Triumph Day 2012, Johannesburg

[DaveB]

RATs in the Park

We had our Triumph Day today, a local public holiday. The weather was great up until about 3pm when the strom clouds rolled in (typical weather for this time of year). It is Silli's birthday today and we were able to extend birthday greetings to him in person. The event was simply for Triumph riders to get together, put bikes on display and the unveiling of the Tiger 1200 Explorer.

I guess around a 1,000 people attended.


Our local dealer had finished off a Speedmaster project bike for the event but it was crashed at low speed yesterday and they had to work through the evening to make repairs.


A local TV m/c show reporter conducting interviews.


An organisation who do a cancer awareness program, including cross-country drives and rideouts, were there. Their main sponsors are Revlon, Ford, Caltex & Triumph.


A 1916 225cc Triumph Junior with leather belt drive.


A 1960 TBird.


A 2010 Speed Triple SE.


continued....

 

[DaveB]

....continued,

The new Steve McQueen Bonnie.


The Tiger 1200.


Here I'm trying out the Tiger 1200 for size. It felt good!


The lunch queue was quite long,


but worth the wait.


I put my Daytona on display to celebrate its 10th birthday.


It was a special and enjoyable day out . Many thanks to Triumph SA and the local dealers who organised the event.
DaveB.

 

[CarlS]

A superb report and photos. Thanks DaveB. I agree with you that the Explorer feels really comfy. I really want to test ride one.Love the pics of the 1916 Triumph and the old TBird.

 

[devo]

cheers Dave
pic 2, what have they done to that speedy

 

[DaveM]

Very nice report Dave thanks and it looks like it was a great day out for all.

Harry they broke the bike in pic 2 me thinks

 

[shanered6]

dave great report and great pics ! looks like you had a good day out.

 

[DaveB]

Last year I had a short test ride on the Tiger 800XC & I liked it a lot. Last Saturday I had the chance of a longer ride on a different 800XC. I didn't like the riding position- I found the bars high & wide and quite a stretch. At speed the screen gave excessive turbulence and it seems to be just too far in front of the rider. Also, the handguards are small and don't protect against wind & rain. The 21" front wheel makes it feel all gangly on slow turns. I don't think the front brake has enough bite or power. I can't imagine any set of circumstances on an asphalt road where I'd prefer it to my Tiger 1050.

The new 1200 is quite different from the Tiger 800. You seem to sit in the bike, the bars are closer and it has a good size screen and full size handguards. It gives the impression that it will be a very capable long distance tourer, with smooth dirt road capability as well, but will it be that much better than the 1050 as a road bike to warrant the extra cost? That question is yet to be answered. Then of course there is the forthcoming Trophy 1200 to consider, if dirt road capability is not needed. In the meantime I'm more than happy with the Tiger 1050 .

That 1960 TBird was an absolute beauty!

 

[CarlS]

I do not particularly like the bars on my XC. I know they are wide for off pavement riding and they do work well off road. But for my tastes, they could use just a little pull back. Some guys have changed bars and quite a few folks have installed Rox Risers, particualrly the adjustable riser. My arms are long and I have gotten used to it; but I do plan to install Rox Risers.

I ditched the stock screen right of the bat and have the optional touring screen. I was able to adjust the height and angle to minimize the turbulence. I think the screen is the most frequent mod to both the XC and Roadie. From what I read, the Mastaq screen works the best with the 800's.

The XC is the first bike I have had with handguards; so I have no basis of comparison. The stock handguards are great compared to my T100 with no handguards. That is not an issue at all for me.

The 21 inch wheel does very well off road. I have been in some places where I was very thankful for it. One does have to consciously turn the XC in to curve or corner. Once turned, though, it stays planted. I am used to it now and it is second nature.

I, too, found the 1200 to be very comfortable and I agree that you sit in it rather than on it. I really want to test ride one. The Tiger 1050 just feels awkward to me - too tall and too heavy. Keep in mind that I am used to Bonnevilles. It took me a while to come to terms with the XC's height and high center of gravity.

 

[Sea Dog]

Great photos Dave. Beautiful sunny day, the right bikes........heaven!

 

[DaveM]

The 21 inch wheel does very well off road. I have been in some places where I was very thankful for it. One does have to consciously turn the XC in to curve or corner. Once turned, though, it stays planted. I am used to it now and it is second nature.

Something I learned when riding with a 21 inch was I very seldom would turn the wheel. I would actually let the bike drop over in the direction I wanted to turn and then power out of the drop or fall. The thing is if you have a power loss the bike will fall over

 

[CarlS]

I understand that! I find that the XC is nearly as good in the twisties as my T100, though it does require more effort to put into the turn. With the T100, the bike seems to intuitively go into a turn.

 

[DaveB]

Some extra pics:-

There was a bevy of Triumph old-timers.


The logging in. Entrance fee was R100 ($ 14) and we received a meal ticket, a nice pin badge and entry in to the draw for 5 Triumph watches.


My bike's got an electrical fault. We raced home to beat the incoming storm and we just made it. She gave up the ghost with a flat battery as we got to the gate and I had to push her in to the garage. I was annoyed but amused: "You've been in the shade all day talking to your buddies, drinking cold drink whilst you left me out in the sun all day. Let me show you!" I had to see the irony.


She was on display and nobody looked at her, but I still love her. I bought a decent multimeter today and I'll fix the problem!

 

[CarlS]

More great pics, Dave. Thank you.

 

[DaveM]

Shame man maybe that was why she gave up feeling all rejected that no one even looked at her

 

[DaveB]

Perhaps she needs to get out more !

 

[DaveM]

It sounds like it

 

[avion]

I had a good time at the Triumph day, I hope it becomes a yearly event. Food was good, free coffee and badge.

I just missed out on a watch, shoulda taken a minute longer to get my ticket. Dammit.

Saw a lot of guys that I haven't seen in a while.

TTC did a great job of repairing the accident damage to Nicks bike the day before, he on the other hand was looking rather second hand to be honest. Still, most people wouldn't have made the effort in his state.

DaveB was quite a handful, I spent most of the time picking him up off the floor. Some people just don't know their liquor limit. Bwahahahaha

Sheesh it was hot though, I couldn't wait to get home into a cold shower. Perhaps it was due to some of the crumpet walking around. ;D

Don't think I've ever seen so many Triumphs in one spot. It really shows the growth here in SA.

Good times.

...

 

[devo]

Good one G
BTW, the solution to the problem re the crumpet,take the wife .

 

[DaveB]

DaveB was quite a handful, I spent most of the time picking him up off the floor. Some people just don't know their liquor limit. Bwahahahaha.

Cheeky monkey! You see what 'friends' I have to put up with !

 

[rudedogg13]

Very cool. Like the Explorer!