Triumphrat

piercer · 12-22-2007

Hi all first post, and first Triumph!

My works offered me an interest free loan to buy a motorbike - couldn't resist, but as it is a maximum of £5000 I couldn't afford a Harley. A guy at work suggested I look at Triumphs - and here I am.

Yesterday, I picked up my new 2008 Speedmaster from Hughenden M40 (a long way from London but incredibly friendly shop which made all the difference - I did try Metropolis Motorcycles in London but they were just rude :-().

Anyway, by the time I had picked it up it was dark and freezing. To get it home I had to ride 6 miles down a completely unlit country road, join the M40 for 40 miles and then drive all the way through London.

The bike was amazing. I found it incredibly comfortable and strangely the 865cc engine felt way more powerful than my (now stolen) 1453cc Low Rider. Is this possible? The brakes were a bit scary till I got used to them :-)

Interestingly I nearly got frost bite in my fingers but my knees and toes didn't get cold atall.

I will post some pictures later today when I try to find plenty of excuses not to walk to the shops.

The funny thing is that I now feel less like a middle age man with a crisis...

piercer · 12-22-2007

Oh, forgot to mention -

It has long TOR's and sounds really good (IMHO)

Here be pictures of my girlfriend sitting on it :0

Echoance · 12-22-2007

Nice one, Piercer. Welcome to the madhouse.

I've not had my Speedie too long and she gets better with each mile I put on her.

If you fancy a trip out to the Lakes next year, have a look at this and speak to Ray (the organiser):

http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/for...=all&vc=1&nt=7

Ride safe, Neill

Silverado57 · 12-22-2007

The Speedmaster (and your lady!) are gorgeous. You'll love the bike.
Congratulations and good luck with it. Ride safe.

piercer · 12-22-2007

Thanks guys, guess I'm a lucky man :-)

Onet thing - and I know its contraversial (so putting flame retardant vest on now) - I absolutely love the new tank shape, and I prefer it to the old style one.

I am new to Triumphs and so can appreciate it without thinking that something sacred has been changed.

jimmything · 12-22-2007

You lucky dog! Did the bike come with the fox sitting on it! Congrats, a wise choice in a scoot. Geez, is that a spoiler on the back, or a license plate? They are HUGE over there!

dazco · 12-22-2007

The 08's are fuel injected over there in Europe too for the first time since the speedmaster's inception. That should be part of the reason you're finding it more powerful than your Harley was. You have to realize Harleys have the lowest performance per CC of pretty much any bike on the market. There are plenty of much smaller bikes that kill cream them.
The injected model specs show 7 more HP than the carb models and a few more Lbs of torque at a lower RPM. Probably about as much power as mine has AFTER i did all the mods. Sure would like to try one myself, but here in the states the injected models won't arrive till the '09 model year. Have fun !

Oh, by the way.......where did you meet Annie Lennox?

mecscc · 12-22-2007

Welcome and congrats! Quite a Christmas present!

Monte

SSG Rex · 12-22-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmything

Geez, is that a spoiler on the back, or a license plate? They are HUGE over there!

I think that's the new 08 AIR BRAKE

to slow it down what with all the extra power.

Nice bike! Great choice on accessories, especially the blonde one

midlifecrises · 12-22-2007

You are right about the power V Hardleys. My 07 TBA will out mussle my brother-in-law's 1400 something harley; and I still have carbies and his is fuel injected (1940's technology??)

Congrats on your new toy. If it's like mine (8,000 ks), it will get even better with some miles on the dial.