Triumphrat

M700R · 03-14-2008

One of the things I like about bikes is that there's a certain equality about 'em. Most anyone with a job can afford pretty much any bike that strikes his/her fancy. Not so with cars! I'm a middle-aged guy with a working class job - no great amount of wealth or disposable income here. Made the decision to get back into motorcycles after a long absence. Started shopping. Was pleasantly surprised to learn that once again, my choice of bike was going to be based on what I liked, not how much it cost. Essentially everything I looked at was affordable.

Imagine that in the car world... A Lamborghini is affordable? Not for this guy!

But with a bike, yeah - they're affordable. After such a long absence from riding, I really didn't know what I wanted or what was available anymore. I looked at all sorts of stuff, trying to figure out what I wanted. HD touring bikes? Nice! Spendy, but no problem. The Triumph Rocket? A buddy bought one and loves it. Very impressive, affordable, but not my thing. The Tiger 1050? Another buddy bought one of those. First one I saw was BLACK with those gold highlights... Man... And the sound of that triple... Wow!!!

What a bike! Around $10k, no problem. Even looked at some BMW's... A couple of 'em really grabbed my attention - the 1200 cc Boxer twins. Expensive for a bike, but again - easy to afford if ya really want one. Want to go fast? How about a Suzuki Hayabusa? A mere $12k and I could go faster than I'd ever wanted to go on two wheels!

My wife and I both thought it was pretty funny that I ended up choosing one of the most basic and least expensive bikes I looked at - a new '06 Scrambler for $6500. Something about the basic little twin just struck me as "right" so it followed me home and I've been happily scrambling around on it ever since. Insurance was silly inexpensive too. I guess since I'm a middle aged guy with a good driving record, and I didn't select a Hyabusa, a year's worth of good coverage was only a couple of hundred bucks. Then I found out that without even trying I'm averaging 44 mpg with the Triumph. Nice in this day of expensive fuel...

All in all, it strikes me that a bike still provides a huge bang for the buck, and in that way, it's sort of an equalizer. A biker doesn't have to have a boatload of cash to ride whatever comes to mind. Save a little, shop a little, and poof - suddenly you're riding whatever you want. Same as it was nearly 30 years ago when I bought my first bike... Fun, inexpensive wheels. Easy to own & maintain. Gotta love it.

Regards, Guy

tba-golfer · 03-14-2008

Wonderful post, Guy!

You didn't mention the cost of after market parts, clothing, books, knick knacks, trips to the Ace, the Salt Flats, and Bennington...
These tend to add up. And I wouldn't begrudge a penny of them.

erikmustride · 03-14-2008

I agree 100%. My speedmaster is my first new bike(or vehicle of any kind) I wanted to buy a bike that every mile was mine on. I looked at several bikes. Cost was not as big an issue as it is to some, but it did figure into the final decision.

I looked at some of the over the top high end machines and I can't help but think "what a joke". I needed something fairly minimalistic. The less stuff that's on it is the less stuff to fix/replace on down the road. I put more miles on my bikes in a month than most people will in a year. If you can afford a 20,000-30,000 toy then knock yourself out. But I like bang for the buck. I could have bought a "better" bike, or I could go with what fits me almost perfectly. I made my choice, and I stand by it.

iceman · 03-14-2008

.. you are quite right M700R.
The other thing that strikes me is the bikers seem to cut right through the social spectrum.
The group that I occaisionally ride with has a husband and wife (both Drs),electrician,school caretaker,retired,commercial fisherman,school teachers,and a heap of other occupations who all get along famously.
Sometimes I wonder whether they would have ever got involved with each other if it wasnt for their rides.

Grant

Tbirdnz · 03-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by M700R

One of the things I like about bikes is that there's a certain equality about 'em.

You're right Guy, Triumph of course are more equal than others !

---------------
Ride on !

HiDesert · 03-15-2008

Good post, Guy!

It reminds me of an article I read in Cycle World or Motorcyclist a few years ago. The writer was saying that the great thing about motorcycles is that almost anyone can achieve professional-quality perfection in motorcycling. If you want to recreate the six-cylinder 250 Honda, or restore a Bimota Tesi, or even build your own design from scratch, it's doable.

I say it's better to focus on riding skills than obsess about equipment, but they are amazing machines. Nothing else gets you so much technology and R&D in such an affordable package. And boy are they gorgeous.

Readmarx · 03-15-2008

interesting. I've been riding for 20 years and own four bikes, road and track ride and do all my own servicing and repairs. last weekend I repaired my bosses ducati. I've met all sorts riding from machine operatives to company directors. what I've always enjoyed is the cameraderie - although (in the UK anyway) I've noted a disinclination to nod at other riders. this does come mainly during the summer when leisure riders (all the gear and no idea) are busy riding about looking like stoner/rossi/bayliss/biaggi/haga/haslam/kyonari/rae (delete as applicable). I ride every day and all year round. I'm reading Ted Simons second book at present and recently read Emilio Scotto and have read Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance. Ted Simon notes how much the world has changed rather than motorcycling per se, but I think you're right. The choice of machine, technology has dramatically altered,, but you can still go and buy a basic japanese (or chinese now) machine or buy a £30k 1098R. motorcycling is in my blood and it'll never leave me. I love it

DaveB · 03-15-2008

It also has allowed M700R to make some wonderful trip reports in that section of our forum and it shows just what a stock Scrambler can do.... Excellent.

DaveB.

KingBear · 03-15-2008

"God created all men, but Motorcycles made them equal."

Good post, and I believe there is a lot of truth to it. I'm one of the endless rabble of Toyota Camry drivers, but on my Bonneville I'm on top of the world!

mdgore · 03-15-2008

I have to agree that most people who have a job can get a motorcycle, but then I wouldn't agree that everyone who can afford a motorcycle should have a motorcycle.

BTW: where did you pay $6500 for a Scrambler? I see some sweet deals on MC's online, and they're out of state without enough miles on them to bring them into CA. So CAns keeps paying premium prices for motorcycles. We do have the nice roads though...........