Best advice I ever got was from a friend who is a motorcycle cop. Rides bikes all day, every day, but not always the same bike as the day before/previous shift. (FJ12's or BMW's here in the UK) Different clutch travel, brake response, just feels different etc. So... Get on, ride a couple of blocks, or to the end of the street. Get off. Have a cigarette (if you smoke) or walk around the bike a couple of times. Get back on and it all feels familiar. I have said this to all my novice biker friends and they all agree it helps a ton when it all felt so alien previously. And there is no better source of advice than from a Scottish Motorcycle Cop. All roads. All conditions. All weathers! Oh, and yes, you need sturdy boots to be kicking and riding a Triumph...
You will grow to "love it".. I have a 1969 Tiger with a 750 engine and 5 speed gbox installed... raw motorbike.. ride a new 2021 model.. OMG how far we have come... but then, I ALWAYS have people stop and ask me me about my 69 Tiger.. but never the new model!
This was a service customer’s bike. So, it’s back with it’s rightful owner. I ride all types of bikes! The only kind I haven’t ridden yet is a modern sport bike. 🧐
NICE! My mother-in-law has a 71 Triumph Bonneville 650. Still regularly rides it at age 58 and has had it since she was 19. It's pretty fast and powerful. I learned to ride vintage kickers on my dad's 1970 BSA 750. Both her Triumph and my dad's BSA have custom duel exhaust which make them loud like Harleys both of them rattle the windows when they ROAR!
I just bought a 68 triumph and I can say from experience, they really take a bit to get used to. Missing gears, stalling, forgetting which side the brake is on. But after about 3 or 4 rides it feels totally natural
My only complaint - did you have mention the the issue of the right-side gearshift 4 or 5 times! Back in the early '70s l had a 175 Honda of my own , then my neighbor offered me a spin on his '70 Triumph Bonneville. In spite of all that left-hand shift experience on my Honda l managed to adapt to the British right side shift. To be fair , it can be tricky when you stop quickly for an emergency situation & you go by old reflexes. However, other than that great video, felt like l was really on the Triumph myself. Congratulations, Nicole, compared to a modern Japanese bike a challenging bike for a lady to ride ( no electric start, no turn signals, l always remember the British clutches requiring a strong pull to operate, plus , did anyone notice, the two footpegs are slightly one ahead of the other!). Good riding my dear on a somewhat rugged motorcycle to ride!
I learnt to ride on a Honda CD175 then switched to a 1961 Triumph 3TA (no turn signals). I found the right hand shift to be much better after a few rides to get used to it. After more than three decades without a bike, I got back into motorcycling on an AJS Model 8, another right hand shift but upside down compared to the triumph (1st gear is up & the rest are down). I found that harder to get used to than moving from left to right. That's a lovely Bonneville, well worth taking the time to know.
I was five the first time I ever saw a motorcycle. It was a 49 Triumph Speed-twin. I have always felt Triumph made the nicest looking bikes. At ten I learned to ride on a Triumph Cub. As for the right foot shifter, all the British bikes and the Harley sportser had right foot shifting. We called it goofey foot shifting. The feds mandate all bikes shift left foot starting in 1975. Today, I own a 2002 Triumph America and love it keep the shiney side up
I find your inabilities with various bikes to be very entertaining, especially for a woman who has, thru her business, daily contact with bikes. I am not being nasty, I know we all had to start somewhere, even me, about 30 odd years ago ! I enjoy your content and look forward to all your vlogs and even meeting you one day in that wonderful building. Take care, greets, Steve.
Good for you lady, you managed to ride what is really an old fashioned sporty ' man's' bike w/o dropping it etc. The next thing to learn soon is to hand signal before turns. Two advantages of these old British twin cylinder bikes is their stability but easy handling, and lots of low rpm torque, so you don't have do a lot of gear shifting.
Stand up on the left peg and then drop your whole body down through the kick starter so that you wind up in the same position you are now starting at. You are unable to transfer much energy from your starting position below the peg.
My 750 norton is right side shift, one up three down , is the triumph the same ? If so weren't you starting off in second gear? . Cheers, I have T160 but that's left shift .
Just wait till you ride a Norton. Up until 1975 the shifted on the right and the shift pattern in one up and three down. You shift up to down shift. How do ya like that wasp wasted tank? Modern bikes are not that shapely.
