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Are there any mods that make a Bonnie "unsafe" to ride?

9K views 45 replies 29 participants last post by  Aussiematt 
#1 ·
I'm not talking about any crazy DIY type stuff, but things that are popular, orthodox changes that compromise the handling, braking, suspension or drivetrain? Something that accelerates engine, chain or transmission wear?

There are a lot of discussions about changes being made, wondering if anyone has thoughts on things that should absolutely NOT be done.
 
#2 ·
I guess you could say that the steering damper may be considered unsafe at slow speeds if the setting is maximum damping. It may require a lot more muscle than you would normally intend to give on a tight slow turn.
 
#7 · (Edited)
OK.. I guess I don't "get" two things so far.

1. Steering damper. Why would you need one on a Bonnie? I've cruised at 70, and gone "ton up" once very, very briefly.. Steady as can be... Tire degradation + speed = tank slapper.. Maybe?

2. Why drop the forks given the downside? Handling?

I would have thought "ape hangers" would have been #1, and changing exhausts without re-mapping the computer making the bike rich or lean would be #2.
 
#18 ·
I would have thought "ape hangers" would have been #1
Que the death of this thread...

There is nothing wrong with regular ape hangers. I would never advocate apes like mine(they fall under "crazy DIY type stuff"), but for a more comfortable posture for the lower back, some ...er... "modest" apes(maybe 16" at most including risers) are great and handle just fine. This coming from a cruiser seating point of view... apes on a standard are kinda goofy.
 
#8 ·
Well, safe is a relative term to me. Just swinging a leg over a bike might be unsafe if you're inexperienced or just a plain Hotdogger. There's lots of them out there.

I would say anything bolt on or replacement would not adversely affect the Bonneville. I've got suspension pieces that have raised the height on my Bonnie, but have improved the handling in my opinion. Manufacturers as a rule don't sell anything that would put sensible paying customers off their bikes.
 
#27 ·
I've got suspension pieces that have raised the height on my Bonnie, but have improved the handling in my opinion.
Tell me about your "suspension pieces" that rise height? Id like to do just that, but I haven't found mention of it specifically. I am 6' 2" and love my '10 Bonneville, and would like to lower pegs without loosing clearance.

Thanks in advance.
 
#13 ·
Of course the po might have lowered the back end a similar amount by fitting bonnie shocks which would take it back to the standard rake/trail just a slightly shorter wheelbase. (about 6mm or 1/4") so check your rear shock extended length, think the standard scram is 365mm.
 
#14 ·
Some mods are real head shakers.

One lad didn't like the look of his turn signals and so removed them. Removed, mind you, without being replaced. He's trusting that law enforcement in northern Texas will turn a blind eye. So far, they have.

Another hero decided to go with a seriously oversized rear tire. His first clue that that wasn't going to work was when he could not retract the center stand.

I have EBC HH brake pads all around. Braking is much improved over stock, but you don't want to get too happy with the brake lever/pedal, wet or dry.
 
#15 ·
Any Mod is unsafe if you piss them off! ;)

I'd say you'd have to do some drastic stuff to make the bike unsafe. Like removing parts of the frame or some such. Of course if its Thruxtons your talking about you could make it totaly unsafe by fitting Avon RR tyres :p
 
#17 ·
Actually it may not be as much as I first estimated:

Here's what I had:

Front: Distanzia AM43 (H/V) (front) 100/90-19 666mm dia
Rear: Distanzia AM44 140/80R17 652mm dia

Here's what I ordered to replace:

Front: Pirelli MT90 A/T 110/80-18 655mm dia
Rear: Pirelli MT90 A/T 150/70R18 674mm dia

If I am doing this right, and please let me know if I am wroing, 11mm differnce in front and 22 mm in the rear. And since we are talking diameter then the drop in front should be about 6mm and the lift in the rear should be about 12mm? Any feedback neg or pos is appreciated. thanks
 
#22 ·
Took the Scram out for a ride today. I thought I would have to lower the rear at least an inch since I went with a 18 inch front and 22mm up in the trees and 18 rear with 150/70, but took it up to 90 and solid as a rock, maybe the lighter rims (excel) and 110/80 front had something to do with it. It does steer a little quicker. I think I will leave it for now.
 
#23 ·
Here's another one:
I always maintain that using the Kisan Signal Minder in the 'flash-when-braking' mode is unsafe as it flashes the front signals as well as the rears whenever the brakes are touched.
Another driver or rider seeing the flashing front signal from either front-side quadrant could easily mistake it for a turn signal and pull out in front of you.
 
#26 ·
#25 ·
If I saw ape-hangers on a mostly-stock Bonneville I'd laugh. Not in a derisive way, but just because it would look funny. I often get a chuckle out of apes on big, otherwise-unmodified baggers, but road-hogs are mostly for going in a straight line anyway, so who needs steering?

To each his own. I like all kinds of motorcycles. If I could own a dozen I'd have a chopper that needed a parking lot to turn around in. But I can only afford one bike so I have a Bonneville.

Ape hangers look cool on some custom show bikes but they certainly aren't a performance mod. Imagine a motocross or oval track race in which all the bikes have ape hangers.

Hmm. I'd pay to watch that!
 
#28 ·
Less than great lighting (head, Tail, brake, and directional) of any kind scares me.

Clear, consistent, and familiar communication with cars is paramount. If I "fast track to the Big Triumph Showroom in the sky," most likely it will occur after an intimate encounter with a car. I trust my bike and my judgement. I just want to be seen and understood so drivers will deploy what judgement and skill they have to respect me.
 
#29 ·
Less than great lighting (head, Tail, brake, and directional) of any kind scares me.


.
I agree with you'
I have a "Lucas" style tail lamp. The lens technology is 1960's so with a regular bulb it was really dim. $15.00 worth of LED bulb later and it's a lot safer.
 
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