Triumphrat

spank86 · 11-13-2012, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowPocono

It might be some religious thing or maybe to prevent the bike rolling on a slope?

That was my only thought but I've never experienced a slope big enough to roll my speed four with it on sidestand.

Of course I always park facing uphill because I'm only short and dont really want to have to push it UP a slope.

LoVel · 11-13-2012, 10:05 AM

I think a used Bonneville is a great beginner bike.

saphena · 11-13-2012, 10:05 AM

Eurotunnel insist that bikes are parked in 1st gear on their trains.

Presumably UnklFungus was advising us to always do it so that we don't get caught out when crossing between England and France.

BonnieBlack · 11-13-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoVel

I think a used Bonneville is a great beginner bike.

Me too. Easy to handle, forgiving of being in the wrong gear and won't flip you on your back if you let out the clutch too quick. Could be lighter, but it won't put a reasonable person at unreasonable risk.

Starting out safely has more to do with how you ride, where you ride, how long you ride more than what you ride, IMO.

With the exception that the beginner bike shouldn't be pulling wheelies if you misjudge the clutch a bit.

spank86 · 11-13-2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saphena

Eurotunnel insist that bikes are parked in 1st gear on their trains.

I'd forgotten about that.

MAybe he lives in an earthquake zone?

LoVel · 11-13-2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnklFungus

Just please for the love of God, park your bike in first gear, not neutral.

I think this is an argument worth not having.

spank86 · 11-13-2012, 10:57 AM

I'm not looking for an argument, I'd just like to know the reason.

LoVel · 11-13-2012, 11:07 AM

I haven't got one. I park it in gear sometimes and not on other occasions.

topgunz1 · 11-13-2012, 11:22 AM

NOLA Motorsports is a great facility! Congrats on having the wisdom to start with an MSF class, don't wait too long to start riding, get practicing quick before you start forgetting!

The Triumph dealer in NOLA, TTRNO, are great folks to deal with, I got my Street Triple R from them 6 months ago.

AMC · 11-13-2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by williamr

The only comment I'll make is that I hope you're not looking at a Triumph to continue your riding education.

Nothing in the Triumph range is suitable for a beginner.

You accept that the tiny little 250 goes at something that feels like light speed. Imagine controlling that greased lightening on the street, with traffic all around you. Then imagine something twice as fast. Something that will spit you off or ram into something unforgiving in an instant if you're a tiny bit clumsy with one of the controls, or a tiny bit lax in your focus. And imagine keeping that focus while you're also focussing on the roads, road signs, intersections and all that traffic that's out to kill you if you give it half a chance.

The 250 is the bike to learn on. Not a Triumph.

Rob

Well actually, I plan to buy a used Bonneville or a Thruxton as my first bike. I'm not looking to go especially fast or have anything especially powerful and I think these two would be very good for a beginner rider. The 250s are nice, but I am not a rich man, and I don't want to buy a bike and then 6 months later, I am in the market for a new bike because the 250 doesn't have the necessary power to do what I want and go where I want. I would rather buy what I want once, and just take my time and practice on it. Most of the folks on here seem to think that the Bonnie is a good "first bike" choice as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by topgunz1

NOLA Motorsports is a great facility! Congrats on having the wisdom to start with an MSF class, don't wait too long to start riding, get practicing quick before you start forgetting!

The Triumph dealer in NOLA, TTRNO, are great folks to deal with, I got my Street Triple R from them 6 months ago.

I've been by there a few times to look around and I've found them to be very nice folks. Unfortunately, they don't often have used bikes, and I'd rather not buy a new bike for my first. If I do find a Bonnie or Thruxton used, then thats where I'll be taking it to get serviced.