Back in the day l had a750sf Lacerda (right hand gear change) . Droped it first morning on the way to Work , when a car suddenly stopped in front of me minor damage only to my pride
I used to own a 1980 Laverda 1200 triple, it was made for the American market and had a factory installed left hand gear shift cross over shaft. The shaft was held to the rear of the engine by nylon saddle clips, it was a rather crude arrangement, but it worked fine and I never missed a gear change.
Tickle my 72 Daytona Twin Carb , twist the Wick 1/4 turn x 3 . Hold Wick Open 1/4 Turn Starts 1st or 2nd Kick Everytime . Even after sitting for 3 Winter Months
Where I live, riding with one mirror is ok, but law requires it to be on the left side of the bar. I suppose that's better and safer for seeing what other vehicles are up to behind you on the overtaking side.
The thing about old bikes are that you are more in touch with the machine. You have to think more about what you are doing which makes it more interesting. Modern bikes are too easy, they seem to have lost their soul. Hardly any input in designing or making them. And they used to sound and smell better.
Best advice I ever got was from a friend who is a motorcycle cop. Rides bikes all day, every day, but not always the same bike as the day before/previous shift. (FJ12's or BMW's here in the UK) Different clutch travel, brake response, just feels different etc. So... Get on, ride a couple of blocks, or to the end of the street. Get off. Have a cigarette (if you smoke) or walk around the bike a couple of times. Get back on and it all feels familiar. I have said this to all my novice biker friends and they all agree it helps a ton when it all felt so alien previously. And there is no better source of advice than from a Scottish Motorcycle Cop. All roads. All conditions. All weathers! Oh, and yes, you need sturdy boots to be kicking and riding a Triumph...
Don’t be frightened of the Triumph. They go, stop, handle and are very forgiving.
That’s a beautiful vintage Bonnie, and it starts so easily.
You will grow to "love it".. I have a 1969 Tiger with a 750 engine and 5 speed gbox installed... raw motorbike.. ride a new 2021 model.. OMG how far we have come... but then, I ALWAYS have people stop and ask me me about my 69 Tiger.. but never the new model!
This was a service customer’s bike. So, it’s back with it’s rightful owner. I ride all types of bikes! The only kind I haven’t ridden yet is a modern sport bike. 🧐
Your not missing anything
Putting it on the center stand makes it easier to kick. I love the old Triumphs, they're so fun to ride.
NICE! My mother-in-law has a 71 Triumph Bonneville 650. Still regularly rides it at age 58 and has had it since she was 19. It's pretty fast and powerful. I learned to ride vintage kickers on my dad's 1970 BSA 750. Both her Triumph and my dad's BSA have custom duel exhaust which make them loud like Harleys both of them rattle the windows when they ROAR!
"Nice little bike"...it's a freaking Triumph Bonneville, a classic
Indeed it is!
This is the coolest bike ever made.
😍
Ill second that 👍
I just bought a 68 triumph and I can say from experience, they really take a bit to get used to. Missing gears, stalling, forgetting which side the brake is on. But after about 3 or 4 rides it feels totally natural
Yep! That’s all it takes!
I still have my 68 after all these years. I love it.
My only complaint - did you have mention the the issue of the right-side gearshift 4 or 5 times! Back in the early '70s l had a 175 Honda of my own , then my neighbor offered me a spin on his '70 Triumph Bonneville. In spite of all that left-hand shift experience on my Honda l managed to adapt to the British right side shift. To be fair , it can be tricky when you stop quickly for an emergency situation & you go by old reflexes. However, other than that great video, felt like l was really on the Triumph myself. Congratulations, Nicole, compared to a modern Japanese bike a challenging bike for a lady to ride ( no electric start, no turn signals, l always remember the British clutches requiring a strong pull to operate, plus , did anyone notice, the two footpegs are slightly one ahead of the other!). Good riding my dear on a somewhat rugged motorcycle to ride!
Love it well dun you!
I learnt to ride on a Honda CD175 then switched to a 1961 Triumph 3TA (no turn signals). I found the right hand shift to be much better after a few rides to get used to it. After more than three decades without a bike, I got back into motorcycling on an AJS Model 8, another right hand shift but upside down compared to the triumph (1st gear is up & the rest are down). I found that harder to get used to than moving from left to right. That's a lovely Bonneville, well worth taking the time to know.
