Triumph

No shipping content in this post but still a subject the AM likes to blog on.

Readers will know that the AM bought a Triumph Street Triple in 2010. Melbourne's Triumph dealership organised a ride day last month with all the current models. Originally booked was the new Tiger 800 adventure tourer and the 2.4 litre Rocket III, but this was unavailable on the day and subbed for an old school Bonneville T100.

Bonnie T100

First ride was the Bonnie, and a real surprise on how smooth the 865cc parallel twin engine is and how civilised a ride the was on the 16km city circuit. The twin doesn't have the fire breathing acceleration of the triples but was perfect as a commuter and weekend rides. With the lack of rider protection, it would probably be limited as a tourer but the ergonomics make it a worthy choice if you're not into Harleys or the metric cruiser scene. The AM was caught out by the fast idle on the dummy carb EFI blocks of the cold Bonnie, realising after about four sets of lights that it wasn't supposed to idle at 2,000 rpm.

The second ride was the new Tiger 800, released last year to complement the Tiger 1050. The 800's engine is derived from the Steer Triple's 675 and that's just what it felt like - a hotrod street bike engine in a trail bike frame. The acceleration is wicked, even with the detuned engine and it loves to rev. Best environment for this bike is windy, country roads at extreme lean angles. It's not as extreme as a motard, but tempts the rider to brake late and lean hard.

Thanks to Peter Stevens for organising the day and the logistics of getting the 20 or so riders signed up, breath tested and on bikes by 10:00 on a Saturday morning. On the basis of 3 years and about 30,000 km between bikes it will be end-2013 before the AM is back in the market again. Eldest is just about to get their full license and it looks like the Bank of Dad will be financing a used 600 Kawasaki ER-6n.

AM