Triumphrat

e404pnf · 06-09-2006, 08:49 AM

Hi ya,

I'm as new as a newbie can get to biking, but one thing is certain...I want a Bonnie! There is the little inconvenience of a lack a licence though.

As I'm 27 I obviously want to take the DAS route, and wondered if anyone here had been on the 5.5 day course Triumph run? At £1099 it's not cheap, but includes pretty much everything I'd need including food & accommodation. I think Triumph also offer good insurance deals if you learn via them too. Before I part with my hard earned cash though I want to make sure it's going to be money well spent. So, what do you think? Has anyone here been on it?

Any other recommendations for DAS courses in the Leicester area would also be appreciated.

One final question if I may, do you recommend a new or used bike as my first? I'm obviously going to be guttered if I bugg*r up my brand new bike, but as I know so little (and don't know any other bikers to help out) don't want to get screwed buying used.

Thanks in advance for your help guys :upthumb:

Gav

EnglishWombat · 06-09-2006, 09:19 AM

Hi

Good choice!! I did my access course last year and bought a 2nd hand America before the end of the course. Though I was going to buy a Bonnie. My America was love at first site!

I don't know anyone that has done the Triumph course...but if you are a complete newbie then doing a course on a sports bike...and then get a Bonnie, it's a different riding position and it's hard work to start with. I had a cruiser 125 and the course on a sports, then ride away after the test on another (but larger) cruiser....

If you have the money, then I'd go for the Triumph course. It's run by BSM...I think. I did my course with them. OK so the instructors I had were mad, and you won't have them, but they still say hello on the way past and have said any problems - drop in.

I'd get a second hand bike. I'd also join TOMCC - yeah a lot of them are old men - old enough to be your dad, but at your age (and I'm only a couple of years older so don't take it the wrong way..) you'll need money off your insurance. And they are probably the one club who would get money off...

It's also nice to hear from a younger person who wants an old-looking bike. I'm glad I'm not the only one!!!

Gina

e404pnf · 06-09-2006, 10:35 AM

Thanks for the advice Gina,

Learning on a bike similar to that you intend to ride makes perfect sense! And you are right, the Triumph course is run by BSM.

I still find it very strange that more people haven't discovered the 'new, old bikes'. I see quite a few guys fly past me while I'm stuck in traffic on the way to work, but almost all on on sports bikes - never seen the appeal myself. Oh well, their loss :-D

I've been subscribing to the TOMCC for a couple of months now but without owning a Triumph can't be a full member. The local meeting is only about 40 mins from me so may just pop by and act shocked to see a load of bikers there

Thanks again

Gav

GeneralPig · 06-09-2006, 04:33 PM

Good choice. Just get a Triumph. the T100 is best of the Hinkley Bonnies-don't dismiss the old TBird though...

barry5824 · 06-09-2006, 06:33 PM

For value for money, street cred and loads of attention from the 'oldies' you can't beat a Thunderbird.

£3,000 to £3,500 will get you a mint example with very few miles on the clock - to all intents and purposes an as new bike, although it may be upto 7 years old. Would avoid the pre-99 models (only 5 speed and no chrome plate on the engine). That price should also include custom accessories such as chrome rad covers, panniers, K&Q seat, sissy bar, screen etc. A package that would have cost £7k+ new.

Perhaps more important, the T/bird isn't fast by most standards, but will outrun Harleys and rides well, handles and is very comfortable. All round A1 bike.

sprinter900 · 06-09-2006, 07:47 PM

Did my Das course in February. All day Friday Saturday and some Sunday Test on Monday - riding me sprint Monday night. Cost was around 400 quid inc test fees but + theory test which I had to book myself.

Covered just over 200 miles in the 3 days and got used to the ER500 the weirdest thing initially about riding the sprint is that the faring doesn't turn with the bars!!!

06-10-2006, 03:33 AM

Can't comment on the course, but .....

I would double-check those insurance discounts.

I am 100% certain that, whatever bike you get first, you will change (or want to change) within 12 months. With that in mind, I would suggest getting a second-hand bike that will not lose too much money over a year. I have a T100 Bonnie, and it's great, but you will find it quite limiting in performance & handling. If you want a Bonnie, come back to it after a year or so.

I would suggest something like a 2-year old SV650.

atb

GeneralPig · 06-10-2006, 02:14 PM

I agree with Barry-except the pre 99 TBird thing. Depending on the year, they did have chrome engine/ clutch covers but avoid something woith those nasty chromed wheels. The seat is easier to get off on the earlier ones too. You can get a really nice one for a bit under £2000-try and get one with a centrestand. The stock seat is uncomfortable after 100 miles but the king and queen seat is revoltingly ugly. Get the stock seat refilled with decent padding. No, they're not fast but make great tourers-and they can scratch. Bit top heavy. Better engine than the twin and hardly stressed at all-a TBird should last pretty much forever.
I think the opinion given that you shouldn't buy new is good.

EnglishWombat · 06-10-2006, 07:04 PM

Quote:

I am 100% certain that, whatever bike you get first, you will change (or want to change) within 12 months.

Does that make me weird then?? I'm certain that the bike I have right now is the bike I'm keeping for a while. And as the tax reminder arrived this morning....I've had her for nearly 12 months. And I picked her up the day I passed my test.

But then again, I am weird.

Gina

e404pnf · 06-12-2006, 04:57 AM

Hi there,

Thanks for some great comments. I've just moved house and not sorted my internet access sorted out yet so this was great to come in to on a Monday morning back at work.

Given me a lot to think about(!) especially new v's old and Bonnie v's T.Bird/SV650. Both have very convincing arguments. If I was to follow my heart I would love my first bike to be a new T100, but my head sees the sense of a T.Bird or a SV650...decisions eh! :???:

Well still got time to figure it out.
Again, thanks for your comments and I'll let you know what I end up buying :-D

Gav