Triumphrat

UraniumC

Finally. After some false starts, late Sunday afternoon my new Bonnie rolled into the garage for the first time.

She's a 2006 Goodwood Green (what we used to call British Racing Green on my Spyder back in the day)

Almost exactly one year old with 232 miles on the clock. No typo. 232.

I'm still kind of amazed that I can hand over some pieces of paper and ride off on a beautiful motorcycle like this. Having the pictures of dead presidents on the pieces of paper seems to make all the difference....

Seems she was a little big for the previous owner and suffered the indignation of being dropped twice.

She a few small rashes to show for it: one on the left engine casing, one on the right exhaust, some scratches on the right hand mirror and a chip off the edge of the front fender. While my eye goes straight to them, of course, they
would take a fairly close inspection for the average observer to notice. Character scars, and I've got a few of those my own self.

When I first rolled her down the seller's street I thought I had made a huge mistake. As per my previous emails, I'm a pretty big guy and, after the VTX the Bonnie felt tiny under me.

After a few more miles, I settled in and by the time I rolled up my drive after 100 or so miles she felt just perfect. What a sweet, sweet ride!!

The 790 is surprisingly responsive, even hauling me around. Quick, smooth and very willing. I will have to get used to the smaller torque range and the need to down shift a bit more. But that's easy enough as the gear box is precise and positive in its action. Small price to pay for the nimble handling.

Corners that took some concentration and effort on the X now just slip on by, and at a faster pace.

Where the VTX was "in your face" in its power delivery (and ho boy that could be fun!) the Bonnie delivers with a more urbane nonchalance. Opps, am I really doing 75 already?

Will be interesting to see how she runs with a few modest mods.

As predicted on this site, she does draw comments at the gas stations. At the first stop a couple of 1%ers had gathered to check her out when I walked out. Nice enough guys, but they had trouble believing this was an '06 bike. At the second stop a guy in a car asked about her, expressing surprise that Triumph is still around.

While this is probably common enough for most folks on this site, it is a bit new to me. Typically, strangers don't approach me much.

Oh, and she returned just over 50 mpg on my first tank of gas. Pretty impressive for a bike not yet broken in.

At one point, walking back to her after a stop, I was struck again with just how good looking these bikes are. And, they are precisely what a motorcycle is supposed to look like! :wink:

Cheers,

JC

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JC
2006 Goodwood
Progressive Front Springs, TORS, Tach, Dart Fly Screen, Extended Seat Bolts and, of course, Union Jack License Plate Bolts.
Formerly: VTX 1800C
"God must love stupid people; He made a lot of them."

Jbay

sweet, congratulations!!!

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"GOT TO KEEP THE LOONIES ON THE PATH"

pabonne

Congrats! Great write up... now where are the pics? :-D

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2003 790 (black, not Black) KARK'd, K&N Cones, Staintunes, 130/42 jets, 2.5 turns out, BC Superbars, CRG LS mirrors, Generic Rubber, 16t

Why? Too many H-D's.

walc

Congratulations!
It is a great bike.

mecscc

Congrats!. Lovely bike, lovely color.

As you know I don't mod, get 50+ mpg routinely.

So, get right on those mods, particularly bigger jets, and let's get those mileage numbers down in the 30s where they belong! :-D

Just kidding, of course. Its YOUR bike and you should do what makes you happy. Sounds like the stocker is already putting some smiles on your face. My, usually unheeded, advice for all new buyers is to put a few THOUSAND miles on her so you know what you bought, and will have a realistic chance to know what YOU want to change, not what other people think you ought to change.

That is called, if I recall correctly, "whistling in the wind." Maybe the word isn't "whistling?" :-D :-D :-D

ENJOY!!!!

Monte

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Monte

"The Old Ohio Preacher Man"

UraniumC

Thanks, guys!

Pabonne...

haven't posted pics because:

A. She's bone stock, except for the tach, and..

B. I haven't taken any pics yet, and...

C. (the real reason) I don't know how.

No worries, Monte....

sounds like you and I are on the same page regarding mods. I've always been slow to change my bikes. Other than a back rest and rack, risers and highway pegs, my X was bone stock. Turned out to be a plus when it came time to sell.

As for the Bonnie, I'm still sorting out how I'll carry stuff on her. The Triumph fabric bags look cool to my eye, but I might also just bungee a bag to the seat when I need to. Hate to hang anything on her beautiful lines...

TORS, air box et al are the big question. From what I've read on this site, while the power and sound are nice the penalty in mileage and range is significant.

Guess I'll have to meditate on that for a while. As you observed, as is she's already putting smiles on my face... :wink:

JC

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JC
2006 Goodwood
Progressive Front Springs, TORS, Tach, Dart Fly Screen, Extended Seat Bolts and, of course, Union Jack License Plate Bolts.
Formerly: VTX 1800C
"God must love stupid people; He made a lot of them."

dazco

Amen. Until i first saw the classic triples in the late 90's then the twins later on, i hadn't seen what i felt looks like a motorcycle since the 70's or early 80's at the latest, Vtwins aside. (but not my COT)

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2005 Speedmaster, Neon Blue, Thunderbike pipes, snorkel removed, UNI filter, drilled airbox, 130 mains, TBS needles.(2 shims) And speaking of Speedmasters, HERE'S MINE