Triumph Ride Report

[bigjnsa]

Me and my Dad hit the local Triumph/BMW dealer for this demo ride day. I got to ride most of the Triumph line. No Rocket was listed, but thank GOD, that thing is HUGE!!

First off was the 2009 Tiger 1050 Triple. Since I've ridden my Dads 1150R it is quite similar but the power and torque are completely different. I was easily up to 6k rpm for my shift points before I noticed any buzzing from the bars. This thing is so SMOOTH!! The ride. WOW, Cushy suspension had me gliding over bumps that would be jarring on the Sporty. The small windshield worked surprisingly well. It blocked most of the wind off my chest which left my head in the full air. Interestingly, I felt quite fine with this. This would probably be my next bike, I was that impressed with it.

Second test ride, 2009 Triumph Speedmaster. Classic Triumph design with forward controls and wide bars. This was the FIRST bike I've ridden with forward controls so it was kinda weird at first, but once I found where the pegs were, it was fine. AIso I LOVED the stock seat. Nice, comfy and soft. This is what the Sporty seat should feel like. Power was excellent and definitely quite a lot more than my 883. One thing I noticed was that I didn't have a hard time hanging on with no windshield. The seat is considerably lower so the front end takes most of the wind. I easily hit 65 with no windshield and loved it. I wish my Sporty was like that ;) One more thing to mention, the new 270 degree firing parallel twin was very smooth and almost no bar vibration.

Overall it was a good day and I finally got to ride more bikes to compare against the Sporty.

Prices out the door..... 1050 Tigre, $11,9 including hard bags - SpeedMaster $8800

[bigjnsa]

Oh ... pics!!

http://mann.uthscsa.edu/images/triumph-tiger.jpg

http://mann.uthscsa.edu/images/triumph-speedmaster.jpg

[moto vito]

Did you get to ride the new bonneville se?

[srrice40]

Yeah what about the Scrambler too? I love that bike.

[bigjnsa]

I saw it in the showroom, but didn't ride it. They did have the new Thunderbird but it was showroom only. Something about it being a preproduction model and not road worthy.

[Wooley]

I love the old trumpets and the new ones seem to be a great value. Thanks for the ride report, I enjoyed it.

[Hot Rod Sporty]

I like that speedmaster. :wonderlan

[bigjnsa]

HotRod, I really liked the Speedmaster too. I'd say without riding any other brands, my next bike would be a Speedmaster or Tiger based on my rides today.

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

Second test ride, 2009 Triumph Speedmaster. Classic Triumph design with forward controls and wide bars.

I think you mean a bastardized classic triumph designed specifically to pander to myopic american "cruiser" types - i.e. to try a steal some Harley sales.

ICK - FRICKING ICK

Did you get to ride the new bonneville se?

Now THAT's a CLASSIC TRIUMPH design!

I wouldn't piss on a Speedmaster if it was on fire.

But I'd take a new Bonnie Black or a T100 or a Thruxton in a heartbeat!

[bigjnsa]

Meh, to each his own...

[Red Red Kroovy]

Meh, to each his own...

If you bought one, which would it be?

[Koot]

I had the opportunity to demo ride a new Bonnie back about six years ago and really loved it! Its handling low speed was so nimble, but at highway speed I took quite a wind buffeting on my head . Perfect city ride I think.

Koot

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

You said you got to ride most of the Triumph line - so what else did you ride?

Or do you mean - examples of their two most popular motors, the twin and the triple?

Kev

PS - the RIII feels deceptively smaller and lighter than it is underway - kinda like an FLH in that sense.

[bigjnsa]

If you bought one, which would it be?

That's the question I'm contemplating now, but I'm very much leaning towards the Tiger. I now know what kind of riding I want to do and its a cheaper version of a GS.

[bigjnsa]

You said you got to ride most of the Triumph line - so what else did you ride?

Or do you mean - examples of their two most popular motors, the twin and the triple?

Kev

PS - the RIII feels deceptively smaller and lighter than it is underway - kinda like an FLH in that sense.

