Hi all. For the last 40 years I have not been able to ride a bike after a nasty crash on one when I was 19. I lost my knee cap and I could not bend my left leg fully for all those years so a bike was out of the question. Last year I was walking the dog in the woods and took a tumble on some mud. My left leg ended up folded underneath me fully bent backwards.. to say it hurt was an understatement. I managed to crawl,hop the half mile home, I went to the hospital as my leg had swollen to three time it's size. No bones broken but the X-ray showed that the fibrous stuff that was stopping my knee bending was broken up. They told me my body would dissolve it over the next few weeks. Which it did I am glad to say. Well after the swelling went down.. guess what.. After 40 years I could actually fully bend my leg again! Well that got me thinking.. so I did my cbt. Then the theory. Last month did my mod 1 on a 600cc Yamaha fz today 40 years later I passed my module 2 with just two minors. I have been riding around during training on a little Yamaha 125 YBR custom which is cute little bike.. but now the mod 2 is out of the way I am looking for a bike. I want to keep the British flag flying so I am looking at triumph. Just seen a rather nice 2001 triumph legend with only 6k miles from new. Just asking what you think of them.. would like a bonny but like the swept up pipes rather than the peashooter style.. could I fit some different pipes on a new bonny either the 900 or 1200cc.. or just get the beautiful legend I have spotted.. Sorry for the long thread it's been 40 years in the making lol..
Well done, Setchy and welcome. A Legend with only 6,000 miles on the clock will be almost a new bike in every sense but its age. Legends were the 'basic' Thunderbird with a lower seat height and, I do believe, a single colour paint job. I also think that the seat does not open or lift off as others do, requiring a bit of spanner twirling to remove it (supply your own as there is no tool kit with the bike). The above critique is dependant on my memory being reliable - you have been warned. It will be a good first bike as it is not too powerful but very capable. Should also hold its value well from here on in, as long as the asking price is a fair one. As Dilligaf says, try to get a few test rides in to see what suits you and your budget best.
Hi setchy, You've almost convinced me to get a dog! Get the legend, sounds like you're in love already.
When I was in the market for another bike last year I too looked at a beautiful Legend at a dealer in Derby, it was a one owner, low mileage bike in superb condition and I immediately wanted it. Until it was off its stand and I started to move it about the showroom. I came to the inescapable opinion that it was just too bulky for me, I had visions of it being too big to handle in the limited space I have at home in what passes for a garage, and it ending up on the deck with me pinned underneath it. I very reluctantly walked away from buying it. However I located a Bonneville Newchurch with just 500 miles done in as new condition, again I was smitten! I applied the shunt around in a relatively confined space test and, although not what you can describe as a true light weight, it was certainly considerably less of a handful than the Legend. After a good, long road test I inevitably bought it. The first few months were an interesting period of re-educating myself to adapt to the bikes characteristics, which was not all plain sailing, however we now understand each other quite well and get along famously. I've rambled on a bit but your post reminded me so much of my time spent deciding between these 2 beautiful bikes. Take a few out on test rides, as has been said, you'll know then what suits and what doesn't. Plenty of info available on this forum as well. Ride safely. Curly
Many thanks for your kind words. I took a look at the legend and it's a big hefty beast. A really stunning bike. But as you righty say. It's heavy. Something lighter I think. I am off to look at a few bikes. I like the new bonneville but ( prefer the look of the swept up pipes rather than the pea shooter style. I will ask thee triumph dealers if there's an option to change the pipes.. I am off there this morning for a look round.. let you know when I get back.. thanks again for your nice welcome.. it's so good to have that coveted A liscence after 40 years..
Wow.. just back from my triumph dealer visit. Looked at the thruxton, street twin, t1200 then hiding in a corner looking for a new home was an intense orange over white t100 brand new.. before I knew where I was I was signing up to buy it. Added a screen and a luggage rack.. got a decent trade in on the YBR 125 custom. Need to hand over 3k as my extra deposit then stick the rest on a finance package.. So there you have it. A new bonny will be on the road in a week or two. I decide to live with the pea shooters as they look better in the flesh. Can't wait..
Setchy.Well done on getting back to riding after all these years.Good choice on the Orange T100 that's what i've got.Fast Orange .
Hi Setchy What a great outcome for you now and inspiring story for me. I am 58 and have never owned a bike. This was because of a pillion ride on a mates Kawasaki at a the age of 18 that turned into a wheelie that went wrong! No serious injuries just lots of cuts/scratches caused by my useless safety gear of shorts and t-shirt - I didn't know what I was doing! Well that frightened me enough then. So having read this forum and come across your post I took my CBT through to Mod 2 and am getting a Street Twin this Saturday. I am sure I will be the Mary Poppins of bikers in my area but am looking forward to the Triumph and the extra torque/power over my Honda 125 - which I ride all the time. I hope you have had a good summer and although I have left it late this year I will still use it as much as is sensible over the winter. I feel like I have just joined a world that I didn't really know existed. Cheers Andy
Hi glad to hear I am not alone.. hope you enjoy your bike. My bonnie is ready just got to fire up the credit card and pay for it. Picking it up on Thursday Friday which is a bit sad as I will only have Sunday to have a ride before we are off on holiday.. boo hoo... I will be singing a sad little song while I'm thinking of home.. join in the chorus ... my bonnie lies over the ocean,my bonnie lies over the sea.. keep safe..
Welcome Setchy. A very low mileage bike isn't always a good thing unless it's had it's annual services. All those fluids going off and messing stuff up inside. Make sure you get it well checked out first. As to swept up pipes on a Bonnie,, lots of two into one available for the 865 version, not so sure about the current. You'll have to google for the usual suspects like Evotech.