Road Test Shootout: Harley vs Triumph Conclusion
- 5-11-2012
- Categorized in: Features, Motorcycles
Any good shootout has to have a clear winner, right? Trying to flatly say one machine is better than another is not only a matter of opinion, but one of perspective. Both the Forty-Eight and the T100 are great choices for a new bike. While some might think the two motorcycles are like comparing apples and oranges, I would argue the contrary. They are certainly different, but serve the same purpose–filling that empty spot in the garage for a rider with roughly ten grand. If said rider wants a fun, reliable and cool motorcycle that is lighter and more nimble than a full-on cruiser, more laid back than a sport bike, and loaded with classic style, either bike fits the bill. The Chop Cult reader will undoubtedly want to modify his bike, whether it's stripping it down, tarting it up, or to use as the basis for a full-on chopper. Being able to define what you expect from your machine is what impacts your perspective and helps you choose the right bike. Lots of things are vague and subjective, but when my criteria is as simple as: "how fun is this machine to ride compared to how much it costs?" the winner emerges and it's the Hinkley Triumph.
Years ago, too many to remember the dates, Bell Helmet ran ads “if you have
a $10 head buy a $10 helmet.’' At the time Bell was recognized as the helmet to
own, and were expensive, costing from $20-80, big money for a new rider. But
then the lawyers stepped in, and Bell was sued for accidents of riders wearing
their helmet. The claims ran from “if it is the best, why did my client get
hurt or die?” Even if the victim wasn’t wearing any helmet, or not a Bell, they
were sued anyway, “if your ads were better, they would have warn a Bell,” or
“if they weren’t so expensive, they would be wearing a Bell.” Praise the hand
that feeds you, then attack it. And Bell paid off big, settling out of court,
as most liability suits are, and driving up the cost of the helmet. But one
day, the liabilities went too far, and Bell started fighting back. “See you in
court,” and finally lawyers went from negotiators to practicers of the law, and
Bell won a convincing 97% of the cases. The specious law suits ended, Bell
could design even better helmets rather than pay claims, and the industry was
saved from the attorneys. Don’t you just love happy endings?
10-15 years ago motorcycling was staging a comeback, in an industry with
lots of ups and downs, the up side was nice to be part of for a change. Relying
on the books of the trade, the motorcycle magazines, then as now bikes are
provided for road tests to the magazines, and I can tell you from first hand
experience not always brought back as they went out. From total repaints, to
off road adventures on sport bikes to only ridden for a few seconds in the
background, I have seen editors and directors destroy bikes, with the attitude
“let the manufacturer pay for it.” Until one day Honda had had enough, one of
its press fleet returned totaled, they sent a bill to the magazine, which the
prideful publication refused to pay. How dare Honda, they are press bikes,
meant to be used hard, or irresponsibly, and Honda fought back. They pulled all
their advertising, ALL, and the magazine was almost dealt a death blow. And the
longer that Honda held their ground, the road testers finally got the message,
and order was restored. “You break it, you bought it,” just like us, with
certain exceptions. The manufacturers still hand out new bikes for review, but
now the magazines know they may be on the hook. Whether they listen or not is up
to the manufacturer, and some have drawn some pretty heavy lines. Sadly some of
the reviews reflect it, and then the ads are pulled. So the battle
continues....and now you know why some road testers never met a bike they didn’t
like. Money talks, we just ride.
Sin is an interesting concept, and until we know we are doing wrong,
sinning, we will continue to do it. Scripture tells us that “all like sheep
have gone astray,” sheep taking the stupid crown from cows. Sheep can somehow
find a hole in the fence and escape, but cannot find the same hole to get back
in. Sounds like us, we find a way to sin, and are cut off from God, but we
cannot find our own way back. While some have paid indulgences to the church
over the years, or have sought forgiveness in penance, only Jesus can truly
forgive our sins. Jesus who was without sin, bore our sins on the cross, making
the way for us to get back to God, tough for him, but easy for us. But first we
must acknowledge the fact we are sinners, maybe the ultimate stumbling block.
We are told that he loved us first, a good thing, since without his love, we
would still be without a way back, without forgiveness. Our first thought about
ourselves is we are not that bad, some are worse, and we make the excuses based
on that. Jesus says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
ALL. All of our creativeness, excuses, and shortcomings come to light in Jesus,
we cannot do it alone. We can try to be good, but that doesn’t forgive us, we
can learn and pray, attend services, take care of the poor, and keep the Ten
Commandments, but without Jesus there is no forgiveness of sins. Yet some take
the hard way out, and are still lost. And like when Honda was faced with a bill
for something they didn’t do, cancel their advertising, their relationship with
God. Truer still, maybe they never had one. If it was based on works, you will
always fall short, so God made salvation a free gift, so we all could afford
it. We have come a long way from $10 helmets, are you still wearing a $10
religion?
There is no free salvation, Jesus paid the price, but he did it for us. But
yet money talks, and too many walk that could be riding. Or be saved. But
settle for a case of bad religion. I was part of a conversation some twenty
years ago, where the man who wrote an article comparing a Sportster to a
Thunderbird Sport, which in every comparison beat the Sporty. Yet the article
picked the Sporty over the Sport as the winner. And we called the editor out on
it, who finally admitted, “the Triumph is a much better bike, and yes it won the
comparison. The story printed was not the one I wrote, but was told to
rewrite. Harley advertises much more than Triumph with us, money talks.” But
still no reprisal or confession. Maybe if we go back to the days of Bell
calling out the accusers, if we confront God as he does us, in love, we will see
the truth, and be set free. Maybe when we see sin for what it is, and how only
in Jesus can we fight against it and win, we will see our lives changed. But
still the sheep are out there, but still are the goats. Jesus came to separate
us from them, and to be the great shepherd. But the only way to get hold of the
redemption Jesus offers is to admit we are sinners, and repent. Like sheep, we
have all gone astray. Even those who ride and write about bikes. Fortunately
Jesus bore the sins of them too, and all have the free offer of salvation and
forgiveness. The truth, not a truth, not some opinion in print will set you
free. Still worshipping a $10 God, based on a $10 religion? Turn to Jesus and
see we are the problem and not the solution. The day the motorcycle industry
fought back, was the day we all who ride won. But the day that Jesus won our
salvation for us, we all won. Even those who write and report. God will see us
all in court someday, And his version of the road test of your life will be the
true one. That ought to scare a lot of us.....thankfully God has laid our
iniquity of our sin on Jesus. See you in court....or in heaven. Some read,
some ride. The law will never save you, Jesus does.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com