Is Triumph the new Harley?

[pritch]

Jap bikes make huge sense which is why I'm trying to figure out why one would choose a Triumph in preference.

Well, pickle me prunes! I just happen to have some recent experience in this regard.

By preference I would be a Honda owner but, as I've mentioned elsewhere here,
Bluewing only import a fraction of what is available. The range they offer does not comprise a coherent whole. Rather, it's more like full of holes. My first two Honda choices are not imported, when I went to order my third choice I was told they were out of stock. It's not like I didn't try...

I hate "Australasian agents", that's an oxymoron. I am, however, hanging out for the day Honda Australia take over Bluewing.

Recently I saw a Triumph that I liked and the thought process went something like,
"That's nice.
I've never owned a Triumph.
I've never owned a triple.
I'm having that."

Which is in fact a very similar thought process to when I first saw the S4R.
The marque and engine layout details varied of course.

Later, but also in the Triumphs favour, came the realisation that the first four bikes I ever rode were Triumphs but that I had never actually owned one.

And so, however irrational the decision, I find myself a Triumph owner.
I have no plans to buy a Union Jack or St George Arai though. Yet.

Early impressions indicate that the S3 is a great "real world" motorcycle. The power isn't all crammed up the top end. It pulls like a schoolboy from not much above idle. The suspension is firm but not ridiculous. That tiny "fairing" punches above it's weight.

Only downside so far is the seat height which is about as high as I can handle.

On Monday I'm off around the South Island for a couple of weeks. I should have a much more developed idea of the bikes capabilities and/or shortcomings after that.

Watch this space?

[Big Dave]

You might also factor in that the 1055i is the best mass produced road-going/street motorcycle engine produced so far - as in ever.

It has most of the the low down of a v-twin and most of the pull of an IL4 - in one package.

[davebullet]

I sat on the new Kwaka Z1000SX today. Nice machine, but didn't move me. I also think KAwasaki build quality is a bit below Yamaha and Honda and probably behind Triumph.

I haven't ridden enough bikes to compare, but I love the rev range flexibility the 1050 motor offers (as Big Dave alluded to).

[fliplid]

I got my Bonnie because it does what I want it to do, not because I wanted to stay "loyal" to a particular manufacturer. It's a bike that fires up and goes and does what it looks like it should.

[Grubber]

My 5 cents worth. First bike riden was an Ariel 350. Much noise and rumble. 2nd bike was a triumph 350 my bro owned. More noise etc. When i brought my first bike it was a BSA 650 Lightning.Next was a BSA 650 lightning also. It was the last 1973 model to be made. They were awesome bikes. Then was the Triumph 650 bonnie followed with a Bonnie 750. Yes they leaked a bit of oil but they were reliable enough.
Went on to buy my first jappa. Honda 750 F2. What a piece of shite that was. Engine wined and rattled and spat oil everywhere. Not good. Crashed it a few times due to it freaking out everytime it saw a corner coming.
Next was the best jappa i owned. It was the Kawa Z1000 1979 model. Brillaint in red and chrome. Had the Sagar exhaust on it and it sounded amazing.
I had many others a long the way including a couple of Harleys.
Never thought about the new variety of Triumph much till i took a mates Sprint ST for a ride some 7 years ago. I was blown away with the ease of handling and the ease of ride. All that down low grunt was just brilliant.
With no time to waste i brought my first of 3 triumphs and i FRIGGIN LOVE THEM AND WATCH THE FUCK OUT ANYBODY WHO DISAGREES WITH ME OK!

[Smifffy]

I reckon the reason is simple.

If you are a baby boomer, you either rode one in your youf, your mates rode one, or someone cool you knew of rode one.

If you are Gen X, then your Dad rode one, or one of his cool mates had one, and your Dad has some bitchin' stories of going ton up on that back road, just out of town, that is now a yuppie subdivision.

If you are Gen Y, then motorbikes suck and drifting is where it's at, or maybe suburban drags on a Saturday night (on that back road, just out of town, that is now a yuppie subdivision).

[baptist]

That too makes a lot of sense and I think the phrase I was grasping for was triumph have a bit of a staid image in the UK, respectable bikes but not so outwardly exotic/flamboyant/in yer face as an MV or a CBRrrrrrrr. In fact Britain is by and large besotted with sporty bikes and would sell their houses to have the latest R1 which boasts a massive 3HP hike over the last model, so yes I think you're on to something there.

Again apologies for the generalisations above but on any given Sunday in the Uk rows and rows of sporty exotica can be seen displayed at all the usual places, so many of the things in fact that they all look like thousands of examples of the same bike. Not particularly my thing.

