Triumphrat

Sheepdog

I've had my '03 T100 for just short of 10 years. The bike has been the most trouble-free machine I've ever owned. Some component selections by Triumph were definitely made to satisfy a price point, but easy access to factory and aftermarket parts allowed me to selectively improve my Bonneville over time. I may never sell this bike. The only way I might let it go is to pass it on to one of my kids.

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2003 Bonneville T100 and 2007 Moto Guzzi California Vintage

denbow

Mine's a keeper and when I croak we'll be buried together

LapinAgile

My '04 Bonnie is the best, quickest, most fun bike I've ever owned. It had 6K on it when I bought it some months ago, and I'll turn 20K on tomorrow's ride. A flawless bike really.

On that 'getting the key in' issue with the turn signal being so close, I did a quick goofy mod that solved it. The ignition barrel sticks out perhaps 3/4" or better, so I got two 1/2" plastic spacers and with longer bolts brought it back to nearly flush with the headlamp ear. Here's a pic:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1070717...CP_TpOzS7eyPDA

Baltobonneville

No nagging problems. Occasionally things go wrong, as they will with any bike. The only thing that seems to happen to most of them is the cam cover gasket oil leak, easily fixed.

Some of the EFI bikes had problems starting due to a too-high voltage cutoff programmed into them, combined with a slightly smaller battery than the carburetor models. In other words, when the battery might have been iffy but still up to the job, they wouldn't start. I believe this was addressed with an updated program and Triumph might have put the original larger battery back in them in recent years.

I insert the key before I get on the bike.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Uni filter, no snorkel, 118/40/NBZT "Thruxton" needles/1 shim/3 turns, tachometer, Ikon 7610s, Ricor Intiminators, Dunlop GT501s, D9 gauge panel.

Bron-Yr-Aur

Let's put it this way: I've had my '06 Bonnie T100 for over a year and 10K miles, and prefer her to having a woman in my life. The only thing she can't replace is my American Fender sunburst Strat. But sometimes even the Fender has to sit a little longer in the corner when the weather is nice.

I made a new key for mine, since my signals are aftermarket and even closer to the key.

I'd say my biggest problem has been finding another modern Bonnie to keep her company in the garage (at my price point, that is)

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(The artist formerly known as kreemsicleT100)

"Ya can't have 'no' in your heart. Life's a garden. Dig it." - Joe Dirt
"If y'ain't first, yer last." - Ricky Bobby
Bron-Yr-Aur Garage

scottslob

Comin up on three years and 16k. Had to replace the chain, the tires, and had a nasty leak around the output shaft. The leak probably was caused by the worn out chain and excessive downshifting. oh yeah and the battery at about 2 yrs.

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2010 T100 Lowered, Progressive shocks and springs.Tors,ARK, AI removed. Friend of Bills

ozbon

Rather than fill your head with potential problems to look for, Isn't that defeating the purpose of an independent assessment of the bike as YOU see it?

By the way my 04 has done 125,000km's (77,600mls) valves are still in spec after 100,000kms, cam gasket leak.

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"Yeah, look.....Baz just vanished, like a.....fart in a fan factory, ya`know?! ".


Daz, the cane toad.

stepheng

Ridden all sorts of bikes over my 40+ years motorcycling but without a doubt the 2002 Bonneville is the top dog

There is a problem though.......

peeps just don't understand why I have a huge grin on my face when riding.......

only the Triumph ever did that ..... maybe it is because we are riding a legend?

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2002 790 De-AI'd - de-baffle plated A/Box - 130 mains - 40 pilots - 3 turns - 1 shim - ToRs - 19T

2wheelsdown

from your options, I'll vote for 100% kick ass. There are a few common mods that many people get to quickly: exhaust mod to get rid of the sewing machine sound, AI removal, ignition relocation, suspension upgrade. None of these are problems, just changes to suit your taste.

Emanthehorse

I just thought I'd take advantage of you guy's experience in order to be as thorough as possible. Almost any new bike will hold up well for three weeks. If there was some dire problem, I'd just like to be aware of it. Like I said, you hardly ever see them for sale. The obvious comparison would be the HD 883 for about the same price, and I do like those bikes too, but they quickly get uncomfortable and run out of gas pretty quickly.

My first impression of this bike is that it's almost as nice a ride as my 82 T140 Triumph, only the brakes work and the electrics don't give me fits.