Newbie From South Africa

Thank you for accepting me into this forum!

Although I've always liked Triumphs, I must say that Every Triumph I own was an unlikely purchase!

A 3 years ago I arranged to test ride a T120 but as I fell ill, I had to cancel. Two weeks later when I was near the dealership I decided to drop in, only to find that the dealership was a buzzing with buyers.

Turns out Triumph was in the trows of making major dealership changes and as such sacked all the dealerships in SA.

I test rode both the T120 and the Thruxton, however I still preferred the T120 only to be told I can't have one, not even the demo.

While in the dealership and spotted a mate of mine that I hadn't seen in some time. He was there to negotiate a change of colour of the Thruxton he bought and that's when it all fell into place.

He told me the bikes were selling for GBP 2500 below list, so taking a Thruxton 1200 R at that price in place of a T120 is a no brainer.

I've since come to love everything about the Truxton to the point of adding an Evotech tail tidy, Triumph Cafe fairing, pillion pegs and even a double seat made from a single so as to keep with the cafe racer team.

My latest Triumph purchase came after the Triumph dealer phoned to invite me to come test ride some bikes so as to create some activity at the shop after the hard lockdown we had for close to 3 months.

I agreed to test tide a Scrambler XE and the Speed Triple, just to get to ride for a few hours and be out of the house jail I'd been getting claustrophobic in.

I've always had a love hate relationship with naked bikes as they often are nicer to ride in traffic but offer no wind protection at speed.

Needless to say that after I rode the Speed Triple, I was smitten. That immediate feeling of a crisp throttle couple with the instant torque delivery that maintains itself well beyond the midrange when that joyous top end BHP wakes up.

I particularly enjoy the lack of castrating electronics that (cost on average GBP 1500 to remove, tweak, adjust, etc) allows for some controlled wheel spin, wheelies (Btw, I've only done those once accidentally in a race and when I was young and drunk once) the planted and quick steering front end.

The salesmen did warn me of the possibility of a new Speed Triple coming next year, but I figured this bike's been so well refined, so I pulled the trigger on the eve of the Spy photos making it to the net and I must emphasise, I have NO regrets!

2017 Thruxton 1200 R
2020 Speed Triple RS (Sold 2012 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC)
2014 MV F3 800
2013 Harley Street Bob
2015 Beta 300 RR

 

I dig the Triumph Triple Angry Cylinder logo!

Yup, the score I made with the huge price drop only benefits me for as long as I hold onto my Thruxton as you said KMSA dropping the price to sell the warehouse stock screwed the trade-in/used market up.

Triumph did say they're looking at trading in used Triumphs as they have a lot of interest from people who can't afford a new or demo and only want to buy a used Triumph from a Triumph dealer.

I think this pandemic might just push them to finalise that decision sooner!