The Guardian notes that Triumph has managed to beat Honda in the UK, becoming the most popular motorcycle line in the United Kingdom.  Not bad for having come out of receivership almost two decades ago.  They are now setting their sights on the American market, hoping to best Harley-Davidson.

As a Triumph owner, I’d love to see it.  Their machines are wonderfully engineered and stylish in a way that H-D isn’t.  They build everything, from sportbikes to cruisers, to monsters like the Rocket III.  The only thing not in their line-up is a starter bike.  (Hey, Triumph — 500cc single or twin!)

My wife has a Buell Blast — the wee 500cc single that H-D made for a decade.  It’s often the butt of jokes and looks a derision from the sportbike community, but it’s bullet-proof:  low maintenance and cost, solid transportation, an excellent commuter machine, and didn’t look half bad.  It’s hard to argue with 60mph+ in the city, dirtbike-like handling (with the right tires), and a 330 lb. weight.  I had one for two years and loved it.  But beyond the Buell line, Harley Davidson never really appealed to me.

The whole leather-clad old guy look is just a bit too cosplay or gay for me.