The Blue Bomber

The Blue Bomber is the first motorcycle of my very own, purchased last June.  When I was younger I always imagined myself on a classic Indian Chief.  I loved riding my brother's old honda shadow 550, but after a year of riding it I found myself wanting to lean forward and open the throttle...all the time.  So when I ended up with a thousand dollars in my pocket after my summer vacation plans got cut short I decided that it was time to make a down payment on a crotch rocket.  It had to be fast, but not too fast.  And it had to be naked.

Model: Triumph Speed Four
Year: 2006
Category: Naked bike

Engine and transmission

Displacement: 599.00 ccm (36.55 cubic inches)
Engine type: In-line four
Stroke: 4
Power: 98.00 HP (71.5 kW)) @ 11750 RPM
Torque: 68.00 Nm (6.9 kgf-m or 50.2 ft.lbs) @ 10500 RPM
Compression: 12.5:1
Bore x stroke: 68.0 x 41.3 mm (2.7 x 1.6 inches)
Fuel system: Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with forced air induction
Fuel control: DOHC
Ignition: Digital inductive type via electronic engine management system
Cooling system: Liquid
Gearbox: 6-speed

Transmission type

Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet multi-plate

Physical measures

Dry weight: 170.0 kg (374.8 pounds)
Seat height: 810 mm (31.9 inches)
Overall height: 1,110 mm (43.7 inches)
Overall length: 2,165 mm (85.2 inches)
Overall width: 690 mm (27.2 inches)
Wheelbase: 1,395 mm (54.9 inches)

Chassis and dimensions

Frame type: Aluminium beam perimeter
Rake (fork angle): 24.6°
Front suspension: 43 mm forks with dual rate springs and adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping
Rear suspension: Monoshock with adjustable preload, rebound and compression damping
Front tire dimensions: 120/70-ZR17 
Rear tire dimensions: 180/55-ZR17 
Front brakes: Double disc
Front brakes diameter: 310 mm (12.2 inches)
Rear brakes: Single disc
Rear brakes diameter: 220 mm (8.7 inches)

Speed and acceleration

Power/weight ratio: 0.5765 HP/kg
1/4-mile: 11.48 sec. @ 116.9 mph
0-60 mph: 3.60 sec.
0-100 mph: 8.36 sec.
Top-gear roll-on, 50-70 mph: 4.64 sec.
Fuel mileage (city/highway): 33mpg/45mpg

Current Modifications

None

Introduction

About 5 months ago a few stressfull weeks got me thinking about what I really wanted to do with my life.  A job change, or preferably a career change, seemed imminent.  But when I got to thinking about what I really wanted to do with my life, I could only come up with one consistent answer:

Ride my motorcycle.

So that's exactly what I decided to do.  I submitted my resignation at work and slowly began making preparations for a motorcycle ride around the U.S. with a tentative route mainly determined by the location of various friends and family that I'd like to visit.  If you didn't make it on the list, don't take it personally.  I am after all constrained by the amount of money I've been able to save.  This resulted in the cancellation, or rather, postponement of the easternmost part of my trip.

I'm not much of a "blogger" and in fact I hate the word, so I'll hence forth refer to this as my online journal.  I find that I typically don't have much to say that's of any interest to most people.  However, since I'm finally doing something interesting with my life I thought I'd give it a shot.