|  | Topic : Popped my Euro-Cherry |  |
| | | Thatch | | Thor |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
|
| | Posted : 09 Mar 2011 - 13:13 Post title : Popped my Euro-Cherry | | | Yes, after long last I was able to get the bird out on the road today. It's been too long, what with my travels, the damage to the bike and the weather I've been off the bike since I think August of last year. I did take it out yesterday but only rode into town, filled up the tires and started to head out before realizing that I was still running North Carolina plates and no mirrors, so the ride was very short. Today I got to get out a bit, put a good 50 miles on the bike and got to get the cobwebs knocked off her a bit. In the process I got to do a first ride (of any distance) with my new seat and grips and I got the damage quote for the bike.
Seat
As most of you know I had the seat reshaped when I got the custom cover done. This was my first chance to see how that worked out. The short of it is, I couldn't be happier. The seat is great, it's given me just enough extra room to lighten the stress on my knees while not reducing any of the padding. While I haven't done a long ride on the bike, it looks as though this was a real win for both style and comfort.
Grips
For the most part they worked well. The throttle grip needs to be redone because of the asinine system or crenelated ridges that Triumph puts on the throttle sleeve. They show through on the right side grip and make it appear bumpy. It doesn't effect function much, but doesn't look good. I was hoping it would settle in a bit but lumpy texture has got to be sorted.
Quote
Well, it's official, the open mouthed breathing knuckle dragging ham fisted movers of mine managed to do 3120.80 Euro worth of damage to my bike. A ridiculous amount both for how they managed to screw things up, and for how much Triumph charges. I wonder just how much it would cost to 'build from scratch' a tbird made with OEM parts. I suspect we are talking a good $45k give or take. Ah well, it (hopefully) works to my favor. I'll replace the headers and save the rest of the money to pay for a repaint of the bike, with better harder paint. (if I can just get one of the shops to respond to my inquiries).
The Rest
It was great being back on the bird again. I can tell I'm a bit rusty, which is to be expected but it was a blast, chilly weather and all. I pushed it enough to remember my tires are getting worn but otherwise kept it pretty calm. I got to enjoy the easy pull of the torque on the autobahn, rolling on from 60 to 110 mph in 6th makes you realize you can be awfully lazy on this bike if you want to be. It was just just an enjoyable ride.
The bike did get a lot of attention. There aren't that many cruisers here and the BC pipes tend to signal you're passing, so I had lots of head turning and inquisitive looks from the locals. I did notice one interesting thing. Germans tend to stare, that's no big secret I've gotten used to that. They don't avert their eyes if you meet their gaze like Americans do... except today. I don't know if it's all motorcycles, big black motorcycles, big guys on black motorcycles or they've all given up staring for lent, but today, they all looked away if I saw them staring. That was interesting.
Well, now I just have to get it inspected (I have 30 days ... well actually 2 weeks since I fly back to the states then) I just have to find my mirrors now.
|
|
| | | mat1600 | | Thunderbird | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 09 Mar 2011 - 14:26 Post title : Re: Popped my Euro-Cherry (Re: Thatch) | | | Good to hear your back on the bike - 6 or 7 months off the bike is way too long.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
|
|
| | | narsisco_lopez | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 09/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 2,765 | | Location | : | Golden (Showers!), Colorado, United States |
|
| | Posted : 09 Mar 2011 - 15:02 Post title : Re: Popped my Euro-Cherry (Re: mat1600) | | | Nice! 
The repair estimate doesn't surprise me, even with the quote in Euros. I was appalled at my first quote on the damage I did to my ZX10R and then again when State Farm totaled it. Man, can those numbers roll up quickly where OEM parts and then shop labor is factored in.
I'll be waiting to see photos when you finally get her painted!
| 2012 Storm (SOLD!)
