the NATO garage

[JavaBrewer]

Hello, do I know you?


Picked up the 01 Speed Triple this morning, it was even cleaner than I had hoped.



Fresh 12K service and all service records from original owner who got the bike new in 02. I've got about 15 miles on it total but will park it until I complete the motorcycle safety class and get my M class. It will be tough ...



Wife was understandably unhappy. But after two hours she came out, sat on it, and said for a mid life crisis bike it was definitely a looker. Man I love my wife. I just have to keep my promise to her about not killing myself.



Thanks everyone for the advice and support. As Todd says this bike "speaks to me" and I can't wait for the summer. Hopefully in a couple months we can all get together for a ride.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Nice!

Take the class, get your license, then take the advanced class!

[motion]

WOOHOOOO!!!! Nice, Dave!!!

[Steve Carlton]

Looks good! What's the story with the helmet?

[nostatic]

David, very nice. I suspected it might be "the one"...just like with 911s, there are some very perfect used bikes out there. And with that engine and tranny, at 12K it is just getting broken in. Seriously...there are Triumph guys who maintain that it takes 10-15K to get the tranny and engine fully broken in...and at that point they are smooth and strong for a long, long time.

Get thee to an MSF course. Then I'll have to head south and we'll go for a cruise. And you should check out getting one of these:

http://www.laminarlip.com/speed3.htm

I put one on my S4 and it helps quite a bit at freeway speed.

Oh, and there is an MTC (same guys that do the MSF course up here) track day at Willow Springs May 24th. I'm signed up (hint, hint)

http://www.mtctrackday.com/home.shtml

[Robert Coats]

Originally posted by BSiple

You have excellent taste in lawnmowers.

And dogs.

[JavaBrewer]

Thanks all, still on high right now.

The helmet came with the bike. I've read everywhere that used helmets are bad, and can be kinda gross (if they sweat as much as I do). This is an Arai size medium and in really good condition. A couple dings on the sides but never "tested" or dropped. I didn't see the helmet until today so I wasn't expecting much. Turns out its the exact model I was looking at over the weekend at Cycle Gear that they are currently blowing out at $299 (supposedly at $168 savings). I know that Arai and Shoei are big $$$ new. I'll keep this for now unless you all talk me out of it.

My MSF course starts on the 5th with completion on the 15th. As I said I won't be riding until the course is completed and I've got all the other formalities out of the way.

The bike is due for new tires and I'll probably do new rubber front/back before I really hit the streets. Bike looks like it was the commuter as advertised, the current tires are still fresh on the sides and the centers are worn.




EDIT - notice the oil stains in the garage. Wonder where they came from, humm....

[JavaBrewer]

Yeah love the dog. Here's ours at 8 mos.

[Steve Carlton]

The Quantum Re-Entry is one of my favorite helmets. Even if it was dropped, from seat height it's not an issue. (I had to check on that when someone knocked mine off my seat).

You should probably clean it. Here's a useful thread:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=168803&highlight=helmet+AND+cleaning

You might want to join a Triumph bulletin board to get some tips. For one thing, look into what model of tires to put on and whether to go with a 180 or 190 rear tire. I'd suggest getting tires that work well cold so you don't have to deal with slippery tires unnecessarily.

One good thing about Triumphs is the engine map is downloadable, so you simply get the latest version as it develops. Were you able to find out if/when it was last updated?

How's it going on insurance? And gear?

[VincentVega]

Love the tripple! Thanks to this thread I NEED a bike.

[JavaBrewer]

Several quotes ~ $500/600 year for the triple. I'll probably go with BikelinE that Todd recommended.

Gear, I've got a couple weeks to sort that out. Need a good jacket (still undecided on details) but I'm glad I waited since the helmet was already done. Some riding boots and gloves. On the boots I haven't found anything of interest in the cycle shops. Either they are super race bike or a really thin (almost cheap) feeling overshoe.

None of the service records mention anything about engine mapping changes. I'll have to investigate that on t595 forum - I recently joined but currently still a lurker.

Tires, I'm looking for a good general purpose tire. Seen some go with a 180 rear vs. the 190. Don't know enough yet to have an opinon so I'll probably rely on local shops (and you all) for suggestions.

Thanks for the links to helmet cleaning. It will get done over the weekend.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by nostatic
Oh, and there is an MTC (same guys that do the MSF course up here) track day at Willow Springs May 24th. I'm signed up (hint, hint)
http://www.mtctrackday.com/home.shtml

Todd you must be smoking crack Wife just got blindsided with a street bike, which she handled exceptionally well BTW, and now you're suggesting I push my luck with a racing school?

[Drago]

David,

Just remember that when you have new rubber mounted they will be very, very slick for about the first 50 miles or so.

[JavaBrewer]

Here's how the day unfolded. Actually this probably belongs in "help me convince my wife" thread. I have the bike in the back of the truck and am driving home. Nervous as hell as I still haven't told my wife. I stop for gas, truck was 3/4 full but I needed time to ponder the options. End up calling the wife 20 minutes from home and break the news. We "talked" the duration of the drive home. Talked some more but in the end she is dealing, not happy, but dealing. She is absolutely terrific.

Todd, any plans for taking Calvin for a ride? Or is that on the "justifiable homicide" list? Suprisingly my wife, Edie, is open to me taking Zack in a couple months for some weekend breakfast runs now and then. He can hardly wait.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by Drago
David,

Just remember that when you have new rubber mounted they will be very, very slick for about the first 50 miles or so.

Roger that. Thanks!

[Steve Carlton]

David,

I really like a lot of the BMW gear. I think they sell high quality stuff that's very abrasion resistant. You could look at a local BMW dealer with good apparel inventory and check out the gear specials here, especially the Savanna 2 jacket at almost half price (they should zip nicely onto BMW pants):



http://www.ascycles.com/SearchResult.aspx?&KeyWords=kwCloseOut%20kwWebSpecial&Any=True

Check out Daytona boots. I've been very happy with mine:

http://www.daytona.de/english/news_e/news.html

Held makes outstanding gloves. Don't scrimp here! I've also been impressed with what I've seen from BMW.

[nostatic]

Taking Calvin for a ride would fall in the "justifiable homicide" area. Not on the table. The bike is for me and me alone (well, unless somebody wants to ride b*tch...but I have standards ).

For boots, look at the Triumph Tri Tech. They are reasonably priced and not boy-racer style. Waterproof and pretty tough. That being said, I'm going to buy a pair of Sidis for the track.

For a jacket, textile is great, although if I had it to do over again I would get a good perforated leather one, since I'm going to end up buying a second set or riding gear that I can take on the track. But if you're not going to hit the track, textile is fine and likely cooler.

[motion]

I think a Pelican SoCal ride might be in order. Anyone up for a ride? Ortega or Palomar are central to Todd and David. I'm available almost any day!!!

[JavaBrewer]

As cool as it sounds I won't be group ride ready for at least another month, probably two. I need some solo time to build a nice healthy relationship. Oooohhh the wife isn't gonna like that either...

[motion]

David - Can't say I blame you... one of these days after you're all sharp and everything.