Up North however, there is a far greater mix of machines at the biker haunts, much like NZ, a bit more conservative than the flash shandy drinking southerners. mmm

I'm a cockney that hates shandy (and Pykies!) but I love Triumphs I guess as a Student it is more a dream list than a wish list but once back earning full time a Truimph will adorn my driveway Just a bit to expensive at present.

I reckon the reason is simple.

If you are a baby boomer, you either rode one in your youf, your mates rode one, or someone cool you knew of rode one.

If you are Gen X, then your Dad rode one, or one of his cool mates had one, and your Dad has some bitchin' stories of going ton up on that back road, just out of town, that is now a yuppie subdivision.

If you are Gen Y, then motorbikes suck and drifting is where it's at, or maybe suburban drags on a Saturday night (on that back road, just out of town, that is now a yuppie subdivision).

Aint that the truth on so many accounts! I think it is a mixture of factors, style (yep understated class) and quality but the history as well, as a pommie petrol head Triumph and Jaguar just get me all goosebumpy , enough said...

[Badgerclarke]

As a fellow pom having owned a Sprint RS and Tiger 1050 here are my observations. We left the UK at the end of last year and I would say that there is a lot of brand loyalty to Triumph over there, take a look at Triumph Torque. However I think that loyalty is starting to fade as existing long term owners are starting to feel ignored, of course the flip side is that the brand are attracting new customers with a string of new and exciting machines. They're also well priced in comparison to other brands such as Yamaha....unlike here sadly!

When I arrived I went around the local dealers trying to secure a deal on the outgoing Speed Triple model but they just didn't seem to be willing/able enough to shift on price despite the new model being just around the corner. Victim of a smaller market I guess? So I went and purchased a new Honda Predator at a great price instead. It's a great bike but doesn't have the character of a Triumph which is why the Trumpets are popular also I guess and I do miss being a Triumph owner.

As for Triumph being the new Harley....nah....it's the new BMW. Just take a look at the new Tigers and the spy shots of the new tourer look just like an RT.

[martybabe]

I'm a cockney that hates shandy (and Pykies!) but I love Triumphs I guess as a Student it is more a dream list than a wish list but once back earning full time a Truimph will adorn my driveway Just a bit to expensive at present.


Aint that the truth on so many accounts! I think it is a mixture of factors, style (yep understated class) and quality but the history as well, as a pommie petrol head Triumph and Jaguar just get me all goosebumpy , enough said...

The Hammers, Triumph, Jaguar, a cock a nee, you really is a Pom abroad eh

As for Triumph being the new Harley....nah....it's the new BMW. Just take a look at the new Tigers and the spy shots of the new tourer look just like an RT.

Thanks for your thoughts, interesting. The title of the thread may have thrown a few of you off maybe.

I was in no way comparing the bikes of Triumph and Harley, they are quite different thankfully, merely commenting that a lot of the owners of Triumphs are fiercely loyal, fanatical and defensive of the brand whenever they perceive criticism. It put me in mind of those Harley fanatics that wouldn't have a bar of anything none harley.

So Are the Triumph faithful as enthusiastic as the notorious Harley die hards or even more so and if so, why? what makes Triumph so special?

I think we've gone a long way to explaining it with some of the answers here, thank you all for your input.

[scumdog]

I got my Bonnie because it does what I want it to do, not because I wanted to stay "loyal" to a particular manufacturer. It's a bike that fires up and goes and does what it looks like it should.

Sums up why I ride my T-Sport.

[AD345]

Well I'm probably going to hell but I can't stand Triumphs

Never could.

The older ones, and new ones of the same style - the America, Bonneville etc just look nasty to me. The style is old and was nasty back then. Every man and his dog may have thought they were the coolest thing since glacial ice but the slab seat, the nasty bars and the ancient looking front end make them one of the few bikes that I actively dislike looking at - and I like the B-King!

I never understoof the "tough guy" image that goes with them either - they are such tiny fucking things that most guys look bloody stupid on them, a pumpkin on a pimple.

The Daytona and triples leave me cold, why not get a Japanese bike and have it done properly?

The new Thunderbird looks ok but doesn't inspire me.

I lusted after the Rocket III for a while - until I rode one.

Cramped and pointless

I've been on bikes for a long time now and there's always been plenty of people arouind that loved their trumpys. More power to 'em. You couldn't pay me to own one


Just as well BD doesn't know where I live

[superman]

Have you seen those street triples?!?!

[AD345]

Have you seen those street triples?!?!

Not my thing

[superman]

Not my thing

Lol I gathered that from your kingpin. Though those kingpins do actually look really nice

[Big Dave]

Cramped and pointless


Just as well BD doesn't know where I live

Or what drugs you are on! It's about the most roomy bike there is and the point is you can drift it out of the corners with the torque it produces.. Whereas that B-king is unrideable if you art over about 6'3".