Other Bikes:
2003 Suzuki DRZ400E (plated - my dual sport/mountain trail/camping bike)
Past Bikes:
2012 K13S
2009 KTM 990 Adventure
2010 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 (the Alien Queen)
2009 Triumph Sprint ST (another great bike!)
2007 Kawasaki ZX10R
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1975 Honda SB550T "Clubman"
1981 Kawasaki KZ1000J
1985 Suzuki GS550E
1978 Yamaha 650 Special
|
|
| | | zolti | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 09 Mar 2011 - 15:11 Post title : Re: Popped my Euro-Cherry (Re: Thatch) | | |
Thatch wrote:
I don't know if it's all motorcycles, big black motorcycles, big guys on black motorcycles or they've all given up staring for lent, but today, they all looked away if I saw them staring. That was interesting.
|
|
 thats worth reading a few times
|
|
| | | EnGage | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
|
| | Posted : 09 Mar 2011 - 18:23 Post title : Re: Popped my Euro-Cherry (Re: Thatch) | | | Thatch - I know your wife took a position in Germany, but it sounds like you now have one of the world's longest commutes. Is going back and forth to the states going to be a way of life for you, or do you have something to settle down to in Europe?
|
|
| | | Birdy68 | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
|
| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 05:20 Post title : Re: Popped my Euro-Cherry (Re: zolti) | | | Thatch wrote:
.... or they've all given up staring for lent... |
|
Nice one. Jawohl - you have now become Der Mann man!
Erm... What's that about an inspection?
Your bike?
With the BC pipes?
.... That'll be interesting!
What did the dealer say? Does he have a 'Bird or two, or is it all pocket rockets up north Germany?
| Birdy68
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
 -x-  -x- 
more info at Fuelly.com
|
|
| | | Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
|
| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 10:04 Post title : Re: Popped my Euro-Cherry (Re: EnGage) | | | EnGage wrote:
Is going back and forth to the states going to be a way of life for you, or do you have something to settle down to in Europe? |
|
I'll pretty much be keeping this up for the foreseeable future. I do testing and evaluation for the military and so far I have been unsuccessful in convincing them to do that events on this side of the pond. The thing is, if I were back in the states I would still be leaving and going on-site somewhere away from home for a couple weeks to a month at a time, so I'd still be away. Granted, some of the other guys got to fly their wives out for a mid event visit which I can't do... and, I'm force to talk to my wife in a small window after she wakes up and I am getting ready for bed.... outside of that, it's basically the same gig with a slightly longer flight on both ends. The nice thing is that it's a job that I can say, 'I'm moving to Germany' and we just figure out how to make it work and I keep on doing what I do. That's a dangerous situation for someone with wanderlust like myself.
| I'll be waiting to see photos when you finally get her painted! |
|
You and me both. As it is I can't get any of the shops to return my calls and emails. It's getting frustrating as I am running out of time.
So, if anyone in Germany knows of a good shop to get a paint job done at, please let me know.
| What's that about an inspection? |
|
Oh yeah, I've got to get an inspection done. I'm running on temp tags right now. I have to get it into the base in the next 25 days or so and get a full check. Now, this inspection is done on the base so I'm not sure if it's easier or harder than normal. I guess I will find out. Hopefull it will go through with no problems but one never knows till it's done.
The dealer did have several tbirds. They even had 2 storms (which still look like rolling penis extensions to me) and a roadster. Most of the riders that were coming through were on Daytonas and Stripples and their leather body condoms. Not exactly my crowd but it was good to have somewhere, anywhere to go to on the bike after so long.
