Triumphrat

R100Pilot · 07-10-2006

In a cruel twist of irony this weekend, I had my first "nice bike, I didn't know they still made Triumphs" experience. Unfortunately, it was NOT on the Speed Triple.

My girlfriend had kidney surgery and her Bonnie America has been sitting for two months. I told her I wasn't gonna let her ride it until I took it out to make sure everything was working right, tires aired, etc. So I go to the gas station and I'm filling the tank and this guy walks by and glances but doesn't say anything. He comes back out and comments on how nice the bike is, didn't know Triumph was still around, his brother used to have one, etc.

TrackerOldGuy · 07-10-2006

Our reply should be, they only let the coolest people buy these.

Dobieman · 07-10-2006

The S3 gets respect from knowledgeable sport bike riders that see me. If they don't know what it is I don't have any respect for them no matter what sport bike they are riding.
I always draw some interest at bike night. Bonnies are cool and remind people of Triumphs of the past, the S3 doesn't so there is the difference. I wish my wife rode :upthumb:

cheapbastard · 07-10-2006

You guys with the black one's just don't realize the respect that ya get. I get it all the time on my yeller one! :-D

07-10-2006

I've gotta agree with you about the respect factor. I had a beautiful Speedmaster, & my Bud has a Bonnie Black. No matter where we rode, it was like the SM was invisible, or worse, a Harley lookalike. The Bonnie got so many nods & smiles. Retro is IN right now, from Bikes, to clothes, to modern muscle cars. I don't think that the Triumph cruisers do much to seperate themselves from the Harleys & the SEA of Japanese wannabes here in the US. I just sold my SM.

My Speed Triple has been an entirely different story. I was at a Cycle Gear store on Saturday trying on some lids. There were a bunch of Jap sport bikes there, couple of gixxers, CBR600, & a ZX12. I was looking at 3 guys not saying a word, all standing next to my scoot looking it up & down. NICE. You just don't see Triples all that often. I live in a major metropolitan area (Dallas Ft Worth), and have never seen a S3 on the road. That's a good thing!

[ This message was edited by: Skyler on 2006-07-10 10:09 ]

xSpeed3x · 07-10-2006

I had a great ego boost yesterday. I went on a ride with two guys that were breaking-in there D675 and the 1050 Sprint.

Anyway, we stop in a small town (Prescott, AZ) and these two guys walk up and said man that's a sweet bike. I was looking the other way and just assumed they were talking about the 675. I turned around and they were looking at mine. They asked a couple questions and moved on, not a word about the 675.

*****, I felt good.

[ This message was edited by: xSpeed3x on 2006-07-10 10:14 ]

Golfinc · 07-10-2006

I used to get tons of looks and comments about tmy Thinderbird Sport. So much so that it could be annoying in a way.

Not so many comments about the S3 from the older crowd but my stock has gone up with the young chicks!

NeonBlueS3 · 07-10-2006

I've found people either love it or hate the styling. Most people know about Harleys and don't have a clue that Triumph still makes bikes.

I'm in the same boat as some of you--if people don't know what it is, ***** 'em. If they do, then I have some respect.

The key piece is, I don't really care if people know or like the bike because I bought it for me and I'm proud of it, but I'm not looking for acceptance from either the sportbike or Harley crowd.

BUCKET · 07-10-2006

I get "that's a Triumph?" or "looks like a Buell doesn't it" to which i reply "no the Buell looks like this" which normally causes most of to screw their nose up and walk away as most people who say about the Buell thing have just got of a Harley and walked over.
Bucket :hammer:

jimmydean · 07-10-2006

On my ride to Wv Road Trip as soon as we got back into Va close to Luray we pulled over and a Trooper rolled up and yelled "Whose Triple!" Being an 8 yr vet myself the Troop and I were chatting away about the bike. Ironically he was originally England and rides an 02' S3. Told him about this site, hopefully he joins up. YOU THERE CHRIS?

Hey, how do I add my pic to my signature! :hammer: