Triumphrat

azrat · 02-08-2010, 06:02 PM

Any of you gone from Bonnie to a TBird. I love my Bonnie however i get blown all over the highway and its tough on a long trip. The Thunderbird looks great but what about the handling. If any of you have made this move please let me know of the good and bad.Thanks

Rayzor61 · 02-08-2010, 06:41 PM

I have a 79 Bonnie, an 08 Scrambler and a 2010 TBird (at the moment). That qualifys me as the right person to answer your conserns.

There is absolutely no comparison; they are 2 totally different bikes. The Bonnie way far out performs the Thunderbird in every way............................................... ............NOT!

The TBIRD rules in my garage but if your into tip toeing around town, you fear power, and love the agility of a much lighter bike, then the Bonneville is your bike. If you like POWER, AGILITY, COMFORT, DECENT CORNERING (for a cruiser), and JUST BEING DIFFERENT, then the Thunderbird will suite you. Comfort is 600 mile per day plus.

If you can't decide, buy both like I did. And if you're really confused, get a Speed Triple, load it with performence parts, then sell it and buy an Aprilia Tuono 1000R. Now we're talking (and bragging,hehehe)

engage · 02-09-2010, 09:47 AM

I purchased a 2004 Bonneville Black last March. I put about 2,000 miles on it and then picked up my Tbird in June. My brother-in-law now has my Bonneville.

The Bonneville is great around town and if I was able to justify two bikes, I would have kept it. The Thunderbird is a much better high speed and touring bike. You won't get blown around on the freeway on the Tbird and as Rayzor says, you'll have all day riding comfort.

If I still had my Bonneville I would use it as my errand bike, and the Tbird for most everything else. However, the Tbird isn't bad around town either so if you are having trouble justifying two bikes, the Tbird will be just fine.

dazco · 02-09-2010, 11:15 AM

The Thunderbird has been said to handle as well and even by some BETTER than the bonneville ! granted, thats obviously somewhat subjective. I had a speedmaster, not a bonnie. But the Tbird while a couple hundred pounds more outhandles the speedy by a margin i would call very wide. Theres no comparison. all the reviews also rave about the handling. There are even 2 people who owned sportbikes in the past and said it's right up there with them. (Please, no flames, I didn't say that) While thats unlikely, the point is the tbird handles exceptionally well. On my speedmaster a walking speed full lock turn was a nail biter. I can do it on the Tbird in my sleep.

In short, it's stupid good when it comes to handling abd belies all the things you typically think aren't going to be as good as a smaller bike. There are 2 areas where it doesn't match or beat a smaller bike like the 900 twins....ground clearance in tight turns will drag the pegs when leaned way over, and pushing it around with the motor off can be tough on even a slight grade. But neither is much of an issue. If you want it for around town i would recommend it just as easily as a much smaller bike. It's such a phenomenal bike (from all accounts, not just mine) it's a no brainer unless you just happen to be one of those people who have a thing for small light bikes. Then it's possible you may not like it as much.

mikester2008 · 02-09-2010, 11:22 AM

If you're into handling, pushing the limits and going fast on the twisties keep the Bonnie. If you're into large bikes and your idea of going fast is twisting the throttle in a straight line then go with the Tbird. I've driven all kinds and it is the sport bikes that impress me the most, the crusiers ehhh, maybe when i'm 90.

azrat · 02-09-2010, 01:09 PM

Sound like most favor the T Bird, i love the handling of my Bonnie but i like to take the long rides and its just not good for that at least at my age (62), maybe the thing to do is to keep both! Im in MN now and sounds like no great deals on these at this time. I also have home in AZ where I keep my Bonnie, any idea of what I should expect of of MSRP if any. thanks to all of you for your help!

Rayzor61 · 02-09-2010, 02:01 PM

12500 without wiggle room. Add 800 for ABS???????????????????

At least that was what I paid in June (no ABS here)...........I did'nt think they were negoeiating the price off the floor since they were backed up in production. But; I guess by now, every dealer has one, and the economy is suckin......so they might be offering lower deals or as Triumph always does; at the end of the season, offer 500 to 1500 worth of free gear.

Maybe you can get a demo for 10K???

Good luck.....

mikester2008 · 02-09-2010, 02:02 PM

Well the T-bird is all the buzz these days, seeing as it is new. But it really comes down to your riding style. Sounds like you do a lot of highway and you're looking to kick back, if so, then the t-bird. But it's a whole lot cooler seeing a 62yrd on a bonnie... classy.

Rayzor61 · 02-09-2010, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikester2008

If you're into handling, pushing the limits and going fast on the twisties keep the Bonnie. If you're into large bikes and your idea of going fast is twisting the throttle in a straight line then go with the Tbird. I've driven all kinds and it is the sport bikes that impress me the most, the crusiers ehhh, maybe when i'm 90.

Sport Bikes do it for me too but not the Bonnie. There isn't much sport to it (unless your'e new to riding). Its just a great little "do all" bike that is very easily pushed to its limits. My Scrammy dosnt deserve that. It's super easy dragging it out of the garage to pick-up something at the store; beats schlepping out the T-Bird. Its a great machine but a little boring for me. I like a bike who's limits are not obtainable in the real world (off-track) but it sure is nice to have a sweet looking missle like the Thunderbird in the garage. Not everyday do I crave death at 170 MPH or to run my Bonnie into the 7's. I feel like I'm punishing it when I ride that way. I never feel that way about the TBird even though it isn't very fast (top speed wise). She take all the whipping I can give it without crying. When I do have the need for speed, I get on my Sport. Anybody wanta buy a 08 Scrambler???

mikester2008 · 02-09-2010, 02:25 PM

I think we should race, the T-bird vrs my Bonnie. Lets go!