As for what they said? Nothing. They asked what parts I wanted to replace and put it on the quote. The guy I've talked to in there on both occasions is about as compelling as a cracker someone has already licked the salt off of. I did see a guy that emerged from the background (worked there obviously) who was wearing a t-shirt and needed a shave. That alone made him look a bit more promising.
|
|
| | | narsisco_lopez | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 09/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 2,765 | | Location | : | Golden (Showers!), Colorado, United States |
|
| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 13:14 Post title : Re: Popped my Euro-Cherry (Re: Thatch) | | |
Thatch wrote:
I'll pretty much be keeping this up for the foreseeable future. I do testing and evaluation for the military and so far I have been unsuccessful in convincing them to do that events on this side of the pond. The thing is, if I were back in the states I would still be leaving and going on-site somewhere away from home for a couple weeks to a month at a time, so I'd still be away. Granted, some of the other guys got to fly their wives out for a mid event visit which I can't do... and, I'm force to talk to my wife in a small window after she wakes up and I am getting ready for bed.... outside of that, it's basically the same gig with a slightly longer flight on both ends. The nice thing is that it's a job that I can say, 'I'm moving to Germany' and we just figure out how to make it work and I keep on doing what I do. That's a dangerous situation for someone with wanderlust like myself.
|
|
Ya know, I'll say what I say to myself whenever I find myself complaining about my clients: SURE beats working at the Home Depot!
| 2012 Storm (SOLD!)
Other Bikes:
2003 Suzuki DRZ400E (plated - my dual sport/mountain trail/camping bike)
Past Bikes:
2012 K13S
2009 KTM 990 Adventure
2010 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 (the Alien Queen)
2009 Triumph Sprint ST (another great bike!)
2007 Kawasaki ZX10R
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1975 Honda SB550T "Clubman"
1981 Kawasaki KZ1000J
1985 Suzuki GS550E
1978 Yamaha 650 Special
|
|
| | | EnGage | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
|
| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 16:19 Post title : Re: Popped my Euro-Cherry (Re: Thatch) | | | Well, we can wave at each other as we pass over the Atlantic. I'm about 95% certainly that I'll be taking a contract assignment with a local company who's parent is in Belgium. The work will likely take me to Belgium several times
| | Post edited by EnGage on 10 Mar 2011 - 16:20 |
|
| | | Birdy68 | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
|
| | Posted : 11 Mar 2011 - 09:11 Post title : Re: Popped my Euro-Cherry (Re: EnGage) | | |
EnGage wrote:
...The work will likely take me to Belgium several times |
|
Ooooh - I see future 'Luxembourg' trips on the agenda....
| Birdy68
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
-x- -x-
more info at Fuelly.com
|
|
| | | EnGage | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
|
| | Posted : 11 Mar 2011 - 22:10 Post title : Re: Popped my Euro-Cherry (Re: Birdy68) | | | Birdy68 wrote:
EnGage wrote:
...The work will likely take me to Belgium several times |
|
Ooooh - I see future 'Luxembourg' trips on the agenda.... |
|
I believe they are in Antwerp, but I'd be happy to rent a ride and meet you in Luxemburg or wherever
|
|
| | | narsisco_lopez | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 09/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 2,765 | | Location | : | Golden (Showers!), Colorado, United States |
|
| | Posted : 11 Mar 2011 - 22:14 Post title : Re: Popped my Euro-Cherry (Re: EnGage) | | | EnGage wrote:
Well, we can wave at each other as we pass over the Atlantic. I'm about 95% certainly that I'll be taking a contract assignment with a local company who's parent is in Belgium. The work will likely take me to Belgium several times |
|
Frites and Beer! 
EDIT: Reading these Euro-related threads/posts makes me think of the old sailors' adage, "A Girl in Every Port", except, I'd like to change it to, "A Motorcycle in Every Port".
| 2012 Storm (SOLD!)
Other Bikes:
2003 Suzuki DRZ400E (plated - my dual sport/mountain trail/camping bike)
Past Bikes:
2012 K13S
2009 KTM 990 Adventure
2010 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 (the Alien Queen)
2009 Triumph Sprint ST (another great bike!)
2007 Kawasaki ZX10R
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1975 Honda SB550T "Clubman"
1981 Kawasaki KZ1000J
1985 Suzuki GS550E
1978 Yamaha 650 Special
| | Post edited by narsisco_lopez on 11 Mar 2011 - 22:40 |
|
|
| |
| |
|