Triumph 650 or HD ironhead.

Hi!

I'm torn between a triumph 650 or an old ironhead as my second bike to chop. Seems like the prices are comparable between them here in Chicago. I already have a roller for a triumph 650 setup but would be willing to give it up if the other route is best.

My question is, do any of you out there who own these bikes have any input on motor reliability of either? I'd like to have a bike that I can ride on long trips without serious breakdowns.

Thanks!
Ken

I have no input on the triumph, but an ironhead can be a good bike if you fix all the previous owner screw ups. And they usually have a lot of those. But if your mechanically inclined and do things right, you can grow to love an ironhead.

oh, and get a good charging system.

ironhead

You'll be able to find Ironhead parts EVERYWHERE.

No special tools required and most any ol shop can help you out when it comes to an Ironhead.

The brit stuff stands out around here, but I'd bet you'll need to spend a lot of time online ordering parts and probably won't have too many people around to help you with the Limey stuff.

But do what you want.


Do you hear that?!?

I think CRFyou is coming. He wants to call you a "nasty recruit" and talk about how Triumphs were started a year earlier than HD and so if you don't go Trump you may as well be doing things in a truckstop bathroom for "motorbike" parts. Bing Bong?
Ha-Wink!

Harley''s are ok if you can get past the douchynest that goes along with them,..........

triumph all the way man, just dont think its gonna be a cheap build, triumph parts can add up $$ fast.

Originally Posted by xjbmx1

triumph all the way man, just dont think its gonna be a cheap build, triumph parts can add up $$ fast.

Thanks fellas. I leaned towards the triumph because it's not as common. But I just worry about the reliability and repairability of it vs an ironhead. As was stated, you can find Parts for an ironhead easier than a Brit bike. I'm really freekin torn. Just sold a bunch of music gear and it's burning a hole in my pocket.

my '70 650 trumpet was a super reliable sled once I fixed all the crap the PO did to it. Back in the 80's that bike took me from NJ to SD with out any serious issues as well as NJ to FLA about 4 times without a hitch. Got tagged by a taxi in NYC and ended up tearing the trump all the way down and now it sits in boxes in my shed.

I've only had the ironhead for a little more than a year and I'm really enjoying messing with it. A mess of PO's means a whole lot of stuff I need to try to straighten out but I'm sure this sled will someday be a runner.

point is I think they both can be pretty darn reliable if you take your time and do things right. For me the Ironhead will get my vote only because I'm a cheap bastard. I like that for the HD parts are relatively cheap and easy to find.

Thanks Vaughn. Very cool that you have both bikes that i'm considering. I'm a cheap bastard as well and don't want to make a decision I'll regret later. Currently keeping an eye out for both in my area. Which ever grabs my attention is what I'll go with.

Thanks again!
Ken

Bonerstretch is right.

I must post in this thread. According to Bill and that survey we all filled out, one third of chop cult members have a sportster.

I actually don't care what you choose. I've come to embrace my minority status. Evel Knievel rode triumphs before the insecure HD company wooed him with money and heavier motorbikes that caused him to crash nonstop.

While Bud Edkins jumped the shit out of a Triumph in 'The Great Escape' and landed proper like a boss.

I'd rather have a Triumph. I just don't like the look of a Harley motor.

Originally Posted by Phail

I'd rather have a Triumph. I just don't like the look of a Harley motor.

You're not human. You don't even have a soul. I curse your wife to give birth to conjoined twins that resemble a V-Twin.






















Of course this is just sarcastic humor, but I still think you may be blind.

you already got a roller for the trump ,,,?NO BRAINER,,,trump it man whats wrong with you? compareing a overweight to a pure bred,,,, think about it man Ride the different road you,ll be glad you did,,,reliability?my trump has run to va beach and back a few times,, all it does is mark it,s spot when it gets to where it,s going,,,trump it or go the way of the masses

I just think Brit bikes have such a cool factor, Harley's are everywhere in my area , York pa. and for a lot less money i can build a killer Trump. Unless it was an old knuckle head I'd pick the Triumph.

to be honest anyone of us would Teabag either Brand!!..u got a roller and like stated Its a no brainer.

I say build the worlds first "Trironhead"!? Why you say? I say "Why not"? Think about it, business in the front, party in the back.

Originally Posted by jluck27

I say build the worlds first "Trironhead"!? Why you say? I say "Why not"? Think about it, business in the front, party in the back.

LOL!!!

Well, if a seller takes my offer, which I will know by this afternoon, I will be picking up a 77 Bonnie, 750. I hope this works out.

Sh!T I can't wait to hear back.

I'll keep you guys posted.

Thanks!

Ken

Originally Posted by Hooligan80

You're not human. You don't even have a soul. I curse your wife to give birth to conjoined twins that resemble a V-Twin.

Of course this is just sarcastic humor, but I still think you may be blind.

Hahaha lol. I'm fixed so they won't be my v-twin baby.

Yeah, I try to like them, but I just don't like the V-Twin configuration. I'm riding an XS650 right now, but someday I'll get a Triumph.

ive had trumps & ironheads over the years.
they both can give you alot of grief. BUT,in my personal expierience,ironheads have always been a complete pain in the ass for me. but on that note,so can a trump if you dont know what your doing,or dont have a friend or two that can help you out and steer you in the right direction.
ironhead parts are going to be the same cost,if not,a tad more expensive.
if it was me choosing?
Trump all the way.

Go Triumph ...so long as its not a Triple....unless you have extreme patience, a fat wallet, don't really mind not riding for a year or two, and have nothing but time to kill.