From a "fast" bike to a Bonneville? - Page 2

Av8rPaul · 03-08-2013, 06:55 PM

Good stuff guys.

KingOfFleece · 03-09-2013, 04:33 AM

I have an 09 Bonnie and a 10 Street 3. The S3 is like driving and F1 car-pure fun! But, 90% of the time I reach for the Bonnie keys. The only thing not there is that massive rush of speed-but I don't ever seem to miss it.

squish · 03-09-2013, 06:41 AM

10 years ago I went from a superhawk to a W650.
While I did miss the speed. There was something else I discovered. I found that I was totally happy riding the W650 when traffic was slower. Something I didn't like very much at all on the VTR. It's a totally different experience and one that I enjoyed. Then some other motolust caught my eye and I moved on. I miss the W650 but not enough to go find another or to buy a Bonnie. For what it's worth I never did go back to liter class sport bike. Today I ride a 919, dl650 and a R100GS

GoonerYoda · 03-09-2013, 10:03 AM

I'm 35yrs and have only ridden for five years. And recently, I went from this...

to this....

Zero F's given....no regrets.

RapidRobert · 03-09-2013, 12:06 PM

Good thread. I'm contemplating just such a move myself, although I'd coming from a BMW R1100RT, not exactly a "fast" bike. Been think about a Bonnie, Thruxton, or maybe Honda's new CB1100 (been following that thread with interest, too). At 61 yrs. young, I'm ready for some laid-back cruising on something that looks vintage but has modern reliability.

JerryH · 03-09-2013, 11:31 PM

Get the Bonnie. It is a much more satisfying bike to " just ride" than any of those others. You don't feel like you have to compete with something, you just get on and ride and enjoy yourself.

I see speed in two ways, and only one of them means anything to me. The Bonnie has neither. One is top speed, and is completely meaningless on the street, and not much fun anywhere else. The wind blast tries to rip you right off the bike.

The other is acceleration, and can be great fun, but you have to be careful with that on the street too, if you value your license. Very few things beat the thrill of winning a stoplight race, until those red and blue lights come on in your mirrors. The old style V-Max was KING here. I never got one because I knew I would never be able to keep my license.

I now find that plodding along on a backroad at 55-65 mph on a bike with some rumble down there is very satisfying. You may need new pipes to get that "rumble"

Av8rPaul · 03-10-2013, 11:58 AM

Excellent replies to one and all. Most of my riding will be in the twisties of the Sierras, and after all you guys have shared your experience on both side of the fence I believe the Bonneville is right for me. The mag wheel model with some Thruxton length shocks, highflow mufflers, flyscreen.... I can see it now.

Haroon · 03-10-2013, 01:59 PM

Wow....delighted to see this thread. Infact, last few weeks in my free time I have just been doing google image searches & Youtube videos of the Triumph Bonnie (with saddlebags, exhaust, windshield etc etc). Having ridden the R1200GS, RT and the K1600GTL on long trips, and specifically at the fag end of our recent 7 day ride aboard the fabulous R1200RT in New Zealand, I took the Bonnie T100 for a small 15 odd km ride on the country side and this bike immediately started talking to me. I am madly in love with it. It was unadultrated fun. With Triumph planning to set up their new factory in India this year, I think I will be there for a Bonnie. Maybe more of solo rides on the Bonnie with soft saddlebags etc, while the GS will still be on duty for the bigger 2-up rides with Shad hard cases.

0ldhippie · 03-11-2013, 09:57 AM

I guess I'm the odd man out but I find the new Bonnies just boring. I grew up a Triumph guy and really want to love them but just can't. Really heavy and underpowered! Reminds me of my old 883 sporty?? You will really miss passing motorhomes in the sierras!

YJake · 03-11-2013, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Av8rPaul

E The mag wheel model with some Thruxton length shocks, highflow mufflers, flyscreen.... I can see it now.

Yes!

