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Test rides
Yesterday my local Triumph dealer (peter stevens- Adelaide store) staged a test ride day. Any rder could come along and test ride ANY of the current Triumph bikes. They organised runs of 20 minutes through the streets and Parklands of the city. One of their employees led each ride and one rode at the rear. They compiled a roster of bikes available and on a 1st in 1st served basis you could stick your name down for any available bike at any of the free times. Granted, it's not long enough to get a thorough workout on the bike but a fantastic idea never-the-less, especially for those of us who never get to ride different Triumph models.
I rode 5 bikes and really loved everyone of them. (BTW I ride a 2005 T100)
1st was the New Street triple. A fantastic little bike. great Power band, easy to ride and does everything with great ease. Only thing was I just could not get comfortable on it. (I'm 6' and 91kg)
Next was the Sprint. This bike blew me away! It is the nicest bike I have ridden, and that a BIG, BIG call from a bonnie rider!!!. It's the bonnie of the sport/touring bikes in that it's comfortable, plenty of power and beautiful to ride.
Then I rode the Daytona!!!!!!!! BLOODY HELL!!!! I have never ridden a sports bike before and what an incredible experience! That engine is brilliant!! So responsive. AND THE BRAKES!!! It stops like no other! The good thing is the 'feel' in the brakes is soo good that even under very heavy braking, I always knew that it wouldn't lock up or cause me grief.
The only downside is the seat. It's like sitting on a stone slab. What a delight to work out on this machine!!
I then had an hour's break before the main course......
ROCKET3 TOURER!!!!
I'd been nervously excited about this bike all moring and finally sitting on it and knowing I was going to ride it was awesom!!! It looks lovely and not overly big except for the fuel tank. WOW! I pulled in the clutch and pressed the starter and that awesom big 3 fires up and you can sense it's power. Revving it causes the bike to pull slightly right. That Tone!!!
As the others pull away onto the road I slip it into 1st with a 'clunk' and ease out the very light clutch. Man this machine is heavy standing still but once it begins to move it feels like any other bike...nice and light. For the 1st few minutes I was quite tentative, especially turning at traffic lights but then we entered the parklands and twistes and I relaxed at last.
I let the others pull ahead and then I gave it a big twist of throttle....MAN OH MAN...hang on!!!
This thing has GRUNT!!!It leaps away with the big triple roaring. I rapidly caught up and flashed by the slower bikes before trying out the brakes...hard. it stops pretty well too.
This bike is a BLAST!!! I have never, ever riden anything like it. such power! it glides through curves majesticaly and easily. I WAS IN HEAVEN. I rode alongside the other R3 in the group punching the air!!!
Lastly I rode the tiger. This beautiful bike, like the Sprint,really is the TOTAL package. A true all-rounder. That triple engine is so, so good. (triumph engineers..YOU ARE BRILLIANT!!)
I guess I didn't like the height of the bike that much - although that makes no difference when you are moving. Also I had difficulty in locating the gear lever quite a bit. it looks too small and tucked away under the engine a bit. I only rode it for half the lap of the city. We stopped at one stage so that the rear riders culd catch up when my friend, on the Rocket, asked if I wanted to swap. He is a tiger nut. I readily agreed and rode that Rocket again for another 20 mins or so.
All in all it was a GREAT great days riding and I truly hope that this type of test ride day is a new idea developed by triumph internationally. If it comes to a dealer near you, do ANYTHING to attend...even cancel a wedding. It's an event not to be missed!!
THANK YOU TRIUMPH AUSTRALIA.
__________________
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THEY CAN ALWAYS SERVE AS A BAD EXAMPLE
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Last edited by hans; 03-02-2008 at 12:42 AM.
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