Name of the Game

I've decided to change my blog title again... as in life, the only thing constant is change.

I started my blog as Troubadour on a Triumph, Brandy gave me the name 'Troubadour' as they would travel afar to tell stories of their adventures and sing song, I added 'on a Triumph' because I fell in love with Triumph motorcycles the moment I test rode and purchased my Triumph Sprint ST. Since then I've owned my Triumph Bonneville America, Brandy bought her Triumph Bonneville and there's my current Triumph Tiger. The last name change was to Troubadour on a Tiger, thinking I would always own a Triumph Tiger, no worries, I'm not selling Lucy.

However, a recent move by Triumph toward our smaller local shops has me questioning my loyalty. It seems that Triumph wants to market themselves much like another certain brand, with larger, brightly lit, sterile, boutique showrooms where they inventory more bikes, T-shirts and Motor Clothes Triumph gear.

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RETAIL ENVIRONMENT

Rod at Cycle Parts Triumph received the same notice as Hansen's, as did many other small shops across the country.







This is unfortunate and I'm sure a hard pill to swallow for these mom and pop shops. Rumor has it that Ducati may soon do the same.








I can appreciate the worldwide marketing plan behind "The Brand" and their non-conformist, uniform clothing line (although I am against leather); but Triumph has always been to me the other hundred year old motorcycle company. Triumph was everything that "The Brand" wasn't, every Triumph shop I've visited has been small, family run, service and repair type shop where you could sit on the bikes and talk to the owner about the weather, never feeling obligated to discuss finance rates, payment terms or fill out paperwork. I was never blinded by bright lights reflecting off acres of chrome, and either escorted through the showroom by a sales representative hovering over me from the moment I walk through the door or just blatantly ignored.

Will I buy another Triumph? Probably not, I'm disappointed in Triumph, they filled a niche and I hope they realize their mistake of money and profit over customer service and loyalty.  I'll frequent and support Cycle Parts, wishing them, Hansen's and other small shops well in their new venture.

A fork in the road

With Triumph going in one direction, I'm taking this opportunity to go the other.

My interests have changed and so will my blog. 

Love for the range

I still enjoy motorcycling and I love teaching new riders, I'll continue to write of our travels, adventures and rides; but I've always used my blog as a journal and limiting myself to motorcycle content, I feel it has limited my posts lately.

Poor, unsuspecting souls. Tomorrow is Traffic Interaction.

I'm no longer focusing on street riding, because well, that's a whole other rant altogether. 

I'm pursuing more solitary activities such as dual sport rides, hikes, mountain bike rides, off-roading in the Subaru and even reading.... gasp! I really like what Trobairitz has done with her blog, so I've changed the title of my blog to Troubadour's Treks and I'll be leaning more toward hiking and biking.

So if you don't mind reading about dirt, mud, forest hikes and mountain bikes, I hope you will please follow along.

- Troubadour