Triumphrat

Phaseshift

Hey everyone, I'm a little confused about the bonneville is it a cafe racer just like the thruxton or no? If not what are the characteristics that make it not a cafe racer?

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum. I'm trying to decide whether to get a Bonnie or a thruxton; there seems to be a lot more used bonnevilles out there than there is thruxton.

x_david_x

People will debate this forever, but I think as long as it has low bars you can get away with calling it a cafe racer


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andrewp

definitions change over time, over generations, etc...

forget the terminology get the bike that gives you that fuzzy feeling when you sit on it. they're essentially the same bike. some people make their bonnies look like thruxes and some people make their thruxes look like bonnies.

werm42

Without getting too minced up in the minutae:

The Bonnie, the Thruxton, and the Scrambler represent 3 variations on the same bike. You could effectively create one out of the other by swapping a few key parts, or create your own monster by mixing all 3 together.

The heart of the bike is the frame/geometry. How you dress it up determines if its the classic, the racer, or the off-road variation.

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andrewp

excellent answer sir.

Phaseshift

Because there seems to be more Bonnie's out there and cost less than my ideal thruxton, how much extra would need to be spent if I where to change the handle bars on the Bonnie to clip ons like the thruxton to bring it lower?

x_david_x

You wouldn't want to do clip ons. That's a lot of work. Just some m bars .. That's what the new thruxtons have anyway. They are about $85 shipped from most places.

To really get a thruxton look, I'd think you'd want to get the thruxton seat/cowl and some kind of upward slant exhaust also. If you wanted a full conversion you'd need to add rearset foot controls and longer rear shocks.

If you want to put a lot of aftermarket/performance stuff on this can make a lot of sense. If you'd be good with a thruxton stock it's probably best to just get one.

I've been making a bruxton, but I bought my Bonnie with staintuned exhaust already on, bought a used thruxton seat & cowl for $200. I actually prefer the standard foot controls and lower rear suspension so all in all it will run me under $300 difference so it made sense to buy a Bonnie for $2000 less.


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bluesforchallah

I disagree.

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08 T100 with AI removed, K&N Pods, BC Predators, 145 mains/42 pilots, no shim, -1 turn out @ sea level, green springs

D1DAVE

That is one sweet Bonnie!

ozbon

short answer, yes!!!

There are thousands of Bonnies out there, you'll be hard pressed to find two the same.
My version of a Bonnie cafe racer (with gratuitous bike pic)

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