Triumphrat

05-06-2004, 01:48 PM

Hello all,
I am thinking on picking up a used triple or twin (tbird, bonnie)Triumph and wondered how both versions do on a long distance trip. How does the elecs and mechanicals hold up? What should I look for? Which parts would you carry? Would you do a 4k trip on one? ETC.... All and any information you can give would be appreciated....

Thanks...

Slinky · 05-06-2004, 03:12 PM

The triple would be better for long distance work- the extra power & torque should make it a more relaxed ride.

I would have no qualms about taking a 4k trip on my T-bird, I would have every confidence it would get me where I was going and back again. Mechanically they are very strong. The most likely failure would be an ignition coil, but then again lots of people have never had any coil trouble so it's not inevitable.

tbsrider2000 · 05-06-2004, 04:14 PM

I have almost 29,000 miles on my TBS and used to make regular 7 hour trips from San Antonio to Shreveport, LA and back. The only problem I've had with my bike is the starter brushes wore out recently. I found some brushes (Kawasaki EX 500) and smoothed the rough surface on the armature put the starter back in and am back on the road.
While either bike would get you there and back, I prefer the size, torque and power of the triple..

Delta88 · 05-06-2004, 04:39 PM

I have done a few Iron Butt style rides on my Concours and really enjoy it. The problem is, once outfitted for such duty, an already dated looking bike looks downright unattractive. Enter my Thunderbird. I bought it so that I could have a "pretty" bike to cruise around on a sunny afternoon and to slow the rapid mounting of high miles on the Kawasaki. So, to address your question, after living with the Triumph for awhile, I have to stop myself from daydreaming about highway pegs, luggage, etc. It's so comfortable that I find myself planning longer and longer rides on it. I have no doubts that, with the addition of some soft bags, highway pegs, a K&Q seat and a windscreen, I could do thousand mile days on this thing. Of course, this would defeat the whole purpose of my purchase. If you want one bike that will eat serious miles with comfort and reliability and still look great once stripped of its touring accessories, you could do far worse, in my opinion, than the Triumph triples.
If I had to go back to just one motorcycle, as much as I'd eventually miss it, I'm afraid the Kawasaki would have a new owner.

shedds · 05-06-2004, 04:52 PM

in my opinion for long hauls and if triumph is youre cup of tea go for the trophy 900 or 1200 all the comforts for cruising windshield ,hard bags clock big gas tank centerstand(stock not option) rather than hopping up a tbird or bonnie(around town bike)

05-06-2004, 04:57 PM

Thanks for the feedback,

It sounds like the tbird is a strong runner. The trips that I do in the summer have always been on a sport bike, tired of that, so now I am in the market for a great looking, reliable, different, and capable machine that is comfortable for many miles. I actually look forward to the naked bike touring challenge. Met a girl that came through Nashville from the west coast riding an old r65 airhead. I admired that.

T

[ This message was edited by: tboysen on 2004-05-07 07:08 ]

Jodel · 05-06-2004, 06:23 PM

As Shedds points out, you can't beat using the right tools for the job and if you're looking for efficiency a big sport-tourer is the way to go. I usually make at least one trip per year to Europe on the bike. My Honda Blackbird is kitted out with hard bags for just this purpose and it does a great job. Is it fast enough? Oh yes!!

However, this year I'm taking my T-Bird as I find it very comfortable and I just plain like riding it. Ok, I can't blast down the autoroute the way I can on the Blackbird, but for the rest of the time the T-Bird will be plenty quick enough. I think the Blackbird is a terrific machine - but if it has a fault, it's just too damn capable and too easy to ride very fast.

No Japanese machine has ever got under my skin like the T-Bird. Personally, I have little enthusiasm for the twins (apart maybe from the new Thruxton). Get yourself a triple and you'll be a happy man.

Wealth warning: You'll almost certainly start adding things to it - K&Q seat, bags, screen...... :wink:

mabugner · 05-07-2004, 01:53 PM

Rode the T-bird to Charleston WV from Chicago round trip, 2 up and little cargo trailer for the BMW National in 2003. Excellent ride, definitely need to upgrade to the K&Q seat. Tank size is a definite disadvantage and wife's knee recovery slowed the trip down, but once we left the trailer and gear at the BMW National Rally, it was really nice in the mountain roads. Definite upgrades for long distance riding on the T-bird, K&Q seat, aftermarket shock, good set of luggage (soft or hard). Pulling the trailer was nothing for the t-bird, once it was packed right, didn't noticed it behind the bike, except pulling away from a stop. Stopping does change, but the way I ride 2-up with gear on the bike, I keep good distances and slow early.