A View of the World

Went on an adventure with the fam today. Really it was to hit up the Triumph dealer in a little town called El Dorado in Missouri. Aim of the game was to see the Triumph Bonneville T100 and Scramblers up close to see how i liked them.

Well they had one there that i fell in love with, matt green scrambler, i was able to sit on it but it was sold.

Great bunch of blokes and I highly recommend anyone in the general area give them a buzz.

They thew me a helmet and some directions and let me out on a 2011 Bonneville T100.  It’s been a while since I’ve ridden so I was a little on the nervous side, especially as the car park was all gravel.

As Stacey Lowry pointed out, I was a little wobbly on the get go but managed to get going without too much fuss. (good thing the guys weren’t looking too closely as i went to start it as I kinda forgot which button to press)

Riding on a dead straight piece of tarmac, nice warm day, bike was a peach. It has the same motor as the scrambler with a bit different cam. I’d show you some pictures but the kids took a nap on the way up and decided to be brats while we were there so Stacey took them off to the car.

So the directions I got were to head down the road a couple miles to highway U, take a left, enjoy some twisties and then either turn around and come back or if i wanted a little longer ride, hit the end, take a right and it would take me back to the original highway, take another right and bob’s your aunties live in lover i’d be back.

The turn off came up on a crest, and not familiar with the brakes as yet, I flew on by, thinking i’d find a nice right turn so I could spin it round and have another go.

I check the mirrors and there is a riding group coming up on me. We’re on a two lane black top running 55 – 60mph and no passing zones. Ok so I’m a little nervous and just try to hold a line and constant speed.

The good thing is that the mirrors are great!

Well they 6 – 8 ridres, mostly on Harleys eventually blew by and when I had the road to myself managed to find a nice safe place to spin around.

Brakes are actually quite good with good feel through front brake lever and foot brake.

Engine had good pull even rolling on in 5th at 55. Considering the Scrambler’s going to cost about 8800 out the door, it’s a bargain.

So by the time the riding group had passed me by and i had the road to myself i figured I’d just head back to the dealership.

They offered me another ride on something with a similar cam to the Scrambler, but I figured it was safer to head back and work out how to finagle a new bike while they have excellent terms.

Some great jackets, gloves, boots, t-shirts and helmets to be had as well.

In addition to not buying a harley and dealing with the schtick that comes with it here, I get to point out that 1903 Harley Davidson created, 1902 for Triumph.

Good day all up.

Cheers,
Shane