ST vs Triumph Trophy

Fatherof2

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Nov 25, 2020
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Hi Gang,

First post here. Anybody have experience with both bikes? Would love any feedback.

I have a 2017 Triumph Trophy which I enjoy. However, she is about 80 - 90sh pounds more than the ST. She also carries her weight higher up. I am looking for something that would be lighter and also have more leg room. I get a little cramped sometimes on the Triumph. I have lots of experience with off road bikes. Lots of motocross and woods riding. I have a YZ250X and my son has a YZ125. We love Yamaha. I love the idea of a big dirt bike. I think it would feel like home.

It is also kind of stressful riding the Triumph two up. (Which I do a lot.) If the bars are not straight when you come to a stop, there is a decent chance of dropping the bike. I have to really be mindful of good footing when coming to a stop. Crash bars are available, but they are not cheap and the word is that they will minimize damage but not prevent it.

I bought the Triumph for 5K with 7500 miles on it, so I feel like I got a great deal. I have been toying with selling it and putting the money towards an ST. I did TONS of reading on all kinds of bikes, and really like what I see and read about the ST.

Appreciate any input!
 

bimota

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hi fatherof2,

first of welcome i had a st1300 honda for a few years did alot of 2 up riding on that nice bike and others similar,
But these big adventure bikes for me are so much more comfortable 2 up touring better leg position for us taller riders better bars etc love mine 7yrs on now

rob
 

Baldrick

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Fatherof2, I'm in the same boat you're in. I have a 2017 Trophy SE and while I like it for long-haul highway miles, it is just too heavy.
 

SHUMBA

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ONTARIO, CANADA
Well, my 2 cents worth.
I had an 2016 Africa Twin for two seasons and 30,000 km..(21,000 miles....didn't do two ups as I am an older guy and not too tall...about one meter 70 cm., or if you like, 5 foot 8 inches.
I traded the AT for a new 2018 Super Tenere, rode it for two seasons 43,500 km....er 27,000 miles.
Great bike....I don't do two ups.
Tenere = comfortable + sufficient power y no chain to clean/oil.
Now I'm riding a 2020 Africa Twin DCT.
No clutch as my arthritis in my hands has become unbearable.
Tenere = approximately 300 kgs
Africa Twin = approximately 250 kgs
(multiply x 2.222 to convert to pounds)
Tenere is a better highway bike
Africa Twin is a better gravel, off road bike.
I apologize if I have confused you..
It all depends on what you want to do.
SHUMBA

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Sierra1

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Joshua TX
I have a 2017 Triumph Trophy which I enjoy. However, she is about 80 - 90sh pounds more than the ST. She also carries her weight higher up. . . . I have been toying with selling it and putting the money towards an ST. I did TONS of reading on all kinds of bikes, and really like what I see and read about the ST. . . .
MY opinion(s): Regardless of what the scale says, the Tenere feels light while she's moving. If she goes to sleep, she's plenty heavy. My wife and I are pushing the GVWR when we ride. (more me than her) The bike handles/performs wonderfully; I don't hardly notice she's back there. Dump the Trophy, and get yourself an ES/ZE; it's worth the extra cost. Switching from solo to 2-up is a snap. The Tenere is my favorite bike ever. She'll do what ever you need her to do.
 
Last edited:

Checkswrecks

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A lot of people here came from the big sport tourers, especially from the FJR, ST1300, Connie, and more from Harleys. The Tenere is the bike that just lets you have more options to do more and as I've said here a number of times, it's a bit of a big SUV, like a Chevy Tahoe or Toyota Landcruiser. Does great on road, is at home on smooth dirt and gravel, and a surprising number of folks here have done more off-roading than you'd think the bike would be good at.
 

gunslinger_006

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Also the tenere isnt that bad to lift. If you can deadlift 185, you can solo lift this bike by the grab rail and the near side grip. You dont even have to put your back to the bike at all.

Brace your arms well, keep your chest straight, and lift with your legs. The bike comes up easy if you have good form.


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PhilPhilippines

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Also the tenere isnt that bad to lift. If you can deadlift 185, you can solo lift this bike by the grab rail and the near side grip. You dont even have to put your back to the bike at all.

Brace your arms well, keep your chest straight, and lift with your legs. The bike comes up easy if you have good form.


