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My first motorcycle was a 1963 BSA 650 Twin.  I was 17, and I admit I really wanted a Harley but couldn’t afford one working at an auto parts store and going to college. One day a sailor came in and offered to sell me his bike for $600. It was 6 years old and that was a lot of money back then, but he said I could make him weekly payments. Even though I took home only $65 a week I managed to pay him off some months later.

That bike began my love affair with British Twins. In 2000 I opened So Cal Triumph and that same year Triumph released the new Bonneville. It was beautiful, classic looking and a blast to ride! I rode and customized many Bonnevilles in the years after.

In 2015 we were having an Open House at Southern California Triumph and doing demo rides. We had just received our highly anticipated, newly released, 2016 Triumph Bonneville T120 with the new 1200 motor, and it was one of the demo bikes that day. 

At the time I was riding my Triumph Bonneville T100 which I really liked, enjoyed, and had customized. Since I had it for a few years I was looking for a new bike. Near the end of that day I got the chance to ride the new Bonne T120 and was gobsmacked! I took it home for the weekend to put some time and miles on it.

Riding that T120 just blew me away. The handling and ergonomics were similar to my T100 but the torque and power of the T120 was exactly what the Bonneville needed to make it the perfect motorcycle. The fit and finish were classic and outstanding! It looks like it could have been on a Triumph dealer’s showroom in 1968. And I should know because I spent a lot of time in Triumph / BSA dealerships back then.

This motorcycle presses all of my motorcycle passion buttons! It’s easy to ride and the handling is light and neutral. The T120 actually holds its own blasting through the twisties as fast as I want to go with no negative quirks. I’m 5’7” and the low seat height allows both of my feet to be flat on the ground. It is very comfortable, and a slight lean into the wind eliminates the need for a windshield. Over the years I have tried several windshields and I keep going back to not having one.

I have taken the T120 on a 900 mile, six-day, vacation on it and it was absolutely a joy! Also, I can sit in my garage with the music on, sipping a glass of Pino Noir and staring at it for hours just drawn in by its classic beauty.

Well, I kept the demo I rode home that weekend, and 9 years later it is still in my garage. And it will be there for me to ride as long as I can still ride. We motorcyclists often say, “I loved that bike and should never have gotten rid of it.” I can tell you that won’t be me. This Bonneville is mine and here to stay!

PS, the Harley situation I told you about a couple of weeks ago has been settled. It’s no longer in my garage. My Bonne T120 and Tiger 900 cover all of my motorcycling desires, and a Tidbits on that is forthcoming.

Cardo Systems has produced Bluetooth headset communication devices for motorcycle riders for more than 20 years. Starting with the Scala Rider in 2004, Cardo has continuously developed its systems and software to give riders a simple and effective way to communicate, receive navigation instructions, take phone calls, and listen to music while riding a motorcycle.

The Packtalk Pro is the latest, most advanced system offered by Cardo. It’s based on the same foundation as the Packtalk Edge, but offers improved functionality and premium features such as crash detection, auto on/off, second-generation DMC (Dynamic Mesh Communication), and 45mm JBL speakers

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Francesco Bagnaia and the Ducati Lenovo Team win the Sachsenring race and are back at the top of the standings. Fourth place for Enea Bastianini

The Ducati Lenovo Team is triumphant in the German Grand Prix with Francesco Bagnaia, who becomes the winningest rider in Ducati’s MotoGP history while returning to the top of the championship standings. Fourth place for Enea Bastianini after a great battle with Morbidelli.

Bagnaia was third entering turn one and managed to make his way to first position in the following two laps courtesy of two, identical overtaking manoeuvres first on Oliveira and then on Martín at the last corner. During lap six, Pecco was overtaken by Martín and then, moments later, by Morbidelli.

The reigning world champion then lost a little bit of ground but then managed – at the halfway point of the race – to make it back to second position. From then on, a close-quarter battle began between Bagnaia and Martin as the two kept logging very similar lap-times, with the gap being consistently around 0.7secs. Bagnaia did not give up as he was determined to bridge the gap to his rival while applying pressure on the then-leader. The turn of events took place with two laps left, when Martín crashed out of turn one, leaving clear track ahead to Bagnaia who stormed to his sixth Sunday win of the 2024, in what was the 200th Grand Prix of his career.

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HARD-CHARGING MIKKEL HAARUP SEVENTH AT TOUGH MXGP OF LATVIA

Monster Energy Triumph Racing’s Mikkel Haarup has placed seventh overall at round nine of the FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship in Kegums, Latvia. Overcoming crashes in both races, Haarup fought hard for vital points and remains sixth in the series standings as the season approaches the halfway point.

A strong start and performance in Saturday’s MX2 Qualifying Race saw Haarup claim fifth to begin the weekend on a positive note. The following day, Mikkel lined up on the start gate for race one focused on finishing up front in order to maintain his mid-season consistency.

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