Jamie

Following my near fatal crash with my 5-week old 1700cc V-Max on Sep. 30, I ordered (from the clinic) a 2010 model year 1600cc Triumph T'Bird (I had test-ridden the thing last August, a great cruiser, no doubt, but IMO way too bland in terms of excitment). Only to discover at the recent Milano bike show that Triumph was displaying an "extra cost", "limited edition" 1700cc version thereof. Good for 97 BHP's, as opposed to 86, with EUR3-compatible cans.

AARGH!

So I have told my dealer to EITHER cancel my order OR to supply a bike with this so-called "big bore kit" (which he--not the factory-- has to install), the associated e:tune and TOR pipes, for a "symbolic" (my word) price premium over the standard version.

And he has agreed.

Maybe, convalescence AND and weather permitting, I'll take delivery of this "reasonable" mount before year-end

Best. Jamie

Speedtrip

Holy crap Jamie! Hope your alright, you'll have to fill us in on the details. Hate to see that V-Max gone but bikes can always be replaced.

Jamie

Sure you wanna be filled in on the lurid details???

Small county road. I was overtaking a truck that suddenly swerved to the left. The lateral impact sent me airborne. Damage: cranial traumatism, wounded knee, broken right hand and two pelvis fractures.

The traumatism receded within 24 hours. But I still have what the MD refers to as "circumstantial amnesia", i.e. an almost total memory loss in terms of what had happened before and after the crash (a 3 hour "blank", so to speak). The knee was fixed with stitches. The hand was operated on and titanium inserts implanted into it. The pelvis fractures resorbed themselves after an agonizing six-week bed confinement and another two weeks on crutches.

I am all right now, at long last.

PS. The V-Max bounced on the road and ended-up hitting a wall on the right-hand side of it. According to my insurance expert, it was beyond repair. Gone as well is my full-face Shoei helmet that had a crack in the right temple area. I already got a check from the insurance company covering both the bike and the helmet, so there's virtually no financial sequel to this accident.

Regards. Jamie

Speedtrip

That would be a bad situation. Did you find out why the truck swerved?

The Prophet

Jamie,

Good review of the unfortunate accident details. It's also excellent to hear that you were wearing a helmet. It may not mean much to some out there, but to younger or new riders, imagine what the results would have been with no helmet...

Jamie, you can elaborate if you want.

Ride Safe!

Bob

Jamie

Well, Bob, all I can elaborate is that if I had not worn... a full-face helmet... a thick leather jacket with pads around the shoulders and elbows... racing gloves with carbon reinforcements... so-called "engineer" boots... and a pair of denim-looking riding trousers, I would certainly not be here to elaborate

Best. Jamie

The Prophet

Jamie,

I did an 'all afternoon' test ride of the Thunderbird a few months ago. I think the review is in the Triumph section on this forum. Agee absolutely that it's a great bike, which IMHO just needed a windshield and slight rearward relocation of the forward pegs to suit me 100%.

Unfortunately (or not!) I did the test riding 100% with the wife on-board, as that is how I usually ride... two-up. Even at that I thought it was great, so imagine one-up!

The test bike was stock, but had the "shorty" pipes installed. I also think there's a picture or two of me with the T-Bird in my Photo album here.

You'll love it.

Ride Safe!

Bob

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• A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu
• Motorcyles are not my whole life, but they make my life whole. ` me