Triumphrat

d00dge

I've owned a few Harley's and a few Triumphs. I had a Fatboy that I traded in in for a Speedmaster, I didn't get on with that at all, I much prefered my Fatboy. I traded the Speedmaster in for a Harley Sportster Nightster thinking that maybe I was a Harley man, but not so. I didn't get on with that either, so I traded the Sportster in for a Street Triple and now I am very happy!! In an ideal world, I would have a Harley Fatboy and my Street Triple!

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That's what I'm talkin about

Lee H

the largest complaint I hear about sportsters is that people buy them thinking they are getting a big cruiser for 1/2 the money.

it is not so. The sportster is just as the name implies. It is the cruiser's cute and sporty little sister, with a bit of attitude mixed in, for some models. Personally I think one of the best looking bikes ever made is the old harley XR 750 R, but they are just not made for tall people to put miles on. I really like the flat track look, but I can accept that it is not made to eat up miles, on a freeway.
If I lived in town and only had a mile or two ride to work, I would be interested in a sporty cruiser. Since I travel 40 miles each way, to work, I prefer the larger cruisers

02Daytona955i

I think you're lippin' cause even the most casual observer knows a Sportster isn't considered a Hog.

If you think a Thruxton is really that much more than a Bonneville with low bars, you're a serious dreamer, because they both come with 60's technology oil damped, non adjustable suspensions.

If you think a Bonnie with low bars can keep pace with '96 Buell, you did waaaay to much acid in the '60's.

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Hard to know exactly what people mean by 'the real world'. Whatever it is, this is the primo sports bike for it. Plenty of everything and that triple howl! Sept 03 T.W.O.(Triumph Daytona955i)

traveler501

"First Sportster was 1957. Had a 68, in 70, beat my brother's Lightning Rocket w/710 kit every time, which beat every Triumph in town."

I remember those bikes well...and yes, the 883 XLCH would beat a stock 650 Bonnie in a straight line. Doesn't surprise me it would beat a 710 either...in a straight line. I just sold a 750 Meriden Bonnie (1980)... fwiw, it would out-accelerate and-out corner an 883 Sportster. I don't pay a lot of attention to HD's, but haven't they had a 1200 "sportster" out for years now? Presumably that will beat the current 865 Bonnies in a straight line too.

Despite the fact that the Sportster was created to compete with Triumph in the 50's...those vintage Triumphs were light, handling bikes, not stoplight to stoplight dragsters. I don't see the point of comparing these bikes...especially on this website.

02Daytona955i

Straight line?



I think your timeline is a little off too.

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Hard to know exactly what people mean by 'the real world'. Whatever it is, this is the primo sports bike for it. Plenty of everything and that triple howl! Sept 03 T.W.O.(Triumph Daytona955i)

traveler501

Yes, stock 883 XLCH's sucked in the twisties compared
with a Bonnie. I remember riding a friend's when it
was new (1969). Nothing wrong with my timeline, friend.

PS and to make matters worse, it had that hideous AMF
paint scheme

02Daytona955i

No such animal as a 1960's 883 XLCH.

I'm afraid your timeline is off again.


Gotta eat my words; there were 883 iron Sportys!

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Hard to know exactly what people mean by 'the real world'. Whatever it is, this is the primo sports bike for it. Plenty of everything and that triple howl! Sept 03 T.W.O.(Triumph Daytona955i)

traveler501

Fair enough...at least you were man enough to say so. God knows that's rare on an internet Forum!

RHS2362

I understand this post. I am a RAT & my next bike is as likely to be a Thunderbird as anything else, but that doesn't mean I can't acknowledge other bikes.

Harley's have a great resale value, so they aren't crap bikes some make them out to be. In scoping out a good used bike for 2 years, it was obvious that Harley & BMW had the best resale value. You don't mass produce a bad product and have the high resale value.

I haven't ridden in decades & forgot how brand loyal bikers are. Plus, everyone is so cruiser vs sport bike centric. I've owned 3 bikes, 2 Yamahas & a Triumph. I will NEVER buy another Yamaha but would buy another Triumph. I have friends who swear by Yamaha & since my boss rides a Yamaha, I'm not going to complain about them.

One thing I've learned about owning a bike since getting back into it this year is to get a bike that has a good owners group. This forum is awesome and an invaluable tool in my bike ownership. RAT is a good owners group, so is Harley's HOG.

You ride what fits you & let the next guy do the same.

skromfols

I sold my Honda V-45 and bought a new Harley Softtail in 95. It was a mistake. The Harley looked and after some modification sounded great, however, it didn't really fit me (6'2" 200 lbs) very well and didn't have near the power of my departed Honda. I sold it within about a year and bought a used Honda V-65, a rocket in cruiser clothing.

In 2005 I made my second mistake and sold my 20 yr old Honda V-65 and bought a new Harley Road Glide. I loved the looks of the Road Glide, but it just never felt comfortable to me and I missed the power of my Honda, so I sold it about 18 months later. And don't try to convince me about Harley's great resale value. I lost my A$$ on each Harley when I sold them.

I now have an exceptional cruiser ( 08 America) that's a blast to ride in the twisties and a fantastic touring bike (Honda Valkyrie). The best of both worlds.

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Stan
08 America, Bub slip ons, A/I removed, emissions "stuff" & air box removed, billet intakes, UNI Pods, rejetted, carbs balanced, intminators, Progressive 412's, 1" risers, seat modified by Spencer, TP USA Option 2 Igniter, 813 cams