Triumphrat

oil-spitn-rat · 12-21-2007

Seems strange to me... I've got a 03' TBS and I tell you I love it more than any bike I've owned or still own. I do know if it's the looks and the ride or what. I've ridden more comfortable better handling motorcycles but none of them had the classic looks of the TBS.

I bought a Ducati Paul Smart last year as I fell in love with the looks, the ride is well... completely different; it is afterall more of a sportbike. Not really a great comparison but the little brother in the Sport Classic line the GT 1000 is a great little ride with nice comfy ergos. I've got an S3 in the stable as well, i've not had alot of saddle time due to some issues but I've ridden them before and while I'll like the performace and looks the ride isn't quite as nice as the TBS.

I riden Thruxton's, Bonnes and found the power lacking at best. The other paratwin speedmaster and the America I found plain boring. The bigboy Rocket triple I find to be a bit of a grossly out of proportioned bike in style and looks. My point being, I've not found many other bikes (all other makes included) I really like as a full on great package, style, looks, performace, comfort, fun all around bike. I still get more looks and comments on the TBS than any other bike I've owned, the ducati is a not so close second. People still tell me... "oh I used to have a triumph...", God that was one I wished I still had..." You all have heard the same line.

Why have we gone ignored? Last year Motorcyclist listed the TBS in the Smart Money section and that's been it over the past few years. As we all know the aftermarket parts companies have pretty much lost interest in selling much of anything for these bikes. Am I a complete dufuss for hanging on to the past here?

God I wish Triumph would get their act together and bring back one of the best little packages ever brought to the market. I'm sure many of you feel the same way. Maybe with the Ducati sport classic coming into the market and other manufactures starting to bring back UJM looks we will be back in style and demand soon.
Ken Carbaugh

DaDuke · 12-21-2007

I am with you heart and soul - I have a 2000 Legend that rocks my world...in both looks and performance. I wish it were a bit larger both in size and cc's but I'll take what I can get . The Rocket is too darn big and the Thruxtons and Bonni's too small and woefully short on aftermarket accessories

. C'mon Trioumph make us a 1500 or 1600 cc triple like the Rocket or an upsized Thunderbird or Legend and I'll be your customer forever !

mmead · 12-21-2007

We do owe a bit to this 900 from '70's The Kaw Z1.

Tbirdnz · 12-21-2007

Welcome to the "Why did they stop making them club !"

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Ride on !

oil-spitn-rat · 12-21-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbirdnz

Welcome to the "Why did they stop making them club !"

Yes, no doubt about that!

The aftermarket for the bonnes is even better than what we've had at good times for the t-bird/legend. I've often thought of tooling up for a few nice bits to be made for myself and others but it's such an expensive endevor that I've changed my mind and tried to look at modification of existing parts from the speed triple for example. I'm a bit budget minded for the meantime as I'm starting over as far as my career, so the fun toys and the fun toy parts must be put on hold.

Shawn · 12-21-2007

I started the original TriumphRat.Net at the time the Bonnie was introduced, and was at the US Dealer Meeting when it was unveiled. At the time triples ruled the universe.

When TriumphRat.Net was converted to a portal, the initial Bonnie Owners really didn't catch-on to Rat.Net. So for a while we were stilll a community of primarily 883cc triple owners. The Twins Forum did exist, but it wasn't that active.

Today, the former Enthusiasts of the T300, T595, and other 883cc engines are a minority. There are multitudes of Twin-Engine variants, a following on the in-line RocketIII engine, focused riders on the 675 triple, and sportbike riders trading up for the 1050+ triples.

Let's hope that the rumors we are hearing about a new TBS actually come true.

Eyun_G · 12-21-2007

Right now if I had to replace the legend, It would be a bonnie, but aside from a bigger after-market and about 8 years, i still like my bike. Problem is that the "baby boomers" were the main buyers of bikes, and they wanted the triumphs they grew up with. Triumph wasn't nearly as popular when our bikes were made, and the Bonnie is partly responsible for that. If they brought a "classic" triple back now, it would sell, just for god sakes make them all 6-spd.

Wombat · 12-21-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn

So for a while we were stilll a community of primarily 883cc triple owners.
<snip>
and other 883cc engines are a minority.

Shawn have you been hanging around with that Harley Sportster crowd again?

Greaser · 12-21-2007

My initial reaction to seeing the Ducati Sport Classic line and the moto press going ga-ga over it?
"Oh look, Ducati has re-released the TBS." Groan, rolleyes............

And after riding one, I don't find all that much different to the TBS except the for the price and that I don't get my full adjustable forks or rear shock.
Lame.

BigAl8295 · 12-21-2007

+1 Greaser

I stopped by the Ducati dealer and was thinking about how beautiful the Sport Classic is and then it really hit me that I was attracted to the characteristics in them that are the same as our triple classics.