My new F-Word (thats fast!) Gordon Ramsay tests Triumph motorbike

The high-octane chef goes from Hell's Kitchen to Hell's Angel on Triumph's Thunderbird cruiser

Gordon Ramsay on Triumph's Thunderbird cruiser
Gordon Ramsay on Triumph's Thunderbird cruiser

I grew up with a love of bikes, scrambling in the back garden and across the fields of Stratford-upon-Avon on an 80cc Suzuki that I shared with a friend. Funnily enough, the one rule my dad gave me before I left home was 'Don't get a motorbike' - so of course that was the first thing I did when I left home. 

When I came back from my training in France I got a Yamaha FZR 1000 Genesis, then a Ducati 748, then a Honda Fireblade - a ridiculous death machine - followed by a Yamaha R1 and a Ducati 1098S. Now I've got a 200hp Ducati Desmosedici RR in the garage, which is definitely for the track only. By contrast, this Triumph Thunderbird is calm and collected. 

Triumph has been the sleeping beauty of the bike industry. For years people were obsessed with speed, but recently they've started looking for a bit more sophistication and class. The Thunderbird 1600 is handmade in Leicestershire, so it appeals to my patriotism and sense of nostalgia. I saw the Thunderbird when it was in development, and even then I thought it was a work of art. 

The stainless steel is brilliantly eye-catching: black and silver go so well together. I love the attention to detail - the guard on the back of the belt drive is extraordinarily well made. It's very curvaceous, very sexy. It's not the least bit flashy; it's classy. There's a big di fference. On the road, the first thing that hits you is how smooth it is - it's got a Rolls-Royce glide. It purrs.

Triumph's Thunderbird cruiser


To test any new bike out, I like to go down the A3, then west along the M27. We've got a house on the River Test in Romsey, Hampshire - a lovely little place right next to a pub. So Tana went down in the car with the kids and I went on the bike. It isn't the kind of bike you want to sit in city tra ffic with - it doesn't lend itself to that; it's too heavy - so from Romsey I took it on a nice A-road jaunt through the countryside, down to Bournemouth, Poole and Swanage.

Then I hooked up with my mum's partner Jimmy and my brother-in-law. We're a biking gang, like a mini Hell's Angels. We rode down to Devon and back up the A303 and we felt like 25-year-olds. 

The bike's suspension is soft, but I was impressed with the cornering. Usually the raked front end on a cruiser is a problem when you're in a slow turn, so you have to wrestle with it - but not on this. Also, unlike most cruisers its two cylinders are parallel, not V-shaped. They give a great thump when you open up the throttle and loads of low-down torque. And yet it doesn't burn too much fuel. It's clearly designed for the roads in America, where Triumph sells a quarter of its bikes. But I have to admit, when I'm in America I ride a Harley. 

The best biking road in the world is either the Pacific Coast Highway or the road from LA to Vegas. I like to ride fast, but you have to be careful. In California, the police will book you as soon as look at you. 

Biking gives me a sense of freedom and escape. Everyone goes on about shooting, but what do I want to shoot a pheasant for? 


I can't think of anything more boring. I want speed. I've done in excess of 195mph on a track. Never on a road. When I'm in my leathers and helmet, I feel completely free and in charge of my world. It's good for your mental state when everything else is pressure and demands. There's no phone, no BlackBerry, no food critic on the back seat. You're away.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1270091/My-new-F-Word-thats-fast--Gordon-Ramsay-tests-Triumph-motorbike.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0n2rdvel1

41 comments:

Mr Bungle said...

Nice bike, Ugly man

Motorcycle Clothing said...

Looking Cool Buddy...but careful about you Motorcycle Clothing as well.

3d ultrasounds said...

Wow It Was Awesome . Keep Sharing More .......

tubal reversal surgery said...

Ya it's Very Cool . thanks

pizza delivery bags said...

This is a great blog with excellent posts and links.
Thanks for sharing.

Latest Fashion Trends said...

Hey great stuff, thank you for sharing this useful information and i will let know my friends as well.

Anna said...

WOW! Awesome bike... Really too much attractive.
Thanks for sharing such info... :)
i want to share some information about Tubal Reversal Surgery... Please Visit mybabydoc.com for fully detailed information...

Organic Vitamins said...

I’m still learning from you, but I’m trying to achieve my goals. I certainly enjoy reading all that is posted on your blog.Keep the information coming. I loved it!

celebrity hair transplant said...

This piece was an inspiration for me to share with everyone I know. I must congratulate the author and the place and coming up with a beautiful creature like this.

buy ritalin online said...

