Topic: My visit to the Triumph dealer today.

[GroovieGhoulie]

I had to go to the local Triumph dealer because they have a great selection of leather jackets, pants and other protective gear, and I'm wanting some new stuff.

While waiting for the lady to talk to about jackets I was eye-f*cking the new Triumphs.  I gotta say, I DID like the looks and feel of the Bonnevilles and Thruxtons.  Old-Bike looks with new-bike warranty, parts availability and (let's hope), reliability.

I was drawn to it because FINALLY here is a NEW bike that is styled EXACTLY how I think a motorcycle should look, it's got CB750 levels of power, (albeit from 900ccs) and the braking and handling are superior to the old machines, but not Plastic Sportbike Ridiculously Overpowered/Overbraked/Oversuspended.

I'm probably not ever gonna get one, but how are the new Triumphs to ride and such?  Reliability?  Handling?  Do they have ANY sort of spiritual "feel" or "connection" to the Triumphs of old?

What held me back is the fact that I already have a brand-new CB750 in the garage at home that is paid for and in my name.  But the allure of being able to buy ANY part on the machine brand new and not having to worry about using eBay or hunting through a junkyard for a used part of questionable vitality was indeed nice.  Sure Honda is still supporting these bikes, which is unheard of, but try getting a tank, seat, gauges, some internal engine parts or other unique parts brand new from Honda.  Yeah, right.

Oh, and a word of warning to all who go into a British bike dealer.  NEVER mention that you own an original CB750.  I can only assume that's like telling Sharon Tate's family that Charles Manson is your best friend.  The salesguys there just all sagged and got this indescribable look on their faces, along with becoming a bit pissy.  I soon left.  Clearly the highlight of the trip.

[Chris Liston]

The new Triumph's rock.  My brother has the Thruxton and I love that bike so much.  My uncle has the Bonnie.  I'm thinking about the Thruxton myself.  Bike handles so well and is just plain cool to ride.

[Raul CB750K1]

I had the chance to try a Bonneville and a Thunderbird and I liked the Bonneville more, though I prefer the Thunderbird's looks. Sometimes i also think that the CB is old and some day it will break and I will be unable to fix it, but on the other hand, you have plenty of time to buy a new bike, so I will ride the hell out of my old bikes and, when the time comes that it is not possible to have it on the road for a reasonable amount of money, I will buy a new one.

Actually, with 5 bikes, the yearly mileage of each is so low I reckon they can last longer than me.


Regarding the stupid seller's attitude, I don't care about them. If you are a seller, what do you care about which bike or car a potential buyer have? Just convince him your vehicle is better than any other in the market. When I was shopping for a car, I was almost convinced to buy an A4, but decided to go to a BMW dealer. I told the seller so, that I was almost convinced but would like to know about the BMW before comitting. His attitude was so arrogant, something like "if I have to explain then you don't deserve to own a BMW". I guess there is people who fall in that trick, like saying "who do you think you are? I will own a BMW because I can", but the fact is that I left the showroom and got me the 4-ring car.

[GroovieGhoulie]

One thing that got me is that for having 129 more ccs than the 750, (865 v. 736), the Bonnie puts out about the same power, 66hp v. 68hp for the Honda.  Is this just showing the advantages of four cylinders?

Also, the only ones that really appeals to me are the Bonnie T100 or the Scrambler.  The Thruxton is just too folded up in its riding position.  Problem is, the scrambler only has like 56hp, (that's CB550 territory), and it's a whopping 865ccs.  It also has a 270* crank, which I heard give it an uneven exhaust beat and vibration.  I'm quite shocked that with 865ccs, it can only muster 56hp.

Yes, I'm planning on a Cafe Racer that will be folded up, but for an everyday rider, I dunno.  I guess I would just have to get used to it.

[Uncle Ernie]

Well, I just lost my post trying to add a picture.  I'm not going to try to make it smaller just for this stinky site when other people manage to post bigger pictures.  Your loss Mr New Eyes.
What I was going to say in a now abbreviated form is the Kawasaki W650 is a much better bike for less (used of course) money.  MUCH better.  Handles great, good power- I would ride it long distance, too.  I got an alloy tank from Germany for only $800 +/- and still paid less than a Bonnie.

