Despite the late hour, I am posting now so I can say I collected my new Scrambler today! I'm loving it already. I started motorbiking in my teens, in the 70's, having had a wealth of stories about British bikes from the 50's, from my Dad and step Dad (Bill). My first bikes were my mum's and Bill's hand-me-downs (and put paid to my cycling days, but that's another story): Honda C70, Honda CD175, Honda C90 (on which my then girlfriend and now current wife and I braved 130 miles through a freezing January day to visit said mum/Bill), Suzuki GT250 (on which I passed my motorcycle test by not hitting the man with the clipboard), GT750 (with expansion pipes - noisy, and frequenter of lay bys on the South Circular for 30-mile plug changes), GS850G (civilised), then cars until my mid-40s. A "dream" BMW R1150RS, which was vibey and soulless, another break from 2006, and now a Triumph Scrambler. I fancied one the moment it was launched in '06 (and still love that red/white/chrome look), but the BM had killed it for me. I started looking at pictures again a few weeks ago, and took the plunge again. The new bike is red/silver/black and I'm keeping it pretty standard at the moment. I might add a fly screen to take the edge off the buffeting at speed, but otherwise it has a Scottoiler (the shaft drive bikes spoiled me), a black brake fluid reservoir, engine bars, centre stand and grab rail. What I love about this bike is that it is hewn from a single lump of metal, is Britsh, and looks like a proper Wallace and Grommit bike. It is very similar in size, weight and shape to my old 850, and seems to me to be the last of the old fashioned bikes built using modern methods. I've enjoyed 60+ miles of rolling round the B roads today, despite the cold, and can't wait for the warmer days I bought it for. Tally Ho!
Hello Si and welcome. Nice choice of bike to get back into the groove on. Looking at your avatar, did you buy it from Staffordshire Triumph. Where abouts in Cheshire are you.
Thanks for the welcome messages chaps... Tiglet - yes that's Staffordshire Triumph. They're a great dealer for a Triumph fan, but I guess y'all know that already. I live near Northwich/Knutsford. Nearest landmark is Pickmere Lake. I had two short rides yesterday - and despite the season, spotted two other Bonnies on the road. Things are looking up!
Hello Si and thank you very much for your full introduction. Welcome to the Triumph Playground - Enjoy that new Scrambler, you lucky dog !!!!!!
Another short ride today... I have 500 miles to do over the next month, and that's all the excuse I need! There was some water left on the road after the morning's rain, so now I even have some dirt on the bike. I'd wanted to keep it shiny, but it has a desire to get dirty, and just wants to play in the puddles. I think I'd better make an appointment with the ACF50 / All Year application fella - the temptation to play is just too strong.
Not really mate - it's going through, just VERY slowly !!!!! Should get the keys for the new place in the next 2/3weeks, but of course that won't release any dosh, just the opposite in fact.
Hi Si, Staffordshire Triumph is were I got my Tiger 800xc from excellent dealership. I used to cycle to Pickmere Lake from Moulton with a couple of mates on a Sunday afternoon when I was about 14/15 years old just to see if there were any girls there Have you got the Scrambler run in yet.
Tiglet - not run in yet I don't enjoy the rain on two wheels, so I have snatched a few rides between showers. I've been running it up to about 4,000 revs max, and cruising around 2-3,000. It seems very happy at 50mph rolling round the lanes, but I'm working all the gears and not stressing the engine - in other words, not overtaking much yet! Despite that, I'm enjoying it. A lot!
Hi - Cheshire is great for the lanes. I'm planning a trip out to Derbyshire today as the sun is out at last. I need to get some miles in, so my beasty can stretch its legs a bit. It's a while since I've seen a "running in" sign, but I feel I should fix one to the back of the bike. All part of the retro scene! Speaking of which, we caught up with the BBC docu on Golden Years of British Bikes. I had to go into the garage and stroke my bike after that!
