Triumphrat

08-03-2005

Has anyone done any touring on a Bonnie? If so, What bags do you use and how is the bike set up??

ponycorn · 08-03-2005

I like a roomy tank bag.

Dedmon · 08-03-2005

The lady we bought my wife's Bonney from took it from Glasgow KY to Nova Scotia this spring, and to Daytona FL last fall. She has TourMaster CorTech saddlebags, which look pretty good on the bike. She also added IKON shocks and increased the front gearing to 18T. Plus a nice windscreen, and off she went.

Copper · 08-03-2005

I have done a few overnight trips, not too far, 3-400 miles. It can definetly be done! Remember, before "touring " bikes, there were just "bikes" and people used to go all over the country on them.

I have small leather saddlebags and a Saddleman Explorer sissy bar bag, which goes on my Triumph high sissy bar (important for passenger comfort!). Between those I can carry enough stuff for my wife and I for a weekend trip.

Things I will be adding that will greatly improve touring comfort are the King and Queen seat from Triumph and a windsheild. Bigger saddlebags would be nice too, and I am going to put a Renntec engine guard on with a set of bolt on highway pegs. I can hear all you cafe guys pulling your hair out at the "cruiserfication" project I have going on here! :-D :razz: :-D

Touring on a bike is loads of fun, you should definetly do it!!!!

[ This message was edited by: Copper on 2005-08-03 12:05 ]

Brooksie · 08-03-2005

The thing that is really great about the Bonneville, either 790 or 865, is that is is very versatile. I have mine to set up between a retro cafe type bike for sport riding about town or a touring bike. For longer solo rides (300-500 mile days) I have a Quick Detach National Cycle Deflector screen, Triumph fabric saddle bags and an Oxford Humpback expandable bag which I attach to the factory seat.. The engine rides comfortably at 75/80mph in 5th without much vibration, so I haven't changed the gearing. I am having progressive front springs installed next week, since the front seems to really suffer. I am going to put on a set of Ikon rear adjustable shocks this winter. About the only thing else I may do is put a clamp on cruise control on so I can get a little rest for the throttle hand. If you need more for touring, get a Hayabusa! The Bonnie does a great job and give you all the speed you need on the highway. Break yourself in with several 100/300 mile trips and do not be afraid to RIDE IN THE RAIN. This bike tracks well and is very sure footed on the road. It makes for great "B" road fun when you need a couple hours change of pace. Enjoy that great bike!

lanwanman · 08-03-2005

My GF abd I did a 6-day 1700+ mile trip on the Bonnie. Saddlebags, tailbag, tankbag and windscreen. If you click on my album link below you can see pictures of how the bike was equipped for the trip.

The bags I used are a mixed bag (no pun intended). The saddlebags are Fieldsheer Rio and I found them to be very roomy and had no issues mounting them. The tailbag is a Cortech bag and is also roomy and secures well to the bike. The tankbag did have some issues. It's a Fieldsheer Eiffel Bag and while it is very roomy and flexible in terms of bag combinations and options it tended to shift while in use due to the mounting method used to secure the bags to the base.

One item that made a significant difference to the ease of mounting and carrying the tailbag was a tailbag mounting plate that I purchased off of Ebay. It mounted to the rack and extended the base for mounting the bag so that the bag was supported fullly. I can't recommend this type of device enough. The web site for the one I bought is: here. Ran me 45.00 including shipping.

Probably the best accessory for touring on a Bonnie is an 18 or 19 tooth sprocket. I had an 18 on mine for the tour and it makes long distance rides so nice.

If you have any specific questions feel free to drop me a line and I'll answer as best I can. lanwanman1956@yahoo.com

[ This message was edited by: lanwanman on 2005-08-03 12:49 ]

badrufus · 08-03-2005

Many Bonnie riders put on an aftermarket seat if they plan on doing anything over 200-300 miles. I've been waiting for the stock seat to break in, but at 3500 miles, I think that's not going to happen. Some riders find the stocker to be just fine; others of us think of it as the seat from h*ll. For the summer, I'm using a piece of lamb skin/fur as a buffer, and will send the seat to Sargent's in Florida this winter. They can take the stock foam out and replace it with higher quality stuff, as well as lowering/narrowing it a bit for my 29" inseam.

Regarding other long distance set-ups, there are several threads here on cruise control with suggestions for everything from o-rings to ThrottleMeister, including Vista Cruise and Throttle Rocker.

I just bought a new tailbag from Rev-Pack to replace my ages old Chase Harper. Haven't ridden with it yet, but contruction is very impressive, and I especially like that it doesn't have lots of outside pockets and such to clutter up the appearance. They have a very good reputation.

CarlS · 08-03-2005

I've done a couple of 800 mile trips, 400 each way. I have the Triumph fabric bags. I also use a cargo net to hold things on the seat behind me. I guess I am used to the stock seat; it doesn't bother me anymore. I also use a Triumph Summer Screen.

jreagan · 08-03-2005

I did a 3-day'er last summer.

I'm leaving next Wednesday for a NH to TN trip to visit my parents (and do Deals Gap). I have TourMaster sport bags, the matching tail bag, and a mini-mag TourMaster tank bag.

I still have the stock sprocket (haven't found the time to change it - I'd rather ride). I have a Dart flyscreen that cuts some wind without looking too large.

08-04-2005

I did 10 days of camping. You can check out the gear load on my photo page. The bike did great, as you might expect!

Member maintained albums: Coloradoville :upthumb: