Triumphrat

Silverado57 · 03-24-2006

The weatherman is predicting wet weather for the weekend so the Speedy took me out for a ride today. I took a couple of routes that I have driven many times by car but had never ridden the bike on. Always a good learning tool when you lean into a new turn for the first time.

1. The Speedmaster has some serious oomph.
I had to merge onto a busy interstate, and up a steep hill mind you. The bike pulled my fat can smoothly into traffic with very little effort. We were moving but I was hardly pushing it and was doing 70 effortlessly. Man, I was impressed.
Later, I was entering a 50mph state highway from a standing stop. Since the bike still has just under 500 miles, I've been treating it with the love and adoration of a machine I hope to own for many years, and had not revved it beyond 5K until today. The bike moved briskly to 50 and at 5,500 RPM in 3rd I could really feel it pulling. This engine can really move!

2. Semis put off some nasty air.
After pulling onto the interstate, I was approaching the right hand side of a truck. Not wanting to pass him on the right, I dropped back a bit until I was just behind him on the right. This is a turbulent spot. Note to self: either make a proper pass or stay well behind trucks.

3. Pump jockeys love Triumphs.
I had gone 100 miles since the last fillup and stopped just before home to top it off. The kid at the pumps looked at the Speedmaster with respect and admiration. We talked about it a bit and I was off. What a great feeling!

Sorry for the rant. I love to ride, and I love my Speedmaster.
Happy Friday!
:chug:

dazco · 03-24-2006

kevin, i think you deserve the "most thrilled with my triumph" award ! Seen a lot of love here from members gushing bout thier sickles, but you gotta be the happiest speedmaster owner yet. You get the "happiest with my bike" award ! :-D

PS: haven't ridden in 3 weeks !!! weather among other things. But weather is gonna be good this weekend and i'm off to who knows where..

meatwagon · 03-24-2006

Right on kevin.I can feel your enthusiasm too.It only gets better with time;soon you will have the oil change/600 mile service and can start winding it out some more.After 1 or 2k miles the whole engine is just getting better and better;wait till you do a good hard run,the motor will beg for more believe me.These Triumphs like to work.Congrats.
I will also echo Daz's comments;nice weather this weekend (for a change) time for a good long ride.Enjoy!
Stay out of those blind spots!!!!

ssjones · 03-24-2006

Quote:

On 2006-03-24 16:53, Silverado57 wrote:
The weatherman is predicting wet weather for the weekend so the Speedy took me out for a ride today. I took a couple of routes that I have driven many times by car but had never ridden the bike on. Always a good learning tool when you lean into a new turn for the first time.

1. The Speedmaster has some serious oomph.
I had to merge onto a busy interstate, and up a steep hill mind you. The bike pulled my fat can smoothly into traffic with very little effort. We were moving but I was hardly pushing it and was doing 70 effortlessly. Man, I was impressed.
Later, I was entering a 50mph state highway from a standing stop. Since the bike still has just under 500 miles, I've been treating it with the love and adoration of a machine I hope to own for many years, and had not revved it beyond 5K until today. The bike moved briskly to 50 and at 5,500 RPM in 3rd I could really feel it pulling. This engine can really move!

2. Semis put off some nasty air.
After pulling onto the interstate, I was approaching the right hand side of a truck. Not wanting to pass him on the right, I dropped back a bit until I was just behind him on the right. This is a turbulent spot. Note to self: either make a proper pass or stay well behind trucks.

3. Pump jockeys love Triumphs.
I had gone 100 miles since the last fillup and stopped just before home to top it off. The kid at the pumps looked at the Speedmaster with respect and admiration. We talked about it a bit and I was off. What a great feeling!

Sorry for the rant. I love to ride, and I love my Speedmaster.
Happy Friday!
:chug:

I cruised through NJ today on I-78 from NY to PA, didn't see any Speedy's! I'm not a fan of riding on the interstate, jockeying with trucks just stinks. Unless you are in a big group of bikes, now that's a little fun because you can control the lane you chose to be in. (certain the trucks hate that on)

mecscc · 03-24-2006

Hey, Kevin. Glad to see you are enjoying the ride and the thrill of learning what the bike will and won't do.

I do a lot of interstate riding to get to places where I really want to ride and trucks are to be respected - especially if they are driven by jerks. To them you are less than a flyspeck.

If a truck is in the left lane I don't care how long it takes I wait until it pulls back into the right lane before trying to pass. And never sit in the right hand groove of the right lane behind a truck because of the turbulence - guess you learned that! :-D Most importantly, if you can't clearly see his mirrors, or at least one of them, he can't see you at all! On windy days I have actually seen bikers ride in the dead air only a few feet behind an 18 wheeler! Insanity!!!

When I pass I get into the far left groove of the left lane and accelerate. I want to get past him and into the lane in front of him as quickly as possible. I've seen guys just slowly pass trucks and that is dangerous. There is for the driver a big blind spot as you pass and if you sit there he may well forget you are there at all. And, to make it worse, I have visions of a tire tread seperating and this road gator coming at me. Now there is a nightmare!

Glad you are having fun riding. Enjoy! Ride smart!

Monte

Silverado57 · 03-25-2006

Daz, just hope I don't sound TOO much like the obesessive-compulsive mental patient kind of guy.
But hell, I waited over 30, that's THIRTY YEARS to get my first bike!

Meatwagon, looking forward to it!

Al, you passed about a half hour south of me. I was on Rt 80. Let me know when you're up this way again.

Monte, thanks for the tips. Even in my pickup I treat the semis with respect. Most of them are good drivers, real professionals. I find it's the waste haulers that are the scariest drivers.

kballowe · 03-25-2006

Listen, I have a couple bikes to ride. I get another one or trade one about once a year, Hadn't had a Triumph since 1980 - There are no dealers near here. Got a 2005 Speedmaster a couple weeks ago and I'm like a little kid with a new toy. This thing is GREAT! :tongue:

NOW - it the weather would just warm up a bit.

outback_rat · 03-25-2006

Quote:

On 2006-03-25 05:42, Silverado57 wrote:
But hell, I waited over 30, that's THIRTY YEARS to get my first bike!

I'm right there with you Silverado...waited thirty-six years myself and chose the Speedmaster as my first "serious" weapon of choice. My first bike was a Yamaha Virago XS250. It is required of most ppl here in this part of Australia to ride a 250cc for the first 12 months unless completing a three stage rider safety course. Upon completion I traded up to the Speedy.

I love my bike!!!

Moggy · 03-26-2006

3. Pump jockeys love Triumphs.
[/quote]

Pump jockeys, customers at Petrol stations, waitresses at Cafes, patrons at Cafes, anyone over the age of 40 if you are parked up for any reason and mostly ME !!! :wink: