Dave Sonsky: Triumph Speed Triple
Modifications this month:
Carrozerria V-Star wheels
Maxxis Presa Sport tires
Galfer Wave rotors
Everyone can just piss off. Seriously.
Yes, I put blue wheels on my bike. Yes, I think they look tight as hell. No, I don't care what everyone else around the office thinks. I chose blue because I like it.
I'm referring, of course, to the Carrozzeria 16-spoke forged aluminum beauties that found their way onto the Triple this month. To be honest, I didn't really think there would be much available for the Triumph considering that it's a single-sider and all, but while I was looking for some rotors I stumbled upon a website with, you guessed it, Carrozzerias on a Speed Triple. They were a different pattern (and green) and I wasn't too stoked on them, but after checking the Carrozzeria site I saw the wheels of my dreams-these blue bad boys.
Stock wheels join the prom...
Stock wheels join the prom babies in the bin.
I decided to weigh them after attaching the ultra-cool Galfer Wave rotors because each part's weight doesn't mean that much to me until it's all together. With that theory in place, I saved an amazing 5.2 pounds up front while gaining just over a pound in the rear. Win some, lose some, I suppose.
Ultimately, it's 4 pounds saved in unsprung weight with super-cool looks and better performance from the lighter wheels and stronger rotors, so well worth a rather slight dip into your child's college fund if you're contemplating.
Now, the second bit of controversy I've created came with my decision to do the weigh-in with different tires. A few ounces might matter to MotoGP racers, but I'm ripping streets on the Triple so I found the difference negligible. The new rubber is the Presa Sport from Maxxis, and though they look pretty intense I haven't made it to the track yet to explore their grip. Maxxis marketing spiel says they're for occasional trackdays and aggressive street riding-that'll make a good excuse if I get popped doing stoppies anyways: "Officer I'm doing a tire test, so fuck off."
Next month I'll get this thing sounding right....