Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Are old style Triumph owners snobs?

I went to a open house today down at Harding Triumph Honda
I tripped over a couple of older bonneville owners.
Which a went out of my way to complement there bikes. When they asked what I rode and I told them a 2004 America
they went ahhhh turned away and acted if I wasnt there
So my questions is. Are old style owners snobs?

Push rod, right foot shift, funky electrics, light weight, British Standard/Whitworth(and some American) threads, stock forged pistions, forged aluminum rods, under square bore/stroke, leaking Amals, oil dripping - snobs.

Yup, they usually are.

There are snobs in every group.

As FJ says, they exist everywhere but the strong ones(us) simply smile and carry on.
Similar to the sports bike SNOBS, After a trip to local racing one afternoon I spotted a guy sat next to a fireblade and I had just passed a CHAIN laid in the road so when I stopped to ask if he needed a hand or lift he was quite surprised and commented on cruiser stopping for sportsbike. he was just a person that may need a hand I've no hangups but plenty of other riders had just shot on by, maybe its an age thing or are we just thick skinned? old bike snobs .... just move on to some REAL people.
Mike

I would say no....

But then I have to. I have an old Triumph (a 3HW) as inheritance when, God forbid, the old man (ie my Dad) passes away. I'm also looking at buying a Tiger Cub next year.

I'm also Social Sec for the local TOMCC and that is for all Triumphs....Hinckley Meriden and before....

So you see I have to say no.

Just cuz you own a Triumph(old or new) doesn't mean you can't be a butthead. I also have both old and new (and probably am a butthead as well ). Most old Triumph guys are ok and like the new ones as well. Some are stuck in the past and are perfectly happy there. A few of the new Triumph guys are as bad as the HD crowd in the "My stuff don't stink" arena (a somewhat justified opinion ).
I'm surprised the old guys didn't give you thier life stories on the old bikes and end with a hearty handshake. You just caught the occasional buffoon.
Mike Sr.

I regularly ride with several guys who have old Brit bikes. The range in age as well as temperment, but I can't say any of them are snobs. Some live to ride, some live to wrench (and they certainly have the right bikes for that) and some seems more intent on preserving the heritage from a historic perspective - Meaning they think they are the only persons connected to the history, and in a way they are. There's little way we, as riders of these new, fangled, reliable rides can fully understand their rides and what it takes to keep them running. Many of them are of the opinion that what we're riding isn't directly connected to the past British scoots. I can understand that way of thinking - mostly because it doesn't matter to me. I will say this in their behalf - Most of them still ride them like they we're stollen even though many are like museum pieces. I've unsuccessfully tried to keep up with some of them. In particular, there is this 70 something guy with a BSA thumper - The best I can do with him is keep him in sight. So, in short, many may be a bit odd, a bit excentric, and a bit stuck up. As long as you are willing to except them and listen to them, they always seems to reciprocate I respect their right to be as they are because most of them are facinating, they have years of experience - both in the saddle and at the work bench AND they have some sweeeet old iron.

Only those who's bikes were made in Coventry have any reason to be.

Not the ones I know.

Chris

Go to a an old Brit bike forum, and usually you don't hear too many good things said about Hinckley bikes. But then the same can be said for some of the new Triumph sportbike owners. On places like T595.net, they generally turn their noses up at our "antiquated" bikes. Even new Bonneville owners can be snobbish about our "cruisers"(said with pursed lips).

Unfortunately, that's sure true enough, Derek.

What's a shame is that while some bike styles or brands may not thrill me personally(most NEW custom built choppers especially in my case, but "Old School" HD choppers are pretty cool in my book), the idea that any vehicle in question has only two wheels should automatically make for some allowances in regards to the comments offered up to the owners of ANY motorcycle by any other motorcyclist.

But then again, some people just never seem to understand this concept.(as you know by just reading the "Other Bikes" section around here sometimes...aka, The Harley Bashing Room)

Cheers,
Dwight
(BTW, speakin' of old Meriden Triumphs....wait till ya see the '70 Streettracker this Wednesday...I have a feelin' you'll like this old piece o' Brit Iron ...I just got it back from the shop and detailed it....Que BELLA!!!)

Even on the old school style of choppers forums I've read posts where people bash our bikes saying "they're just copying Harley". Couldn't figure that one out.

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(BTW, speakin' of old Meriden Triumphs....wait till ya see the '70 Streettracker this Wednesday...I have a feelin' you'll like this old piece o' Brit Iron ...I just got it back from the shop and detailed it....Que BELLA!!!)

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Can't wait to see it! Does this mean I don't have to put up with that embarassingly noisy sprag clutch on your Sprint all weekend?

I have to say that showing up to this vintage ride on my Speedmaster will probably be met with some disdain by the old timers I'm sure. But hey, at least I can say I rode it 2 up from Tucson.

See you in 2 days. I hope Becky can make it down from Flagstaff.

The pre-unit dudes are the worst. Consider themselves to be purists !

I'm going to the Vintage Motorcycle Club (GB that is...) Festival of 1000 bikes in July on mine. My dad has aimed to get the 3HW on the road for that...it hasn't run since '62! It's looking good at the mo for that. But my sister is looking at going pillion on the back of her blokes bike...that's nearly as new as my America and has too much plastic! That will be frowned at far more than my bike!

Our bikes have as much character as the old ones....just hope mine will make the classic/vintage age...