triumph test rides

[csj]

Had a chance to test ride a bunch of Triumph last week.
Rocket 3, Sprint, Speed Triple, and the Thunderbird.

Very unusual, they had one little girl handing out keys, credit card
check, away you go, alone, unsupervised. Fantastic day.

Loved the power of the Rocket, 50% more motor, 50% more power.
That was the most powerful big-bike I've been on so far.

The Sprint (touring type) 3cyl crotch rocket and the Speed Triple
are basically the same bike, really fast powerful creatures,
a little small for a large fella. Loved both of them.

The Thunderbird is 2cyl old school engine, the most total ear-to-ear
grin I've had on a bike. So much grunt, Great exhaust note, at least
as much power as the Valk, very little bumpitty bump at idle.
Were I to change bikes, that's the one I'd go for. It just needs
some kind of fairing.

I only had my half helmet and my prescription glasses,
and rollin down the superslab at 80-100mph on each
Un-fairinged bike. Crazy.

Oh, btw, all of them had WAY better brakes than the Valk.
I coulda went right over the handlebars on the smaller bikes.

[six2go #152]

Boy Howdy you're gonna catch he!! for even saying you liked another bike(see my Victory thread).

That Thunderbird seems to be an awesome machine, I don't have a dealer within 100 miles so it's a no go for me 

Didn't they have a 1050 Tiger to ride? I would have been all over that in a heartbeat. 

[SANDMAN5]

Me too also likes the look of the Tiger. If I was looking for a one-up
ride it would be on my short list.

[The Anvil]

Oh, btw, all of them had WAY better brakes than the Valk.
I coulda went right over the handlebars on the smaller bikes.

Now you've done it! 

[six2go #152]

Oh, btw, all of them had WAY better brakes than the Valk.
I coulda went right over the handlebars on the smaller bikes.

Now you've done it! 

ROTFLMAO 

[BigAl]

IF Brakes were the only reason you like them better.

Sounds as if you need to drain that old gunky fluid from your Valk and Replace with fresh Dot 4..

I don't think the Thunderbird is as powerful as your Valk.

New does feel good.

But soon as you leave the lot you are on a used bike once more.

[Master Blaster]

My first bike was a Trumpy, late 40s or early 50s, was a 600 Speed Twin that had been increased to 650.  What a piece of crap but I loved it.  Installed a tube type car raido in the leather saddle bag, faceplate  through the top.  About every 50 miles one of the exhaust pipes would fall loose and drag.  A Bud had an old 4 cyl Indian at the same time, and I used to ride it a lot.  Both were kick start, Trumpy was easy, but the Indian would kickback something fierce if you didnt have the timing set right.  Was military on a Nike Ajax sight just outside of New Brittan Conn.  What a trip, Ole Redneck Southern Boy up with them Yankees.  Had a  wonderful time there and will always cherish the memories.  I couldnt believe the snow in the winter, but thats another story.

[Wetrudgeon]

The grin factor with the Rocket III is high...

We trudge on.

[Chiefy]

Was toying with the idea of getting a Thunderbird a few months ago.  Back seat didn't look too comfortable for the misses.

[Tropic traveler]

Agreed on the Triumph brakes with the biggest gap being the rear. Compared to Trumpy brakes the rear brake of the Valk feels like a stick rubbing against the ground.  
I rode a T-Bird & it was similar in power to a 96" or 103" Harley, lots of torque but lacked the high end power of the Valk. I'm sure proper tune, pipes and the 1700cc big bore kit would make that up. I did not like the ergos of the T-bird with the feet out front "women in the exam chair" riding position. Don't like that on any bike!
Now the R3 Roadster with the pegs moved back closer to where they belong.......  

But alas, none of them have the smoothness of the Valkyrie.
I love my Kool-ade!!

[The Anvil]

IF Brakes were the only reason you like them better.

Sounds as if you need to drain that old gunky fluid from your Valk and Replace with fresh Dot 4..

I don't think the Thunderbird is as powerful as your Valk.

New does feel good.

But soon as you leave the lot you are on a used bike once more.

Al, I agree that a fluid change might help but really, the Valk's brakes are two generations old now. Any further back and you're looking at drums. The Valk is helped immensely in the braking department by it's wheelbase and weight distribution, but the Triumphs are sporting much newer design paradigm brakes. That's not a slam on the Valk, it just is what it is.

[Valkahuna]

Now you see Anvil, we must be getting used to you at long last! Last time you said basically the same thing, a bunch of us (myself included) jumped down your throat. 

You still say the same things, but now in a different tone.

BTW, I do agree with you about technology changing a lot, but if properly maintained, the Valk still has braking capabilities that are better than most riders skill levels. Also, keep in mind that stopping a Valk and a Trumpet (Exception of Rocket III) are two vastly different propositions.

IF Brakes were the only reason you like them better.
Sounds as if you need to drain that old gunky fluid from your Valk and Replace with fresh Dot 4..

I don't think the Thunderbird is as powerful as your Valk.

New does feel good.

But soon as you leave the lot you are on a used bike once more.

Al, I agree that a fluid change might help but really, the Valk's brakes are two generations old now. Any further back and you're looking at drums. The Valk is helped immensely in the braking department by it's wheelbase and weight distribution, but the Triumphs are sporting much newer design paradigm brakes. That's not a slam on the Valk, it just is what it is.