Back in the last century, when the wild west country was a little wilder, there wasn’t so much traffic about, and one could ride a 250cc motorbike on L-Plates, I had great fun on a Triumph TR25W 250cc single cylinder four-stroke bike.
It did everything I wanted and therefore I felt no need to pursue a full licence. Then I passed my car test and took to four wheels… the Triumph was left in bits, in boxes, and in between rebuilds. And eventually went away.
I never rode it again, and for twenty five years I sat behind a steering wheel.
Actually, rather a lot of steering wheels.
Seems like the daftest thing I ever did, now.
As I won my half century, I saw the mid-life crisis approach, and described it to the wife – told her it was going to be a woman or a motorbike but she could choose! She chose, and I undertook a week long intensive motorcycle training course in Bristol. The day after I passed, I took delivery of another Triumph; a black and orange 675cc Street Triple R called Pumpkin.
Pumpkin was great, but she did have a penchant for triple figures… nothing to do with the rider at all, oh no. And while she was great around the country lanes, I now wanted something I could go further afield on in comfort… a cruiser… in fact, a bruiser cruiser and yet another Triumph.
Black as night (except where she is silver), Morrigan is a Thunderbird Storm, 1700cc twin. She’s a long way from the 50cc Mobylette I initially started out on! For those of a pagan sensibility, yes, I know, but she told me her name was Morrigan and who am I to deny the gods. Especially that one.
Fair to say, she may be a big girl but her fuel economy is better than any of the last three hybrid cars I’ve had – I’m an anorak and spreadsheet all my refuels on all my vehicles, and Morrigan hits just over 50mpg(imp). And she takes up so much less of the road, she’s seldom stuck in traffic belching out fumes. And as a mode of meditation she is second to none for clearing the mind and experiencing the landscape.
Other bikes I have owned include a Joe Cotton 170cc trials machine, and (oh the shame and the grin) a BSA Aerial 3 (yes, really). But I do have a penchant for bikes with Triumph on the side.
Rosher.Net 