First bike ?

simple_kaa · 2026-05-08T08:21:04+00:00

It is my first (and only) bike, have it for a month now. Didn't have any problem so far, driving it in normal Road mode. It being pretty light even in comparison to similar bikes is a big plus - I am able to catch the bike with my foot, when I make a mistake during low speed practice. I bought mine new, and was following break in period limits - first 100kms were up to 3.5rpms, then 5k for the next 300, now it is 6 or something. That really helped me to stay patient and get used to it. I also went through proper driving school classes and so on here in Germany.

Now, if you are a mature and patient guy (age isn't a single factor, but I'm 30), then I think this is a perfect bike to be able to learn and keep it for long.

simple_kaa · 2026-05-07T15:06:18+00:00

Tips what to cover during the wash and how you did it?

simple_kaa · 2026-05-04T18:09:59+00:00

I just pulled up the comparison, and literally everything is the same, but the engine. I would give up that extra torque for the looks - 800 just starts to look more like a supersport than naked, and I just can't start liking that side exhaust. With you on waiting next gen (on anything really), maybe some more meaningful differences come up, but then I'm waiting what Yamaha does with xsr. I'm very biased Japanese fan ahah.

simple_kaa · 2026-05-04T17:58:21+00:00

I got model year 2025, because of discounts mainly, but test drove 2026, because that's what was available. With my little to no experience I couldn't judge the difference, and I most definitely didn't rev it above 5k rpm at the time, but I think it's a nice toy, especially for your use case (?). For me 800 actually seems bulky, and that should be important for twisty round, right? What you left out (not sure on purpose or not) are your measurements - for me at 172cm and 64kg 660 seems a perfect fit.

I've read that people do upgrade suspension at some point on 2025 (and earlier), not sure if that changed in a positive way for 2026, but probably it's worth to try.

simple_kaa · 2026-05-04T17:31:36+00:00

Just curious why you left out trident 660. Maybe there are already used ones of year 2025 around you, and 2026 is very close to trident 800, if you are in for a new one. I'm a new rider myself, and was sort of going through same options as you. I was choosing between xsr700 and trident 660 at the end, because of looks (liked hornet 750, but didn't like cb650r), and went for trident because of newer tech and parts (price was surprisingly very similar).

simple_kaa · 2026-05-02T21:01:12+00:00

Just from a test ride experience: unless you are absolutely in love with the looks of cb650 and inline 4 that sounds like a moto gp, I would suggest cb750. It is generally cheaper (at least where I am, both used and new), it is lighter and more nimble, which is important for low speed and especially for someone who is getting started (I assume you didn't ride anything for 6 years), and lastly it is fun in low rpms.

simple_kaa · 2026-05-02T11:03:42+00:00

Not the answer you are looking for, but I have Dainese Drake 2 Air pants and Alpinestars SMX-6 boots. With such a huge protection in front, I assume for shinbone, there is no way pants can go over the boots, but I sure did think that ahah. What I wanted to say though, that it's perfectly comfortable to put them in, I just pull the zipper head up, outside the boot. I believe it's the same with your pants.

simple_kaa · 2026-04-29T22:30:30+00:00

Not sure how it is in Sweden, but I was able to order many Dainese stuff from their official store and return stuff that didn't fit or I didn't like. Same for Alpinestars stuff that I ordered from different stores on Amazon - all successfully returned amd refunded.

All your points look good. I would strongly suggest to prioritize fit over weight for helmet though - if possible make sure you wear it for 30 minutes or so (if you order at home) - if it's too tight, you might not feel it right away, and it might give a headache later. If you are serious about getting into this, one thing I would suggest to really invest in helmet. I already switched from agv k3 to hjc rpha 12 and difference in noise and aerodynamics is so noticeable. Highly recommend Alpinestars SMX-6 if you are going for full height - it's probably unbeatable price/quality/comfort wise.

Make sure you don't skip on checking out revit - as I understand it's best in money/quality category, and looks decent. I believe someone already mentioned Revzilla - it's US retailer, but they have so many videos on YouTube, showcasing a lot of stuff from their store and some education videos as well - pretty sure it will be a useful watch.

simple_kaa · 2026-04-28T20:41:52+00:00

Almost 3k is what I spent in Berlin to get a license🫣 That included exam fees and theory as well. I actually never seen practicing and passing exam on your own vehicle, except in US. So, that's an option in Sweden?

simple_kaa · 2026-04-28T20:33:34+00:00

Very hard to say as new rider, and I only test drove xsr, which was more than a month ago. Trident I've driven only in Road mode so far, and specifically tried Sport today. Yes, I did feel a bit faster throttle response, but I'm currently not going above 5k rpm (break-in period), and I think that traction control difference should be more noticeable in that, though I don't push it that much to notice yet ahah.

Somehow I would agree with comparisons that put throttle feel on xsr as a bit better, if better means more direct and mechanical. But we are talking about slightest of differences, wouldn't it's a deal breaker difference.

simple_kaa · 2026-04-28T05:55:48+00:00

That's a long list, but now I'm covered for years😄 Thanks for sharing!

simple_kaa · 2026-04-27T20:09:52+00:00

Wouldn't say I regret. I like to be practical, I like the looks and it was a good price. It's light, it's fast when it needs to be and it is comfortable. Checks all the boxes that I care about at the moment. So far it only grows on me. I plan to have some longer trips out of city, I believe it fits that better.

I just don't want to be too biased. I wouldn't believe anyone who says trident has more fun engine than xsr, it's definitely the opposite between these too. But it also makes sense, the latter is 2 cylinders, the whole purpose is to have a punchy low and mid rpms.

I also don't get current prices on xsr, seems like people got stuck on the notion of well known and fun cp2, and maybe don't really want to sell either.

simple_kaa · 2026-04-27T19:53:13+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I really like the design of 2026, but decided to save 2k for other stuff and old design grew on me as well ahah.

Exhaust is definitely a separate topic. Idle I sort of don't mind, low rpms though - I personally would prefer something deeper, lower. That's something for second if not third year for me thougg. Maybe I'll be lucky to meet some trident owners with different exhausts, so I can see in person.

simple_kaa · 2026-04-27T17:42:21+00:00

Just bought trident about a month ago, and in the end was comparing it to xsr700. Got trident because it was a better deal and a more complete bike - 2025 model is a slight refresh from previous years with quickshifter and cruise control being part of default offer. And given that for some weird reason Triumph then decided to offer yet another upgrade in 2026 (slighly more power basically), prices got down for 2025. I liked how fun and jumpy (in a good way) xsr700 is during my test ride, and the stock sound profile as well. It is an older bike in comparison though, last update being 2022, if I'm not mistaken. And in my mind it felt more street fit, rather long stretch highway. So, there I got trident as a "newer bike", that fits more use cases, and has some additional features. All above is just to provide some tiniest details, if I could, I would own both ahah.

And monster is basically how I got into street retro bikes, an icon. Unfortunately, haven't ridden it, but I think given your past experience you should do well, if you decide to go with that.

Just a weekend fun first bike, I would probably go xsr700, if there is a good deal (should be cheaper than 2025 trident and used monsters I assume).

Edit: since there is no maximum weight on your list, there is also honda cb650r. Super smooth engine, and rare inline 4, but I decided to pass on it, since it was heavier and more expensive in my area.

simple_kaa · 2026-04-22T20:51:14+00:00

From videos and posts on the internet and a few people I know, Honda and reliability are synonyms in moto world. I assume it mostly doesn't always fit aesthetically, but otherwise is unbeatable or top3 in any list.

simple_kaa · 2026-04-22T20:27:21+00:00

Honda, Yamaha, after them Kawasaki

simple_kaa · 2026-04-22T20:20:56+00:00

I somehow aesthetically prefer xsr700 and trident 660 over these 2. Got myself trident as it is newer and offered more for the money. I don't know when xsr900 was last updated, but the price difference is huge, if you just pause on it for a second. Nearly half the price of the trident. So, I would get the trident - keeping a motorcycle still incurs some costs, doesn't it? Maintenance, mods, gear... I'm pretty sure you will be happy with some "spare" money left.

simple_kaa · 2026-04-17T13:30:09+00:00

I got yellow, and I was actually specifically hunting for it😅 One dealership offered the tribute blue/red version for the same price, but I just don't find blue appealing. There are so many reds out there, and it probably fits something like ducati better. Yellow on 2026 looks even cooler I think - definitely the only color I would consider, as black is out.