I just rode the bikes that were available to ride. They had a Bonnie but I didn't sign up for it because I was more interested in the other bikes. I really think of the Sporty and Bonnie as the same machine. I want to upgrade not just trade for the same thing.

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

I just rode the bikes that were available to ride. They had a Bonnie but I didn't sign up for it because I was more interested in the other bikes. I really think of the Sporty and Bonnie as the same machine. I want to upgrade not just trade for the same thing.

I guess I'm saying there's a lot more to the Triumph line.

The Thruxton is pretty different from the Speedmaster, and the Bonnie is sorta in the middle (yes I think it's similar to the Sporty in that it's a classic/standard, but it's lighter and more nimble).

The Daytona and the S3 are alos pretty different from the Tiger.

The RIII is another world, as I imagine the new Thunderbird thing is gonna be.

Not saying you should have ridden that other stuff too, just pointing it out.

I can see how the Tiger would appeal to you, it's a cool/capable ride.

Kev

[bigjnsa]

I guess I'm saying there's a lot more to the Triumph line.

The Thruxton is pretty different from the Speedmaster, and the Bonnie is sorta in the middle (yes I think it's similar to the Sporty in that it's a classic/standard, but it's lighter and more nimble).

The Daytona and the S3 are alos pretty different from the Tiger.

The RIII is another world, as I imagine the new Thunderbird thing is gonna be.

Not saying you should have ridden that other stuff too, just pointing it out.

I can see how the Tiger would appeal to you, it's a cool/capable ride.

Kev

The S3s and Thruxton really don't do it for me. Thruxton looks cool but it is NOT for big people like myself. The S3s, look great too, but I'm not a fan of that style of riding.

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

The S3s and Thruxton really don't do it for me. Thruxton looks cool but it is NOT for big people like myself. The S3s, look great too, but I'm not a fan of that style of riding.

It's cool, just pointing out there is a lot more to the Triumph line than just the Tiger and Speedmaster that's all...

[83XLX]

If I were looking at Triumphs, this is the bike I'd buy. It needs the top tree from the Bonneville and some superbike bars, but is just about perfect otherwise. As for size, I don't think it's any smaller than a Sportster.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c237/rotcorp52/04Thruxton.jpg

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

As for size, I don't think it's any smaller than a Sportster.


Actually:

Rubbermount XL vs. Thruxton (dimensions)

Dry/Wet Weights (lbs) - 563/583 vs. 451/489
Overall Length (in.) - 89.1 vs. 84.6
Wheelbase (in.) - 60 vs. 56.7

I think the Thruxton is second or third in Jenn's list of more sporting bikes she'd like to add to the fleet (behind the Ducati Monster and possibly the new V7 Cafe Classic Guzzi)

[bigjnsa]

It's cool, just pointing out there is a lot more to the Triumph line than just the Tiger and Speedmaster that's all...

If I was 8" lower in height I would have asked to ride those ;)

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

If I was 8" lower in height I would have asked to ride those ;)

LOL, I must be lucky to be so "average" in height - I fit damn near anybike...

OK, so a rebel or a lowered sporty with a low/forward seat and pull back bars is a LITTLE small for me, but a BMW GS or Tiger or hell even the original Ulyssess isn't too big either (though it's getting there).

[bigjnsa]

LOL, I must be lucky to be so "average" in height - I fit damn near anybike...

OK, so a rebel or a lowered sporty with a low/forward seat and pull back bars is a LITTLE small for me, but a BMW GS or Tiger or hell even the original Ulyssess isn't too big either (though it's getting there).

If you notice the picture of me on the Tiger, I'm perfectly flat footed. I think the seat height is 32"?? I could easily swing my leg over while the other test riders had to kung fu karate kick to get on it. I hear the Uly and GS's are even taller.

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

If you notice the picture of me on the Tiger, I'm perfectly flat footed. I think the seat height is 32"?? I could easily swing my leg over while the other test riders had to kung fu karate kick to get on it. I hear the Uly and GS's are even taller.

I just thought you were flat-footed cause you sacked out the suspension :p

and what the heck is a kung fu karate kick?

