MrPix
Supercharged
Hi, I am a long term lurker on these forums and looking to order a R3 in the next few months.
I had many of the original Meriden (where I was born and grew up a few miles down the road) Triumphs (and a few BSA, Nortons etc) as I used to restore them (it was a lot easier to get parts back then) in my youth. When I was 28, I had a car accident as a passenger and broke my neck, I did learn to walk again but could not put a helmet on for years after so I sold all my bikes and gear! My biking days were done!
Or so I thought!
I saw the RIII launch 14/15 years ago and drooled for a long time...in the end, for my 45th birthday, my wife bought me a 1:12 scale model to shut me up (a bit), the steering worked and the wheels turned and the kick stand even came up and down along with working pillion pegs. It wasn't quite the same (great fuel economy) but I love that model and it has sat proudly on the top shelf of my book case ever since!
I have only recently (4 yrs ago) got back on motorbikes after 23 years away, I was bombing around Silverstone circuit in a Formula Ford Open wheeler - helmet very much on - for my 50th Birthday and suddenly realised what I was doing.....a few weeks later, I bought a new Triumph America to get me back used to riding, fell off on the way home, fixed her up, took a back to bike course and poodled around on her for a couple of years, put a few thousand miles on her and then thought about an RIII... and guess what... Triumph had stopped production!!
I took a new Speedmaster out for a spin whilst I was in for the America's second service service and ended up riding it home at the end of the day. It had a lot more grunt than the 865 and has been fun the past couple of years... but I have spent a lot of time getting the ride right, seat change to a Corbin to help my butt feel comfotable, Belt drive conversion for smoothness, mid peg conversion to help my back on longer rides, risers and handlebar replacements to help my wrists... I'm not a youngster any more and need my comfort so I can focus on the ride rather than fidget awkwardly.... I came to a conclusion before I parked my Speedmaster up for the winter months (yes I know).. that although I had made the bike mine and very comfortable, I had actually bought the wrong bike in the first place (made my local dealer feel awful when I told him this)!
I saw the R3 TFC announced and launch last year and started drooling again. I had just laid down the cash for the Speedmaster 6 months before so my CFO would not be open to further investments and to be honest, I was still getting used to the extra pull of the 1200HT engine underneath me.
I don't like sustained speed but I do like acceleration... always have... I don't think I have ever passed 145mph on or in anything I have riden or driven, but I like getting there as fast as I can, makes me feel alive!.
I have been sewing little seeds about what I want for my 55th birthday early this Summer and my wife has set about looking for a 1:12 scale mode of the new R3... what luck.... there does not seem to be one available at that scale!
I know where I can find a 1:1 scale model though
Anyway, I'm a fussy old tart and do love my comfort and this is why I joined this forum... not to be an imposter as I don't own a R3 (I do own a really small 2004 RIII though), but to try to get some views from those that are of a similar age and mindset (I'm sure all you youngsters have good views too BTW).
Currently, my thinking is as follows:
I have missed the TFC, all sold and too expensive now. I love the look of the R, but the practicality of the GT. I also don't need a pillion all the while as my wife won't/can't sit behind me (or anyone else).
What I love/hate about the R:
+Mid footpegs
+It's Red!
-Short Seat
-Straighter handlebars
What I love about the GT
+Longer Seat
+Laid back handlebars
+Flyscreen
-Forward controls
-It's not Red
Soo... my thinking is that I get the R and add the GT Seat and filler pad, GT bars and Flyscreen
Also wanting Panniers, Knee pads and the MyTriumph Connect bluetooth module.
Any opinions on the above?
Thanks and looking forward to becoming a genuine owner in the coming months.
MrPix
I had many of the original Meriden (where I was born and grew up a few miles down the road) Triumphs (and a few BSA, Nortons etc) as I used to restore them (it was a lot easier to get parts back then) in my youth. When I was 28, I had a car accident as a passenger and broke my neck, I did learn to walk again but could not put a helmet on for years after so I sold all my bikes and gear! My biking days were done!
Or so I thought!
I saw the RIII launch 14/15 years ago and drooled for a long time...in the end, for my 45th birthday, my wife bought me a 1:12 scale model to shut me up (a bit), the steering worked and the wheels turned and the kick stand even came up and down along with working pillion pegs. It wasn't quite the same (great fuel economy) but I love that model and it has sat proudly on the top shelf of my book case ever since!
I have only recently (4 yrs ago) got back on motorbikes after 23 years away, I was bombing around Silverstone circuit in a Formula Ford Open wheeler - helmet very much on - for my 50th Birthday and suddenly realised what I was doing.....a few weeks later, I bought a new Triumph America to get me back used to riding, fell off on the way home, fixed her up, took a back to bike course and poodled around on her for a couple of years, put a few thousand miles on her and then thought about an RIII... and guess what... Triumph had stopped production!!
I took a new Speedmaster out for a spin whilst I was in for the America's second service service and ended up riding it home at the end of the day. It had a lot more grunt than the 865 and has been fun the past couple of years... but I have spent a lot of time getting the ride right, seat change to a Corbin to help my butt feel comfotable, Belt drive conversion for smoothness, mid peg conversion to help my back on longer rides, risers and handlebar replacements to help my wrists... I'm not a youngster any more and need my comfort so I can focus on the ride rather than fidget awkwardly.... I came to a conclusion before I parked my Speedmaster up for the winter months (yes I know).. that although I had made the bike mine and very comfortable, I had actually bought the wrong bike in the first place (made my local dealer feel awful when I told him this)!
I saw the R3 TFC announced and launch last year and started drooling again. I had just laid down the cash for the Speedmaster 6 months before so my CFO would not be open to further investments and to be honest, I was still getting used to the extra pull of the 1200HT engine underneath me.
I don't like sustained speed but I do like acceleration... always have... I don't think I have ever passed 145mph on or in anything I have riden or driven, but I like getting there as fast as I can, makes me feel alive!.
I have been sewing little seeds about what I want for my 55th birthday early this Summer and my wife has set about looking for a 1:12 scale mode of the new R3... what luck.... there does not seem to be one available at that scale!
I know where I can find a 1:1 scale model though
Anyway, I'm a fussy old tart and do love my comfort and this is why I joined this forum... not to be an imposter as I don't own a R3 (I do own a really small 2004 RIII though), but to try to get some views from those that are of a similar age and mindset (I'm sure all you youngsters have good views too BTW).
Currently, my thinking is as follows:
I have missed the TFC, all sold and too expensive now. I love the look of the R, but the practicality of the GT. I also don't need a pillion all the while as my wife won't/can't sit behind me (or anyone else).
What I love/hate about the R:
+Mid footpegs
+It's Red!
-Short Seat
-Straighter handlebars
What I love about the GT
+Longer Seat
+Laid back handlebars
+Flyscreen
-Forward controls
-It's not Red
Soo... my thinking is that I get the R and add the GT Seat and filler pad, GT bars and Flyscreen
Also wanting Panniers, Knee pads and the MyTriumph Connect bluetooth module.
Any opinions on the above?
Thanks and looking forward to becoming a genuine owner in the coming months.
MrPix
