Coming up on two years since I met the Speedy. She's been good to me. A TON of fun. I think I love her. I guess I'm gonna keep her. I officially tied the knot. I had The Brand stitched onto my denim and leather.
Did that with the wife's name. 48 years now, and I'm still not sure I'm keeping her. She's on double secret probation.
You know it is funny...I always knew that one day I'd own a Triumph, ever since a buddy showed up at my house to say good-bye on a 650 Tiger in 1972. He said he was dropping out of med school and "Heading out to see the country" (haven't seen him since). I have always felt there was a mystique about the "Umphs." As you said, there's "something about them." Class? The whole "Distinguished Gentleman" thing? I dunno. I like being different, always have. The Speedy stands out in a crowd. She's different.
The Harley silhouette never did anything for me, regardless of how hard they try to sell their style and image. The Honda VTX silhouette is what got my motor running, and then I saw a Bonneville, and a Bonneville America parked side by side one night ina parking garage. It was all over after that, and I didn’t know a thing about Triumph then. The whole Go Your Own Way mindset rang a bell, and then after owning one and realizing how performance oriented the company is with a hard-core focus on handling…and reliability. I lasted 9 years and 90,000 miles before I felt I owed an obligation to get the tattoo. To whom? I’d have to say the bike. It’s the only tat on my hide, and in plain sight every single day, and very few people ever see it.
Did the same .. then No 2 reckoned it needed covering for some reason? "Naw, it'll fade sweetie." Years later I still catch her checking. Funny bunch !
After my first Victory motorcycle I was sold on the brand. I owned a total of four between 2001 and 2019. They ran rings around any Harley I'd ever owned or ridden. Just superior machines, I got a Victory tat on my upper left arm. I have a few tattoos. The wife doesn't care. She has a few of her own. However, when she saw the Victory ink she said, "What happens if Victory goes out of business?" (they eventually did). "Well, it doesn't say "Victory Motorcycles." It says "(Victory) Nothing less" which is also my personal philosophy. Ha!