Triumphrat

oofmeister · 11-04-2009, 03:34 PM

Hi all, first post as a prospective Bonneville owner; I've been lurking for a while and gradually educating myself in the ways of Triumph-ness, having previously only owned Japanese or currently Austrian machinery. I've been looking at Bonnies for a few weeks now and the prices of new and used bikes here in the UK have me a little puzzled.
Is this bike depreciation proof?! A local dealer can do me a brand new EFI base-model in black or white for £5k, which strikes me as a very decent deal. What surprises me is how few used bikes seem to be available at or below £4000. I'm not sure if asking prices are unrealistically high at the moment, or if demand is currently much higher than supply?
One of the main attractions of the Bonnie is to get a bike that's relatively easy to personalise, and I'd like to leave a little slack in the budget for exhausts and handlebars etc. I think I'd prefer a spoked wheel model, (although I'm changing my mind on a fairly regular basis at the moment!), but a new bike rather than used for just 1k more seems too good to pass up.
Is there anything I'm missing here? (www.thebargaintriumphyou'reafter.co.uk or similar...

)

Thanks in advance for any input, really like the site and the friendly feel.

epynt1050 · 11-04-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oofmeister

What surprises me is how few used bikes seem to be available at or below £4000.

Bonnevilles have always held their prices incredibly well. 2001 models still fetch around £3000 if well looked after and £4000 is usual for a 3yr old bike. Remember this is the quiet period in the yr and the run out of 09 bikes. Your offer of £5000 may not last in the new yr.

Nickwiz · 11-04-2009, 09:03 PM

Welcome to the madhouse epynt1050. We bought a Bonnie earlier this year for Mrs Nickwiz. We went to look at one it sold in the week we were still making up our minds. Then we phoned about one at 5-00pm. Went to the dealer first thing next morning it had sold!!! Same thing on another. Finaly we got a good one at Windy Corner. Bonnies seem to sell pretty quick. And yes they hold their value. We wanted a carb model so buying new wasn't an option.

oofmeister · 11-05-2009, 06:04 AM

Thanks guys. As a matter of intrerest why carbs rather than FI? Has anyone ridden both the spoked and small wheel models, any great difference in handling?

Nickwiz · 11-06-2009, 09:19 PM

Some road tests reckon the newest Bonnies handle best. One advantage of the cast wheels is that you can fit tubeless tyres.

Carbs? I wanted carbs on my Thruxton and Mrs Nickwiz Bonnie because I understand them. You can re jet and fiddle at home. EFI is a dealer job unless you are a computer engineer

Some say the EFI bikes run smoother. Being a Luddite and having test ridden an EFI Thruxton and a Carb Thruxton. I liked the feel of the carb engine better. Plus it has a slightly slimmer tank. So I bought an 07 carb model.