Triumph, Which Model?

[Aonarch]

Hey guys!

I haven't rode a bike in several years, so consider this my second bike.

I've always been attracted to Triumphs being a Brit.

What is the equivilant to a HD Sportster, or Soft Tail?

I would want a very basic cruiser, good on gas. Sharp, old-school look to it. Power doesn't matter. I wouldn't take it on long road trips, just to cruise for a day, or half a day. It does have to be good at taking the Tail of the Dragon, I live there. So I would only ride it on mountain switch backs, s curves, elevation changes, etc.



That is what has come to mind so far.

[romano258]

Hey guys!

I haven't rode a bike in several years, so consider this my second bike.

I've always been attracted to Triumphs being a Brit.

What is the equivilant to a HD Sportster, or Soft Tail?

I would want a very basic cruiser, good on gas. Sharp, old-school look to it. Power doesn't matter. I wouldn't take it on long road trips, just to cruise for a day, or half a day. It does have to be good at taking the Tail of the Dragon, I live there. So I would only ride it on mountain switch backs, s curves, elevation changes, etc.



That is what has come to mind so far.

Pretty sure the bike in the picture is the new Thunderbird. Never ridden it, but it gets good reviews and supposedly hadndles well for a cruiser. I'm partial to Bonnevilles, but you don't get that cruiser look with them. Or you could do the smart thing and get a Speed Triple

[Knock Sensor]

Thunderbird, speedmaster, america, or even a street triple would be perfect for you.

[Silly_me]

All Triumph cruisers sans the NEW thunderbird and rocket III are all based on the bonnie (which is a great classic'standard' and should be looked at). the new t-bird is a BIG bike, not as big as the Goliath rocketIII but a big heavy bike. I think getting back into motorbiking on a trumpet with classic styling would warrant a bonnie or one of its offspring cruisers.

The bike you have pictured is a speedmaster/america, one of the bonnie based cruisers (one you would be well to do on), it is not the t-bird which is a much bigger bike.

[Aonarch]

Ahh ok thanks guys!

I am 6'2" 190 lbs, but I wouldn't want a big clunky bike.

Is the Speedmaster the "sportiest" Triumph cruiser?

I want as close to a Triple R ride as possible, with the classic cruiser feel and look.

[VWCoop]

Ahh ok thanks guys!

I am 6'2" 190 lbs, but I wouldn't want a big clunky bike.

Is the Speedmaster the "sportiest" Triumph cruiser?

I want as close to a Triple R ride as possible, with the classic cruiser feel and look.

Sporty isn't exactly the way I would describe any cruiser. Aside from Ducati Diavel, Yamaha VMax, and maybe a V-Rod cruisers aren't exactly that great when compared to a standard classic style or basic street bike. That being said the Speedmaster/America would be lighter and better styling when compared to other smaller cruisers. I personally would consider a Bonneville or maybe even a Scrambler. Still plenty sporty but very comfortable and more nimble than a cruiser. If I lived by the Tail of the Dragon I would pick up a Street Triple R. I love my Speed Triple, but nothing beats the feel of a light nimble bike through there.

[Aonarch]

I used to ride a R1, so for this go around I wanted something toned down so I don't kill myself.

[PlatinumGLS]

Check out the Thurxton:

[joefrompa]

The thruxton, all though a bad ass bike, doesn'tsound like the type of riding position he is looking for. I agree with trying the bonnie or scrambler out and seeing how you like them.

Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2

[Aonarch]

Cheers m8's!

I'm going to find some time to hit up a local Triumph dealer, hopefully they will be welcoming.

Normally it is hit or miss with places like that.

[mikeone718]

Check out the Thurxton:

[adg44]

We had a Thunderbird for our trip from LA to Las Vegas, and it was the only bike on the trip that broke down. The battery cables became disconnected from the battery and the bike died.

I swear, I have not had an experience with a Triumph that has been trouble-free. This was a brand new bike as well.

- Anthony

[Silly_me]

The battery cables became disconnected from the battery and the bike died.

Not sure how a dealer's assembly mishap equates a bike breaking down and being the fault of the manufacturer....

