Streetfighter pros/cons

[Bigkahuna7790]

I currently own an 09' Triumph D675 and I LOVE it. However I'm looking to grow my moto family a bit and I really really like the naked street bike look as well. As of right now I am pretty much set on the BLACK 2011 Streetfighter S. I'm just wondering everyone's opinions on what does or doesn't make this bike a bad motherf**ker. So by all means use this thread to rant about Streetfighters however you'd like. Positive or Negative. Go!

[Lsberrios1]

I have only had the bike for about three weeks but this is what I can tell so far. Ive done 1500 miles and did the suspension setup and the 14t sprocket.

It definitely has some flaws in my opinion.

CONS:

The fueling problem makes this a hard bike to use in heavy traffic. I know the bike wasnt meant for that but sometimes it inevitable and you have to go through it. It is a pain having to feather the clutch in traffic since it's pretty hard to pull.

Second - The position does not make it much more comfortable than a sports bike. In fact I would find any GSXR, R1 or CBR more comfortable. The bike is not for touring and dont even consider doing long trips with a passenger, it is not an option.

Third - It is not a touring bike but it is not a race bike either. It is pretty responsive but I have found that the 25.** degree rake makes it a bit slower when leaned and yet a bit twitchy. <-- this may be me not having much experience riding a standard bike in a spirited way. It doesnt give me as much confidence as the 848 did, instead it sorta scares me in the corners.

PROS:

First - Power. It has tons of power. Enough power from 4k to 7k for cruising down the highway and streets. TONS of it after 7K. I find myself bumping into the rev limiter even in the high gears. It just keeps pulling. I feel like the bike is happier staying in that 7k to 10k range. Not as much of a Wheelie monster as I thought it was going to be. Be carefull in 1st gear though.

Second - Sound. It screams when you are reving it Oh so nicely. that testastretta Evo is amazing.

Third - Looks. This is what sold me on the bike since the very first moment I saw it. It is the sexiest most agressive bad@ss bike there is on the streets.

Honestly the bike is not perfect. As of right now I would give it an 8/10 on my subjective scale. I know it can be improved though with some minor mods so it doesnt worry me.

I have come to find out that the bike is neither a tourer or a race bike. It is a bike meant for the streets and for hoolliganism. the wide handlebars let you turn quickly in traffic and the massive power lets you rip through it. I guess that is why its called a streetfighter...

[LessPeople_MoreRobots]

I disagree on the riding position. I've had a number of full-fairing sportbikes including a 1098 previously. The SF's more relaxed position was my main reason for trading the otherwise-identical 1098. Its still aggressive enough for hard riding, but its significantly different from a full supersport. When I get back on a full sportbike, I feel like the footpegs are like 6" higher, clip-ons feel significantly lower.

[Bigkahuna7790]

Response to Lsberrios1:

Thanks man I really appreciate the feedback. The cons were enlightening and I couldn't agree more on the pros. I am planning on using my Daytona for the track rather than the Duc and what you described as the sole purpose for the bike is exactly what I intend on using it for. The D675 isn't the most comfortable bike either but I find everything else makes it worth the roadside stretches. (I'll get a Goldwing when I'm a salty old rider to make up for it.) And I live in CA so I'm not AS worried about traffic. Thanks again!

[Bigkahuna7790]

Originally Posted by LessPeople_MoreRobots

I disagree on the riding position. I've had a number of full-fairing sportbikes including a 1098 previously. The SF's more relaxed position was my main reason for trading the otherwise-identical 1098. Its still aggressive enough for hard riding, but its significantly different from a full supersport. When I get back on a full sportbike, I feel like the footpegs are like 6" higher, clip-ons feel significantly lower.

Thanks for the feedback! I think I'm just gonna have to ride over to a dealership and sit on one for myself.

[Lsberrios1]

Originally Posted by Bigkahuna7790

Thanks for the feedback! I think I'm just gonna have to ride over to a dealership and sit on one for myself.

What he says about the pegs being higher in a sports bike is true. The rearsets are low enough for your knees to be pretty comfortable. What i was refering to was the handlebars being too low up front. It makes it pretty bad for in traffic riding and hurst my wrists, specially the left one. Ive heard of people fixing it with the fatbars.

The mods to make this bike perfect go as follows (for me)

1. Full exhaust with remapping
2. 14t sprocket.
3. renthal fatbars
4. compe werkes tag eliminator
5. ducati performance gas cap (for swelling problems)
6. clutch slave cylinder.

I guess thats it.

PS. Get a good helmet that fits well and is very aerodynamic because the lack of fairing is very noticeable at anything above 90mph unless you tuck in to race possition.

[LessPeople_MoreRobots]

Originally Posted by Bigkahuna7790

Thanks for the feedback! I think I'm just gonna have to ride over to a dealership and sit on one for myself.

Definitely. Even better, go for a test ride if they have a demo model available. Sometime just sitting on it doesn't really give you the full effect.

[LessPeople_MoreRobots]

Originally Posted by Lsberrios1

What he says about the pegs being higher in a sports bike is true. The rearsets are low enough for your knees to be pretty comfortable. What i was refering to was the handlebars being too low up front. It makes it pretty bad for in traffic riding and hurst my wrists, specially the left one. Ive heard of people fixing it with the fatbars.

Well this is kind of true, depending on your point of view. If the bars are too low for you, then of course its all up to what you think is comfortable or not.

But when you're comparing them to sportbikes, the SF bars are absolutely less aggressive than clip-ons. Thats not anybodys really opinion, its observable and measurable.

[flynbulldog]

To me the streetfighter is a comfortable and practical sportbike for the street.
That's what I was after when I bought mine.

I think sportbikes are excellent at what they were designed for, (the track), but they don't make a good streetbike.
Sportbikes are trackbikes with a license plate.

Heres how I see the Ergos: much more upright than a bike with clip-ons but the stock bars have a bend that makes them feel a lot like clip-ons -
just switch them out to monster bars and they are much more comfortable without losing stability.
The wider motocross bars have too much leverage and cause the bike to get twitchy. I think you lose a lot of control with them at anything above parking-lot speeds.

The seat is high and the foot pegs are low giving taller riders (me) about the best legroom of any sport oriented bike out there -
I love this part about the SF - my legs aren't cramped and my knees don't hurt after an all-day ride.

I have my fueling fixed so I don't think about that issue anymore but it is an issue and if you have any traffic or commuting to do it could be a big issue.

I had my SF on the track again just last monday and to me it's very stable both on the straights and in the corners.
But as someone else mentioned speeds above 110 are hard on your head and neck.

set up your suspension for your weight, If you need it to turn-in just a little easier raise the rear about 20mm and get out there, the bike performs fantastic on the track.

Fun - that's what sets the streetfighter experience - it's fun and thrilling and can scare the hell out of you if you try.
The SF is just a damn fun bike.

[thought]

if those bars are too low, i'm pretty sure once the '12 sf848/1098 comes out you can pick up the risers that they'll have and put them onto the previous set up. that seems to be the only difference, well, that plus the spacers to widen the footpegs past the exahust header.

i know you can do this for the pre '11 m696/1100's... you can get a post '11 696/796/1100evo stock riser and just slap it on. i think it only costs about $35 too... or at least some pretty small amt.