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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Careful What You Wish For........

Let's see.....
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     In the beginning........ no that's not right.
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          Once upon a time.........., no still not right.
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               It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.........no, still not right..
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Ahem....
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Saturday dawned like most Saturdays for us with plans to attend Saturday morning coffee at Coffee Culture.  Once there I had the usual double tall vanilla soy latte and lemon poppyseed scone.  The usual fare yes, but on Saturday I had a new leaf pattern in my latte foam.


We had plans to drive to Portland after coffee and spend the day puttering around the different motorcycle shops to see what we could see and just enjoy the day in general.
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Unbeknownst to me while at coffee, Polar Bear, (aka Adventures With Bud.E) informed Troubadour that there was a used 2009 Triumph Bonneville SE at a shop in Salem.  He had spotted it the previous weekend.
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We left coffee and started along one of our favorite back roads to Salem.  The sun was shining and took a few pictures of the clouds that were lingering.




And a few pictures of the roads too.




We made it to Salem and he drove straight to Bill's Motorcycles Plus.  As we wandered around the shop he stopped at the Bonneville. We oohed and awed and I asked him if he knew it was there before we arrive.  The reason I'd asked is because we'd never, ever stopped at this particular shop before.  He fessed up - it was all Polar Bear's fault.

The bike was in great shape.  Only 2500 miles and had a lot of farkles such as chrome side covers, chrome cam covers, chrome clutch connector cover, chrome bar end mirrors, chrome Triumph logo locking gas cap, after market Norman Hyde pipes, leather Triumph saddle bags and a Triumph backrest.  The price was a little higher than listed KBB (Kelly Blue Book) but with all the farkles that were included it was still a good value.

Let's just say I've been somewhat besotted with the Bonneville SE in the pacific blue/fusion white color combination since I first saw it.  Love at first sight I'm afraid. Lately we've been pondering a different bike for me that might do a little better over our bumpy backroads/forestry roads and that would have a more upright seating position since the risers didn't work out on Max.  

We realized it was noon and we were starving so went we for lunch to chew it over.

After deliberations it was decided that due to Troubadour's teaching schedule we really didn't have time for a proper test ride the following weekend and that we needed to just 'go for it'.   We went back to the shop for another look. The owner of the shop took it out and started it up so we could listen.  We let him know that we wanted the bike, but had to go home for proper riding gear and the 'special checkbook'.  You know, the one you keep for occasions just like this.

We drove home and debated some more.  I thought about backing out while we still had the chance, but decided that even if for some reason I didn't like it we could resell it and not lose money.  I was afraid if I didn't buy it when I had the opportunity I'd kick myself later. We rarely if ever find this particular bike in this color combination come up on the used market in Oregon.  I believe this is the only used one for sale I've seen in 3 years.

We headed back to Salem two-up on Lucy.  We completed the paperwork and they topped up the petrol for me.  It was time to put on my helmet and gloves and get the party started.


To be continued...........

- Au Revoir
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"Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen." - Author Unknown

40 comments:

  1. Sweet a new toy to play with.

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  2. Trobairitz:

    I didn't know you had a "special chequeBook", I was wondering whether you loaned it out, I need to borrow it for a few minutes.

    You buy a bike faster than I can part with the funds to buy a jacket. I thought the reason we went to the Seattle Bike show was to "find" a suitable bike. I seldom window shop unless I am in the looking to buy mode, and I was recently but I am now okay for the rest of the year.

    so much suspense and anticipation having to wait for part deux . . .


    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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    1. It is a special checkbook in that the bank lets us write checks whenever for whatever we want it but we have to pay them back at some point.

      We were chuckling about the speed with which we made the decision. Quite uncharacteristic for us actually. We like to window shop, if nothing else it makes you appreciate what you have.

      And the Seattle show was to visit with blogging friends the show was just an excuse. I think the only bike I sat on was the Street Triple.

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  3. Oh my gosh, those pictures are stunning. And what a cool turn of events. Even though I know the final outcome (sort of), I still got goosebumps reading this.

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    1. I am pretty sure you know the outcome but I can still lead you on a merry chase for a bit.

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  4. Whooo a new trumphy owner, looking forward to the next installment.

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    1. I have to find time to write part 2. There is only so much I can do while trying to work.

      Speaking of....., back to work........

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  5. Oh Wow! Way to keep us hanging !!!!!!!

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  6. You can start teaching seminars on "How to Get Results by Wishing". I think it would be a big hit.

    "We were chuckling about the speed with which we made the decision. Quite uncharacteristic for us actually. We like to window shop, if nothing else it makes you appreciate what you have."

    I don't know, there has been discussion about Triumphs in this (and other) blogs for quite a while.

    Looking forward to part II.

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    1. If only a seminar were that easy.

