Ride CT & Ride New England Serving New England, NYC and The Hudson Valley!
By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com
A pulled hamstring sidelined RIDE-CT for a few days, but back in the saddle today for a 96-mile shoreline trek on a new 2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer, loaned by regional Triumph representative Dave Rosen. Thanks, Dave.
The 1,215cc, 135 horsepower, shaft-drive adventure model has only been in dealer showrooms for a couple of weeks, so it understandably drew some attention from other riders during a test ride from Hebron to Cobalt, down to Old Saybrook and back, with stops in Essex and and Deep River.
RIDE-CT will have a full report in “The Republican-American” on Saturday and more here after that. Suffice to say the Tiger Explorer (MSRP $15,699) is sure-footed, fast and utterly enjoyable, although the drive by wire throttle is touchy (as Dave had tipped me).
Had to chuckle to when stopping briefly outside the Whistle Stop Cafe in Deep River. Ran into Miguel Balaguero of Salisbury, whom I’d only met last Sunday at Toymaker’s Cafe in Fall’s Village. Last week he was aboard a 1978 Bultaco Metralla. This week his ride was a 1986 Moto Guzzi SP1000.
Miguel was joined by John Morin of Camden, ME, who was riding a 2008 Buell 1125R.
A couple of riders from Massachusetts had come south of the border and were seated at an outdoor table at the cafe. Mike Diana of Ashford, MA was on a 1998 BMW R1200C. Looking at the wear in the saddle, I probably should have asked him how many miles he had on the bike.
Bob Meadows of Milford, MA rode a 2000 Yamaha Road Star. Nice color.
Couldn’t have asked for a better day for a ride. Made the mistake up arriving in Old Saybrook for breakfast of saying that I was surprised to see so few bikes on the road. That rapidly changed as midday approached.
