Grief about owning a British bike?

[barbagris]

Mayor's ride at Biketime event. Outta about 200 bikes, who gets their picture in the newspaper

The Deerhunter!

 

[Rocket Scientist]

The Deerhunter!

Yep, the bike was a little straighter in those days

 

[1K9]

Never have I been rejected or declined space at the local HD hangouts. When I park I don't spike, get a beer, leave a good tip at the bar and go admire the HDs. They return the looks and ask questions. I give respect and get some back.

 

[Wrecka]

Anyone that gives me grief about riding a Trumphy get this response , ................ over to you Twiki

 

[Bull]

Never experienced any grief, just lots of questions and awe!

 

[budman]

most harley riders don't want nothin to do with the rockets..that 'extra' cylinder throws their thinking off kilter..

 

[warp9.9]

Friends, I'm in the market for a used RIII and will likely be picking one up tomorrow.

I've owned two bikes, both Kawasakis. I had initially wanted an Indian as I began looking for a bike again (as I like the idea of an American bike) but the Rocket caught my eye and hasn't let go. Not to mention, the Indian REALLY is out of my price range. HD has just never done it for me.

Sitting there last night, started wondering if Triumph riders get grief for not riding an American bike the same way riders of Japanese bikes do. The folks I hang with don't care one bit (and I REALLY don't either) just wondering if Triumphs are viewed the same by those that do care.

Just want to know what to expect!

 

[Claviger]

Friends, I'm in the market for a used RIII and will likely be picking one up tomorrow.

I've owned two bikes, both Kawasakis. I had initially wanted an Indian as I began looking for a bike again (as I like the idea of an American bike) but the Rocket caught my eye and hasn't let go. Not to mention, the Indian REALLY is out of my price range. HD has just never done it for me.

Sitting there last night, started wondering if Triumph riders get grief for not riding an American bike the same way riders of Japanese bikes do. The folks I hang with don't care one bit (and I REALLY don't either) just wondering if Triumphs are viewed the same by those that do care.

Just want to know what to expect!

No, no grief whatsoever. Never even a peep out of anyone about being british in a negative light. 6/10 comments are positive praise of Triumph or the looks, 3/10 are comments about "omg that is ridiculous (regarding displacement or HP), 1/10 is "I bet I could beat it on (insert 1000cc or 1400cc sportsbike)" or "It's still a cruiser though".

Really, precious few have anything at all negative to say about the R3R in my experience, and the negative comments are usually qualified comments like "I love my Harley, but I like that too", kind of, backhanded insults, because they don't really know how to knock the R3.

TBH, when you ride the R3 you feel like the king, and in fact, you are the king of the cruiser market. Anything anyone has to say is almost certainly because they're A: Uninformed and or B: Ignorant about the R3.

PART of the reason Japanese bikes get a lot of ribbing/poking, is that they really all look quite similar and sound quite similar to the untrained ear. They're easy to stereotype as a result. Good luck stereotyping a Rocket III

 

[BillyIndiana]

Never had a problem

Seems like every Harley guy I run in to has a Triumph story to tell. Either they had one, dad had one, or grandad had one.

I get different comments depending on which bike I am on.

Everyone likes the America. As soon as I tell them it is a Bonneville engine on a cruiser frame they are in awe. I brought an older gentleman to tears this last year when I let him sit on the America and start the engine. BTW my 790cc Triumph twin is more than able to giving most Harleys a run for their money. I am pushing almost 70hp out of that 500 pound bike.

The Rocket is an oddity at first to them. Get used to playing 20 questions. Then there will be that one guy that will have to test you. Have fun. Best thing I did this last year was let one of my Harley friends take the Rocket for a spin. The smile he had on his return was priceless. When we are riding in a group together he loves telling his buddies about it.

Things you need to know the answer too.

I didn't know they still make Triumphs? Correct answer.........Yup ever since 1902.

Where do they make those? Britain, UK, England

Is that a 6 cylinder? 3

How big is the engine? Note..you must tell Harley guys 140 CI........2300cc just confuses them.

How many HP? 140 (easily with a few mods and a good tune)

How much does it weight? 800 pounds

How does she ride? She is the battleship of motorcycles smooth and steady with power to destroy.


That's a good start. Enjoy...Oh ya you pilot a Rocket and we are Captains

 

[germ79]

That's a good start. Enjoy...Oh ya you pilot a Rocket and we are Captains

Well, heck...that explains a lot! I was a bit confused by the captain references! Haha!