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In fact, if you clean and jerk it and hold it steady above your head locked out, I'll buy you a beer! :D
 

Longdog Cymru

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Although I have never owned a Triumph Trophy, (only a Tiger 1050), a few of my friends have had them and said that they carry their weight high. If you can try an S10, then do take a test ride, I think you will buy it when you have finished your ride! The S10 will do all that you ask, it goes and handles really well, it will do 2-up in comfort, it will return better fuel economy than a Trophy and it will carry all the luggage that you need.
 

LJM

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Don't fool yourself the ST is not a big dirt bike ! None the big ADV bikes are even close to being one, I came off of 40+ years of riding and racing in the dirt & thought the same thing as you "how cool a big dirt bike" that was a big mistake. My ADV riding started with a BMW GSA, than a Ducati Multistrada, than the Yamaha ST which was by far my favorite ADV bike out of those 3. It didn't take very long (1 short ride in the dirt) to realize the limitations of these bikes but after I figured it out I've had great time on them over 6 years with the ST lots of miles and never a problem there a great bike.
But.... since you like Triumphs you should test ride one of these https://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/motorcycles/adventure/tiger-900-rally/rally-pro
I just bought one and it's a blast !
Good Luck in your search
 

twinrider

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Hi Gang,

First post here. Anybody have experience with both bikes? Would love any feedback.

I have a 2017 Triumph Trophy which I enjoy. However, she is about 80 - 90sh pounds more than the ST. She also carries her weight higher up. I am looking for something that would be lighter and also have more leg room. I get a little cramped sometimes on the Triumph. I have lots of experience with off road bikes. Lots of motocross and woods riding. I have a YZ250X and my son has a YZ125. We love Yamaha. I love the idea of a big dirt bike. I think it would feel like home.

It is also kind of stressful riding the Triumph two up. (Which I do a lot.) If the bars are not straight when you come to a stop, there is a decent chance of dropping the bike. I have to really be mindful of good footing when coming to a stop. Crash bars are available, but they are not cheap and the word is that they will minimize damage but not prevent it.

I bought the Triumph for 5K with 7500 miles on it, so I feel like I got a great deal. I have been toying with selling it and putting the money towards an ST. I did TONS of reading on all kinds of bikes, and really like what I see and read about the ST.

Appreciate any input!
If you like Triumphs you might want to also consider the Tiger 1200. The features are impressive, including quick shifter, heated seats, electric windscreen and so on.
 

Checkswrecks

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How hard is she to pick up?

She has her limits but this wasn't there yet.
 

twinrider

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Now that is one big, top heavy lump! They also call the Explorer the Exploder......!
The Tiger weighs about the same as an S10 and the one I rode didn't feel top heavy at all. Some 2012-3 models had head issues, but that's been long resolved. I don't buy the marketing malarkey that tries to convince riders that these 600lb pigs are dirt bikes. For tarmac touring it'd be awesome, like a luxury edition S10 with 30 more ponies.... :cool:
 

Longdog Cymru

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The Tiger weighs about the same as an S10 and the one I rode didn't feel top heavy at all. Some 2012-3 models had head issues, but that's been long resolved. I don't buy the marketing malarkey that tries to convince riders that these 600lb pigs are dirt bikes. For tarmac touring it'd be awesome, like a luxury edition S10 with 30 more ponies.... :cool:
I completely agree that any of these adventure bikes, whether they are BMW GS, Ducati Enduro, KTM, Vstrom, Triumph, Super Tenere et al, are dirt bikes. They are definitely not dirt bikes although some people do take them on the dirt, that is their choice. Me? I competed in trials and Enduros to National level but there is no way I would take my Super Tenere on the dirt. I bought mine for travelling and touring and for leisure riding and it certainly fits the bill. For me, it makes enough power and is fast enough for my enjoyment.
I am sure the Triumph is comfortable, but so is my SuperTen, so was my BMW R1150GS, my Buell Ulysses and my Kawasaki Versys, but would I buy a Triumph Explorer? No, but there are other motorcycles from other manufacturers that I would buy, so I am not blinkered. I tried a Triumph Explorer a few years ago when I owned a Kawasaki Versys 1000 and it was just massive and heavy in comparison. It went well enough, it handled well enough but it just wasn’t what I would like to ride on a daily basis, the hour and a half test ride was quite enough thank you.
 
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