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You're absolutely right Ed. It happens every time a new model comes out. I bet it even happened when the Legend and last Thunderbird came out. "That ain't no Triumph." Heck, I'm sure they even nitpicked the crap out of the 2001 Bonneville (standard). "What? No oil leaks and the electrics work reliably? That ain't no Triumph."

True enough even today. I occassionally ride / associate with several folks that ride "pre-Hinkley" Triumphs, BSAs, and other Brit bikes. Several can't accept Bonnies, Americas, Speedmasters as "Real Triumphs". At first it was annoying, then it got old, and now, after some time has pasted, I bask in the glory of its "un-realness" when they do their frequent maintenance and repairs. I sometimes find myself wanting to take a jab or two, but, I like to think of myself as I do my ride - I'm just a bit better than them...

2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)