For two months my beloved Moto Morini became a source of frustration and unhappiness. As my first motorcycle, I developed a deep bond with this machine and discovered my passion for motorcycling, riding my Moto Morini all around the Lowcountry. Over bridges, through the ACE Basin, a short bit on I-26, and overall falling in love with life on two-wheels. I was looking forward to our 1 year anniversary together in August, but as faith would have it, this was not to be. Beginning in early March of this year, the Moto Morini started having issues that snowballed into a breakdown on Camp Road, followed by weeks of engine stalls and jerky riding. I did my best to trouble shoot as much of the difficulties as I could from YouTube videos as well as Reddit and Moto Morini forums. All of which lead me back to Charleston Triumph with hopes that new parts would save this bike for me. During the past month, I decided to revisit researching motorcycles. At the time I hadn’t thought of new bike, but was curious to see where my curiosity would lead me. I ended up visiting a few motorcycle dealerships in my area. I even blogged about my visit to Harley-Davidson, yet in the end their motorcycles didn’t fit my style.
Having visited Charleston Triumph many times since my purchase of my Moto Morini, I kept thinking about Triumph motorcycles. The retro styling and Bonneville engines made me believe my path to my second motorcycle would be through the gates a Triumph. But what Triumph bike? Having time during a service at Charleston Triumph, for my Moto Morini, I really started looking at the various Triumphs. You have Scramblers, Adventure Bikes called the Tiger, Speed Triples and Daytona’s the sport bike class, then other various models which all made me smile. Then, as I was walking the parking lot of Charleston Triumph, looking at all the used bikes, I found a used 2023 Triumph Speed Twin 900 which quickly became an obsession. Sitting on this motorcycle I instantly loved the low seating position, was amazed at how easy it felt to turn this machine, and the modern retro classic look just sent me over the moon. But, my Moto Morini was still my bike.
I would leave Charleston Triumph with my Moto Morini hitched to a U-Haul trailer on my way home clearly thinking about the used Triumph Speed Twin 900. A few days later while riding my Moto Morini to Folly Beach, I stopped at the Harris Teeter. Though the engine light was on, the Morini was running fine. I checked my phone and Dana, from Charleston Triumph, sent me a text. In short, Dana mentioned that he was curious to know if I was interested in any NEW Triumph motorcycles. Wow I thought. A new Triumph? I quickly replied back to Dana and after a few text message exchanges, Dana had a good idea of the Triumph I wanted, the Speed Twin 900. Dana let me know that he had a new 2024 Triumph Speed Twin 900 on the showroom floor, and to let me know if I was interested. Having sat on the used 2023 Speed Twin, a new model would be wonderful. But the Morini was running, so no reason to upgrade.
Within two weeks my beloved Moto Morini sat in my Mom’s garage, not running well and a hazard to ride. Thinking about the text message from Dana I decide that it might be time to trade-in the Moto Morini for the new 2024 Triumph Speed Twin 900. On April 22, 2025 I rode Lucy the Triumph Speed Twin 900 home from Charleston Triumph for the first time. Lucy is renewing my faith in motorcycling and I could be happier. Please give Lucy a warm welcome.
Rolf