 Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Learned Hand
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I havent been on as much over the last few months but I have seen a trend and its starting to bug me a bit. I dont know when it happened but the speedmaster and the America seemed to of become the second bikes on here. It might be my imagination,but there seem to be more and more posts about other bikes are members are buying and pushing the old speedy or America to the back of the garage or worse getting rid of it. And worse yet we are saying yea your new bike is great wish I had one. I know they have been out for a while and might need some upgrades but god now im reading how the handling isnt great or its underpowered. Its a freaking 790 and it runs like a motor twice the size. OK I feel better now. I ride cause I love it and 4 years later still, for me the best looking bike out there. Thanks for the time you may now return to the 1500 rumor forum 
Chris
Pain heals, Chicks dig scars, and Glory last forever.
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Got the wife to agree that I can't have a stable with only one bike, and the only other bike to spoke to me was the speedy ..... some of the other bonnies mumbled at me and the speed triple laughed at my 24 inch inseam..... do TBA and Speedy it is, for me, 2004 and still loveing it! Ride safe 
Warren
04 Caspian Blue and Silver America
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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2003 America.....still love it. The only bike I'd consider chopping her in for is the Rocket 3......can't afford one so I'm here for the duration !!
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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I still love my very first bike, a 2004 Speedy, but I would like to have the new R3 Tourer as a second bike.
Dave
04 SpeedMaster, Windvest Screen, Leatherworks Bags.
F&AM, WM 3 times
Rifle & Pistol Competitor
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
... Its a freaking 790 and it runs like a motor twice the size. ...
Stern, I have bad news for you.
The Kingpin has a motor twice the size of a 790, and blows it away in every department. OK, the Triumph has nicer chrome bits.
Look, the Speedy & America are what they are - mid-sized cruisers. Nice bikes, good mid-range torque, good handling and GREAT looks. But they're getting dated and Triumph should be embarassed they haven't come out with something in the 1200-1600 range to keep some buyers from trading up.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Don't take it personal Kevin but with that reply you are probably one of those that Chris refers to.
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they're getting dated and Triumph should be embarassed (sic) they haven't come out with something....
Uh, don't take it personal Phil but no kidding! 
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
Look, the Speedy & America are what they are - mid-sized cruisers. Nice bikes, good mid-range torque, good handling and GREAT looks. But they're getting dated and Triumph should be embarassed they haven't come out with something in the 1200-1600 range to keep some buyers from trading up.
Yeah, that's not going to win you any friends around here.
I'm fairly certain John Bloor's balance sheet is not the least bit embarrassed. 
Last edited by FriarJohn; 10/19/2007 7:24 PM.
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
I'm fairly certain John Bloor's balance sheet is not the least bit embarrassed.
Agreed Friar John, Bloor is a crafty businessman. He moved twins production to Thailand to reduce production costs while keeping it mostly a secret from buyers. And he managed to hold the line on prices, thus increasing his own profits. Brilliant. 
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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 Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
But they're getting dated and Triumph should be embarassed
  
Where's that tar & feathers?
Dated? Try Classic.
Like my favorite pair of blue jeans or my wife's little black dress  , some designs are just right ,
and should be left alone.
Victory is another Harley clone. They say it isn't, but who's kidding who? It has power and handling, but that just means it's a well-designed Harley clone.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I hear this same thing from my harley friends all the time. They go buy a sportster 883 and immediately start complaining about power and wanted to trade up. If you want a big 800 lb gorilla, then why not buy one to start with. For me my 03 speedy has been just what I wanted. Did a few mod's to make it my own and the standard stuff to unleash the power that it has available. For 20k miles its been a solid bike. I have no desire for a bigger cruiser. I do, I have to admit, lust after the new ducati 1098, sprint st, tiger, Aprilla, and about a dozen or so other bikes. None of them cruisers. I all ready have the perfect cruiser. I almost bought a bmw R1150R before I got the speedy. Even went to get it on a saturday after checking it out a few days before. Only reason I didn't get it was the dealer couldn't prep the bike that day. They did offer to get it ready and deliver it to me free of charge. I said I'd let him know. Then happened upon the triumph dealer and brought home my speedy the next day. And there you go....
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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Quote:
Agreed Friar John, Bloor is a crafty businessman. He moved twins production to Thailand to reduce production costs while keeping it mostly a secret from buyers. And he managed to hold the line on prices, thus increasing his own profits. Brilliant.
Ever the cynic, eh Kevin? 
I do expect you are having fun here (with this thread) and that's totally cool.
It does sound like you need to trade you 05 Speedmaster (I am assuming this is what you currently own?) on one of those AWESOME Victorys and seriously, good luck with that.
You ride, it's all good brother....
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Well, neither my America or my brother-in-laws Speedy is being traded on anything... We luv our scoots and thats the way it is!!!! Y'all have a wonderful Triumph day frum us down here in Cochran, Georgia ya' hear..... 
Last edited by KimoYogi; 10/19/2007 8:50 PM.
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Hmmmmm. Victory will never have the provenance of Triumph, and is a HD wannabe V twin me too bike, so yes, I guess it blows. Where I see the styling of the Triumph's classic, and attract others with the classic look and the heritage, I think the Victory will become a dated bike that people look back and say, oh yeah, that was that 00's Ness look faux custom look in vogue back then.
So for me, a bike with a clear earned persona, a heritage, a true mark, or...a new bike with a desire to be something special, but has yet to earn its mark. I choose Triumph.
Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.----Thomas Jefferson
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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"So for me, a bike with a clear earned persona, a heritage, a true mark, or...a new bike with a desire to be something special, but has yet to earn its mark. I choose Triumph. "
It has been a fun ride and I agree. when is it going to get common place to have a Triumph?
Warren
04 Caspian Blue and Silver America
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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Quote:
when is it going to get common place to have a Triumph
I hope never....
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: May 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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If dated design is an issue, get something with a modern design... ... like a V twin -- a design that dates to the early 1900s!
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Sep 2007
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Sep 2007
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Quote:
when DID it get common place to have a Triumph?
Fixed.
50's onwards and still they 'look' better than any of the jap, harley looks imo. That's why I bought mine anyway.
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
If dated design is an issue, get something with a modern design...
... like a V twin -- a design that dates to the early 1900s!
Didn't Triumph have a V-twin in the early days?????
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Love my SM wouldn't trade it for anything except maybe a SM and an America.
I bought mine because I have been riding Triumph twins for over 30 years and liked the look and feel of the new air cooled twin. Mine is a 790 and I am very happy with the power and feel. All I have done to it performance wise is Freak, no AI, removed the cross over from the exhaust, and gutted the pipes followed by rejet so it wouldn't run lean. I will probably do a BB or BB/stroker but not until it needs to be rebuilt.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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I'll get rid of my Speedy when they pry it from cold dead hands.
Soren
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Bloor has done a couple things better than any of the others. he brings bike to market that are both ready for the market and ready mechanically. I love the speedy. But, come on, there are other bikes with different personalities and fun-ctions.
Does it handle like a sport bike- not even close. Power like the big twins- nope. Ride like a 'glide-wing- aaannntttt.
For bopping around town and my local commute, it's is the best in its class.
I'd like to have a thruxton/ new 1700 Triumph/ tripple and side car teh speedie. There is room for more than one!
I swore to only have one wife- forsaking all others. no one said anything about only one bike...
2002 Bandit 1200/ GSXR cams/ 1277 BB Kit/ Holeshot header and can/ 38mm flatslides/ a good head/lotsa hp/lotsa tq- lots of rear tires...
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Well Chris, the way I see it is that we have an "other bikes" forum. That's what it's for. Face it, the BA/Speedmaster isn't for everyone. Some people get tired of it and want something else. If they've been active here and are saying adiós, why not wish them well and be glad that they're still riding? Even if they still want to hang out because of the friends they've made. That's cool too, ain't it? And here's another point. While many have taken long trips (even a couple of ironbutts on here), this is not an all around bike. It's a mid weight cruiser, albeit the coolest one of those around. Many who do different types of riding want more than one bike (I personally think that having at least four different types of bikes would be great) and ask for opinions on this board because this is where we come to find a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as different opinions. For instance, I want a bike that I can tour on with my wife on the back. The Speedy is not satisfactory for that purpose (for me anyway). In a year or two I will buy one, so far considering the Moto Guzzi Norge and the new Kaw Concours 14 (really sweet!). But that doesn't mean I will be getting rid of my Speedmaster. Far from it!! I've been setting it up as a solo because I feel it's inadequate for two up, but great for just me. And sometimes, riding is a very selfish experience  
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
I love the speedy. But, come on, there are other bikes with different personalities and fun-ctions.
And there are other websites for those bikes.
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
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Quote:
And there are other websites for those bikes.
So true John So True
Chris
Pain heals, Chicks dig scars, and Glory last forever.
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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Who needs other websites when we have another forum section for 'other bike chat' after all we are all bikers at the end of the day. I still post on a sportsbike forum for that very reason. 
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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"they're getting dated....." They were "dated" when they first came out. That's why a lot of us "dated" people bought them. A reincarnation of the Bonnevilles a lot of us owned pre-wife, pre-kids, pre-mortgage, etc. And these Americas and Speedmasters have the same thing going for them. They're different from the mainstream. They have lineage that was lost for a while but is now resurrected - an English vertical twin. I still love my 2003 America. Sometimes I think about Rockets and Triples and Tigers, but it's just a passing fancy. Others act on those thoughts. Things change. It's just conversation. Enjoy what you like and ignore what you don't. Someday there may be 6 of us left, but we'll still get together for a ride somewhere, somehow.....
More flags
More fun!
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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When I do PGR runs, I get a chance to talk at length with a number of Harley owners.
If I had a dollar for every time I've heard: "Nice looking bike" "I wish I kept my [insert Triumph year and model]"
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Quote:
They were "dated" when they first came out. That's why a lot of us "dated" people bought them.
EXactly Deon. Like when making a oratical delivery two months ago, I prefaced a particularly inciteful comment with "A few years ago when I was thirty", my (older & much wiser) sister made a barely audible snorting noise from the front row, only heard by the speaker.
Some of us live for barely audible snorting noises
Ride on brothers & sisters
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
And there are other websites for those bikes.
Fair enough. But there are other threads on this site for that, too.
If we can't share our tastes for different bikes, music, wine, beer, pubs, etc, then were one step closer to being just like those other guys we so enjoy thumbing our noses at...
2002 Bandit 1200/ GSXR cams/ 1277 BB Kit/ Holeshot header and can/ 38mm flatslides/ a good head/lotsa hp/lotsa tq- lots of rear tires...
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Chris, you are exactly right. Its about speed. They mod them, big bore them and many are still unhappy. Many bought the wrong bike. If you wanted a sport bike: You bought the wrong bike If you wanted a Bagger/Tourer: You bought the wrong bike If you wanted a cafe racer: The Thruxton was the one If you wanted it to bash Harley: You are not a biker you are a punk If you wanted speed:  If you wanted an iconic bike with a new classic line that went well on the highway and stood there commanding admiration as it was not trying to be anything else: You bought the right bike.  My bike is not for sale, ever. I bought what I wanted the first time.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Quote:
... Its a freaking 790 and it runs like a motor twice the size. ...
Stern, I have bad news for you.
The Kingpin has a motor twice the size of a 790, and blows it away in every department. OK, the Triumph has nicer chrome bits.
AND, exactly that it IS twice the motor, and has Fuel Injection, and ALMOST EXACTLY TWICE the price, so if it CAN'T blow away the America or Speedmaster, well, I guess that makes it just another Harley, doesn't it? SO, for the person watching his budget, since most of us have these as secondary vehicles, I can have a very good performer with GREAT looks, for 8 Grand, OR, I can buy a bike that looks like another Harley, albeit a better performing Harley, for 16,000. Seems pretty simple to me, but then, maybe I'm a LITTLE biased, but my checkbook isn't!(and I'm quite sure that I wouldn't have gotten half the comments on a Kingpin as I have on my lowly America either, although that really wasn't even on my mind when I bought the bike)
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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 PS Phil, I think Kevin does have a Victory also...
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Yes, Kevin has a Victory and a Triumph. I think thats very cool. He has a bike that is more suited for the preference of more power and torque and thats certainly a better animal for two up touring.
And he has the bike we all know and love. Different bikes for different uses as I see it.
"Proud to be an Infidel" ... "100% pure American Jingoist"
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Well, personally, I think it's HERESY to have another bike besides his Speedmaster, and he should be drawn, quartered, his head put on a pike, and then burned at the stake just for good measure!! You want to join him BLASPHEMER?!
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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And the four parts distributed to the four corners of the kingdom ...as a warning.?
"Freeeeeedom.............
"Proud to be an Infidel" ... "100% pure American Jingoist"
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Just don't be showin' me yer ****** Kev, seeing Mels was enough that once thanks!!
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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I had a Warrior, twice the motor, 1 1/2 times the weight, I doubt very seriously the Victory outhandles the speedy, V-twins are overhyped and boring, I am the poster child for buying a bigger bike (motor) and now seeing the error of my ways am back in a Speedy! Go buy your Victory, but it ain't for me!
Triumph Scrambler Diablo Red & Silver (2014), Arrow Exhaust, FI remapped with TTP #4, 16 tooth sprocket, Triumph Gel Solo seat & Rack, Progressive 440 1" lowered Shocks, SAI & O2 Removal, Airbox Restrictor Plate removed.
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Re: Just wondering ( A small rant)
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Thanks for the laughs guys, this has been one of the funniest threads here ever. Some of the comments were nearly HARLEY-ESQUE in tone.  And not to mention any names but there may be a couple of youse that have some self-esteem issues to work on.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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