I have a Naked Bandit 1200 I use for touring and hooliganism on occasion but ride my Ninja 250 more than it and after sitting on a Bonneville in Daytona yesterday I must say that I have been smitten. I would keep my other 3 bikes but if I could raise the thing slightly for leg room I'd be sold.

Still need to ride one to get a feel for the engine but it seems to be "just right" for the riding that I do.

-Jake

GoonerYoda · 03-11-2013, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YJake

I would keep my other 3 bikes but if I could raise the thing slightly for leg room I'd be sold.

-Jake

Get a higher seat made for you.

surly357 · 03-11-2013, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0ldhippie

...You will really miss passing motorhomes in the sierras!

motorhomes in the sierras must have a lot more 'giddyup' than motorhomes in the rockies....

vicster · 03-11-2013, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0ldhippie

I guess I'm the odd man out but I find the new Bonnies just boring. I grew up a Triumph guy and really want to love them but just can't. Really heavy and underpowered! Reminds me of my old 883 sporty?? You will really miss passing motorhomes in the sierras!

What he said. I rode British 650s back in the day and lusted after a modern Scrambler until I rode one. I personally was disappointed. Heavy, not much power or leg room and kinda boring. Maybe the 360 crank is different?
I recomend a test ride and a real close perusal of fit and finish. Lower powered bikes are fine on the street (I often leave my Rocket III at home for my DR or my daughter's 250 Ninja), but only a test ride IMO will tell you if the character you want is there on the Bonnie.
Or wait and see what the new Street Tracker is all about. Lord knows the potential is there.

Av8rPaul · 03-11-2013, 04:21 PM

I'll definitely do a test ride. I know I'm going backwards in the power game, but I rode an R100/7 all over the country including finishing 5th in the Iron Butt Rally one year and it had what, 50 or so rwhp? I do have a 34" inseam so a taller seat is in order, but it's got to have more legroom than my Buell did, over at cycle-ergo.com it shows almost 10 degrees less knee bend.

KingOfFleece · 03-11-2013, 06:09 PM

I never find mine lacking power in the hills of PA or WV where I have about 500 feet to pass, at the good spots, no less!
Ride one to be sure, though.

03-08-2013, 06:55 PM	#16
Av8rPaul ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Reno, Nevada Oddometer: 238	Good stuff guys. __________________ Paul 2004 KTM 950 Adventure - sold IBA #33

03-09-2013, 06:41 AM	#18
squish Out of the office. Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Where the Ghetto meets the sea. Oddometer: 4,947	10 years ago I went from a superhawk to a W650. While I did miss the speed. There was something else I discovered. I found that I was totally happy riding the W650 when traffic was slower. Something I didn't like very much at all on the VTR. It's a totally different experience and one that I enjoyed. Then some other motolust caught my eye and I moved on. I miss the W650 but not enough to go find another or to buy a Bonnie. For what it's worth I never did go back to liter class sport bike. Today I ride a 919, dl650 and a R100GS __________________ *On vacation for a spell*

03-09-2013, 12:06 PM	#20
RapidRobert Viagra Donor & reprobate Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Mayberry, NE Texas Oddometer: 360	Good thread. I'm contemplating just such a move myself, although I'd coming from a BMW R1100RT, not exactly a "fast" bike. Been think about a Bonnie, Thruxton, or maybe Honda's new CB1100 (been following that thread with interest, too). At 61 yrs. young, I'm ready for some laid-back cruising on something that looks vintage but has modern reliability. __________________ "Horsepower is like dick size; there is no such thing as "too much". Granted, you may never use all that you've got, but it sure feels good knowing that you've got it in your pocket, available to whip it out and use it anytime you want to. Or need to, even if just to win a bet ..."

