[ST] 2005 ST, First Thoughts

["Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Holidays" <mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I went to the Vancouver Bike Show yesterday and saw the new ST in person. It 
was the Silver model w/o bags. It is even more attractive in person than in 
the photos.

The dash/cockpit area is clean and there's a little glove box on the right 
side with a key lock which should handle a radar detector/speeding ticket 
stubs. This was a prototype only, but the fairing & front lights looked very 
aerodynamic and fit well. The turn signals in the mirrors are also crisp and 
there are no more rubber boots around the mirrors. The clutch had an 
adjustable lever and good shape, I hope that remains a stock item. The rear 
of the bike is very clean with the underseat exhaust and an easily modified 
licence plate bracket. The new swing arm looks better and the rims are 
gorgeous. It also looks like there's plenty of heat shielding around the 
exhaust which is important on those hot sunny days.

Luckily since I spend a few $$ on Triumphs each year, so they let me sit on 
the bike. The seat is a big improvement. Thicker yet firmer foam and a more 
textured seat cover, good shape too. The passenger seat looks less sloped 
than the photos (which is a good thing) and there is decent passenger 
legroom. It might just be my imagination, but the bars feel slightly taller 
although the bar/stem unit seems to be the same as our current models. Also 
a big improvement for taller riders was the shape of the fairing around the 
knees. Gone is the tendancy to have your knee/shin hit the lower fairing. 
The tank has a nice flat top area which will be excellent for tank bags.

Obviously I'm a Triumph fan, but the new ST makes some other models look 
bulky and dated. It makes the FJR1300 look positively porky and the Ducati 
STs look tired, even though it has just been updated. The ST looks sleeker 
and more refined than the VFR, especially when you see the VFR with the bags 
and I know the valve adjustment will be a lot cheaper. All in all a solid 
effort. My only dissapointment was the fact that they stuck with an analog 
speedo. I've grown used to the digital ones and I like the quick change from 
MPH to KPH.

The new Speed 3 looks awesome, but that is another weblist. Either way, I 
can't wait until spring...

All the Best,

Mike Ciebien
Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Holidays
www.rockymtnmoto.com 



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