Triumphrat

Calliway · 09-08-2008, 08:25 PM

Just so everyone knows regretably, the Sprint has sold. I want to tell you all the full story so you all understand why I would sell it.

Most of you know how much I love my Sprint and all the work I did on it. Understand that the choice to sell it was not an easy one.

My Wife was very interested in riding and started me on this search for a second bike. She is from Liverpool and has a soft spot for anything British so I decided that I would start the search for another Triumph. Really her being British has nothing to do with buying another Triumph but she would appreciate it more and that is what counted to me.

The Bonny was the only other bike that would suit her and me so I started the search. I went into my dealer and to talk to them about a 2009 Bonny. I told them I wanted a Bonny Black and asked when they would, if they would get one. They told me that they had a 2007 they were taking in on trade and to check back in a week if I was interested. It took me a day to to decide that I would buy this and went and put my name down to buy it.

Fast forward a few days. My wife is out on her mtn bike going for a bit of a ride. She crashes, bad. SHe gets back to the house and calls me upstairs and I thought she had been hit by a car. She chipped her elbow, smashed her hip, badly bruised both knees, road rash all down one shoulder and palms of her hands. The pedals on the bike had biten into one knee and gave it a good thrashing.

Neeldess to say she instantly went cold on the idea of a bike. She is coming back around but is happy for now on the back of mine.

Now I had already committed to the Bonny so the dealer called and asked if I still wanted it. I had given my word so I went and picked it up. Now when I did my long trip on my Sprint this summer it opened my eyes to one major thing. In town the Sprint is not at home but I can tollerate the ergos. On the highway the Sprint is right at home but my body isn't. I am 6'4" with a 34" inseam and my knees rest on the fairings. My intentions were to keep both until spring and then ride the Sprint again and Calliway-girl would ride the Bonny but my long trip stuck in my mind everytime I got on the Sprint so I thought that I would maybe trade it on a Tiger in the Spring but what the heck lets see end of season if I put a dream price on it if it would sell. I did not expect it to sell but it sold after one day in the local online classifieds. I was stunned and not really ready to let her go but I had committed and sold the bike to a really nice lady coming from Harley's who fell in love with the Sprint as soon as she heard it start.

She had the best grin on her face after her test ride. The next day she brought a bank draft and her enclosed bike trailer which she took the Sprint home.

It happened so fast that it was all a blur and now I go to the garage and no blue Sprint sitting in it.

Do I regret selling it? No but I regret that it happened so fast.

The Bonny is perfect for the type of riding I do and I absolutely love it. It is also a much safer pearch for my 8 year old son who is spending more time on the bike with me now.

So there you go, the full story. Next Spring will probably hold a Tiger for me or a S3.

I am still here and consider this my home forum and check it everyday.

Thanks everyone for the comments and support you have given me over the year I have been here and I hope I can still find ways to offer my support and help where anyone needs it.

Cal.

dave333 · 09-08-2008, 09:02 PM

Being 6' 4", a Tiger sounds right up your alley. My Uncle is about your size and he has a tall Beemer 1200GS. He just went over 100,000 miles on that puppy and doesn't see any reason to sell it...

Glad you had fun on your Sprint, best of luck with the Bonnie and your choices next spring!

Sydneywizard · 09-08-2008, 09:07 PM

Damn Calliway, another Sprint stalwart bites the dust.

Good luck with the Bonny, matey and I hope you have lots of happy miles on her.

dolson · 09-08-2008, 09:12 PM

Totally understandable Calliway. Don't stay away "K"

Don

hootieST · 09-08-2008, 09:23 PM

We all have our reasons Cal for pondering a different motorcycle. And yours are certainly valid. Heck, I'm 5'10' and my knees get darn sore after awhile too! And when I was trying to convince my wife to join me on my outings, I seriously considered a Moto Guzzi California as it would be fairly easy for her to get onboard. But she changed her mind, so I keep the Sprint.

Have fun on the Black beauty, they're a great looking bike!

Cheers,
Mark

CLB · 09-08-2008, 09:37 PM

Wishing your wife a quick recovery. It hurts just reading that. I've been "off" a bicycle a time or two myself.

As for the Bonny...
Well... I'm afraid you're one cylinder short of a full deck. Not to worry though, I have a plan and a Dremel tool. It might be tight but I'm sure we can stuff another one in the center. Who needs a timing chain anyway?
Resist all offers to transplant fuel injection. Just let those helpful sorts know it cold starts fine as is!

Have fun with the bike. New toys are good.

Don't be any... er, don't be a stranger.

NotSoFast · 09-08-2008, 09:58 PM

Sorry you sold the Sprint Calliway. I'm glad you're going to stick around. I think you are a true asset to the forum.

KevyKev · 09-08-2008, 10:05 PM

WOW.... sorry to hear about the wife Calliway. You have my BEST wishes for her health and speedy recovery.

I too am your height/inseam----albiet alot heavier judging from your Ixil sound clip posts!

:

To be honest, I don't go on really long rides, so the ergos are great for me, compared to a race-repi bike.

Anyways, hope all goes very well with the Bonnie and also that your wife is up and well real soon!

Kev

Calliway · 09-08-2008, 11:09 PM

Short rides bike was great. Thanks everyone for the replies. I just wanted everyone to know the full story. I have no plan on going anywhere as I said. I am just not used to not having the Sprint in the garage when someone asks a question to go run out to.

num1husker · 09-08-2008, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calliway

Short rides bike was great. Thanks everyone for the replies. I just wanted everyone to know the full story. I have no plan on going anywhere as I said. I am just not used to not having the Sprint in the garage when someone asks a question to go run out to.

I've always said that it doesn't matter what you ride, it's just the fact that your ride.

Here's my next bike, selling the metric cruiser and making a spot for this one in the garage.