Jr. Patriot Report

by John Stumpner

Many of you are probably familiar with different brands of motorcycles. Almost everyone has heard of American made Harley Davidsons. Other American made brands still on the road include Victory and Indian motorcycles. You may have heard of the various Japanese brands of motorcycles, including Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha and, of course, Honda. Popular motorcycle brands from Europe include the German made BMW’s and the Italian made Ducatis, Aprillas and Moto Guzzis.

Great Britain also has a long history of making motorcycles. While some iconic British bikes, such as Norton and Royal Enfield are now made by companies headquartered in India, one company still is headquartered in Great Britain. Although it has factories all over the world, Triumph Motorcycles is still based in Great Britain.

The Triumph company got its start in the late 1800’s selling bicycles and, in 1902, started making and selling motorcycles. Jack Marshall, riding a Triumph, took second place in the single cylinder class in the first ever, prestigious, Isle of Man races in 1907. He then came back and won the class in 1908. In 1921, Triumph began making cars. Although the car and motorcycle companies split in 1936, and the car line was discontinued in 1984, Triumph sports cars remain one of the more iconic sports cars ever made. Of course, Triumph motorcycles are still made to this day and models are available for all riding tastes and styles from sport bikes to cruisers to touring bikes.

Triumph motorcycles are, of course, quite popular in the United States. Many celebrities, including people like Steve McQueen and Ann Margaret, owned and rode Triumph motorcycles. Henry Winkler’s character “Fonzie” on the TV show “Happy Days,” rode a Triumph. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, bikers on a budget that couldn’t afford a Harley, would get a Triumph. Many of these bikers would make custom choppers out of their Triumphs. Even here in Wisconsin, every year in mid-July, near Blue River, bikers who ride British motorcycles meet for the British Biker Cooperative Rally. This would, of course, have many Triumph riders in attendance.

Bikers in Wisconsin ride many different types of motorcycles, including the various models of Triumph motorcycles. And ABATE of Wisconsin, of which you as Junior Patriots are a part, works to preserve the freedom of the road for all of them.
John