Saw the new Triumphs today. Meh.

[bpreynolds]

Now before anyone accuses me of not having warm blood flowing through my body, let me say they are nice bikes, there's no doubt about that.  But when I strolled into my local dealer I expected to be knocked off my feet.  The photos are stunning.  Online the attention to details and such seems outlandishly awesome.  And I generally love Triumphs.  But there they were right in front of me, a Thruxton R, a Street Twin, and a new T120 and I'll be darned if I didn't feel a little let down by the whole package of each one.  The R had been pre-purchased but the owner backed out of the deal when it arrived with no details as to why.  The T120 had some nice touches and I was surprised that I actually found myself gravitating more to it than any of the others, but even then nothing made me want to get out the checkbook.  Something about the tank shape on the R in person that bothered me and didn't come off nearly as well to my eyes in person as in pics.  I guess, I dunno, all these bikes including the Ducati Scramblers sitting next to them, very nice machines, but they all in person strike me a little bit of trying too hard for something that Guzzi seems to get without even trying.  Even bikes like the Racers that are kind of over the top in styling still seem tastefully authentic when compared with the bikes I saw today.   All subjective, of course.  And golly, you'd have to be a hater to kick either of those new Triumphs or even the Duc Scramber out of the garage, but still I wasn't nearly as impressed as I thought I'd be.  I'm sure Triumph will sell - and a I understand it, already have sold - a bundle of them.

[jlburgess]

That's because you own a Griso 
I'm still as happy with mine as the day I bought it and I don't see anything else I'd like more.  I saw the Triumph's at first and thought maybe, but no thanks.

[jbell]

Interesting.  I'll have to head down to the local Triumph dealer to take a look.  That whole pics vs real life thing can go either way.  Sometimes, months of anticipation just can't match the reality of the bike or the reality of what that 40/50 year old bike we remember was like to ride and maintain.

[Adan]

Completely subjective of course, but seeing them in the flesh, the radiator ruined it for me.  Aesthetics are such a major piece of owning a retro bike like this, but so much of that is lost with the radiator.  It's sort of a slippery slope -- if I'm going to have a radiator, why not have a mono-shock as well, etc.

On the other hand, I'm really impressed by what they did with the fuel efficiency (in part of function of liquid cooling, of course).  Aesthetics aside, the Street Twin has some appeal.

The Thruxton R kind of struck me as having a "trying too hard" quality to it, aesthetically.  More like a vanity project than a real café racer.  People criticize the 9T (which I own) of being this way, but I think the Thrux goes even further.

[Kev m]

I'm still waiting to see them in person, and I still expect to like the T120 a LOT.

But with Harley just releasing a new XL1200 Roadster... I THINK I might have found what is going to join our fleet next!

[fotoguzzi]

I'm still waiting to see them in person, and I still expect to like the T120 a LOT.

But with Harley just releasing a new XL1200 Roadster... I THINK I might have found what is going to join our fleet next!

that does look nice.. in the pic at least.. 

[lucky phil]

Now before anyone accuses me of not having warm blood flowing through my body, let me say they are nice bikes, there's no doubt about that.  But when I strolled into my local dealer I expected to be knocked off my feet.  The photos are stunning.  Online the attention to details and such seems outlandishly awesome.  And I generally love Triumphs.  But there they were right in front of me, a Thruxton R, a Street Twin, and a new T120 and I'll be darned if I didn't feel a little let down by the whole package of each one.  The R had been pre-purchased but the owner backed out of the deal when it arrived with no details as to why.  The T120 had some nice touches and I was surprised that I actually found myself gravitating more to it than any of the others, but even then nothing made me want to get out the checkbook.  Something about the tank shape on the R in person that bothered me and didn't come off nearly as well to my eyes in person as in pics.  I guess, I dunno, all these bikes including the Ducati Scramblers sitting next to them, very nice machines, but they all in person strike me a little bit of trying too hard for something that Guzzi seems to get without even trying.  Even bikes like the Racers that are kind of over the top in styling still seem tastefully authentic when compared with the bikes I saw today.   All subjective, of course.  And golly, you'd have to be a hater to kick either of those new Triumphs or even the Duc Scramber out of the garage, but still I wasn't nearly as impressed as I thought I'd be.  I'm sure Triumph will sell - and a I understand it, already have sold - a bundle of them.

What your suffering from here is you have hyped it up so much in your mind that it cant really be anything but slightly disappointing in the metal.
Happens to me with movies when I see the shorts. looking forward to seeing it so much that it never meets expectations.
Then again some bike just Photograph really well and don't look so good in the flesh and others like the Grisso I think look lousy in photos and much better in the metal.
Ciao     

[Guzzistajohn]

Oh a post about what someone doesn't like......this will go 30-40 pages

[CalVin2007]

I'm still waiting to see them in person, and I still expect to like the T120 a LOT.

