Test ride on the Ikons I pulled off my CB1100 and installed on the 2016 Triumph T120. You riders from NE Ohio will know many of these roads.
I don't know what inspired me, but by 10:30 am last Saturday morning, I was on the Triumph T120 headed south from Hudson OH. Thru Marshallville on 94 all the way to US 250 (Mt Eaton.) Then I headed East, picked up 93 south to Dundee, and worked my way over to one of my favorite roads that is a very scenic back way to West Lafayette. Then headed west on US 36 toward Warsaw, but decided to not go quite that far and picked up SR83 north. I was simply going to ride 83 to Wooster, pick up 585, I 77, and head for home. Not to be.
A detour at Millersburg put me on 241 that ended up dumping me into a huge traffic jam and more damn people that one would expect to be shopping and eating in the Amish area near Baltic. I would never purposely ride into that area, especially on Saturday. In the jam for at least 20 minutes, creeping a car link at a time. I haven't spent much time in that area since my 2016 hospitalization, and didn't even recognize some of the intersections, what with all the touristy restaurants and shops. I found myself riding thru Millersburg for the 2nd time today!
I'll give the T120 high marks ....... she is a quick little roadster! The HT (High Torque) engine makes passing slower traffic on the two lanes a piece of cake. I saw an indicated 90 mph on one section of I 77 close to home. Don’t normally push a bike this fast. The Triumph retro is rock steady.
Long story short ................... ...... got home about 4 pm, 235 miles later, with a very sore butt! I'm obviously not up for this like I used to be.
I did like the Ikon shocks (7610-1507) on the Triumph, a much more compliant ride. I initially ordered them with lighter springs for the now-gone CB1100. Roger at Ikon USA had confirmed that with the correct bushes, they’d fit but would be approx. ¾” longer than the stock shocks. Steering feels slightly quicker, what with the rear end slightly higher.
It literally hops onto the center stand now. Unfortunately. the rear wheel doesn’t clear the ground, (can't turn it to reach the tire valve, and the front tire is now impossible to turn to reach its tire valve. Oh, well ...... can't have it all! A thin board under the stand should take care of it.
I may give biking a rest tomorrow, or take a very short run out to Burton or similar. Maybe on the cushy, old, much slower R100GS.
Later,
Bob
