When my mood gets too hot and I find myself wandering beyond control
I pull out my motor-bike and hurl it top-speed through these unfit roads
for hour after hour. My nerves are jaded and gone near dead, so that
nothing less than hours of voluntary danger will prick them into life...
T.E. Lawrence, April, 1923
Post your comments and
ask questions on my FORUM.
TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES
 Here
are my pages with the history of 110 years of Triumph motorcycles plus information
on other vintage British motorcycles, tidbits on the history of motorcycling.
I've also included a review of the new Triumph
Thunderbird. You can go to the local Triumph dealer who sold me
two Hinckley Triumphs: J&R
Cycle in Wasaga Beach, Ontario. They're good folk and they work hard and
put in many, many hours. And the entire family rides, so they can talk
expertly about their bikes. Also check out my
British
motorcycle manufacturers pages - a compilation of brief histories
from the late 19th century on. I now own a Triumph Bonneville T100.
TRIUMPH
SPRINT ST
 I had this
magnificent bike as a test vehicle for more than a month in mid-1999. After 1,000
kilometers, they had to pull me off kicking and screaming to return
it. This is the best, most agile, powerful and enjoyable motorcycle
I have ever ridden. Truly an amazing vehicle. It is an exciting,
competent blend of style and performance.
My reviews were
published in the motorcycle press. Read what others have
to say about this bike at www.triumphnet.com/.
Read my expanded review here.
HONDA VFR 800 INTERCEPTOR
 After
I sold the Tiger, I bought a 1999 Honda
VFR 800FI, the Interceptor - awarded 'best all-round motorcycle'
by several magazines in 1998 and 1999, as well as 'motorcycle of the
year' awards from several motorcycle publications during the past 7-8
years. It was red, fast, powerful, smooth, fuel-injected and it
cut corners quickly and easily. Did I also mention red? It's a reasonably
comfortable sport-touring bike, a touch too quiet, but technically superb
and confidence-inspiring to ride. And a whole lot more bike than I really
needed for my in-town riding - where I seldom reach above 4,000 rpm.
I did put in a seven-hour trip to Ottawa (six hours return) on it. Plus
I rode it in the Ride
For Sight in 2000. Beautiful bike, but, like my ex-wife, we were unsuited together.
WRETRO WRIDERS - W650
 After
a couple of months trying to decide about my feelings for the sporty
Honda, I traded the VFR for the pleasant look and feel of a retro bike:
the Kawasaki
W650,
an air-cooled, vertical twin that looks and rides very much like the
beloved Triumph Bonneville of the late 1960s. The W is very retro in looks, but a thoroughly modern engine. It attracts
curbside attention, it's fun to ride, it handles well and it gets me
places in comfort and style. For motorcycle reviews, opinions, news,
tests, technical tips and other tasty bits, please see the Canadian
Motorcycle Guide Online at www.cmgonline.com
and my review of this bike and its history at
www.ianchadwick.com/motorcycles/w650/.
Also check out my
British
motorcycle manufacturers pages - a compilation of brief histories
from the late 19th century on. For those of you keeping count: that
was six motorcycles I owned (and rode) in one calendar year: Triumph Thunderbird, Kawasaki
Drifter, Triumph Tiger, Honda VFR 800, Kawasaki W650 and a 1968 BSA
Royal Star. Whew. The W has recently been sold in favour of a BMW
F650, but it remains in my heart.
SMALL SIZE, BIG HEART: BMW F650
 You'll be able to read more about my latest bike, a
98 BMW F650, purchased used in the fall of 2001. Reason: I wanted to be
able to go off the asphalt. In my area there are hundreds of miles of
winding, scenic unpaved roads (reasoning here:
why F650). I wanted to be able to explore them on a
motorcycle. I have never felt entirely comfortable taking a cruiser or a
sport bike on a gravel road. I did a lot of research into the
appropriate bike for both pavement and back-road riding. I'll explain
how I ended up picking the Funduro (name chosen by non-motorcycling
advertising geeks who probably drive SUVs, not by riders). A great,
competent and fun ride. However, I sold it for a Bonneville T100 in
mid-03...
RIDE FOR SIGHT
 In 1998, the Central
Ontario Ride For Sight came to the GNE Fairgrounds for the first time, the 20th anniversary
Ride. It returned in 1999, 2000 (for the final Ride of this millennium)
and for the first ride of the new millennium in 2001. 2002 was a bit of
a mud bath, with three days of torrential rains. It is coming
back for the 25th anniversary in 2003 (with better weather!) - bigger, better and with even more riders expected (about
10,000 riders and passengers participated in 2001). Click above for more details and
link about this event
(at the GNE fairgrounds in Clearview Township just outside the towns
of Collingwood and Wasaga Beach). Demo rides, vendors, camping,
live music, food, beer, show & shine, field games and more. Volunteers
are needed! Triumph is not among the eight
manufacturers offering demo rides. In 2005, the Ride For Sight
opted to move to a new location near Trenton. My best wishes for their
continued success. WHY DO WE RIDE?
 Click
here for my essay. Motorcycling is more than a recreation -
it's a state of mind. Here are my thoughts on why motorcycling is so
important and why so many believe it makes us better people. It's also about how automobile technology has
inexorably robbed us of our skills and our freedoms, while making the
roads increasing dangerous. For my
warning signs about road hazards, click on the link. People with
little or no sense of humour (or thin-skinned, oxygen-deprived SUV
drivers) are recommended not to do so.
MORE MOTORCYCLES
 Click
here for my Motorcycle links pages. You might have gathered
that motorcycles are one of many passions in my life, but a big one.
This page changes as I discover new sites and change motorcycles, so
take a look if you haven't done so recently. Any suggestions and new
site recommendations are welcome. Check out my
British
motorcycle manufacturers pages - a compilation of brief histories
from the late 19th century on.
ROYAL
ENFIELD BULLETS
 The Canadian importers of
the Enfield Bullet closed shop in the late 1990s. I owned and enjoyed a Bullet in 1995, and
decided I should have another, so I bought a used 1995 with very low
mileage, but a ton of problems. The Bullet was a gentle, pleasant bike, not too powerful,
but with great charm and character, and great-looking. Thanks to Terry Smith for his support of
this bike and for continuing to keep the Enfield Bullet alive in Canada as
long as he did! Terry graciously
returned my original review of the Bullet
and my history of Royal Enfield
motorcycles for this site. If you have corrections and updates,
please email me directly or post them on my FORUM.
Also check out my British
motorcycle manufacturers pages - a compilation of brief histories
from the late 19th century on.
 Post
your comments, share opinions and ask questions on the Mumpsimous
FORUM if you want to add your two cents'
worth or to just comment. More sites are in the works. Check back again
for updates. last update: March, 2005.
Click here to go back to my home
page.
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