I've got 27k miles on my trumpet and the only things I've had to replace are those I broke on my own

[veedub87]

We had a Thunderbird for our trip from LA to Las Vegas, and it was the only bike on the trip that broke down. The battery cables became disconnected from the battery and the bike died.

I swear, I have not had an experience with a Triumph that has been trouble-free. This was a brand new bike as well.

- Anthony

That's like saying a Triumph sucks because your Triumph got a flat tire.

[VWCoop]

That's like saying a Triumph sucks because your Triumph got a flat tire.

That just isn't cool I accidentally ran over a little strip of metal the last Sunday I was in town with my bike. Couldn't get the new back tire on it until Thursday and it rained that day. Left Friday morning for a year and one week. I was right in the middle of an awesome ride too. I miss my Triumph. Have had three in seven years and only problem I have ever had was a broken clutch cable, and a flat tire that was my fault. Some people are just bad luck.

[veedub87]

That just isn't cool I accidentally ran over a little strip of metal the last Sunday I was in town with my bike. Couldn't get the new back tire on it until Thursday and it rained that day. Left Friday morning for a year and one week. I was right in the middle of an awesome ride too. I miss my Triumph. Have had three in seven years and only problem I have ever had was a broken clutch cable, and a flat tire that was my fault. Some people are just bad luck.

Sucks that your Triumph broke down twice. They really do suck.

[TBT-Syncro]

That's like saying a Triumph sucks because your Triumph got a flat tire.

no its not. he has a much longer history with triumph then this, this was just the most recent bad incident.

street triple, street triple, street triple

[Aonarch]

no its not. he has a much longer history with triumph then this, this was just the most recent bad incident.

street triple, street triple, street triple

Thanks everyone.

[adg44]

That's like saying a Triumph sucks because your Triumph got a flat tire.

Sorry, I should have clarified more. The battery posts didn't get disconnected, the Positive cable actually separated somewhere down the line. This wasn't just someone not tightening the clamps down.

It reminded me of when my rear left turn signal stopped working on my Sprint. I removed the rear fairing and sure enough the snap connectors came disconnected all on their own!

Triumphs must hate me.

- Anthony

[Lmyamen1]

I would say a Triumph Bonneville would fit the bill. I LOVE these and would get one if I were looking for a newer bike.

[VWCoop]

Sucks that your Triumph broke down twice. They really do suck.

Ehh the first was just a whatever...clutch cable was old and the previous owners barely rode and clearly didn't think that needed any attention. The last one really pissed me off because it was my fault and I knew it was my last ride in over a year. Talk about a broken heart. I will always have a Triumph triple if I have the means. There is no other bike I would rather have for my only bike.

[pknopp]

If I was to buy a Triumph it would definately be the Thruxton which is why asking opinions of others doesn't really help much.

Go and ride them all. Have a fun day of it.

[Aonarch]

If I was to buy a Triumph it would definately be the Thruxton which is why asking opinions of others doesn't really help much.

Go and ride them all. Have a fun day of it.

[flybmx]

If I were you I would head down to your local Triumph dealer and test ride everything.. I recently picked up a Speed triple (absolutely love it). They had no problem with me taking a street triple and the speedy for a test ride. I was very suprised. haha.. I would get a Thurxton or a bonneville in a heart beat too. I actually have been keeping my eye open for an older bonneville. get another project on the go

[Aonarch]

If I were you I would head down to your local Triumph dealer and test ride everything.. I recently picked up a Speed triple (absolutely love it). They had no problem with me taking a street triple and the speedy for a test ride. I was very suprised. haha.. I would get a Thurxton or a bonneville in a heart beat too. I actually have been keeping my eye open for an older bonneville. get another project on the go

Next weekend I'll shop around.

[JoeArlo]

I feel the Bonneville is much more sporty and nimble then the Thunderbird, Speedmaster, or America. The right balance of sport and cruiser for me.

Here are a few shots of my buddy . . . he takes it to the limit.

[Paul@VWvortex]

I came across this movie and thought of this very thread...

[autotragik b3attlewagen]

this thread makes me realize just how much I want a Thruxton