Triumphrat

Originally Posted by Emanthehorse

Actually, I was more struck by the similarity than the differences.

By the 1982/83 model years, Triumph had sorted the bikes out to the point where they were as good as the Japanese bikes of the time. Not the big multi-cylinders of course, but the 'standard' Japanese twins.

When I let people ride my 82, they always come back with a smile on their face. A lot of the old time riders are intimidated at the thought of a right side shift, so they never rode the old style 60s and early 70s models when they were everywhere. The HD guys that ride my Bonnie are surprised how NICE the bike is to ride. You don't have to work at riding it, left side shift, disk brakes, nice handling, good riding position, electric start, 5 speed gearbox etc. I recently had it out at a Triumph/Britbike/Brit car repair facility because an alternator they had sold me had failed. They replaced it and test rode it around and almost didn't want to give it back, they all agreed it was an easy and fun bike and just made you happy to ride it.

When I first rode the 2012, I was surprised how similar they are. The T100 has more power and stops better. The electrics work without worry.
The T140 is for sure lighter, has decent power, handles a little nicer and the mirrors are superior to the T100.
I firmly believe that if the T140ES has been priced competitively, it would have done really well. But it wasn't. The crushing debtload the factory had, made the Bonnie a pricey bike and in the early 80s, people didn't have the money.

Originally Posted by Emanthehorse

This might amuse you guys, I'm seriously considering buying one of these!