RIDING THE ROADSTER.....

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Factory 1 was the destination on a bright Thursday morning. The weather seemed good at 5˚C, no snow or ice and the morning dampness was drying out of the tarmac. Wendy had arranged this before Christmas, but snow ploughing didn’t appeal and it was the first time I had got suited up since late November. Over indulgence in December was a little noticeable – or was it the extra t-shirt I had put on? 

I checked in at the gate house and was directed away from the main building to a long shed to the side of the site. Triumph's technician Paul greeted me and the sight of so many Triumphs in various stages of undress was a view that sent a warm glow inside. I unloaded my gear, quickly parked the van and was dressed ready for the quick riding brief.

My ride was to be a 7 mile old gloss black Roadster, very similar of course to the previous model of which I own an example of, with the fuel gauge and time clock now integrated into the main instruments and the riding position is more upright. Instruments are very clear.

I headed down the A5 from Hinckley and felt at home after a few minutes of riding, standard pipes roaring from gear to gear sounded great, with the odd pop when using the engine to break. This bike has all the character and a little more from the original Rocket.
I skirted around Luterworth before joining the M1 then the A14. The acceleration is fantastic and would give a lot of Santa Pod traffic a run for their money!

It’s so effortless to ride and the engine is smoother than before. It has ABS fitted as standard - front brake is very effective and you feel the back break ease in. It was nearly 50 minutes before I stopped top end of Northampton to meet up with Ralph on his Rocket Tourer. No acnes or pains, it’s a very good riding position, mirrors are a little narrow seeing past my shoulders but, that my fault having used a Bullworker so much when I was eighteen.   

New tyres on a damp and cold road surface, means that you are looking for dry areas of the road and during the day of pushing it a little, I did have a couple of “small moments” but this bike is so adaptable whether riding solo or two up touring with the kitchen sink, It suits all conditions if you ride it well and respect it.

Having ridden up to Rushden for a cuppa and nearly a bacon roll at Pure Triumph (it would have been really nice), me on the Roadster and Ralph on his Rocket Tourer headed over to Mears Ashby for a photo before parting and heading back up to Hinckley. I stopped at the Lutterworth roundabout that honours Sir Frank Whittle (Lutterworth is where his early development on the jet engine took place).

I arrived back in to Hinckley as grey clouds were starting to look heavy. The gate house once again raised it barrier, the Roadster was back home. I ran around the site as if I was in pit lane heading back to the far side shed, Paul again greeted me and the day was almost over.

Many thanks to Wendy and Paul for organising a really good day. I have ridden some 25000 miles on Rockets in 4 years, all over the UK and abroad going to France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Holland and later this year to Spain. They may not suite every rider or pocket, but give it a try, life’s too short!

Paul Golding