      When I mentioned window shopping I mean tif you didn't see anything you liked it makes you appreciate what you have. I like looking at real estate listings all the time for fun and 99% of the time it just makes me like our house more.

      I have really wanted a Triumph for quite a while that I admit. No surprise there. But for a while I have also been torn about which one. I had both motive and opportunity on Saturday. Some days that is a good thing, some days a bad thing.

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  7. I think I need to find a special cheque book! Oh my that is the one I have been oggling since I saw it! To live perchance to dream! Maybe one day. It sure is a pretty little thing.

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    1. It is a pretty bike, smooth through the corners too.

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  8. Glad somebody can enjoy it.. It was sad just sitting in the window there.

    Not to worry though, I will keep scouring for the next perfect motorcycle for SweetPea. Its out there and just got to keep turning over rocks. It will happen soon enough for her.

    WARNING: WARNING: You may end up having to bring an extra rag to wipe off the drool next time she comes to coffee..

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    1. It did look pretty sad sitting by all those Huskys.

      Not sure if I will be riding it to coffe on Saturday or not. Still undecided.

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  9. Still such a pretty little bike on a pretty little day for a jaunt. I do love the colors.

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    1. For some reason I have always loved the blue and white combination. Not sure why, but I find it striking.

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  10. ...And may all your dreams come true!
    How exciting a new motorcycle - Can't wait to hear more and see more pictures. Love it.

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    1. Troubadour rode it to work today and stopped for a few pics. I will put them in the next post, hopefully Friday if I can get it drafted tomorrow.

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  11. Good to see someone who knows what they want and can be decisive when it is required.....hmmmmm....new bike buzz! Enjoy!

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    1. Sure we can be decisive when needed. Not sure if that is a good thing or not. I can't decide, lol.

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  12. Brandy,

    Oh I'm loving this series of posts, hehe!!! It's almost as if Triumph has a subliminal advert saying "Ride a Triumph and double your attractiveness to the opposite sex". (Or in the case of a Triple, 3 times).

    I'll go now........

    PS. Fabulous picture of you with the Bonnie!

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    1. I would have to agree the Triple is sexier. There is just something about the lines of a Trumpet.

      Thanks for the pic compliment. I was worked about riding it out of there with the audience that had gathered.

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  13. congrats on the new bike! looking forward to seeing it in person in a few weeks.

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    1. Thank you. Just think before you know it you'll be in Alaska and then headed south again. We're looking forward to the meet up too.

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  14. I was merely two weeks out of the country, and meanwhile you have a Triumph following you home? Who's better off now? I am on the edge of my seat with anticipation. Please tell us more. How does the Bonnie feel? You know I have a sweet spot for her, although... Geoff's Triple makes me want to rethink it all over.

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    1. I dunno two weeks out of the country riding NZ roads on borrowed bikes with blogger friends sounds pretty darn good.

      The Bonneville feels different that the Gladius but they aren't too different ergonomic wise. More to come hopefully tomorrow.........

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  15. Very nice! But all that chrome...how will you keep it clean after all the gravel riding...

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    1. The chrome is not something I would have purchased. What is the old saying: "Chrome don't get you home"

      Maybe I need to put knobbies on Max and dual sport him.

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  16. What a beauty! Wishing you many happy and safe miles with your new girl :)

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    1. Thanks Fuzzy. And just for you - no lunch food pictures :-)

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  17. Now, THAT is a motorcycle I can love. Good for you! I look forward to seeing your adventures on your Triumph. And I love your road and sky photos. Your first cloud photo is a joyful sky.

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    1. It is pretty I'll agree. Thanks for the compliments on the pics. Everything is leafing out and blooming so we have a lot of green right now. Oh and pollen. Lots of that too. Achew.

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  18. Brandy,

    Of course, you're not obligated to have tattoos if you own a Suzuki or Triumph. Lordy, you ought to see where Sonja has her tats! (Or maybe you don't....)

    Well, that should blacklist me in certain quarters....

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    1. Hmmmm Is it okay if I already have a tattoo? I'm not telling where it is.

      Hmm Sonja currently has a Harley you never know how many she has or where they are...........

      Sounds like more poking fun from across the pond.

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    2. Geoff:

      Now you've got me thinking, you know it's always the quiet ones, you know, the ones you would never suspect . . .

      Now I'm on a mission

      bob
      Riding the Wet Coast
      My Flickr // My YouTube

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    3. Your mission should you choose to accept it........

      This message will self destruct in 30 seconds.

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  19. Ooooooooooooooooo ma gosh!! I like where this is going!!!! We can swap Bonneville stories....make fun of the Tiger riders etc etc:)

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    1. Am I allowed to make fun of Tiger riders if I'm married to one?

      Self preservation and all that.....

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