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Oh and another thing......
When the salesman extolled the virtues of the new Speedy( assuming it was running that is) I pointed out the diminutive size of it and that tomorrow I'll be riding 250 miles to Devon then back next day. Whereas I have done that many times on my various TBAs and have no hesitation with the Tbird, I simply wouldn't contemplate it on the new Speedy. He just looked blank...' but we're selling lots of them.'
I suppose that in itself justifies production, but I doubt they're selling to serious motorcyclists...at least those who come in adult sizes.
Ok rant over now.....



Alan, from how I read that line of yours above which I placed in bold letters, it seems to me that you're suggesting that "serious motorcyclists" are only or at least primarily only interested in cruiser style motorcycles.

Now, that MAY just be an unfortunate choice of words on your part, but if it wasn't, then allow me to remind you that Triumph's modern cruiser line was never a large portion of their overall worldwide sales, nor indeed a style of motorcycle which, first, Triumph was or had ever been historically associated with in the past, and secondly, nor the style of motorcycle even most "serious motorcyclists" think of when the name "Triumph" is mentioned.

In other words, and just from my own anecdotal observations since I purchased one of the very first Bonneville Americas back in late-2001, for every one BA or Speedy I've ever seen out there on the roads of California and now here in Arizona, I must have seen 4 standard style Bonnevilles out there during these past 17 years.

(...and once again, THIS observation even took place here in the good ol' U.S. of A., and where the cruiser market and the demand for such a style of machine, percentage-wise, among the motorcycle purchasing public is much larger than over there in the U.K. and the rest of Europe)

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Hmmm, Dwight, Olde Beane, just an unfortunate choice of words on my part. In fact I'd say most serious motorcyclists will be found amongst those who aren't especially interested in cruiser style bikes....there are other machines much more practical to use.
It's maybe a reflection on myself...I ride a lot and long distance ( e.g.leaving in next half hour on a 500 Mile trip ...back tomorrow.) ...it's just that I can't see the point of spending all that money on a bike which CANT be used as a practical distance machine should the owner so wish.
Again, maybe my quirk.

I took the Road Less Travelled. Now where the ****** am I?