I have seen the Thruxton with Bonnie bars and have to admit that looks interesting...

[mlinder]

One thing that got me is that for having 129 more ccs than the 750, (865 v. 736), the Bonnie puts out about the same power, 66hp v. 68hp for the Honda.  Is this just showing the advantages of four cylinders?

Also, the only ones that really appeals to me are the Bonnie T100 or the Scrambler.  The Thruxton is just too folded up in its riding position.  Problem is, the scrambler only has like 56hp, (that's CB550 territory), and it's a whopping 865ccs.  It also has a 270* crank, which I heard give it an uneven exhaust beat and vibration.  I'm quite shocked that with 865ccs, it can only muster 56hp.

Yes, I'm planning on a Cafe Racer that will be folded up, but for an everyday rider, I dunno.  I guess I would just have to get used to it.

They likely have a broader torque curve. Within a given displacement, trades must be made on top end power and low end tractability. I had a72 r75/5 that made a measly 50hp. It also pulled like a train from idle to 5500 rpm. Much stronger pull than my cb750. You could roll on at any gear at any speed (well, below 75mph) and get an instant kick in the ass.

here, look at this chart.

http://www.danddexhaust.com/catalog/dyno/479-21M.jpg

It makes more than 45lbft from 2500rpm on.

I think the cb750 doesn't make that kind of torque for more than a couple thousand rpm. (44 at 7k rpm).

[GroovieGhoulie]

you have plenty of time to buy a new bike, so I will ride the hell out of my old bikes and, when the time comes that it is not possible to have it on the road for a reasonable amount of money, I will buy a new one.

That is my attitude right there.  My CB just turned 760 miles, so I can see riding it for a long time, since it's so new.

Problem is, like you said, when it becomes too expensive to keep the CBs on the road, get a new one.  Well what if by that time, no one is building a brand-new bike that is styled, braked, suspended and powered like it's out of the late 1960s and early 1970s?  I'm out of luck.

[xtalon]

In terms of the 'new' old bikes, I personally like the Ducati SportsClassic bikes better than I do the Triumphs.  The Triumphs are nice, but those Ducati's look like they mean business.

--xTalon

[mlinder]

In terms of the 'new' old bikes, I personally like the Ducati SportsClassic bikes better than I do the Triumphs.  The Triumphs are nice, but those Ducati's look like they mean business.

--xTalon

They mean business for the Ducati Repair shops.

[Raul CB750K1]

Problem is, like you said, when it becomes too expensive to keep the CBs on the road, get a new one.  Well what if by that time, no one is building a brand-new bike that is styled, braked, suspended and powered like it's out of the late 1960s and early 1970s?  I'm out of luck.

Very simple. You just have a used 2007 Triumph for a fraction of the money. I know the W650, but I'm positive, in a few years you will have trouble finding spares for the Kawa, while there will be plenty of spares for the Triumph. Most of their engines are modular, that is, they share pistons, rods and many other parts, so internal parts availability won't be an issue.

[cafe75-550]

My brother bought a Thruxton back in 2004 and has put over 9000 miles on it at this point. Its a great bike, handles well, and for the most part he's had very few problems with it outside of normal servicing. The only issue he's actually had is some corrosion, but since he's on the ocean in San Diego there's problems with corrosion on almost everything. And the dealer replaced the problem parts under warranty. 

As far as the salesman giving you crap, that has to just be that dealership (or maybe some of them  ). Performance Cycle in Sacramento isn't like that at all, they'll happily talk with you about almost any type of bike, especially the vintage type.

The Triumphs are also set up pretty conservative from the factory, with aftermarket pipes and re-tunes there's quite a bit more hp available, my brothers Thruxton is getting pretty close to eighty with only a few mods. The new triples are nice too! 

[Uncle Ernie]

All right -how did you get that picture in there without a sign that says your load is too big, or whatever.

Raul- I was a little afraid of parts, too, but I found out the W was bigger in Europe and Japan before and after they sold here in the 'States.   I guess I'll find out.

[Raul CB750K1]

Kawa has been distributed in Spain by Derbi until last october - from then, the very Kawa company has stablished a spanish branch. They doesn't have the same spares policy as Honda; you won't have trouble finding spares for a two or three years old. But if the bike is 8 or 10 years old, and it didn't sold well, you can expect a waiting time for your parts to arrive from two months and up. I hope Kawa, with their japanese mentality and improved logistics, will take care of that.

