Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Sitting at the bar minding my own business

I was in San Diego, CA on a business trip a little over a week ago, and I was in Zia's Bistro (located in Little Italy) having dinner, when two guys come up to the bar and sit next to me. I was wearing my Triumph mechanic shirt, and they asked if I rode, or worked for Triumph. I replied that I rode and owned two Triumph bikes. I was expecting them to ask the normal questions I usually get, but I was pleasantly pleased that they both replied that they also owned Triumph bikes (a Bonneville, and a T100). So, we had a very nice conversation about motorcycles and Triumph bikes in particular.

So, it seems times are a changing regarding Triumph motorcycles, and I mean that in a good way.

Tom

I find in my travels that Triumph tee shirts spark almost as much conversation as showing up on the bike. There's a lot of respect out there for the marque. Sure makes owning one fun.

Well it sure is more unique than seeing a harley shirt!!


mike

Walking out of the grocery store recently an older man late 70's and his wife were eyeing my bike. First thing he said "I thought they went out of business years ago". Then, "I rode triumphs back in the 1950's"...you can imagine how the rest of the chat went. We both walked away with big grins. Not the first time either.

oh yea, the wife and i were out for dinner a while back and she happened to be wearing a Triumph T-shirt (that green one that i like on her sooo much) and after we were seated for a few minutes the cook comes from out of the kitchen and comes right over to our table and ask the question "do ya'll ride Triumph" so we talk, the usual talk and he tells us all about having had one in the 70's and that he was recently looking at a new one. anyway bla bla bla and i get the best steak dinner from a resturant i have had in some time hahahahaha dessert was on the house, we didnt order it, it just came to the table (crembrulay(sp)), i told her she should wear that shirt more often when we go out to dinner hahahahaha she laughs when someone starts talking about Triumph and sez "here we go again" she knows this is gonna take a few minutes hahahha

Great story Myke.... thanks for sharing that one.

Good stories. Seems it has been said somewhere on this forum but if you have a Triumph, you'd better like people because you'll be talking to a lot of them. Seems like almost every time I stop somewhere, someone stops to talk about "Triumph" and how they used to own one.

I enjoy that when it happens, and it seems be happening more often now.

The last time this happened to me, some bloke from an old soviet block country (going by his accent) was asking about my bike. He points to the Triumph badge and says "Triumph, is Russian, da?"

I was going to start a new thread, but will tack on here:
The Triumph apparel I see for sale online is all priced at MSRP. Does anyone know anywhere that discounts it at all?

Any comments about the sizing of the shirts and jeans? Yeah, I am thinking about getting the jeans believe it or not, along w/ a T shirt and one other shirt.

Picked up a few yards of topsoil yesterday. My utility trailer has the bike tire chock mounted on it. At the dirt store, the front end loader guy asks if I had a Harley. Answered no. He begins to rant about all the HD lookalikes out there and I remained silent. After he loads me up (couple minutes), he asked me which one of them I rode. Triumph, I said. Oh, he said. End of conversation.

Stopped back by a couple hours later for another load. What did I hear from the lot? "Hey Triumph!" - with a big grin. He gave me an extra scoop that trip.

A couple of weeks back me and my good friend riding to a local coffee shop.An old guy[my age] gets out of a big chrysler walks over and says "Triumph's the real deal.A real bike.I used to have a '70 bonneville etc.etc."
Totally ignored my friends Harley.
Not the first time we've been riding and the Triumphs got the attention not the harley

Much better than the usual I get, "is that a Harley", or "Oh, Triumph. is that a Harley model".

I'm guessing the HD guys don't care much for that line of talk either.

I had a fellow ask who makes it? I said Triumph. He said ya I know but who makes it?

Well Chad, the simple answer to THAT would be, "Those Limeys!"...oh, and NOW of course, "And those little Thai people, too!"

(...maybe THAT'S what he was askin' about, huh?!...I mean, it appears even some folks around HERE who ALREADY OWN a Triumph occasionally ask THAT, right?!)