Triumphrat

Unsane · 06-09-2005

Hey all,
I've been planning a summer trip with my brother and some of his riding mates in Washington, around Cle Elum and the Wenatchee Forest, anyways to get to the point there was alot of friendly boasting going on, and mocking that the Triumph wouldnt be able to keep up with the brothers 1999 BMW 1150GS, and his friends 2001?Ducati Monster 900 , 2003 BMW 1200RT, and Harley Road King with all the fancy racing pipes and bits.
I'm pretty confident the Sprint can hang with them, i've never gone up against other bikes before seriously, just off mainly doing my own thing on rides and being safe. My skills are mainly street since i've learned most of my skills by riding with a bunch of lunatic motorcycle couriers in heavy Dublin traffic and windy back roads for a few years.
I dont know where the Sprint will stand against the Beemers ,Ducati, and Harley(big overweight thing that it is) will i get torn apart on the corners or straights? Bearing in mind they have advantage on knowing the roads we are riding around.
Sorry just venting, just think its time to shut them up with their misconceptions of the Triumph's

Stlakid · 06-09-2005

Let me get this straight; there's a Harley barge going along and your worried about keeping up on twisty mountain roads? The only time that Harley is going to shine is pointed in a STRAIGHT line down the interstate. If you have been 'hanging' with a bunch of hooligans in Dublin what makes them think they can keep up with you and your Sprint? Besides there goint to be stopping to fill that pig Harley at every gas station along the way, Probably the Ducati too. Just tell them to leave a hole so you can pass! They can catch up at the next gas stop!

Ron_F_D · 06-09-2005

Allow me to share a few Southern colloquialisms that should be used to explain to your alleged friends as to the situation they are about to walk into. Please excuse the misspelling as I try to bypass the censor software. The vulgarity is necessary to emphasize the point.

1. My RS is going to rip all you naïve ignorant beaches and your overpriced bikes a new azzhole.

2. My RS is a can of whoopazz and your sheet-talking just spilled it all over your punk selves.

3. You posin’ beaches bring on your best shot, cause it ain’t sheet, especially you, lard-azzed Harley Boy.

You should have no problem holding your own and most probably dominating the day, that is assuming parity in riding skills. Just be careful and don’t get hurt.

...and you got Irish riding skills??? Sheeetttt... those guys must be smokin' something BAAADDD. :evil:

I just read that again… “torn apart”? You!?? HA! :-D :-D They got nothing… Just maybe the Ducati will hang… and only just maybe.

One more... a Road KING? HA HA HA... Stop... I gonna break something... My Jeep can outrun that...

[ This message was edited by: Ron_F_D on 2005-06-09 15:21 ]

Milo · 06-09-2005

It's the rider, not the bike. I've seen many hot bikes shamed by a lowly old boat.

And you'll be surprised how fast a 1100GS is throught the corners with a decent rider.

Don't try to beat them, just ride your ride and if you get there first cool, if not be sure to get there front wheel first and not feet first.

Milo

Unsane · 06-09-2005

Heh thanks Stlakid, Ron_F_D ill be sure to use some of those Southern colloquialisms.
I just sighed when the Harley rider spoke up, told him to bring his racing handlebar tassles and not to polish his bikes useless chrome bits too much so it wont blind me when i ride past..
Not worried in the least about him just wasnt sure what the Duc is capable of only time i see them is with some bloke posing for the girls. Duc yeh would be fun to humble him as well.
All of us are fairly safe riders never trying to push anything outside of what we know our skills are. Was consistently told by the group of lads i was learning to ride with in Dublin "Concentration and Awareness lose one and things will go wrong"
That being said yes i was thinking that the 1100GS could give me a really good go and i know my brother is a capable rider (maybe ill make him keep the panniers on)

"...and you got Irish riding skills??? Sheeetttt... those guys must be smokin' something BAAADDD. :evil: "

Heh yeh i've had to tone down that kind of riding in town here, cautioned twice already and only been riding here for 2 months. Officer was none too impressed about me filtering traffic and using the centre lane along with various gestures
to the ladies talking on the phone in their SUV's (someone pass
a law against this please)
You should see some of the riders up in N.Ireland when they have sanctioned and non-sanctioned races, their friggin lunatics.

maybe i should demand that loser wears a nice skirt , blouse, and makeup and heads to the store on their bike to grab beers for after the ride, possibly slip in there a sign on their back "I just had my Arse kicked by a Triumph"

DaveM · 06-09-2005

I agree with Stlakid and Milo,
the HD is just a tractor motor that can't go around corners.

But is is the rider I have seen some guys that are very smooth and quick on a beemer.

Having said that you won't need to worry about your Sprint keeping up it is the riders mostly.

Cheers,
DaveM

jellero · 06-09-2005

i wouldn't lose any sleep over this... just tell them where to meet you for lunch. j
(harleys don't do well over 75, like old vw's)

[ This message was edited by: jellero on 2005-06-09 22:04 ]

Jim_in_Calgary · 06-09-2005

In my view you've got the most on-road capable piece of equipment. The rider will make the difference.

I can hang with my neighbour's 2000 rs1150R bmw (the sport touring inline 4 one) and he's a way better rider than me.

Just enjoy yourself and don't worry about them. Agree on gas-up points, and ride your own ride between them. Don't try to keep up if you're not comfortable with the pace. If you're friends aren't ok with that, find new riding mates.

Have fun!

vwvectors · 06-10-2005

I believe the Triple will Triumph. :-D

12magnum · 06-10-2005

I agree that all of the bikes should be nearly equal for street riding -except the harley.- they don't corner worth a *****. You have them all beat on horsepower. You are just riding for fun so it doesn't matter which bike is faster. You have the most capable street machine listed here. Anyway I live over here in east wenatchee and there is some great riding up here. i rode over highway 97 to ellensburg memorial day and it was very nice.

the triumph dealer here in wenatchee (Condotta's) let me test ride the 2005 Sprint ST today. I didn't even ask to ride it- i just rode up on my 2002 sprint and the guy asked if I wanted to demo the '05 - so of course i couldn't refuse. Very nice bike for someone getting a new bike, but not enough different from my 2002 model to make me run out and get a new one. (If my bike were worn out I might have a different opinion but i only have 6500 miles on mine)

my quick review of the 05 model (as compared to the 02):
steering seems quicker , fuel injection smoother at low revs.(my biggest complaint on the 2002 model) less wind buffeting of my helmet (I am 6'2" tall) exhaust noise almost identical ( I somehow expected a different sound from 3 pipes, but it sounds virtually identical.) this bike wasn't broken in yet so I couldn't rev it up much, but a quick whack of the throttle felt no more powerful than my 02 ( hp rating is only 3 hp more) torque rating is higher but it felt the same to me- the front didn't lift in first with a healthy twist of the throttle. i guess if you are a hooligan, buy the speed tripple. braking effort was suprisingly high - after I was done I inspected the front rotors and they were oily from not being cleaned good when the bike was uncrated, so I don't blame the bike, just the technician that set it up (or rather didn't set it up) overall finish was great, styling got a much needed upgrade, althogh the headight seems to have too much of a smiling appearance to it- but that is very subjective The clocks are fantastic. I assume the headlights are way better a night. Overall I would say it is just as comfortable as the older sprint but it also feels sportier too. I give it two thumbs up.

Condotta's has 3 of the 2005 sprint in stock now. the said that was all they were getting. so cruise on over and take a test ride and buy one before they are gone.

[ This message was edited by: 12magnum on 2005-06-10 01:01 ]