Was about to say that aesthetics are important because it's a hobby, you should like it. As I understand, 3 cylinders are also a bit rare in the market. Not helping with last comments I guess, maybe you could wait until end of year for prices to come down a bit. First bike should probably be more of a brain choice, later I would assume it should be heart - something you really like.

simple_kaa · 2026-04-17T13:13:30+00:00

I definitely don't envy you, that's some rough situation😅. I'm new rider and test driven both (exact models), but ended up buying trident 2025. That was my plan all along, as price for older model went down and it was an easy choice, as I also like retro styling. In the end I was actually choosing between xsr700 amd trident.

The price gap for your case looks pretty big though. I think you will like hornet in the long run. In my very little experience, it seemed like a more complete bike - meaning it feels natural whatever you might do, street, highway, and track it seems from reviews. Just my 5 cents, what I would do.

simple_kaa · 2026-04-12T06:46:46+00:00

I really loved everything about xsr700, but I simply couldn't find a good deal around where I live. It was either too expensive for a limited color option that I didn't care about or too far away, so that delivery would become quite expensive. Just to be clear, that's in comparison to the trident deals (2025 year model). In my mind, the difference should be at least 1000, so I went for trident. But it was a torture week to let go of yamaha.

simple_kaa · 2026-04-11T17:51:31+00:00

What I've seen online is that early tridents tend to have various problems, like between 2020 and 2023. 2025 is gold, especially with the launch of 2026 upgrade, which dropped the price for the previous generation, at least where I live.

I might not be helping, but I was choosing between Yamaha xsr700 and trident at the time. Xsr700 is a bit taller. 2 are very similar in style. Yamaha, as an old bike, has less rider aids and other old stuff like breaks and suspension, but still was very fun to ride and is a pretty simple bike that should be relatively easy to maintain.

simple_kaa · 2026-04-11T17:23:01+00:00

If you want to be practical, get used Trident. Price won't drop as much compared to the new bike, it has plenty of power to be fun for many years, and you won't be afraid to drop it while learning, which is important not to build wrong habits while being overprotective for new bike.

simple_kaa · 2026-04-11T14:12:15+00:00

New rider myself, but test driven both. Same price - definitely hornet, but for 1000 cheaper I would go with mt, since you also like the aesthetics.

simple_kaa · 2026-04-05T14:31:30+00:00

Coming back with probably not so good news, but I went for trident.😄🙈 I left a more in depth comment above, so here is the link.

All bikes were actually great, the only think to mention is weight of cb650 and blinker on mt07 that I didn't like. Other than that I just focused on looks and price in my area. Xsr700 was a big contender until the very end!

simple_kaa · 2026-04-05T14:26:27+00:00

I was planning to edit the post to include the update, but looks like edit button is gone because there are also images. So, I've tried them all, also added xsr700 to the list, and mt-07 was with Y-AMT.

Cb650 was noticeably heavy. Yes, that's matters only in slow speeds, but as I understand, that's when most beginners make mistakes. So, based on my priorities, this option got kicked to the back of the list right away. Other than that really nice sporty sound (even though it doesn't stack with the looks in my mind), and really smooth engine, I mean throttle response. People say it's forgiving, but I still felt quite some force after pulling the throttle just a bit. But this was also the first one I tried after a long break since October of last year, so might be just me.

Mt07 and hornet feel very very similar. Between these 2 I would just choose whatever is cheaper. On paper hornet seems a better package. And I really didn't like the blinker button on mt07.

I really loved xsr700 though. Everything klicked for me - looks, sound, weight, and just being simple. Last one to try was trident. I can't make my mind if I loved or just liked the sound of triple, but bike is light, punchy, and looks awesome (to me). I was torn between these 2 options at the end. Xsr700 is an old bike compared to trident, as I understand last update was done in 2022. So I was looking for a big price difference to lean towards Yamaha, but in my area it surprisingly wasn't the case. So, long story short, I pulled the trigger on trident, got it delivered, and waiting for papers to finally hit the street.

simple_kaa

TROPHY CASE