03-09-2013, 11:31 PM	#21
JerryH Vintage Rider Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ Oddometer: 1,670	Get the Bonnie. It is a much more satisfying bike to " just ride" than any of those others. You don't feel like you have to compete with something, you just get on and ride and enjoy yourself. I see speed in two ways, and only one of them means anything to me. The Bonnie has neither. One is top speed, and is completely meaningless on the street, and not much fun anywhere else. The wind blast tries to rip you right off the bike. The other is acceleration, and can be great fun, but you have to be careful with that on the street too, if you value your license. Very few things beat the thrill of winning a stoplight race, until those red and blue lights come on in your mirrors. The old style V-Max was KING here. I never got one because I knew I would never be able to keep my license. I now find that plodding along on a backroad at 55-65 mph on a bike with some rumble down there is very satisfying. You may need new pipes to get that "rumble" __________________ "I refuse to give up the thrill of living for the relative safety of existing" Nick Ienatsch "Life is not a race. Don't treat it as such. If you don't believe me, just have a look at the finish line"

03-10-2013, 11:58 AM	#22
Av8rPaul ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Reno, Nevada Oddometer: 238	Excellent replies to one and all. Most of my riding will be in the twisties of the Sierras, and after all you guys have shared your experience on both side of the fence I believe the Bonneville is right for me. The mag wheel model with some Thruxton length shocks, highflow mufflers, flyscreen.... I can see it now. __________________ Paul 2004 KTM 950 Adventure - sold IBA #33

03-09-2013, 04:33 AM	#17
KingOfFleece Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Western New York Oddometer: 423	I have an 09 Bonnie and a 10 Street 3. The S3 is like driving and F1 car-pure fun! But, 90% of the time I reach for the Bonnie keys. The only thing not there is that massive rush of speed-but I don't ever seem to miss it.

03-09-2013, 10:03 AM	#19
GoonerYoda Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2012 Location: Wine Country, CA Oddometer: 100	I'm 35yrs and have only ridden for five years. And recently, I went from this... to this.... Zero F's given....no regrets.

03-10-2013, 01:59 PM	#23
Haroon RIDE for PASSION Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia/ Bangalore, INDIA Oddometer: 471	Wow....delighted to see this thread. Infact, last few weeks in my free time I have just been doing google image searches & Youtube videos of the Triumph Bonnie (with saddlebags, exhaust, windshield etc etc). Having ridden the R1200GS, RT and the K1600GTL on long trips, and specifically at the fag end of our recent 7 day ride aboard the fabulous R1200RT in New Zealand, I took the Bonnie T100 for a small 15 odd km ride on the country side and this bike immediately started talking to me. I am madly in love with it. It was unadultrated fun. With Triumph planning to set up their new factory in India this year, I think I will be there for a Bonnie. Maybe more of solo rides on the Bonnie with soft saddlebags etc, while the GS will still be on duty for the bigger 2-up rides with Shad hard cases. __________________ Growing old is compulsory - growing up is optional *So many roads, So little time* - RIDE for PASSION www.rideforpassion.com

03-11-2013, 09:57 AM	#24
0ldhippie Studly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Sacramento Oddometer: 565	I guess I'm the odd man out but I find the new Bonnies just boring. I grew up a Triumph guy and really want to love them but just can't. Really heavy and underpowered! Reminds me of my old 883 sporty?? You will really miss passing motorhomes in the sierras! __________________ I've forgot more than you kids ever knew! Retired and living off the interest on the money I owe.

03-11-2013, 04:21 PM	#29
Av8rPaul ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Reno, Nevada Oddometer: 238	I'll definitely do a test ride. I know I'm going backwards in the power game, but I rode an R100/7 all over the country including finishing 5th in the Iron Butt Rally one year and it had what, 50 or so rwhp? I do have a 34" inseam so a taller seat is in order, but it's got to have more legroom than my Buell did, over at cycle-ergo.com it shows almost 10 degrees less knee bend. __________________ Paul 2004 KTM 950 Adventure - sold IBA #33

03-11-2013, 06:09 PM	#30
KingOfFleece Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Western New York Oddometer: 423	I never find mine lacking power in the hills of PA or WV where I have about 500 feet to pass, at the good spots, no less! Ride one to be sure, though.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode