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I just rolled over a 1,000 miles and thought I would give a SOT (State Of my Triumph) report for those lurking and considering purchasing one.
Likes:
1. Plenty of power. I haven’t performed any mods yet (not even the 5 minute snorkel removal) and feel the engine has plenty of umph at highway speeds and definitely enough for my daily commute to work and back.
2. Rider friendly. Power is distributed evenly which makes this bike a very good newbie bike and one that will not be outgrown except for those with the extreme need for speed and or monstor torque. This is my 4th bike and feel it is plenty adequate for all types of riding.
3. Handling is great. The one thing that sold me on this bike over the Honda VTX 1300, HD Sportster, and Honda Magna was its ability to take corners coupled with slow speed parking lot maneuvers vs my other test rides on the aforementioned bikes.
4. I would add “no mechanical problems” but it better not have any with so few miles on the odometer.
5. Attention the bike gets.
6. The chrome is not bluing. This is confusing to me because I have read a lot of posts on how quick the exhaust chrome blues. Is my bike a fluke or does it only affect certain models????
Overall, this bike fits me like a glove, offers plenty of power at highway and commuting speed, and handles like no other cruiser I have ever owned or driven. Coupled with the Triumph badge on the tank (hmm…am I am turning into a brand bigot?), you just can’t beat it! I really think this might be a bike I never get rid of. New bikes will come I am sure but I think this one will always have a permanent place in my garage.
Small complaints:
1. Gas cap. Man, who invented the child-proof gas cap? The first time I wrestled with the cap to get it off I thought it was a fluke. By the third time I learned to not put it on so tight.
2. Oil site glass. Is a dipstick too hard to make for a SM? Does anyone know if there is one out there that I can purchase for my SM and is accurate? On my old bikes, I checked the oil everytime I went out, on the Triumph its once a week which I suppose is probably more than enough.
3. Center stand. How can a company make a chain-driven bike and NOT put a center stand on it for maintenance? At least make it an option!!!! I haven’t purchased a motorcycle jack yet (will likely pickup the one at Sears for 80.00) so it is a royal pain in the backside messing with the chain. By the way, this is my first chain-driven bike so I am in new territory. Overall, its really not too much of a deal so if that is all your concerned about your fears are over blown IMHO.
4. Stock mirrors are entirely too small. Must find a good replacement
Kevin...
[ This message was edited by: schwartzkm on 2005-12-17 13:06 ]
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