RE: Panniers and other stuff

[Richard & Lisa White <RedRiders@xxxxxxx>]

Not to drag this thread out much longer, I would like to add my $.02
about the panniers and add a couple other impressions, opinions.

<Soap box  on>
We bought Lisa's bike and ordered the 2 pannier set about 5 weeks ago
now.  We were ecstatic to hear that we would receive the panniers in
about two weeks, at the same time we expected to have it in for the 500
mile service.  Well, we have already posted about the problem that we
ran into, and we have still not received our panniers like most everyone
else.  It's definitely frustrating, but having some experience with
matching hard panniers (on the Exec), I would find it hard to accept any
of the other choices; VFR with GIVIs or soft luggage (and no torque to
speak of), or a pricey Ducati or BMW (which may have the same problem
for all I know).  Hell (oops sorry) , you could go out and try and get
another model that is coming out with great press before its
introduction and see if you get any better service: the Hayabusa comes
to mind.  The Suzi is sold out in advance here around Houston.  Imagine
if it had accesories that everone wanted also, there would likely be a
bunch of pissed Suzuki owners.  OK, Enough defending Triumph.  You would
think that Triumph would realize that most people would order the
panniers with the ST and have plenty on hand when it went to market.  We
are considering a second ST in the family, and it would sure be great if
they could make good on the first purchase first.  Especially if I have
to trade in my Exec which has panniers.  Having them for our first
medium distance (800 miles over a weekend) run in mid May would be
expecially nice as otherwise we may be forced to take a 4 wheeled cage
(God forbid).
<Soap box  off>

Heat on the legs.  My biggest complaint with the ST is the heat coming
off the frame and frying the underside of my thighs - has anyone felt of
the frame after a ride?  Try it!!  I don't look forward to Houston
summers with this added heat..  I thought I read somewhere that they
have this problem with the Daytona, but reduced the number of engine
mountings for the ST to correct this problem.  If this is the
correction, I definitely couldn't ride the Daytona and am wondering how
we will cope with the ST once it gets hot.  Any suggestions?

Wind deflection.  I have been praising the way the ST deflects the wind
compared to the Exec and have found it to be really wonderfull --- until
tonight.  I was on a short ride and coming home at around 80 to 90 mph
indicated on the Speedo.  Man was the wind blast on my helmet strong.  I
was thinking to myself that if I was on a trip, my neck would be huting
after 20 to 30 minutes.  The sky was overcast and I looked at the trees
to see if there was any winds, but I could not see any.  I know it's
easy to be fooled and suspect that there was a reasonable amount of head
wind that I just couldn't gage.  I will run the same road tomorrow to
see if I have the same problem.  I have had the bike to 100+ mph a few
times and this is the first time I thought the wind blast to be so
powerfull.  Does anyone else have any impressions one way or the other
compared to other bikes?

2 up riding.  My Exec had problems this weekend and we had to do our
riding two up on the ST.  It was sweet.  I dont feel the extra weight on
the ST as much as I do on the Exec.  Also, the acceleration is still
fabulous.  I passed 2 cars and Harley I thought were a little slow and
looked at the speedo only to find 100 (92?) had come very fast.   I
think the ST is a lot more capable than the Exec as a two person
rmachine.  FYI - Lisa put her first miles (~80) on a bike piloting two
up - she did great.  I was really glad to see her actions in detail -
looking at teh mirror to watch behind etc...  It's hard to
evaluate/critique someone from a second bike.

ST vs. Katana.  We traded the ST for my brothers '98 Katana 750 for a
very brief ride.  Basically, the Katana behaves as I image the VFR does
- - smooth but no torque.  I expect the Honda to be even more refined in
its feel - BLAH!!  Kind of like comparing a hopped up Honda Prelude to a
5.0 Mustang - no comparison, even if the Honda was set up to run the 1/4
mile in the same time.  In the Katana's favor, I feel it was lighter and
a little more flickable.  But thats all.  The ST had far more power down
low and the stiffer suspension settings made me feel better in the
sweepers.  The ST also had less vibration at higher speeds (certainly
the Honda will have even less - but still no guts).

Wow, I have said a lot.  Hope I have not been too wordy.

..Ricahrd White




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