[Chris Liston]

The Thruxton really wakes up with exhaust and intake.  We pulled the stock exhausts and installed British Customs Predator exhaust system and remove the airbox and went to K&N filters along with a jet kit.  Holy Cow Batman.  That bike woke up big time.  Torque that was not there is now all over the RPM band and definet HP gains too.  Sound is another great improvement.  Stock cans are so quiet. 

[GroovieGhoulie]

IF I was gonna get one, and that's a HUGE "IF", would be between the T100 Bonnie, with a few options, and a Scrambler, with lots of options.

Dunno why I like the looks of the Scrambler.

[BobbyR]

Triumph got it right when they mixed the retro looks with modern technology. I went to the NY Cycle show and they were beautiful. If Honda would do the same with the 750s they would have a winner on their hands. With what they know today about engines, braking, and suspensions, they could really capture the sport touring market. The advertising would read "THE LEGEND RETURNS".

[Chris Liston]

Triumph got it right when they mixed the retro looks with modern technology. I went to the NY Cycle show and they were beautiful. If Honda would do the same with the 750s they would have a winner on their hands. With what they know today about engines, braking, and suspensions, they could really capture the sport touring market. The advertising would read "THE LEGEND RETURNS".

Where did you see Triumph at the show.  I went to the NY show and they didn't have a booth.  I know it pissed alot of people off including me.  They get Sport Bike of the Year and not show up.  I would have loved to see them there.

[BobbyR]

Triumph got it right when they mixed the retro looks with modern technology. I went to the NY Cycle show and they were beautiful. If Honda would do the same with the 750s they would have a winner on their hands. With what they know today about engines, braking, and suspensions, they could really capture the sport touring market. The advertising would read "THE LEGEND RETURNS".

Where did you see Triumph at the show.  I went to the NY show and they didn't have a booth.  I know it pissed alot of people off including me.  They get Sport Bike of the Year and not show up.  I would have loved to see them there.

Two Years ago, should have been more specific. I was really taken with what they had built. I hear they are well built now, no leaks. They used modern tech but it was so well intergrated. 

[needswork]

I gotta agree with xtalon. That Ducati supersport is an awesome looking machine. It's my "lottery bike" (you know, when I win the lottery...  ). But the Triumph Bonneville is nice and the Thruxton is (it seems to me) way nicer looking in real life than it is in pics.

[GroovieGhoulie]

Yeah, if I won the lottery, the one new bike I would get would probably be a new Triumph Scrambler with LOTS of options.

[SteveD CB500F]

All right -how did you get that picture in there without a sign that says your load is too big, or whatever.

Ernie - You have to host your pictures externally (eg photobucket) and then insert a link in your text using the "insert image icon (a little picture frame).

Alternatively, if you use XP, download this:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

More info here: http://www.wikihow.com/Easily-Resize-Photos-in-Windows-XP

and just right click any image file to resize.

There's a good thread here:

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=18714

Think I'll write a FAQ!!

[SteveD CB500F]

Oh, and here's my Triumph.

This was resized to 600x300 using XP Resize Images powertool.

[Raul CB750K1]

Steve, what did you do with your VFR?


I'm glad to see you don't forget to retract the stand anymore.... 

[SteveD CB500F]

I sold the VFR to one of the guys on the VFR Forums.  I'd always fancied a Sprint as they seem to be the closest competition that Honda have in that sector.  I nearly bought a Blackbird but found this bright red Triumph at a local dealer. It took a week to beat him down to a reasonable price and now she's mine!

For those interested, the 955i makes the same power as the VFR800 (110bhp) but at 9k instead of 12k and the torque from the three larger cylinders is much better. I can ride at 2k revs in 6th gear and pull away smoothly - try that on a VFR!

And look at that tank badge... 

[ieism]

I think the 3-cylinder Triumps are brilliant. What a fabulous engine that is!

The 'oldschool' Triumps..... i'm not so sure I like those.
They simply don't feel like an old Bonneville to me. IMO the Kawasaki w650 is much closer to the original Bonneville in look and feel.
I testdrove both bikes and liked the Kawa better.