Triumphrat

Mongrel01 · 07-08-2012, 09:49 PM

Hello, here is my 'story'...

Mongrel comes full circle...

Bought my first bike, a 1971 T120R Bonneville in 1981. It had been setup as a "chopper" with 8" extended front forks, struts instead of shocks, over-bored and with TT pipes. Had a wonderful mother-of-pearl paint job with blue metal flake accents and pinstripes. I spent some time and money to bring her back to "stock", and began learning to ride.

Unfortunately, I learned the hard way about downshifting in the rain, and laid her down (low-sided...) in traffic. So much for that wonderful custom paint job etc. etc. etc.

Flash forward 30 years and two Suzukis and a Honda Shadow later...

After some considerable time ogling Harleys, reason took over and I came to my senses. The bike I really wanted was a Bonneville-simple, light, refined, dignified (not for long, lol), DIFFERENT... I read on this website probably the best description of local motorcycling I've ever read: "You can't swing a cat around here without knocking someone off a Harley." (Not sure who posted it, but it stuck with me...). On top of everything else, that simple yet profound statement served as the confirmation I needed to "go home"...lol.

Thursday June 28, 2012 I took possession of a 2012 Aurum Gold Bonneville. I must confess that I have never sat on a bike before that was so "mine". Never. Everything just fit, and it gets better every time I'm out on her.

That's not to say she is without issues (what woman isn't?), but I'm completely satisfied with the decision and looking forward to the years ahead.

Thanks to all who contribute here for making the experience all the more enjoyable!

Mongrel

AlexL · 08-16-2012, 05:15 PM

Post a picture! I'd love to see what the gold looks like.

MMStingray · 08-16-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexL

Post a picture! I'd love to see what the gold looks like.

I'm finding our Aurum Gold (Gold Gold, basically) to be in the minority. And I had the same feeling as you; it just felt so RIGHT. Here's mine.

Wizard54 · 08-16-2012, 07:06 PM

Wow! What a sharp looking color. I didn't even know they had that one. The screen is sharp too. Is that the "factory" flyscreen?

Ride Safe,

Wiz

Cburt · 08-16-2012, 07:24 PM

Kansas city dealer had one, maybe still does.
Sharp looking bike.

MMStingray · 08-17-2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizard54

Wow! What a sharp looking color. I didn't even know they had that one. The screen is sharp too. Is that the "factory" flyscreen?

Ride Safe,

Wiz

It is indeed the factory flyscreen, and I'm pretty pleased with it. It takes off just enough of the breeze on the highway. I believe the gold is new this year.

jkmw · 08-17-2012, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mongrel01

Hello, here is my 'story'...

Mongrel comes full circle...

Bought my first bike, a 1971 T120R Bonneville in 1981. It had been setup as a "chopper" with 8" extended front forks, struts instead of shocks, over-bored and with TT pipes. Had a wonderful mother-of-pearl paint job with blue metal flake accents and pinstripes. I spent some time and money to bring her back to "stock", and began learning to ride.

Unfortunately, I learned the hard way about downshifting in the rain, and laid her down (low-sided...) in traffic. So much for that wonderful custom paint job etc. etc. etc.

Flash forward 30 years and two Suzukis and a Honda Shadow later...

After some considerable time ogling Harleys, reason took over and I came to my senses. The bike I really wanted was a Bonneville-simple, light, refined, dignified (not for long, lol), DIFFERENT... I read on this website probably the best description of local motorcycling I've ever read: "You can't swing a cat around here without knocking someone off a Harley." (Not sure who posted it, but it stuck with me...). On top of everything else, that simple yet profound statement served as the confirmation I needed to "go home"...lol.

Thursday June 28, 2012 I took possession of a 2012 Aurum Gold Bonneville. I must confess that I have never sat on a bike before that was so "mine". Never. Everything just fit, and it gets better every time I'm out on her.

That's not to say she is without issues (what woman isn't?), but I'm completely satisfied with the decision and looking forward to the years ahead.

Thanks to all who contribute here for making the experience all the more enjoyable!

Mongrel

Welcome to the forum from JAck and do post the pics please..

Irreversal · 11-20-2012, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMStingray

It is indeed the factory flyscreen, and I'm pretty pleased with it. It takes off just enough of the breeze on the highway. I believe the gold is new this year.

Did you get that fly screen with the bike??? I went to my dealer today and they wanted $430 for the same one!!! I think they're trying to make some of that money back from the smoking deal they gave me on the bike...

MMStingray · 11-21-2012, 08:41 AM

I ordered the flyscreen about a week after I got the bike. Before I picked up the bike, I already knew the accessories I was going to get. But I wanted to make sure I was happy with it first before I started dropping a ton of dough on the accessories. But yes, they are a little, shall we say, exorbitant. But I must say that the fit and finish are excellent.