Triumphrat

DOUBLEL · 07-22-2009, 10:52 AM

So far, my bike has been excellent. However, the bike doesn't seem to like the city streets running in the 30-45 mph range. It can't decide if it should be in 3rd or 4th gear and starts chugging if I'm in 4th at say 40-45 and drop in speed to 30-35. It causes me to downshift and to 3rd. At 30-35, the rpms's fall to around 2000 in 4th so I need to drop to 3rd. You just can't cruise around the streets in third gear. I'm about to bring the bike in for my 500 mile service. I asked the mechanic what he thought and he said these bikes like higher revs but he would take a look at when I bring it in.
Anyone else running into this? Any suggestions or do you think it is more of the way the bike is set up?

Gob-ny-geay · 07-22-2009, 11:15 AM

A low slung, 750 pound, 100 ft. Lb. torque "Cruiser" that "likes high revs".
Torque peak is at 2750 RPM, HP peak is at 4850 RPM!

Run, don't walk, to another mechanic. This one likes to dream up exotic excuses.

What's wrong with 2nd to 3rd gear whilst at 2500-3000 RPM or so? The point should be not to "lug" the engine, and maintain proper RPM's by means of what gear you are in.

The opposite of this would be a low bottom end torque, high rpm Horsepower bike that would need "High Revs" to move along in slow traffic. That is NOT what the new T-Bird is.

Get a second opinion.

dazco · 07-22-2009, 11:29 AM

You're just not used to i yet probably. If you never owned a bonnie or speedmaster or any of the twin derivitives then thats why you feel like this to be sure. I felt that way about my speedmaster at first till i got used to where the engine was happy. These triumph twins all have a short stroke low RPM motor that has a very different feel from many other bikes and for me it caused me to feel the same way you do when i first got my speedaster, but that bike got me ready for this one and i have none of those feelings about it. The thing is, your mech is dead on. These bikes love to rev, but at the same time has such a wide RPM range due to the very low torque that it's capable of running a wide range of RPM's happily. You can stay in 3rd and the revs aren't going to go anywhere near too high for most city driving, or you can use 4th and it won't be lugging it. In other words, you are feeling that the engine isn't where it should be because you aren't used to it, yet the engine is perfectly happy nearly anywhere. personally i stay in 3rd till i hit about 3.5k, then i'll use 4th. I think you'll feel different after you put some more miles on. I am assuming you never owned one of the triumph twins? because if thats the case i understand why you feel like this. And i think the main reason is you feel like when you choose between 2 gears, the lower one feels like you're lugging it, but you aren't.

DOUBLEL · 07-22-2009, 11:42 AM

Thanks for the opinions. I just traded my '06 America with 16k on it and don't remember it having any trouble in city driving. It did only have a 5 speed so that probably changes things a bit. I think what ya'll are saying is as long as it is reving at around 2500 or so, it is still ok to be in 3rd if that's what makes the bike happpy!

Derby Boy · 07-22-2009, 04:15 PM

I rode tested a Bird last weekend. One of the tests I gave it was letting it drop to around 1200rpm(kind of a guess with that tiny tach) in 3rd gear then twisted the throttle about 1/3-1/2. It went thump-thump then launched real strong. I think what you are feeling is the low end pulsing because of the 270° firing order. On my bonnie I can go as low as 2k in 5th and still pull out without it bucking (no power tho). Normally I putt around town at 2500-3500 and it does fine. After riding the bird, I'm sure it will cruise at 2500.

Rayzor61 · 07-22-2009, 08:50 PM

I agree with Gob.......this guy is a wacker. This bike DOES NOT need high revs.......he was thinking about a GSXR or some other hi-compression straight 4 cylinder. In the city, you can ride more in 2nd and use 3rd on a stretch or good road before you hit a stop sign. TOO many inexperienced wrenches out there............these bikes liked to reved......lol.......who is he Valantino Rossi???????????