Topic: What Motorcycle Have You Been Obsessing About Today?

[Triple Bob]

Triumph Bonneville T120 is my favorite out of their lineups, it touches my tralala

That's what my brother's got.

[BWII]

Too bad they're crap though eh? 

[blur911]

I'd prefer a fuel gauge over not having one. Not having one wouldn't stop me from buying a bike I otherwise liked. Same with a tachometer.

I've never had a bike with a fuel gauge, I've only had one bike with a tach, my GPZ900R.

You get to know how far you can go and expect to change to reserve, I've rarely had the bike stop before I've switched over.

Ran out of gas with the BMW G450X, it just flashes "FUEL" on the speedo, not something you look at when off-roading.

[dkaz]

They may not have Japanese reliability but I haven't heard of Triumphs being particularly problematic to the extent that HDs, Can-Ams, BMWs, and Ducatis do.

You get to know how far you can go and expect to change to reserve, I've rarely had the bike stop before I've switched over.

Ran out of gas with the BMW G450X, it just flashes "FUEL" on the speedo, not something you look at when off-roading.

Your two sentences contradict each other. 

[blur911]

They may not have Japanese reliability but I haven't heard of Triumphs being particularly problematic to the extent that HDs, Can-Ams, BMWs, and Ducatis do.

You get to know how far you can go and expect to change to reserve, I've rarely had the bike stop before I've switched over.

Ran out of gas with the BMW G450X, it just flashes "FUEL" on the speedo, not something you look at when off-roading.

Your two sentences contradict each other. 

There's no gauge on the BMW, there's also no reserve to switch to, you just get a low fuel indicator you often don't notice while off-roading, then you get about another 10-15km.  All my other bikes have the usual ON and Res petcock.

[Arthur Dent]

Is it more common for carb'd bike to have the reserve? My Nighthawk did.

[blur911]

Is it more common for carb'd bike to have the reserve? My Nighthawk did.

Yup, injected bikes don't have petcocks (that I've noticed)

[PJungnitsch]

That makes sense, you don’t want air in an injected system

[Jaeger]

Tim Roadie reviews the 2022 Speed Twin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKMVuj-D5f8

[BWII]

They may not have Japanese reliability but I haven't heard of Triumphs being particularly problematic to the extent that HDs, Can-Ams, BMWs, and Ducatis do.

My not talking to me yet brother's had his HD for 20 yrs - never any issues.  Just reg stuff that wears and tears. So that's a good sign for the Triumph! (plus who doesn't like Triumph?)

[dkaz]

Fuel injected bikes need to have fuel pumps. Carbureted motorcycles generally don't but carbureted scooters typically did because they placed the fuel tank down low.

There's no gauge on the BMW, there's also no reserve to switch to, you just get a low fuel indicator you often don't notice while off-roading, then you get about another 10-15km.  All my other bikes have the usual ON and Res petcock.

Ah, makes sense.

My not talking to me yet brother's had his HD for 20 yrs - never any issues.  Just reg stuff that wears and tears. So that's a good sign for the Triumph! (plus who doesn't like Triumph?)

Oops I have to redact my statement a little. There's a 26% likelihood that HDs have to go in for unscheduled repairs the first 4 years while Triumph sits at 29%. So really it's like if your bike was built on a Tuesday to Thursday, it'll likely be well built. 

[Triple Bob]

Fuel injected bikes need to have fuel pumps. Carbureted motorcycles generally don't but carbureted scooters typically did because they placed the fuel tank down low.

There's no gauge on the BMW, there's also no reserve to switch to, you just get a low fuel indicator you often don't notice while off-roading, then you get about another 10-15km.  All my other bikes have the usual ON and Res petcock.

Ah, makes sense.

My not talking to me yet brother's had his HD for 20 yrs - never any issues.  Just reg stuff that wears and tears. So that's a good sign for the Triumph! (plus who doesn't like Triumph?)

Oops I have to redact my statement a little. There's a 26% likelihood that HDs have to go in for unscheduled repairs the first 4 years while Triumph sits at 29%. So really it's like if your bike was built on a Tuesday to Thursday, it'll likely be well built. 

Although that old CR report uses obsolete data. With half a million bikes sold a year in North America you'd think someone would have more up to date information.

[DriverJeff]

Are Triumph bikes any good? 

I kinda like the Speed Twin.


Maybe in the flat gray? (too bad all he does is talk and talk and talk... )

Absolutely one of my favs.  It's so easy to ride this thing quickly.  It's not a track bike by any stretch, but it's well sorted for real-world riding (handling bumps, lots of grunt, etc.)   If I had the money for one, it'd be in my garage.

This idiot seemed to like it    :  https://canadamotoguide.com/2019/07/30/test-ride-2019-triumph-speed-twin/

And this guy (who knows a hell of a lot more about these things than I do) also really liked it:  https://canadamotoguide.com/2019/01/20/first-ride-2019-triumph-speed-twin/

[BWII]

Well I don't need a track bike (too old, too fat, and no tracks within...well anywhere really) - just straight roads boring as hell...why do I even want a bike then...yawn...

2021 has been updated too since 2019 - it's an even better bike now.  I'd just like to ride again...my insides think I'd like it, a lot.

[Jaeger]

Well I don't need a track bike (too old, too fat, and no tracks within...well anywhere really) - just straight roads boring as hell...why do I even want a bike then...yawn...

2021 has been updated too since 2019 - it's an even better bike now.  I'd just like to ride again...my insides think I'd like it, a lot.

Your insides are not wrong. 

[rrocket]

And this guy (who knows a hell of a lot more about these things than I do) also really liked it:  https://canadamotoguide.com/2019/01/20/first-ride-2019-triumph-speed-twin/

Holy crap!

I met that dude at a track day like a million years ago!

[blur911]

And this guy (who knows a hell of a lot more about these things than I do) also really liked it:  https://canadamotoguide.com/2019/01/20/first-ride-2019-triumph-speed-twin/

Holy crap!

I met that dude at a track day like a million years ago!

Ha, me too.

[DriverJeff]

He's a great guy; a kind friend.  He's been active in the automotive and bike journalism world for a long time and can really ride. 

[blur911]

He's a great guy; a kind friend.  He's been active in the automotive and bike journalism world for a long time and can really ride.

Do you know Michael Uhlarik too?

[dkaz]

The Z650RS has a fuel gauge. And a gear indicator. So the W800 is for the hardcore retro folks while the ZxxxRS is for those who want modern retro.