The Speedmaster takes in the...
The Speedmaster takes in the view in Tarrytown, just north of New York City.
We cut east to FDR Drive, a battered 9-plus-mile strip of asphalt which runs north along the East River (and, between 23th and 30th streets, is built upon rubble from bombed British cities used as ballast in war-time Limey freighters). Six lanes of rattling traffic hammered along at 60-plus, ignoring the posted 40-mph speed limit and communicating with the one-finger salute and long get-the-eff-out-of-my-way horn blasts.
New Yorkers honk at slow drivers, cabbies who cut them off, fast drivers, leggy blondes, stray dogs, drivers on cell phones, jaywalkers, Giuliani supporters, and out-of-state license plates. Near as I can tell, they honk when the wind blows.
The Speedmaster name was used...
The Speedmaster name was used by the American importer to give the Triumph T120R a more recognizable moniker. The new version’s sporty handling and ride honor the original.
Fink slipped the big black bat bike through the traffic like a dancer. He did the heavy lifting and I drank in riding the heavy metal city. Rusty bolts on iron-clad overpasses. Blank-eyed warehouses. Crusty barges moored with ropes bigger than my thigh.
We crossed the Hudson on the 4,500-foot span of the George Washington Bridge. Built on ash and bone, the shuddering suspension bridge takes 100 million vehicles skyward each year.
Fink's first stop of the day was Nyack, an old ship-building town across the Hudson from Sleepy Hollow that sports a revitalized waterfront area and a ne'er do well history that includes the infamous "Ghost Busters case" in which a house in town was deemed haunted by the New York Supreme court. Home owner Helen Ackley claimed poltergeists woke her up every day by shaking her bed. She told everyone on earth this story (including Reader's Digest) but neglected to inform the man who bought the home.
We left the town spirit-free, and headed back across the Hudson to have lunch in Tarrytown. Over a plate full of fish, Fink told me his story.
The fuel injection system...
The fuel injection system is disguised as a bank of carburetors. The 865cc engine has solid midrange torque, with a 55 foot-pound peak hitting at 3,300 rpm.
He grew up in Biloxi, Misssissippi, delivering newspapers on his first motorcycle, a small machine of Polish descent. Spent some time in the army. His dad wanted him to join forces and go into the garment industry, but he chose to head to New York City in search of opportunity instead. After busting his ass getting a business degree at night school, he found the opportunities he was seeking at Schick. He put a together a deal to bring one of the first widely-successful electric shavers to America. That launched a 30-year career engineering new skin and hair products for Schick and Clairol before starting his own consulting company in 2000.
Riding was a passion Fink lost touch with as he raised two daughters and pursued his career. When he found himself with more time on his hands a few years back, he took an MSF course and got back into riding. He's 72 years old and now rides passionately and regularly.
"I told my wife when I go, I want to be riding my motorcycle," he said. We got back to just that after lunch, and explored some roads with enough twists to put the Speedmaster to the test.
The engine really shines on this bike, with solid midrange power and a distinctive sound. The exhaust is quiet but not overly so, and emits a low-rpm whir evocative of the flying cars used in old Jetsons cartoons. At freeway speeds, the bike has ample roll-on power. The top gear ratio was a bit low for my tastes, but the bike was smooth even at 75 miles per.
The seating is a bit more forward and upright than some swept-back cruisers. This made it easier to corner a bit more aggressively, while keeping your back straight (which is comfortable for longer rides). The seat height is low enough for smaller stature riders as well.
The road continued on to Bear Mountain State Park, a heavily forested area with winding pavement, great views, and heavy weekend traffic. The gorgeous getaway only a few hours from Manhattan would make for a great weekday ride when roads are a bit clearer.