Triumphrat

OKAggie · 02-09-2004

Just visited my local dealer and saw the '04 RS with the SSSA. Way cool. Now I am torn between it and the TBS. I'm pretty close to having the cash saved up to get either bike, but not both. The RS has a $1000 rebate for military, so that lowers the price substantially for me. My dealer said the rebate does not affect his profit and he would be willing to deal with me in addition to the rebate. I guess the main thrust of my question is which bike will satisfy me for the long haul, as I don't expect to ever sell it. I really like the sport ride aspect of the RS and the classic good looks of the TBS. This looks like the last year for both bikes, so if I want a new one, I have to act now. I am 6'2" 230 lbs - - 51 years old and have not ridden for 30 years. I have already taken the MSF course, have my license and full leathers, so I am ready to start riding. My wife will probably ride with me about 10% of the time. Eventually, I will probably save up again and buy a pre-owned (RS or TBS) for a stable meate, but I want to own a brand new bike at first.

Throw some opinions and thoughts out there for me. Thanks.

(I am posting this same question on the Sprint board).

Pablo · 02-10-2004

If it were me I guess I would go for the RS. It is a helluva deal right now. I just happen to like the riding position of the RS a lot more than the cruiser bias of the T-bird.

zimtok · 02-10-2004

This is a very personel decission.
But because your wife will be riding with you she has a stake in it also.
Try to test ride both with the wife and see what happens.

I chose my TBS because it gives me a little of both sport and cruiser. My freind chose a Buell because he wanted V-Twin Torque.

Good Luck.

Trophy4 · 02-10-2004

Hey, OKAGGIE! If your wife is going to ride even 10% of the time with you, make sure she tries the pillion position (with you on the front) of both bikes. Make sure the pillion's footrests are in a postion that won't cause her discomfort. My wife absolutely will not tolerate the high pegs on a TBS, and we've never tried the RS. She's okay for long distance rides on my Trophy and my Legend, as both have low pegs that don't cause her to ride with her knees around her ears. And my wife is only 5'4"!

If riding position doesn't rule out one or the other, look long/hard at the RS. It's one sharp looking bike, and the 955 is a strong engine. FI has been sorted out, too, from what I hear. The half fairing will help shield you from those OK winds, too, while letting the air hit the radiator unobstructed.

And finally, I'm guessing you graduated from OSU about 1973-74. What what your major? I was getting my degrees from OSU in about the same time frame (BS'72, MS'74).

eagle · 02-10-2004

Hi! I got a 2003 TBS - the pillion footrests are a lot more forgiving than the earlier models with the two pipes on the right - they lowered the footrests and I guess that is why they had to move one of the pipes. Also the change in balance has got rid of a problem experienced by sonme TBS riders - pulling to one side with your hands off teh bars.

I gotta say I've had a lot of bikes (including a Daytona 955i, a VFR, a Harley and a Kwak ZRX) but the TBS has got to be the best. It's not the fatsest (but well fast enough) but it's a REAL BIKE for real riding. Go for it! And get a set off off road pipes too while you're at it! Good luck!
Eagle

tbsrider2000 · 02-10-2004

My wife is 5'11" and finds the pillion seat rather comfortable on my 2000 TBS. We even went on our honeymoon on the bike, riding from Shreveport, LA to Hot Springs, AR. We stayed there for a week riding everywhere and she enjoys it very much.
We have not ridden an RS, but we have ridden a Trophy 1200 from Shreveport to Dallas and back, and she prefers my TBS to the Trophy. The Trophy rear seat raises her too high and she catches all the wind coming over the Trophy's windscreen. THe RS's rear seat appears to be pretty tall as well. On the TBS, she can tuck in behind me if she wants to get away from the wind..
I would try and test ride both of them with your wife.. I like the RS because of the 955i engine.. But I still have no desire to trade my TBS for anything new coming out, maybe a Rocket III in a few years or so..

Trophy4 · 02-11-2004

Wind over the top of the windshield of the Trophy -- and over the top of me -- is definitely a complaint I hear from my wife from time to time, especially if it's cold or wet! She doesn't get it too bad, since she's 5'4", and since I had the seat reworked.

I still stand by the suggestions -- try the bikes with your wife if you can! Life is so much better when she likes to ride the bike. (I had a Sportster for awhile -- wife finally hit the point where she said "Go buy a motorcycle that I can ride comfortably! I'm never going to get on that Sportster again!" I went out and bought my Trophy a few days later, then sold the Sportster).