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2014 Triumph Speed Triple 1050 ownership; 3 years with superbike

14th November 2024, 17:48 by Rahul Nagaraj

I’m super glad I made that bad decision of picking up a 2014 1050cc, 140-something horsepower torque bomb of a commuter.

BHPian wolfy recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

The Urban commute.

The everyday dance we all do to pay taxes and afford our lives. Sucking the joy out of our bodies, especially if you live in a concrete mess like Bangalore. Dealing with fellow "motorists" coming from all directions, thankfully, no flying cars yet. Dealing with roads that do not exist, with potholes and humps and water logging, flyovers and underpasses that seem like challenges from a gameshow. But we all gotta do it.

Over the ~2 decades of commuting to work in Bangalore, my tool for the job has always been an overkill. From the old bullet 350/500, RD350, RX100, Pulsar 200, Duke 200, Ninja 650 and the Ninja 250R. Only Miss.Isle, my zx10r hadn't been subject to the grueling commute.

When covid hit all of us and we sat at home becoming fat and frustrated, the concept of a "daily" commute changed for most of us. As the world slowly started opening up and corporates started teasing their minions back into office with the promise of a hybrid work set up, I started thinking of getting myself a commuter. The RD and the 10r were the only bikes I had, I "needed" a commuter. Commuting by car was just so boring and it took SO much time.

On the way back from a drive from Mangalore with my brother sometime in early 2021, we received a whatsapp message from a common friend about a Triumph Speed Triple 1050 for sale. "Ask him how much?"

"Why? You want eh?"

My mind went back to the time I had test ridden the speed triple in 2016. I owned a Ninja 650 back then. I loved the way that triple sounded and was instantly reminded of Mr. Tom Cruise in the movie Mission Impossible. I also thought the bike was just too much. Too powerful, too top heavy and just too much in our urban environment. “One has gotta be insane to own this and ride it here in India dude!” I remember telling my friend Dheeraj back then.

“Let’s call him and ask no? Asking is free anyway!” And we made the call.

By the time we reached home, we both knew where this was heading. I spent a few sleepless nights on youtube and forums, ignored all the negatives, focused on the positives and went to check out the bike against all logic. Of course I went alone! It was covid times, remember! There was nobody to speak sense into me.

There she was! In a basement, covered up and spent a year in hope to be ridden. I was the one who was going to show her the world! Wait! I still hadn’t decided to buy the bike though. I didn’t need a bike. I had barely ridden the ones I had over the past year. I probably should just have a look at the bike to get over it. This was unnecessary.

“You want to take her for a spin?” Asked the owner as he fired her up!

That is the moment, I decided.

A test ride around the empty streets of Bangalore sealed the deal. 5 days later, I was riding her home. She needed some work to make her one of mine. The tyres were shot, there were no frame sliders and the yellow wrap, while it looked good in pictures, was showing major signs of age. I managed to take my older one for an early morning ride, my nephew for a small spin, managed a morning ride or two to stretch her legs a little and stared at her for hours on end.

Then on April 26th 2021, we were under lockdown again. The dreaded second wave! $#%!#@%

With nothing much to do, I armed myself with a mask and went to the basement to start giving her a make over. Panel after panel, i sat at home and started the painful process of removing wrap. The rewarding bit was some pristine factory paint underneath!

Speedy was looking brand new! I had kinda lucked out. All I needed was for the world to heal and offices to open.. well it eventually did!

The first big ride came a year after buying the Speedy! Speedy? Oh yes, I did name her. Trinity!

Some time in June of 2022, Trinity started her commute duties. Since then, the miles have been piling slowly but surely. Spending most of her days battling the ever increasing traffic scenes of Bangalore. A few big rides do happen every once in a while but not as often as I’d like. Such a joyful experience. Her burble and crackling exhaust note is my antidote to a bad day at the office.

A little over 3 years of owning Trinity, I’m super glad I made that bad decision of picking up a 2014 1050cc, 140 something horsepower torque bomb of a commuter. I am the worst person for financial advise but I think I know a thing or two about making some awesome memories!!