Triumphrat

akenaten

In October of last year I got my Bonnie. This last February I got my Sportster. Since there are many similarities between these bikes I thought I'd do a comparisons.
Power: the Sportys 1200 V-twin wins this hands down. The Bonnies 900(really should be called an 850cc) is no weakling but the 1200 is a torque monster.Only on the top end does the Bonny feel a little more powerful whereas the Sporty runs out of juice.Winner:Sporty by a mile.
Handling:the Sporty is rock steady in the curves. So is the Bonnie but since the Harley feels like it carries its weight a little lower it's a little steadier and inspires more confidence. Winner:Harley but only by a little.
Fueling: Both bikes are snatchy at low speed. I think for the Triumph it's driveline lash. For the Sporty it's fuel-injection mapping.I'm installing new air-cleaner and pipes soon so hopefully that'll help. Winner:Slight edge to the Bonny.
Braking: The 1200 has dual discs up front while the Bonny makes do with a single. Both stop well but the Harley brakes have a somewhat mushy feel.The Bonnys unit feels more positive.Both rear units feel about the same. Winner:Bonnie.
Mirrors:both are useless.
Ergonomics:The Harley seat pretty much locks you in to one position. Its pegs(mid-mounts) are mounted a little high which might prove to be a problem for 6' plus people. I'm 5'11" and shrinking.The Bonnies seat is wider and flatter so you can move around more.A definite plus.Bar position is similar on both bikes.Winner: Bonnie.
Gearbox:Both shift well and positivly.There have been times I've found myself wishing for a 6th gear on the Bonnie. On the Harley the engine makes so much torque I've found myself actually in 4th when I thought I was in 5th.Winner:tie.
Incidentals:The clutch action on the Triumph,while a little lighter is more abrupt than the Harley.The Bonnie levers are adjustable(to a point). The Harleys are'nt.Horns:both are a joke.Removing the seat is a pain in the butt on both.On the Sporty it's hard to tell if the seat is "locked" into place.
Kickstands: Or in Harley speak the "jiffy stand":Both stands look like they were made in a high school shop class. The Harleys' is especially bad.
Fit and finish: is excellent on both bikes.The Sportys paint is particularly impressive.
Gas caps:The stock cap one the Triumph was a pain to get off. Too low a profile and too hard to turn. No problemo with the Harley.
On the road: Neither machine has a cushy ride.On Californias many Third World roads things can get bumpy in a hurry.The Harleys front suspension soaks up bumps pretty well. The rear is a little stiff. The Bonnie is just the opposite.Both could use adjustable front supensions. On really bumpy surface the Bonnie can get a little skittish,feeling like it will soon lose contact with the ground. The Harley rarley loses composure. Winner:Harley by a nose.

So which do I like better? I can't really pick. I love both and ride both as much as I can.I have likes and dislike for both.One thing I can say is I made a good choice in both.I would recommend either or both to anyone.
Ride safe.See you later. Akenaten

Levenvale

Interesting post. The only HD I have ridden is the VRod. As I wrote elsewhere the engine is a peach but I was disappointed with some aspects of the finish.

I have ridden the T100, liked the handling, but found it rather underpowered for my taste. I was intrigued to read this comparison. To me the Bonnie is a lovely looking wee bike. I like the looks of the Sportster, but not as much. The water cooled Vrod engine in the sportster would be interesting - but would entirely change the character of the bike and no doubt make it much dearer.

Sounds like you ride and enjoy both your bikes Akenaten. Hope you put many safe and happy miles on em both.

Kindest regards,

L

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Diego

> Since there are many similarities between these bikes...

Let's see, both have two wheels, and....

Well, I guess that's really about it.

Don't get me wrong, I've had both at the same time and enjoyed them. But they are two very different critters these days, so let's leave the hopelessly mismatched "comparos" to the magazines that have pages to fill between advertisements.

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Tbirdnz

I would like to see what you would have felt about the Thunderbird Sports v the Sportster Akena' I've always felt the Bonnie was a bit light compared to the TB's.

One day when the Motorbike God smiles Hinckley will make Thunderbirds again !

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HiDesert

Thanks, akenaten, very interesting post. How does maintenance compare? Is one a lot easier to take care of than the other?

Interesting to hear about the seats. I much prefer a seat that lets me shift around. Even if it's the best seat and position around, I don't like to be locked into it. Good observation.

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ChuckofTahoe

How about a category for classic looks, coolness and uniqueness?

Triumph Bonneville T100 in a landslide. You are just not going to get the strangers walking up to you with comments and "I remember when" type stories with the 1200R as you do the T100. There are just too many Sportsters out there and they are discounted by even your Harley breathren (girls bike etc.). Meanwhile, most of these serious Harley Afficionados riding custom Road Kings etc. will give the T100 a nod. Whether stuck up or not or whatever you think of this attitude (I think the girls bike knock is ridiculous), it seems to be true that the T100 actually has more street cred than any Sportster variant.

I understand and appreciate your viewpoint of strictly looking at the facts and figures but for me and specific to motorcycles, passion counts for something.

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akenaten

Your right about a lot of it.

[ This message was edited by: Wombat on 2007-04-23 19:12 ]

ChuckofTahoe

Don't get me wrong, I do think the 1200R is a beautiful machine. I love the new Nightster too. The sportster is the Harley I would buy for its handling etc. as you have noted.

For me its mainly the lower numbers (uniqueness) and the T100's and Bonneville's strict adherence to the traditional look that sets it apart from the Sportster in this category and causes me to choose the Triumph over its Harley counterpart.


[ This message was edited by: ChuckofTahoe on 2007-04-24 01:44 ]

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HiDesert

You're right, Chuck, but appearances are too individual to quantify. The "I used to have a Triumph" stories are cool though; I'm sure you're right about that too.

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ChuckofTahoe

Its definitely true. In the 2+ years I've had the T100, I have probably had about 40-50 encounters with people drawing me aside to talk about the Bonnie. Usually at gas stations. Many comments of "nice bike" and a thumbs up but many, many 5-10 minute conversations too. The T100 and other Bonnvevilles just havew that intangible and legendary magic that needs to be considered when comparing it to other bikes.

The last time I had an extended encounter was at the Union 76 here in town about a week ago. As a matter of fact it was a Harley rider (Dyna) who was in his cage filling up. The guy was just effusive in his praise of the Bonnie and spent at least 5 minutes with me and examining the T100. I mean we are talking about a guy with a $20K custom roadster going ga ga over a two year old $8K bike with a few mods. The Bonneville is just a legendary marque in motorcycling.

That is the point I was trying to make in this discussion. I didn't mean to hit people over the head with it but I am passionate about Bonnevilles. :-)

[ This message was edited by: ChuckofTahoe on 2007-04-24 08:22 ]

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