Triumphrat

chazzman · 04-16-2006, 12:28 PM

Hey guys I have ridden for 35 years and as of last year went from Harleys to a new Goldwing. I love the Wing but when I saw the T100 it brought back memories. I cut my teeth on the old Bonnies and BSA's. I wanted one and have placed the order but I am having second thoughts. I am thinking that the Bonnie will bring back old memories but be to small for me and I never cared for adjusting chains. The Rocket is a Bomb and this 52 year old is leaning in that direction. Any help in making up my mind would be appericated. Thanks

The wife has granted two bikes the Wing and ?? :???:

Ugarte · 04-16-2006, 01:30 PM

Get the Rocket and then build new memories.......memories of torque and hp and street cred the likes of which you have never experienced before....

Let the bonnie lie over the ocean but put the Rocket in your garage.. :wink:

dougl · 04-16-2006, 02:01 PM

Quote:

On 2006-04-16 10:28, chazzman wrote:
Hey guys I have ridden for 35 years and as of last year went from Harleys to a new Goldwing. I love the Wing but when I saw the T100 it brought back memories. I cut my teeth on the old Bonnies and BSA's. I wanted one and have placed the order but I am having second thoughts. I am thinking that the Bonnie will bring back old memories but be to small for me and I never cared for adjusting chains. The Rocket is a Bomb and this 52 year old is leaning in that direction. Any help in making up my mind would be appericated. Thanks

The wife has granted two bikes the Wing and ?? :???:

I had two Triumphs, 1970 and 1972. I got a 2004 Bonnie and it is a really nice bike, perfect in most ways, much better than the originals. Soon, I wanted more power.When my dealer got a demo Rocket, I rode it, sold the Bonnie and ordered a Rocket. So much for nostalgia.

By the way, the guy who bought my Bonnie has a huge Yahama Venture. He uses that for touring and the Bonnie for kicking around. The Bonnie handles much better than the Rocket. Do you really want 2 huge bikes? Wing and Bonnie seems like a good match.

Panthermark · 04-16-2006, 02:13 PM

Wow, those are two totally different bikes.

Let me put it this way. A Rocket is a far more capable bike....bigger, faster, and stonger in every manner.

A Bonnie is not a bike that you buy based on numbers, it's more of a calling.

dougl · 04-16-2006, 02:27 PM

Quote:

On 2006-04-16 12:13, Panthermark wrote:
A Rocket is a far more capable bike....bigger, faster, and stonger in every manner.

At 800 lbs vs 450 lbs, it doesn't handle as well - not even close.

Diego · 04-16-2006, 04:32 PM

Chazzman, I'm curious in what sense you think the Bonneville might be too small for you. True, it doesn't have the massive HP or torque of the Rocket, but it's no small bike.

As for the chain, I lube mine about every 500 miles (more if I'm only on clean, dry roads; or less, if I encounter dirt or rain). I've never had to adjust it except at the annual service. Much better than the old days!

sbljr · 04-16-2006, 04:34 PM

Quote:

By the way, the guy who bought my Bonnie has a huge Yahama Venture. He uses that for touring and the Bonnie for kicking around. The Bonnie handles much better than the Rocket. Do you really want 2 huge bikes? Wing and Bonnie seems like a good match.

Maybe I haven't ridden new Bonnies enough (several demo rides including 100mph sweepers) but I think "handles much better" is an overstatement. It has the advantages of less mass yes, but I was not that impressed with handling of any of the stock Bonnies (especially the BA which starts grinding things if you so much as look upon a curve with lust).

IMHO the only Hinckley Classic that deserves to be called "much" better handling than a Rocket is no longer made: the TBS.

dougl · 04-16-2006, 06:53 PM

Quote:

On 2006-04-16 14:34, sbljr wrote:
It has the advantages of less mass yes

Yes. Simple physics. 800 lbs changes directly less easily than 450 lbs. The huge rear tire is also bull*****. It's just for show. OTOH, I didn't buy it for quick cornering.

Moosey · 04-16-2006, 07:21 PM

Take them both for a run, the rocket sells itself!

Aussiebikerdave · 04-16-2006, 07:27 PM

Hi Chazz and welcome. My neighbour espyed my Rocket everytime I would come home and it began to rekindle thoughts and feelings of earlier decades. He even came over one time to marvel at it's size and sheer presence but I never imagined he would go and buy one.

Well he didn't... he started looking at all the options and decided that a mint condition Sprint ST would do just nicely so he took the plunge a purchased it all the while espying my Rocket every time I arrived home.

The nagging thought of a Triumph Rocket III persisted every time he rode that little Sprint, suffering shoulder ache and wrist pain due to his large frame being forced into the semi-sport bike ride position. Then the other day I came home on the Rocket. As soon as I'd flicked the side-stand down, Brian was right there proudly announcing he'd just bought a Rocket. Walking over to his garage, there it was... parked proudly near the door while the Sprint ST took backstage in the dark near the back of the garage.

His immaculate 2003 BRG Triumph Sprint ST with top-case is now for sale! If there are any Aussie riders interested, PM me and I will pass your contact details on to Brian. Davo