A Brief Unequal Contest

Wetrudgeon

Supercharged
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
418
Location
Ellis County Texas
All:
Forgive this lengthy post, but some of you may find amusing our little Sunday afternoon riding experience.

We went out for a jaunt on the Beast to view the spring wildflowers (in full bloom just now in rural North Central Texas). The weather was beautiful and the ride quite pleasant.

On the ride home, we stopped to take on fuel. In the parking lot near where we refueled we noticed a young gentleman and lady standing along side a late model HD Sportster. It was a nice bike; looked to be of the 1200cc persuasion, Vance and Hines pipes, saddle bags and wind screen. (We have always rather liked HD Sportsters.) As we finished refueling and remounted, the young couple also mounted up and we both found ourselves leaving the fueling spot and easing out onto the open highway at the same time and in the same direction. The young fellow inexplicably then decided to “hammer down” his Sportster with the apparent intent of showing the old toot on the Triumph his tail lights in an impromptu race.

His decision proved ill advised. We seldom race or ride aggressively, having long ago outgrown such things. But this lad clearly threw down the gauntlet (Figuratively. He was wearing no gloves.); and on a whim we decided to call his bluff and “apply the whip.” The Beast, of course, answered; and the matter was decisively settled almost as quickly as it arose. We never exceeded 3500 rpm or 75 mph, but we went from a slow roll to highway velocity at a rate that a Sportster running two up can only dream of. We expect that the look on the youngster’s face was priceless; but we are left to wonder because our rearview mirrors tend to be a bit “fuzzy” when the Beast is giving strong effort.

Not sure what caused the young man to make such a poor choice of a “victim.” He may have had unrealistic expectations regarding his bike. Maybe he had a mind to show off for his sweetie. Or perhaps he simply was not familiar with the Rocket Roadster and its acceleration capabilities (he is now better educated). Regardless, we think it unlikely that our Sportster friend will “bow up” at another Rocket any time soon. We must admit the episode was pleasurable.

We trudge on.
 
No better PR could Triumph ask for .. i took a very attractive young woman from my work up to our xmas party on the back of the Speed Triple..was her birthday present as she'd never been on a road bike before. She loved it ;) we stopped for a cigarrete , me not her and a bloke about my age pulled up on a Honda.. Yamaha..Suzuki or Kwaka , can't remember. By the look on his face and the effort he took to chat with Erin i'd reckon he'd be looking to get a Triumph for himself .. much like your Sportster rider perhaps ;)
 
I usually don't even bother with Sportster riders or even most other cruisers, but I too had to blast one the other day on the way to work. We kept meeting up at stop lights and he would rev his little motor and take off in a relarive hurry. Finally, at the last light before work, he revved his little motor again, I let him have it spinning sideways in 1styor and then blasting off. By 3rdthe gear I could barely see his headlight in my mirrors.. lol
 
I had a kid on a Suzuki ******rocket pull up beside me as I was boarding the Rocket in a parking lot the other day. He wanted to know what the blankety blank I was sitting on. I told him it was just an old man bike to which he stared at the motor a few moments, shook his head and said " I aint even gonna try it", flipped his visor down and left. Didnt even have to start it up....:D
 
I've had a couple sports bike riders think they were going to blow by me. They failed, I think they were somewhat surprised.

Ps- I once ,lived in Alvord, Texas, near Decatur. in Wise County, anywhere near you>?
 
Old guy

At 60 I still can't refuse a chance to spank another bike. Especially a Harley bagger. I've not run a Busa, or a ZX14R, or any liter bike like those. But I would try it,,,.:D
 
Went for a ride with a young bloke I know with his new Night rod that cost about $30k and he poured another $12k of go fast genuine parts into the motor. We were about dead even mabey the R3R had a slight edge and more ground clearance. Not bad for a $300 pipe and PCV. He's still shaking his head. All that money and 60 kilo's lighter and no quicker.
 
Guys think outside the box, the sportster left the parking area at the same time now maybe just maybe the guy had been seeing his girl for a wee while and never tried to put a move on her:eek: now the girl after seeing the massive Rocket got all excited and did a reach around and gave her boy a wee squeeze which caused the young man too twist the throttle, that is what I think happened for every one knows a rocket could never beat a Sportster.:D
 
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