Triumphrat

mattd00d · 03-02-2008, 09:06 PM

I am new have passed MSF etc.. I really like the look and feel of a T100, just wondering if this is a good bike to start with. I want something I can grow into but also not be so unforgiving on a newbie. I also live in San Diego so I need something that can handle the hell that is Freeway driving etc..

Thnx

yonder · 03-02-2008, 09:33 PM

Matt,

I've posted about my experience on a couple of other threads just like this.

I passed my MSF one week ago to the day.

I bought the T100 before the MSF, but didn't ride it until after the first day riding the training bikes.

In my opinion, the Bonneville is a fantastic first bike for me. The ergonomics are good, the controls are good. It handles well. It has enough power to get out of its own way, and for me to grow into. But the power is delivered in a smooth and predictable way so I never get "surprised" by it, which I think is important for a beginner. If I had one word to describe the bike "smooth" would be it. I have over 600 miles on my bike as of tonight, and keep in mind I'm only a week out of MSF. In fact, I love this bike so much that my car hasn't been touched since MSF and now the battery in it has died from neglect.

I looked around at a lot of other bikes and settled on this one. I couldn't be happier. Every day that I ride it, I become a better rider and grow into the bike more and more. I'm not getting bored of the bike at all. In fact, I am excited to know that this bike has so much more to give as I become a better rider.

If you're going to ride a Bonnie on the freeway frequently, you're going to want to install a windscreen on it I think (unless you really like getting abused by the wind). The bike has more than enough power to maintain cruising speeds of 80+ MPH without working hard. But I've found that I don't like the wind buffeting that comes in at 65+ MPH, especially when big trucks are around. I have altered my route to work in such a way that I mostly take back roads now and avoid the interstate, but I do get on a couple of roads that I average 60-65MPH on (with the flow of traffic) and it is just fine for me.

mistermellow001 · 03-02-2008, 09:35 PM

Welcome, Matt. Allow me to be the first to lay down the welcome mat. (Yes, we are all THAT funny!)

You'll likely get all kinds of opinions on this one. There are threads on this forum that discuss whether the Bonneville is truly a "starter bike" because of inconsistency between its overall quality, and certain out-of-the-showroom upgrades that some feel are immediately needed.

I love mine, and feel like its not only a good starter bike, but a good keeper. I've done things to make it more comfortable and handle better, but I loved it also the way it was before I did those things.

Truly, I believe your starter bike should be what you're drawn to and feel comfortable handling. I believe the MSF course prepares you for riding almost anything, and how you ride is up to you and your willingness to learn the bike's handling and power characteristics. Other's will certainly chime in on that statement, however.

You're looking at the T100 and you like it, don't you? Hmmm? Go for it.

mattd00d · 03-02-2008, 09:54 PM

Thanks for the replies!

Yonder, I've read your blog before and it offers some good insight.

I am going to go down to the dealer this week and see what kind of deals they got!

Thanks! I'll be looking around for Mods in the coming months.

B02S4 · 03-02-2008, 10:09 PM

The new 08 T100's in green are just stunning...the O7's have nicer tanks IMO.

HospiceRN · 03-02-2008, 11:48 PM

My first bike ever was a 2004 Bonnie Black (790 cc). I tried to learn to ride it here in the subdivision. I was doing ok, but then had a panic and a crash. I was unscathed (excepting road rash that ruined my hand model career), the bike got $2200 in damage. I parked it and toyed with it for months before finally going down and taking the Rider's Edge course at the local Harley shop. After that class, the Bonnie was (and is) the perfect bike.

That said, it may not be a bad idea to get a beater to put those few thousand miles on. I dropped the Bonnie twice after passing the class (hit gravel once resulting in a drop and bungled a steep driveway parking attempt the other). Both drops thanksfully only resulted in the need to replace the clutch lever, but they could have been much more expensive. On a beater, the damage won't matter as much and a few months down the road you can sell it for what you bought it for.

Just food for thought