But with Harley just releasing a new XL1200 Roadster... I THINK I might have found what is going to join our fleet next!

    Ok Kev....but when you decide to pick up that new Sporty I call dibs on your current one!

   Terry

[cruzziguzzi]

I went down to the new location of AZ Superbike for Guzzi bits and had an opportunity to look at the new Triumphs as well.

I came away much the same in that while I was not particularly disappointed, I did expect more form them in the "flesh".

It seems they are very excellently portrayed in advertising and review photos but in person they were just "nice".

Not at all bad, and in fact, I really didn't think much about the lack of impact until reading this thread... Just kinda - nice.


As far as these are concerned:



Taking what I enjoy the hell outa in my own Spurtster and adding a fine injection (though my Sport has the best set up carb that I've ever ridden), rubber mounts, dual-four pot brakes and better suspension travel than my Hugger - it looks tough to beat in its class and outside of its class in some cases.

I'd like to have their Cop/Fire side bags on it for utility's sake.


Todd.

[Scud]

A Triumph thread has only one picture. It's of a Harley - and it appear four times. - just sayin'

[janusz]

I'm still waiting to see them in person, and I still expect to like the T120 a LOT.

But with Harley just releasing a new XL1200 Roadster... I THINK I might have found what is going to join our fleet next!

This is very good looking bike, a real competition for MG bikes. I was thinking to add a BMW RnineT to my stable next year but now I have to seriously revisit my plans :)

Thanks Kev_m for posting this :)

[cruzziguzzi]

I was thinking to add a BMW RnineT to my stable next year but now I have to seriously revisit my plans :)

There's another interesting variation on real and media based perceptions right there.
They had an RNineT in the entrance of AZ Superbike and compared to the photos and video I had seen of it, it was stunning in person. Quite the opposite of the effect of the Triumphs on me in that reality beat out media-sell.

It looked considerably smaller and better thought out than I had perceived from the media surrounding it.



Todd.

[Cool Runnings]

I'm still waiting to see them in person, and I still expect to like the T120 a LOT.

But with Harley just releasing a new XL1200 Roadster... I THINK I might have found what is going to join our fleet next!

Why buy new, when slightly used will do. Tons of 1200's for under 5k.

~just sayin'

[leafman60]

I've seen the 900 and the T120 in the flesh and I was as impressed as I had been with the photographs. Great effort from Triumph. The Thruxton is going to be a hot rod.

[Kev m]

Why buy new, when slightly used will do. Tons of 1200's for under 5k.

~just sayin'

Tons of em, sure, like the one in my garage (which isn't going anywhere anytime soon cause it's my tour bike, when I'm not doing it on the V7).

That said, this offers a lot...

ABS
Keyless ignition
USD forks
Lighter wheels
Smaller instrument pod
The cosmetics I've preferred since I saw my first Sturgis Shovelhead models.

Hell, I've hated a lot of the gaudy Harley tank graphics over the years. Even in my first Harley I bought new in 93 I had a new tank custom painted and hand lettered. Nice, simple, name instead of a gaudy badge. So they even got that right on this one.

Yeah, I could save a few bucks building this, but it would be a compromise or cost more once I figured my own labor.

I'd rather just add to the fleet.

In other news, discussing it with Jenn. She thinks she might want to add a Ducati Scrambler decked out for touring as her second bike.

[lucydad]

Picked up the STRX 675 at my dealer today.  While waiting, asked about the new Bonnies:  still NONE on floor.  All pre-ordered, all sold, all picked up so far.  The T120 turns my eye, maybe. 

That XL1200 is pretty, do they make it in other than flat black?  Must weigh a ton though. 

Been pondering empty space in my moto-only garage a bit.   Still thinking about the BMW F800GT...a lightweight, made for touring bike.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/motoring/car-reviews/bmw-f800gt-review-not-hellraiser-4109198

By the way, the Trumpet has a cpu remap, new firmware, and was checked thoroughly.  No clear cause as to no-idle.  Triumph America (top level) got interested in my experience after I answered a one-year owner's poll and gave them the story.  We need dry weather here in Houston, TEXAS and I will take the Trumpet for a 200 miler and hopefully rebuild confidence in the bike.

[kingoffleece]

I saw a Street Twin in the flesh and thought "home run."  As for the radiator, didn't bother me in the least.  I liked the way they made it smallish without any attempt to hide it-it is what it is.  Euro 4 is responsible, as we all know.

I've had 3 Hinkley Bonnies and found them all great.  Got a V7 for a change of pace-very pleased with that machine as well.

