Green Bikes, Good or Bad?

[W. Tripp]

Does anyone know the origin of the superstition by chance? I thought a green bike would just mean more people would "envy" my Rocket.

I have heard so many stories over the years that I am not sure what is truth and what is folklore anymore. But the most common story has to do with the military bikes in WWII being loud and the riders commonly being shot off them. But then again, I have been told this particular superstition goes back even farther than WWII in Europe and that it was only reinforced and/or brought to the U.S. at that time.

Many say it is a carry-over from early autoracing superstitions (recorded as early as 1911 that I am aware of) that also involve eating peanuts in the pits.

More than likely it is a based on the older European superstitions concerning sprites/gremlins/spirits and the color green associated with them and several older religious beliefs. (Thus the gremlin bells I mentioned earlier)

At this point, who really knows?

 

[Joker]

His bike is Jaguar Racing Green, very cool indeed. Maybe green bikes are only bad luck in the US?

Aaahhh Jaguar, my other weakness.

 

[fastfreight]

It's BRITISH racing green

not Jaguar racing green, and it was the color assigned in pre-WWII grand prix racing when entries represented their nations. I would think it would be an especially good choice for a Triumph.

 

[Baggage1]

My 1st Triumph was BRG. I had it for 11 yrs before someone else decided to take it from me. I put over 100,000 on it rebuilt it 3 times. I must admit however I changed the tank to red after the 1st rebuild. Color preference you see. Makes it go better.

 

[Jamie]

This is one of my favorites. I'll let the owner share his experience.

Thanks Pig9r

No bad luck whatsoever. Only issue: 2nd gear popping out while accelerating. It happened 3 times during the first 2 1/2 years of ownership. Fixes done under warranty. It looks like the last fix is the good one.

The "green machine" (it's Jaguar Racing Green, indeed) dates back to Oct. '04 and I am still deeply in love with her. I cheat on her (who does not?), occasionally. First with a Daytona 675 and now with a Street Triple. But it's still my preferred mount

Jamie

 

[trackerjack]

The "green machine" (it's Jaguar Racing Green, indeed) dates back to Oct. '04

I thought you had your paint job in 2005 Jamie ?

One of the nicest Rocket III I have ever seen anyway !

 

[Jamie]

I thought you had your paint job in 2005 Jamie ?

One of the nicest Rocket III I have ever seen anyway !

Yessir. She actually was born cardinal red in Oct. '04. But even back then, I already envisioned her as a "green machine". It took me several months to research and determine exactly which kind of green hue she would get.

Choices eventually boiled down to four: Aston Martin Jade Green, Triumph Aston Green (last seen on the Daytona 955i Centennial), plain British Racing Green and... Jaguar Racing Green.

What an excruciating decision process

Best. Jamie

 

[RoadVenture]

Is it true that green bikes are bad luck? I was talking to a co-worker and I mentioned that I might want to go with British Racing Green on my Rocket and she mentioned that green bikes are bad luck. Anyone out there with a green bike that is all in one piece? What are your thoughts on this?

You might want to check with KAWASAKI on that opinion........

 

[Guffer]

You know, you might have a point about unlucky green. My Bobber was the only (mainly) green bike I've had and the number of times it accidentally fell over in the garage was just spooky. I toyed with the idea of naming it "Christine" because it seemed to be possessed by a demon of bad luck! Unlike Christine the car though, it didn't fix its damage on its own unfortunately.

 

[idk]

14 year old post resurrection, we have a winner!!!