(come to think of it, that's probably why I don't have a problem swinging a leg over any bike I've ever ridden ;) :laugh).

[83XLX]

Actually:

Rubbermount XL vs. Thruxton (dimensions)

Dry/Wet Weights (lbs) - 563/583 vs. 451/489
Overall Length (in.) - 89.1 vs. 84.6
Wheelbase (in.) - 60 vs. 56.7

I stand corrected. My frame of reference is my old Sportster, which has a 59.5" wheelbase and weighs around 485 wet. The newer Sportsters are larger and heavier - I need to live in the now, I guess...:p. Seat height has never mattered to me - the relationship between seat, bars, and pegs is what I care about.

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

I stand corrected. My frame of reference is my old Sportster, which has a 59.5" wheelbase and weighs around 485 wet. The newer Sportsters are larger and heavier - I need to live in the now, I guess...:p. Seat height has never mattered to me - the relationship between seat, bars, and pegs is what I care about.

LOL yeah I was thinking you might have been using your bike for a point of reference, well the wheelbase (and rake) still makes the older sportys (like yours) turn in a little slower, but yeah, the weights of the older sportys are closer to the neo-Bonnies...

O'd think any lover of a frame-mount sporty would probably enjoy a neo-Bonnie for some of the similarities they offer...

[bigjnsa]

I just thought you were flat-footed cause you sacked out the suspension :p

and what the heck is a kung fu karate kick?

(come to think of it, that's probably why I don't have a problem swinging a leg over any bike I've ever ridden ;) :laugh).

Instead of a leg swing, kick your right leg out straight like you were going to karate kick someone and slide over the seat.

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

Instead of a leg swing, kick your right leg out straight like you were going to karate kick someone and slide over the seat.

I've been studying the martial arts for going on 28 years, I can think of a half-dozen "karate kicks" which you could use to do that.... but they'd all look a little stupid. ;)

I was more making fun of the nonsensical term "kung fu karate kick" :p

Kev

PS - I've never met a person I can't kick in the face, so I don't think I'm gonna have any problems with the seat height of any bikes (well, not at least throwing a leg over) ;)

[Sleeper]

Personally I love the Bonnie and Thruxton.
Then KevM has to mention the new Guzzi V7 so I run a search.
Hayzus Khrist now I love that bike too! :laugh

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

Personally I love the Bonnie and Thruxton.
Then KevM has to mention the new Guzzi V7 so I run a search.
Hayzus Khrist now I love that bike too! :laugh

Sorry man :laugh :D

[Koot]

.............. I really think of the Sporty and Bonnie as the same machine...................

My experience, though somewhat brief on the Bonnie, would make me argue otherwise.

Koot

[bigjnsa]

Koot, so tell us why?

[Koot]

Koot, so tell us why?


Basically what I posted earlier, the Bonnie at a crawl and in tight low speed turns is very responsive and well balanced, a very secure platform. IMHO it out performs the Sporty at that level, and we know the Sporty is not a bad bike in those situations. On the open road the Sporty rocks while the Bonnie feels strained and I felt wind blown. If I only wanted a city commuter I might consider the Bonnie, but I'm in a rural area and ride the best of both worlds on the Sportster.

So, I just don't see them as the same bike. They would not be interchangeable to me.

Koot

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

Basically what I posted earlier, the Bonnie at a crawl and in tight low speed turns is very responsive and well balanced, a very secure platform. IMHO it out performs the Sporty at that level, and we know the Sporty is not a bad bike in those situations. On the open road the Sporty rocks while the Bonnie feels strained and I felt wind blown. If I only wanted a city commuter I might consider the Bonnie, but I'm in a rural area and ride the best of both worlds on the Sportster.

So, I just don't see them as the same bike. They would not be interchangeable to me.

Koot

But they're a lot closer to each other than either is to other modern bikes...

[Terp84Alum]

I've said it before but the Tiger is the nicest bike I have ridden to date.

[Koot]

But they're a lot closer to each other than either is to other modern bikes...

Yup, no argument from me on that.
Close yes, "the same machine" nope.

Both class acts!

Koot