[DaSwami]

Triumph the company here in the US are good people and have great customer service, and their dealers always seem happy.

I'm with the OP, saw a T120 in the flesh and was underwhelmed.  Don't know why.  Forgettable bike.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but that Harley looks like if you sat on it you'd be humping a horse while grabbing his ears, while he is sitting on his haunches.  Where is a "puke" emoticon when you need one??

[LowRyter]

I was pretty impressed with new Triumph.  It looks lighter and smaller than the last Bonnie, sized and looks more like the original IMO.

And then you have a spirited Thruxton that looks tasty and should actually perform. 

Sorry, I won't even get comment on a Sportster.   

[krglorioso]

it looks like we're all agreed, then.

Brian, you'll  be trading your Griso in on a new Sportster. 

Enjoy.

Ralph

ps:  Will you be wanting your black leather jacket back?

[fossil]

Well, as I wrote in another thread, I had the opportunity to compare the new Triumph bikes directly to the V9. The Guzzi in comparison simply looks more valuable. More genuine. But: the new Triumphs all are nice bikes. In my opinion they are at par with the Honda CB 1100.

The Harley is great! I am really delighted they have a Roadster again in the Sportster lineup.

[marc-s]

Girlfriend got herself a Street Twin some weeks ago. Nice looking bikes. There are some areas where modifications would be appropriate. Like spedometer, front light mounting brakets, the headlight itself... however that is subjective. I just don't like the finish of those components. On the other hand there are many aftermarket suppliers offering a bazillion of parts. The bike itself runs very nice and I like the engine compared to the previous iteration. More punch, more character... less "linear" but still predictable. Well done.

[bpreynolds]

Well, as I wrote in another thread, I had the opportunity to compare the new Triumph bikes directly to the V9. The Guzzi in comparison simply looks more valuable. More genuine. But: the new Triumphs all are nice bikes. In my opinion they are at par with the Honda CB 1100.

The Harley is great! I am really delighted they have a Roadster again in the Sportster lineup.

Funny you should mention the CB as it immediately came to mind when I was looking at these new Triumphs, me even thinking the Honda pulls the styling off a bit better. 

As per the Harley, I've had posts on this board proclaiming my fondness for the Sportster line.  Great looking bike and I've obviously always preferred the standard peg mounts so that one is indeed sharp.

it looks like we're all agreed, then.

Brian, you'll  be trading your Griso in on a new Sportster. 

Enjoy.

Ralph

ps:  Will you be wanting your black leather jacket back?

Ralph, you must keep the coat; everyone knows you look better than I do in any leather jacket.  Just yesterday I was riding and sporting my Roland Sands leather bike jacket (purchased at 1/3 cost at the local Motorcycle Superstore Warehouse here in Louisville).  Walking into a store I caught a glimpse of my librarian self in the store window, sadly much more Nerd About the Word than Rebel Without a Cause.

[fossil]

"Walking into a store I caught a glimpse of my librarian self in the store window, sadly much more Nerd About the Word than Rebel Without a Cause."

Now that was funny!

[Kev m]

    Ok Kev....but when you decide to pick up that new Sporty I call dibs on your current one!

   Terry

I'm glad you like Terry. Though even if I do get the new 1200R in the next year or so, I'm currently planning on keeping the XL1200Lr as my "touring" bike. At least until the kids are old enough that they can both accompany Jenn and I to rallys and such, at which point I'd probably replace it with a larger "touring" bike (Cali 1400, Dyna, RK, etc.).

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but that Harley looks like if you sat on it you'd be humping a horse while grabbing his ears, while he is sitting on his haunches.  Where is a "puke" emoticon when you need one??

Well, like you said - Beauty is in the eye of the Beer-Holder, so I can't argue at all except to say I feel differently. And that's cool.

[redrider]

Some like, some not. The only modern Triumph models that have a soul are the triples IMO. The others may look retro but the 270 crank kills it for me. The few that I have ridden were almost Honda bland. The Sportster has never looked right-like a German Shepherd. Low in the hips and tall at the head. No offence intended to those who love them, just not for me.

[Penderic]

Triples?



So Mr. Marketing Guy, whats Iconic with the new twins? 

[DaSwami]

Is it me or does that guy look really tiny on that bike?  Can his feet even touch the ground?   Did he need a hand to mount that steed???

[Chuck in Indiana]

Is it me or does that guy look really tiny on that bike?  Can his feet even touch the ground?   Did he need a hand to mount that steed???

Speaking of horses.. I agree with your simile, btw.. maybe that guy did like I used to do when I was 3-4 years old. I'd put the bridle on Connie, lead her over to the fence, climb the fence and clamber on.