Posted: 4/14/2009 1:39:12 PM EDT
|
Hey
I'm on a bit of a motorcycle kick, as evidenced by my numerous bike threads as of late.. I'm taking my MSS course soon (psyched) and I'm gonna be looking for a bike. Until very recently I was kind of locked on a Harley, probably a Dyna. All my friends who have bikes have Harleys so it's a natural progression for me to get one as well. Today I stumbled into a Triumph/Ducati dealership and I had an opportunity to look at some bikes. I really like the Speedmaster, here's a pic... 
This bike is out the door for less than 10 grand, which is much cheaper than most Harleys. I know Sportsters are in this range but they just don't appeal to me. I like the idea of being different than the pack; I don't see many Triumph bikes on the road, at least so far as compared to Harleys. Anyone have experience with Triumph? What was your experience? |
I owned a 1999 Adventurer. It was a looker of a bike and helped me make friends everywhere I went. Transmission was troublesome and it liked to puke oil out it's breather on a regular basis but it was a nice bike, for what it was.  My Uncle has a Bonneville and likes it as well. |
Dont follow the "herd" of harley riders, JMO but my first bike was a 71 honda my last was a ''sacki! I only saw harleys in my rear view mirror, unless you like loud, look @ meeeeee POS's. Consider what the USA bike makers are copying, the riceburners!  Plus you get alot more dependability and bang for your buck IMO.
|
" />
|
Quoted:
Yoa are very correct in not wanting to follow the crowd. Get one of these... http://<a href=http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4079/wp1024x768kingpind.jpg</a>" /> Too much CHR-OOOOOMMMHHHH |
|
I've got an 07 Speed Triple! Looked at cruisers when I decided to get back into bikes a few years back but then didn't like that most cruisers are overweight and underpowered.
Looked at sport bikes but didn't think I'd like, or tolerate, the leaned forward position for very long. So I picked the Speed Triple. Upright riding posture, more power than I can handle. Had my bike for almost 2 years now and I still look forward to every ride, no matter where. Haven't had any problems at all with the bike. Now the dealer is a different story. They went under mid last year but another bigger dealer took over. Haven't been to the new dealer so can't say much about them. The only down side I'm seeing with motorcycles is almost everything related to them are freakin expensive. By the way, nice Daytona! http://<ahttp://img152.imageshack.us/img152/731/s310501024.jpg</a>" /> |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Yoa are very correct in not wanting to follow the crowd. Get one of these... http://<a href=http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4079/wp1024x768kingpind.jpg</a>" /> Too much CHR-OOOOOMMMHHHH Okay...how 'bout a little more Black!  " />
|
|
Quoted:
Dont follow the "herd" of harley riders, JMO but my first bike was a 71 honda my last was a ''sacki! I only saw harleys in my rear view mirror, unless you like loud, look @ meeeeee POS's. Consider what the USA bike makers are copying, the riceburners! Plus you get alot more dependability and bang for your buck IMO.I'm fascinated by the fact that ANY motorcycle thread, regardless of purpose, has some loser that wants to bash HD. It's so common that all I can think is that it's a case of sour grapes. Anyone notice if you start a kawasaki/suzuki/yamaha/ducati thread HD rders don't come and shit on those brands in the thread? 
Anyway, back on topic: It appears you're just starting to ride. My suggestion is that you find something cheap, small, and used. You will be better served learning on an inexpensive, light, moderately powered bike that will be more forgiving of mistakes because you're going to make them. It's a fact. You made mistakes while learning to drive, right? You're going to make mistakes learning to ride. How expensive do you want those to be? Your first bike is going to get dented or scuffed or cracked or scraped. Would I want to do that to the bike I just spent 9K on or the less than 1K beater that I wouldn't sweat getting some cosmetic damage? Honda 250's, Suzuki 500's and GS450's aren't the coolest bikes out there, but they're a great ride, lots of fun, and you're not riding just to be cool, right? 
Not trying to be a downer, just truthful. ETA: Your first bike is not your last bike. |
|
Quoted: ... I love motorcycles, and I love riding. Like many of you, what first drew me to bikes was not just the experience of riding, but the feeling that I'd become part of a special community—a brotherhood, really. Nothing calms me more than a long ride down the interstate, waving to the members of my beloved clan. Except when I pass Harley guys. I hate Harley guys. Hate, hate, hate. When they pass me on the highway, you know what I do? I don't wave. With their little tassle handlebars and the studded luggage and the half-helmets—God, they drive me crazy. You know who else I hate? BMW guys. Oh, I do hate those guys. I don't wave at them, either. They think they're so great, sitting all upright, with their 180-degree German engines. God, I hate them. They're almost as bad as those old bastards on their touring motorcycles. You know what I call those bikes? "Two-wheeled couches!" Get it? Because they're so big. They drive around like they've got all day. Appreciate the scenery somewhere else, Grampa, and while you're at it, I'm not waving to you. Ducati guys—I don't wave at them either. Why don't they spend a little more money on their bikes? "You can have it in any color you want, as long as it's red." Aren't you cool! Like they even know what a desmo-whatever engine is, anyway. Try finding the battery, you Italian-wannabe racers! I never, ever wave at those guys. Suzuki guys aren't much better, which is why I never wave at them, either. They always have those stupid helmets sitting on top of their stupid heads, and God forbid they should wear any safety gear. They make me so mad. Sometimes they'll speed by and look over at me and you know what I do? I don't wave. I just keep on going. Please, don't get me started on Kawasaki guys. Ninjas? What are you, twelve years old? Team Green my ass. I never wave at Kawasaki guys. I ride a Honda, and I'll only wave at Honda guys, but even then, I'll never wave at a guy in full leathers. Never, never, never. Yeah, like you're going to get your knee down on the New York Thruway. Nice crotch, by the way. Guys in full leathers will never get a wave from me, and by the way, neither will the guys in two-piece leathers. And I'll tell you who else I'm not waving at—those guys with the helmets with the loud paintjobs. Four pounds of paint on a two pound helmet–like I'm going to wave back to that! I'll also never wave at someone with a mirrored visor. Or helmet stickers. Or racing gloves. Or hiking boots. To me, motorcycling is a like a family, a close-knit brotherhood of people who ride Hondas, wear jeans and a leather jacket (not Vanson) with regular gloves and a solid-color helmet with a clear visor, no stickers, no racing gloves and regular boots (not Timberlands). And isn't that what really makes riding so special? |
|
I got to ride a Daytona 675 last year, it was a magic ride. Kinda slow coming off of a 1000cc sport bike, but plenty fast and the best handling motorcycle I have ever ridden.
