| Author | Message | ||
     Danger_dave |
Picked up a Tbird test bike this afternoon. T call it the Touring Package - but it's a pretty fair shot right at the Hog market. The big twin is very tidy and it handles and does everything nicely. I think it'll look nicer with the screen off too - two second job. Will give it a better squirt when the rain stops.  | ||
| Bartimus |
Very nice looking bike, I seriously thought about one when I was looking to unload my Harley. But it felt too heavy, and didn't make enough power to pull me into a sale. Looking forward to your thoughts on the bike. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Interesting. I've already done a test on a standard T'bird. Lack of power or excess weight were not things I noted. Actually - quite the opposite really. I like the engine and outputs - for the ground clearance available - which would be my only gripe - but that's common for cruiser based chassis too. I find them pretty tidy overall. | ||
| Blasterd |
When I tested it thought Wow, this thing is pretty powerful! Torque was great and it the right spot, brakes were pretty good for cruiser and it was comfy and handled great. If I am buying a cruiser it is the one, and yes I have tested just about all of them on the market. | ||
| Patches |
"Harleycated Trumpet" Pretty lame analogy at Trying too copy what Harley-Davidson is offering. The Japanese have been trying to copy Harley-Davidson for years. "but it's a pretty fair shot right at the Hog market" Harley-Davidson still has the Biggest Market Share. Nothing new about what you say. Harley-Davidson still NUMBER ONE! | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>Pretty lame analogy<<' Got a better one? | ||
| Hootowl |
Thanks for the info Dave. Will your review appear in print, or do you test a bunch of bikes and only have room for a few articles? I don't understand where the negativity is coming from. Though I do agree with RT on one point...You suck!  (ah, the life of a motojournalist) | ||
| Danger_dave |
Suck-wise, I usually get a brief for how many words and pictures required for each vehicle. I get paid by the word and per photo set submitted. Only had a few that didn't make it to print. Posting online and on the forums is social - though it often gives me an angle to work to - like 'Harley enthusiast says lame'. After 10 years in the caper I'm pretty much un-offend-able. Don't mind any feedback really. I also thought I was wrong once - but was mistaken. (Message edited by danger_dave on August 20, 2010) | ||
| Danger_dave |
And of course there's always the online megalomania. http://www.kiwirider.co.nz/ | ||
| Whistler |
-"I thought I was wrong once - but was mistaken."- My Dad used to say the same thing but slightly differently, " I thought I made a mistake once but it turned out I was mistaken". I've borrowed that line more than a few times. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Dad was a wise and confident man :-) | ||
| Patches |
Dave, I apologize for the "lame" commit. Just why does every bike have to be compared to Harley-Davidson? The bike in the picture you posted looks more a Honda Shadow than anything Harley-Davidson has ever built. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Maybe it loses something in the translation. What I meant is: Triumph has produced a bike in a style that is reminiscent of a Harley-Davidson. They have done so in an attempt to lure some of Harley's market share to their product. By design. They have done a pretty good job of it too. Nice bike. (Message edited by danger_dave on August 20, 2010) | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>Dave, I apologize<< All good this end - I did mean if you have a better one I'll be happy to plagiarize it. :-) | ||
| Moxnix |
Dave, you're a lucky man. Making a living in the bike trades by riding everything and being a scribe. Harleycated is spot on. The Triumph looks like a useful tool for steelhead season, what with the bags. | ||
| Patches |
No Sir, and I do get the "They have done so in an attempt to lure some of Harley's market share to their product. By design." Still it looks more like a Honda Shadow to me. | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>Just why does every bike have to be compared to Harley-Davidson?<< Fair comment too. The bike could pinch some of the V-star market just as easily. I guess H-D is the benchmark for lots of things - besides hacking Buell owners off. | ||
| Danger_dave |
I'm not arguing appearance-wise. Just been trawling the H-D site to see what it compares to. Road King looks closest. And Roady is one of my personal favourite bikes - now with the 103 cube. Super glide Custom also similar under the fruit. | ||
| Doerman |
The BIG Triumph looks more like this:  Than any current Harley. The benchmark in the cruiser class is Harley, so the comparison is natural. When Hyundai releases a car in the luxury class it is immediately compared to a BMW (Azera -- 535). That's the burden of being the benchmark. Harley and BMW marketing department will see it as free advertising and an advantage. Harleycated?? So there's been some international, in the shadows fornication happening? | ||
| Ourdee |
All twins are inlines. | ||
| Sifo |
All twins are inlines. I like to think of BMW's as rotary twins.  | ||
| Danger_dave |
>The BIG Triumph looks more like this: << Might be time to get the ol' glasses prescription checked. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
If you are looking at HP/TQ specs, the Triumph is stronger in both than the HD big twin. 75/93 HD 85/107 Triumph | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Harleys and every Buell but the Blast are twins. Back on subject (kinda), I went to a Triumph dealer the other day. Pretty much made up my mind that my next bike, in addition to the 1125r will be one of the triumph modern classics. I just can't decide which one I like best. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Scrambler. Very versatile machine. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
That or a bonneville. I really like the thruxton, but it's riding position isn't much different than the 25r. If I'm gonna have two bikes, I want two different riding experiences. | ||
| Doug_s |
my 2nd bike was a 1980 yamaha 850 special. (first was a '73 honda cb450, purchased in '75.) when i bought the yammie 850, i wanted a seca 750, but couldn't afford it - it was a new model, & the 850 was a leftover and a great deal at the time. this was the closest to a cruiser type bike i ever owned.  i replaced it w/an '83 honda 750 interceptor, which was superior in every way - including comfort. i yust don't get the fascination w/cruisers. i find them quite un-engaging to ride. but, to each their own. until h-d dumped buell, i would recommend h-d's to folks wanting a crusier, because they're so iconic, even if they never held any fascination for me. but, if/when i decide i need to get a cruiser for a more sedate ride, it will be something like this - my idea of a cruiser:  doug s. | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>my idea of a cruiser: << Way too much suspension travel for a cruiser. I'd call that a 'standard'. | ||
| Danger_dave |
The scrambler does the stuff the others do - show and shine, stylin'-wise - and it can do a fire road or even an ADV ride just as nicely. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Just back from a decent ride. It's a very capable bike. Testament to how good a cruiser it is - it's very nice on the open road too - while not as good as a purpose built bagger - it does a pretty good job as a weekend-away bike. Handles great - delightful engine. Enjoyed it on the dirt and some of my sportsbike roads too. Very tough to call what I like better - the 103 cube V or the 1600 twin. |
