Triumphrat

02-10-2007, 02:46 PM

Want to trade in my Honda Shadow Spirit 750 for something lighter and better looking. I have owned British cars for many years but not a British bike. Is it worth the money? Is it comfortable to ride, as in the do the handle bars need to be changed? I am going to make a decision in the next few weeks. I ride on Cape Cod in Massachusetts so it's back roads and around town riding, not much highway.

Whitehurst · 02-10-2007, 03:31 PM

Dude, I would change that bike for a fricking 1980 sprint scooter.

Yes, trade it in, throw it away - whatever - you will love your triumph.

ThruxtonMI · 02-10-2007, 04:07 PM

A Bonneville or Bonneville T-100 is a great all arounder. Thruxton a bit more boy racer in terms of riding position - I like it but not for everyone. I lived on the cape 10 yeras ago but didn't ride back then. Must be a fun place to ride as long as you can avoid the tourist traffic jams in the summer months.

whoa · 02-10-2007, 06:20 PM

If its trails and less improved roads, you may enjoy the Scrambler. I really like the looks of the bike and would consider it, even if all my riding were commuting or on hardtop. Even if you did have a lot of highway miles to cover, the Bonnie is still a great pick.

The Thruxton is a great deal of fun, but more so in the sweepers, twisties and 90 degree turns. So the T100 may be more to your liking, assuming your not drawn to the Scrambler.

These bikes are well built, mechanically sound and a good value.

rbrian_taylor · 02-10-2007, 06:41 PM

The handlebars issues are one of the stickier points. Depends on your measurements. I am 6'2" and have average length arms for that height and I don't find the bars to be trouble at all. If you are comparing price, the bonnie black looks like the best deal, but the rest are within 500 of each other, more or less. I love the thrux, both the look and the ride so I would recomend it over the others.

OldSkoolFool · 02-11-2007, 02:20 AM

I'm 24 and after about an hour on the Thrux I start feeling it's time for a break. I would say if you're fine with taking a brief break every 45-60min then you should have no problem with the Thrux, plus the more you ride it the more you get used to it. The Thrux is definitely worth the money (especially if you buy used) and holds it's value better than most bikes.

What kind of British cars did you own?

whoa · 02-11-2007, 01:30 PM

Quote:

On 2007-02-11 00:20, OldSkoolFool wrote:
I'm 24 and after about an hour on the Thrux I start feeling it's time for a break.

If you ride with a group, ask someone to check out your riding position. My longest ride has only been around 500 miles, but my only real fatigue point that day was the knees.

Tabletop · 02-12-2007, 01:11 AM

I'd also recommend a Thruxton.
If you're just around town riding, and short rides on back roads, the riding position is perfect and may never fatigue you.

setts · 02-12-2007, 04:17 AM

It's personal - why not ride the Bonnie, Scrambler & Thruxton and compare them? Although they're all based on the same package they are very different bikes. I ride a Thruxton, am 51 years old and back to riding a bike after about a 25 year absence. At 1,8m (say 6ft) and 80kg (say 176lbs). I have no problem with the Thruxton's riding position. I need to refuel long before I feel any discomfort and then it's only my knees that need a stretch - refueling allows me to do that. Riding any sports bike requires a reasonable degree of physical fitness, and although you can't compare a Thruxton to a modern sports bike in terms of performance, it does require a similar degree of physical conditioning. Enjoy your Triumph.
BTW My wife and I have owned a Triumph TR6, TR3a and a Spitfire in recent years. My wife loved her fully restored (and modernised Spitfire - brakes, ignition, suspension gearbox and steering) and was gutted when she had to switch to a Honda FRV after the birth of our triplets!

Tex-ton · 02-12-2007, 02:23 PM

Buy a thrux tons of fun minor upkeep looks great fun to ride. On the downside you may get to much attention . :-D