Triumph knows what they are doing these days, no doubt. They are well past their teething period. |
|
That's a nice looking bike! I'd like to move up from my current two-wheeled ride (Yamaha YP400) to a midweight cruiser like the Star 650. Frankly, I don't want a shit-ton of power or weight, but I like the cruiser style. A guy here at work has a 'zuki Boulevard and has one for his wife, and they're nice looking and reliable rides. You can get them for much less than a HD.
Got a buddy that has a NICE Dyna Low Rider. Freakin sweet looking bike... but for what I could get one of those for, I could get two or three Stars or 'Zukis and probably have a more reliable ride. THIS is what floats my boat: 
|
|
I ride an 08 Triumph Sprint, to say that I love the bike wouldn't be enough.
They are very reliable machines , more miles, more smiles. The only time you'll ever be upset is when you drop your bike for the first time (usually happens in either the driveway or garage). Watch all about you, you are invisible. Have fun and don't you dare let down your guard after you become more comfortable on it. |
|
I came across this company today.
Confederate Motorcycles ETA - I don't know much about bikes, just thought they looked different. 
|
|
Quoted:
Hey I'm on a bit of a motorcycle kick, as evidenced by my numerous bike threads as of late.. I'm taking my MSS course soon (psyched) and I'm gonna be looking for a bike. Until very recently I was kind of locked on a Harley, probably a Dyna. All my friends who have bikes have Harleys so it's a natural progression for me to get one as well. Today I stumbled into a Triumph/Ducati dealership and I had an opportunity to look at some bikes. I really like the Speedmaster, here's a pic... http://www.bikez.com/pictures/triumph/2007/24412_0_1_2_speedmaster_Image%20credits%20-%20Triumph.jpg This bike is out the door for less than 10 grand, which is much cheaper than most Harleys. I know Sportsters are in this range but they just don't appeal to me. I like the idea of being different than the pack; I don't see many Triumph bikes on the road, at least so far as compared to Harleys. Anyone have experience with Triumph? What was your experience? Was the Dealership in Brea? I have a 2008 Rocket...I love it. |
|
Quoted:
I came across this company today. Confederate Motorcycles ETA - I don't know much about bikes, just thought they looked different. Ayup, I'm friends with one of the guys that assembles bikes there. They do a nice job and their bikes are
|
|
Quoted:
Some notable Triumph riders: Bob Dylan The Fonz and this guy... http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh63/jeep442007/erfutposter.jpg And Duane Allman, IIRC. |
My speed triple at the starting line of Mid-Coast road rally 2007
and then through the river 
and on to the finish, we did HORRIBLE by the way. Turns out the course was hard to follow when you dont have a navigator. 
My triumph has been great, although now at the age of 4 it is having an electrical problem (British, go figure). Maintenance is more than jap bikes but less than Italian. My triple is a real terror on the road, but the triumph vintage style bikes are pretty docile. |
|
Quoted:
What a real Triumph looks like. Amal carb,lucas electrics,and all. http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh63/jeep442007/S6000195.jpg Actually, THIS is a proper Triumph. 
|
|
Quoted:
i think for an American bike, I like Buell http://www.buell.com/_media/images/bikes/street/1125cr/gallery/regular/wallpaper_1125CR_8.jpg I think I agree. I like most bikes I've owned over the years. I still own my old 97 S1 tube frame, owned a few other tubers also, 98 and 01. And will probably pick up another old carbed tuber this year. I rank these old Buells as top play bikes for old fudds like myself. I did enjoy my old Yamaha TDM 850 also. For a street bike it's all about torque with me. I've never owned a Harley but, I sure don't have any quibs with their 1200 sporty motors in the Buell
|
|
If you're a new rider, get something that is:
Old Japanese Cheap Expendable Because, you WILL drop it at least once. If it's expendable and cheap, you will be less unhappy than if it is newer/prettier/pricier. Seriously, get some serious mileage under your butt before you buy a nice motorcycle.......... |