I used to whip every badge off every bike I've ever owned with a 'If they want me to advertise they can bloody well pay me...' - but I don't think it's going to come off the Bonnie. My local dealer is half Harley, half Triumph and split into two equal rooms. One side's got space for a dozen bikes, two small stands of goodies and a rack of clothes. The other has space for about five bikes, more branded and tassled leather than Paris fashion week, a couple of cabinets of hyper-priced 'lifestyle' knick knacks, and a back wall of chrome 'Live to ride, ride to the shops' bolt-ons. And just what is Harley branded bike polish about? Does it affect your warranty if you don't use it!
For the last six months I was split between the Nightster (stupid name) and the Thruxton. The nearer the time came to buying the more the Triumph came into view. Then when I saw the Bonnie with the black engine I was sold - I could stand in the dealers in the doorway between the two sides, look to the right at a brand new Nightster; look to the left at the Bonneville.
Really - no competition. I think the only things that let the Bonnie down are the obligatory frying pan mirrors, rear light and volume control. And those can ALL be fixed without resorting to a second mortgage.
