 Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 20
Complete Newb
|
OP
Complete Newb
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 20 |
Why do I get the feeling that we (TA/SM owners) are second class citizens in the Brit bike world, in general, and the Triumph world, in particular? Am I wrong? If not, why is this so? 
2003 Speedmaster, Red/Black
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335 |
Because the Triumph cruisers are neither fish nor foul. They're British made, but American styled.
-Joe Merlino
Boston, MA USA
1982 BMW R100 (decomissioned), 2003 America
Triumph: Cool enough for The Fonz, cool enough for me.
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 94
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 94 |
You're wrong. People aren't looking down on you, they're looking up with envy.
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
|
|
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
It's also probably why this site is so strong. Most of us never really found a home on the others. The question is, why do you still care? Go your own way...
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823 |
Quote:
Why do I get the feeling that we (TA/SM owners) are second class citizens in the Brit bike world, in general, and the Triumph world, in particular? Am I wrong? If not, why is this so?
i would have say no... if I am On my TBA or my 1050 TIGER its the same ...when with other triumph rider/owners...
TRIUMPH'S RULE 
Ed 
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Why do I get the feeling that we (TA/SM owners) are second class citizens in the Brit bike world, in general, and the Triumph world, in particular? Am I wrong? If not, why is this so?
Well gosh, Steve! I guess you haven't heard that "real" Triumphs don't have a 270 crank, dude! And to others, "real" Triumphs only have pushrod motors! And yet to OTHERS, "real" Triumphs don't have forward-mounted footpegs. And YET to OTHERS....well, I THINK you catch my drift here by now, don't cha?!
Listen to Friar John here. If YOU like the way your Triumph "cruiser" looks, rides and sounds, who gives a flyin' fig if some others out there are stuck in their own closed off little world view of how "things should be"...RIGHT???!!!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463 |
Nah.... the rest just don't know what's best for them.
And that's their problem not ours.
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel... 
09 America - It's very blue....
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 738
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 738 |
Quote:
It's also probably why this site is so strong. Most of us never really found a home on the others. The question is, why do you still care? Go your own way...
Well put!
British bikes with American inspiration - a blend that works for me. This site testomony to the fact that we have 1st class bikes (that we are all proud to ride) with a 1st class forum populated with its 1st class citizens.
One day as a tiger is worth a thousand as a sheep
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 533
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 533 |
Quote:
It's also probably why this site is so strong. Most of us never really found a home on the others.
True enough. I found this forum superior because almost all of the information is BA/SP specific. I don't have to sift through threads about mods and parts for various other bikes that either will not work on the model I like or have to be further modified to fit. Plus the knowledge base here is first rate. The other Triumph places are fun to visit, but I find myself hanging out here most of the time.
2018 FLHCS
2014 Surly Straggler - 16,000 miles and counting!
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 20
Complete Newb
|
|
OP
Complete Newb
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 20 |
Actually I just wanted to start a conversation on a somewhat "touchy" subject. Hopefully, it may be therapeutic. I'm not really harboring an inferiority complex in regard to this matter. At least I hope so! 
2003 Speedmaster, Red/Black
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
|
|
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
I would just say we have the best of both British made/American styling. No wonder we get on so well with those from over the pond..
Ray(UK)
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,457 |
Pulled up to a light in my work truck today where a bike was waiting. Out of pure reflex thought to myself, "wonder what kind of piece of crapp it is". To my delight it was a black America! Realized that I look down on almost everybody else.
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Actually I just wanted to start a conversation on a somewhat "touchy" subject. Hopefully, it may be therapeutic. I'm not really harboring an inferiority complex in regard to this matter. At least I hope so!
Ah HA!!! So THAT'S what you were up to here, huh Steve?!
Well folks, looks like we got us yet ANOTHER one o' them SoCal based trouble-makers among us now, HUH?! 
(BTW Steve...Did you make the Norton club New Years Eve day run out of Pasadena and up Angeles Crest Hwy to Newcomes Ranch last week?)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
|
|
Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Hardly...Id say I get a shitton more attention than I really want on my America. I don't feel second class!
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
|
|
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
Hardly...Id say I get a shitton more attention than I really want on my America. I don't feel second class!
That's because you've gone to great lengths and great expense to make your bike look like a Harley.
<running and ducking> 
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
|
|
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
Actually I just wanted to start a conversation on a somewhat "touchy" subject. Hopefully, it may be therapeutic. I'm not really harboring an inferiority complex in regard to this matter. At least I hope so!
Sounds like a classic case of denial to me. 
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 20
Complete Newb
|
|
OP
Complete Newb
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 20 |
Quote:
(BTW Steve...Did you make the Norton club New Years Eve day run out of Pasadena and up Angeles Crest Hwy to Newcomes Ranch last week?)
Unfortunately not. Do you mean to say that a purist Norton club would allow a Speedmaster to join them?
It seems they are going to the Rock Store in Malibu Canyon soon. I may tag along, but only if I'm teated with respect Check out the link below:
http://www.socalnorton.com/calendar.html
2003 Speedmaster, Red/Black
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 20
Complete Newb
|
|
OP
Complete Newb
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 20 |
Quote:
Sounds like a classic case of denial to me.
Actually, I have no choice: with a 29 inch inseam my feet don't reach the ground on a "real" Bonneville
2003 Speedmaster, Red/Black
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,541
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,541 |
I've always felt like royalty riding around on my bike. And btw, Real Bikes have Fins. Ain't that right Dwight. 
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
|
|
Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172
Saddle Sore
|
|
Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172 |
Actually, just the fact that you own and ride any motorcycle makes you a second-class citizen to most of the world. Then, if it's a British bike, you move down another class to the HD sheep and the rice rocket crowd. Since it's a Brit bike that has styling to appeal to "us Amercans"... the Brit purists hand us one more class drop. And when they started making them in a country other than Merry Olde England, yep, dropped another one. We're so far down on the food chain, we have to look up to watch the plankton swimming overhead. If it wasn't raining ice outside, I'd have to take my Triumph America for a ride, just to ease my pain.....
More flags
More fun!
|
|
|
 Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
It's all just JEL-O-SY!!  We're in a class by ourselves. 
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."
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
Personally I feel special (not ed) on my SM. Only bike I ever had with me that got more attention or started more conversations was a Vincent Rapide. Just like I used to get all the attention on my old Triumph too.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
|
|
|
Re: Second Class Citizens?
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
I went to a British bike restorers rally early in my first summer of Hinckley ownership. It is a rather tight clique, with apparently much of the same suspects in attendance each year. The Speedmaster was the only modern there, and I sensed mixed emotions from those giving it the eyeball. The group's leader saw the bike (it was black on black back then), and broke into a run & a smile any 9 year old would be proud of, ran up to me & the bike and before he could say hello, goodbye, or f' off, said: "I wanna turn one of those into a chopper." I stuck my paw out and replied: "Me too."
On the other hand, the 2nd year I attended with John & Charlie, and as this rally is open to the public and all makes of motorcycle, we subsequently brought three moderns into their den of Triumph antiquity. (Oof!) The group leader of the classics ride we participated with tried in vain to keep us out. Charlie gave him a rap that Henry Kissinger would be proud of, and Weasel Boy relented.
|
|
|
|
|
so you know Im kidding 