I was five the first time I ever saw a motorcycle. It was a 49 Triumph Speed-twin. I have always felt Triumph made the nicest looking bikes. At ten I learned to ride on a Triumph Cub. As for the right foot shifter, all the British bikes and the Harley sportser had right foot shifting. We called it goofey foot shifting. The feds mandate all bikes shift left foot starting in 1975. Today, I own a 2002 Triumph America and love it keep the shiney side up
I find your inabilities with various bikes to be very entertaining, especially for a woman who has, thru her business, daily contact with bikes.
I am not being nasty, I know we all had to start somewhere, even me, about 30 odd years ago !
I enjoy your content and look forward to all your vlogs and even meeting you one day in that wonderful building.
Take care, greets, Steve.
Love that sound!
Legend of a bike, but can take a bit of getting used to.
It’s definitely fun to ride!
Good for you lady, you managed to ride what is really an old fashioned sporty ' man's' bike w/o dropping it etc. The next thing to learn soon is to hand signal before turns. Two advantages of these old British twin cylinder bikes is their stability but easy handling, and lots of low rpm torque, so you don't have do a lot of gear shifting.
Stand up on the left peg and then drop your whole body down through the kick starter so that you wind up in the same position you are now starting at. You are unable to transfer much energy from your starting position below the peg.
You did excellent for your first pre runner ride. I own a 54 trophy 650 . and kept trying to brake with the shifter.
Wow!! Awesome ride!!! It would be a little confusing for sure!
It’s always a tad confusing the first few minutes but your second brake-but-meant-shifter attempt clears it riiiiiight up. Hahahaha
oh lord, i’d be in a ditch 🤣🤣🤣 awesome bike!!!
Haha! You’d probably do fine! Just takes a min to get used to. 😅☺️
My 750 norton is right side shift, one up three down , is the triumph the same ? If so weren't you starting off in second gear? . Cheers, I have T160 but that's left shift .
Those are some new carbs because the thing idles. No Triumph idles consistently.
Just wait till you ride a Norton. Up until 1975 the shifted on the right and the shift pattern in one up and three down. You shift up to down shift. How do ya like that wasp wasted tank? Modern bikes are not that shapely.
Put some boots on Gal
Back in the day l had a750sf Lacerda (right hand gear change) . Droped it first morning on the way to Work , when a car suddenly stopped in front of me minor damage only to my pride
I used to own a 1980 Laverda 1200 triple, it was made for the American market and had a factory installed left hand gear shift cross over shaft. The shaft was held to the rear of the engine by nylon saddle clips, it was a rather crude arrangement, but it worked fine and I never missed a gear change.
Tickle my 72 Daytona Twin Carb , twist the Wick 1/4 turn x 3 . Hold Wick Open 1/4 Turn
Starts 1st or 2nd Kick Everytime .
Even after sitting for 3 Winter Months
OOoooo would not were pumps on your feet kicking one of these things....boots only.
I have since begun to only wear boots. I do agree. Thanks!
There is no problem with the head light at night.
Where I live, riding with one mirror is ok, but law requires it to be on the left side of the bar. I suppose that's better and safer for seeing what other vehicles are up to behind you on the overtaking side.
Sounds like you're in second gear on the takeoff
The thing about old bikes are that you are more in touch with the machine. You have to think more about what you are doing which makes it more interesting. Modern bikes are too easy, they seem to have lost their soul. Hardly any input in designing or making them. And they used to sound and smell better.
The Bonnie is fast.
Had a 650 BSA and a 350 Honda at the same time; talk about messing with your brain!
It’s always that first time hitting the brakes to wake you up! 🤣
And, yes, it will launch from second gear, and one can find a false neutral twixt second and third. Says the guy who's done it...
Side stand kick start is not good.
First time I seen this Motorcycle was in *Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story*
Awesome! Is that movie worth a watch, then? I’ve never seen it.
You need to learn how to ride that bike.
I have learned to ride this bike. I’m riding it in the video. 😉
She should not be allowed to ride it she has not got a clue
kind of embarrassing, sorry
How so?