By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Triumph Street Triple (D67LD2) vs Yamaha FZ-8N (MY2010)
Triumph Street Triple vs Yamaha FZ-8N: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
At the first turn-in, the Triumph Street Triple tips in the moment you ask, and it's already carving a clean arc. The Yamaha FZ-8N's steering is quick too, yet it doesn't hunt for the apex. It settles onto one predictable line and holds it.
So which one do you buy?
The Street Triple has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: Street Triple
On a winding road, the Street Triple comes out a touch ahead. Put it down to harder acceleration and a sportier chassis. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
Daily commuting & city riding
Narrow edge: Street Triple
Your daily ride leans slightly toward the Street Triple. Thank lighter steering for that. Fit and price can easily outweigh that.
The FZ-8N has the edge if…
Traveling with luggage
Edges it: FZ-8N
The FZ-8N carries a touring load slightly better. That comes from a better reliability record.
Which one's the smarter buy
Depends what you want it for
The Street Triple costs more, but that extra money doesn't buy a clear advantage in value. Neither bike is the obvious better buy for the cash you spend.
What makes each one tick
Street Triple
The Street Triple's three-cylinder pulls hard down low, and it doesn't run short as the revs climb. Off the brake lever, the light aluminum beam frame darts into a bend and cuts through it precisely. The intake's howl won't let up.
FZ-8N
The FZ-8N's four-cylinder runs smooth but flat through the middle revs, and its top end doesn't light up. Bumps sink into the soft suspension. The neutral chassis turns in briskly off the bars through town and over back roads. Its power builds in one even pull.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Street Triple has the lower seat: 31.5 in (800 mm) vs 32.1 in (815 mm).
- The Street Triple has the lower wet weight: 417 lb (189 kg) vs 465 lb (211 kg).
- The FZ-8N makes more peak torque: 60 lb-ft (82 Nm) vs 50 lb-ft (68 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither one fits
Long-haul comfort is a weak spot for both. If you tour, shop with that in mind.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not their thing
Both of these ask too much of a rookie. Spend your first year on something lighter.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Street Triple
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile, sporty handling
- Involving triple-cylinder engine
- Timeless streetfighter styling
FZ-8N
What owners say
Strengths
- Affordable entry into the middleweight naked class
Trade-offs
- Engine feels strangled and lacks excitement
Known problems to check before you buy
Street Triple
- Cam chain tensioner rattle A rattle from the right side of the engine on cold starts may indicate a slack cam chain tensioner. If left unaddressed, potential engine damage can occur.
FZ-8N
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 14-year-old Street Triple with a 14-year-old FZ-8N.
- Street Triple
- about $7,700
- FZ-8N
- about $4,300
At 14 years old, the Triumph Street Triple sits around $7,700 while the Yamaha FZ-8N lands near $4,300. That's a $3,400 gap in the FZ-8N's favor. These are estimates from the used market, not live listings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Street Triple | FZ-8N | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) | 32.1 in (815 mm) |
| Wet weight | 417 lb (189 kg) | 465 lb (211 kg) |
| Street Triple | FZ-8N | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 675 cc | 779 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three | Inline-four |
| Power | 105 hp (78 kW) | 106 hp (78 kW) |
| Peak power at | 11,750 rpm | 10,000 rpm |
| Torque | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) | 60 lb-ft (82 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 9,100 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| Street Triple | FZ-8N | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.6 US gal (17.4 L) | 4.5 US gal (17 L) |
| Street Triple | FZ-8N | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 308 mm | 310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 55.5 in (1410 mm) | 57.5 in (1460 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Street Triple | FZ-8N | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Option |
| Front Suspension Adjustable | Not offered | Standard (from 2013) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
