
P.S. American sites like Revzilla have a lot of brands with lots of reviews (both video and customer), way more than Canadian sites, so I always use them for research, then buy in Canada. Between Fortnine and GP Bikes you should be able to find what you need.