Wow! Very talented! Artistic and Creative. I admire you guys! Thank you for sharing!

computer repair new york said...

nice bikers and bikes...dream bikes

best online pharmacy said...

It’s not always easy to muster up the energy you need to do all the things that need to be done each day. Especially if you’ve don’t get a good night’s sleep or you’ve been overworking yourself.

website design perth said...

I’m so glad that I took the time to look at this blog, because let me tell you. Not a lot of people know how to balance knowledge of a subject and content website Design perth.

Natural Supplements said...

Thank you for for sharing so great thing to us. I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post nice post, thanks for sharing.

indian top classified website said...

One of the more impressive blogs Ive seen. Thanks so much for keeping the internet classy for a change. You've got style, class, bravado. I mean it. Please keep it up because without the internet is definitely lacking in intelligence.

organic seo service said...

I really enjoy simply reading all of your weblogs. Simply wanted to inform you that you have people like me who appreciate your work. Definitely a great post. Hats off to you! The information that you have provided is very helpful.

find doctor said...

Thanks for the information. I’m really glad that you share your ideas about this. I must relay these ideas to my friends.

cost effective advertising said...

Thanks for the informative writing. Would mind updating some good tips about it. I still wait your next place. ;)

cost effective advertising said...

This is good site to spent time on .I just stumbled upon your informative blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your very well written blog posts. I will be your frequent visitor, that's for sure.

cost effective seo company said...

I just love your bike dude, please put more photos

best online pharmacy said...

I really liked your article.

Cheap wedding dresses said...

Thank you! You often write very interesting articles. You improved my mood.I'll be back again.

Media buying pakistan said...

Brilliant blog posting. I found your post very interesting; I think you are a brilliant writer. I added your blog to my bookmarks and will return in the future.

buy codeine online said...

I think the natural and biological sources of vitamins and minerals are best compared with other packaging and plastic products. Always try to push things you need in your home. It is not only going to be cheaper, but it will be much more beneficial to your health and your family.

drug forum said...

Thanks for your many years of a great service well done! I’ve always felt good about listing my concerts

with you and linking from my website.

Anonymous said...

Really enjoy reading your well written articles. I think you spend numerous effort and time in posting the blog. I have bookmarked it and I am looking ahead to reading new articles. Keep up the good articles.
doctor reviews by patients
find doctor list

john said...

I'm still learning from you, but I'm trying to achieve my goals. I certainly enjoy reading all that is posted on your blog.Keep the information coming. I loved it!
best seo company

buy adderall online said...

Sometimes we are very concerned about our health, do not understand what to do. It is very easy to make better health. the use of natural vitamin supplements. Vitamins function in many metabolic reactions that occur in foods consumed in the body, control of vitamins and energy metabolism of our body.

saim said...

This one is your one of the nice blog dude I like it very much so I want to keep in touch with your blogs therefore post more blogs and thank you dear for sharing with us such nice information.


buy curcumin

organic supplements said...

This is an excellent post I seen thanks to share it. It is really what I wanted to see hope in future you will continue for sharing such a excellent post.

maquinas de coser said...

This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. This is very nice one and gives in-depth information. Thanks for this nice article.

maquinas de bordar

dietas Barcelona said...

Gran blog. Todos los mensajes tienen algo que aprender. Su trabajo es muy bueno y le agradezco a usted ya salto para algunos puestos más informativo.
Gracias ... ... ..

tubal reversal surgery said...

Thanks for going to so much trouble to make everything so user friendly and easy to understand.

Classified Ads Haryana said...

Nice post. Please keep continue sharing your great ideas

curcumin said...

Curcumin helped stop the spread of breast cancer tumor cells to the lungs of mice.

ashishmaihu said...

Pretty much exactly what the main question says. I have no idea what a "finance charge" is. For instance, would I be charged a finance charge if I charged a purchase, and then paid the balance immediately?
modern furniture for living room

Bollywood sarees said...

WholeFoods is not about health or food, they are about a lifestyle. That is what they sell and those are the people they target, people who believe they are doing the right thing but do not bother to do the research to find out if they are actually doing the truth.

furniture shops Bangalore said...

Hey great stuff, thank you for sharing this useful information and i will let know my friends as well.

Jodhpuri Suit said...

"There is so much that you can get from these ethics. The options are endless with comes with this. Great work on this."

Unknown said...

I like to ride fast, but you have to be careful.
dissertation

SEO said...

I was very encouraged to find this site. I wanted to thank you for this special read. I definitely savored every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
partywear lehenga saree