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Wow! Beautiful bikes

5K views 34 replies 19 participants last post by  grebmrof 
#1 · (Edited)
It's been a while since I posted here. I rode a lovely 2003 (post factory fire) Centennial Edition Bonnie in Lucifer Orange and Silver that was one of the nicest bikes I've owned.

Tonight I had the pleasure of being invited to attend the intro of the new Bonnie/Thruxton/Street Twin lineup at NE Ohio Ducati/Triumph, and thought I'd take this time to let all of you know what a pleasant event it was.
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NE Ohio Ducati/Triumph has always made new model introductions quite an event, and tonight was no different. The dealership invited customers to stop in, beginning at 6pm (thru 9pm) to view the new Bonneville, Thruxton, and Street Twin models. Lovely machines, all. And enough food to feed an army.

Many of you are probably more in tune with these new bikes than I am, but there were a few things I found interesting:
- All the new bike engines (900cc and 1200cc) are 270 degree engines.
- If the production bikes sound like these pre-production models, I'd be pleased to ride with the stock exhaust. Nice tone.
- Fit and finish is quite nice
- Re the T-120:
- Ride by wire
- ABS
- Slipper clutch (I think)
- Cartridge front fork .... rear is still adjustable only for preload
- T-120 has double wall exhaust system. I believe the Street Twin is single wall
- T-120 comes with heated grips
- Std items that were options on the T100: Center stand, rear 'rack' (not a rack what the hell is that lovely thing called? )

Triumph had brought the bikes by factory trailer to NE Ohio Triumph, and also had their US Sales Manager at the event. This dealership was also being used to train not only NE Ohio's techs, but techs from other dealerships as well. The Tech session was an all day Thur and Fri affair. One of the factory tech guys was generous with his time, and made himself available to anyone who wanted to talk about the internals of the bikes.

The new engine, unlike the previous 790 and 865 cc engines is not a DOHC, but a SOHC, with valves being actuated by forked rocker arms. Per the tech who generously discussed the bikes with us, valve adjustment intervals are in the neighborhood of 20,000 miles.

Why SOHC? Apparently it kept the height of the larger displacement engine low enough so that the valves can be easily accessed. Perhaps a DOHC would have been taller(?)

Here's a few pics. Some are of the pre-2016 models, a couple that have been heavily-modified by the shop. None of my pics are as nice as the publicity photos that are on-line, but hopefully they conveys the enthusiasm Triumph USA, the dealer, and Triumph owners are showing for the new bikes. Loved their trailer!

http://s115.photobucket.com/user/bc...Bonneville Thruxton Street Twin?sort=3&page=1

Bob
 
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#18 ·
I would hope so the valve adjustments on these older ones can go bad in 100 different ways. Almost better to not ever adjust the frocking things. Especially a guy like me who always end up with the luck of the Irish.
I've almost purchased a Ducati Monster several times, it's that stinking valve adjustment issue that keeps me away.


It's so funny to hear you say those things about the difference in attitude about valve adjustments between a Bonnie and a Monster. Couldn't agree more the Bonnie seems almost optional and the Monster you damn well better or else baaaaad things happen. Come to think of it bad things happen every 10,000 km with a Monster when you open your wallet wide, again.

I should know. I put 50,000 km on both these bikes.

Sorry for the threadjack Ohiorider. Nice pics from the show!
 
#8 ·
Bob, I am the same, as in I did not post for a few years as there was too much arguing going on but it would appear to be much better now. Interestingly - or not - when I asked to be completely and utterly removed from this site - none of the moderators responded. Seems from the small print, at least it did three or so years ago - you cant escape. Odd. I find the site useful but one should be able to exit, in an instant in this day and age. Certainly, in my business, I would not want to hold a customer hostage. Aside from that, interesting post, and it would be good to know the weight of these bikes. The DOHC vs SOHC point - you seem to be the first to highlight this.
 
#13 · (Edited)
I've almost purchased a Ducati Monster several times, it's that stinking valve adjustment issue that keeps me away.


That and changing those rubber bands.


It's not gotten any better either, guy over here purchased a new one and the engine must be pulled out to do the timing belt changes. I'm not sure what model that bike is but it's one of the later models, maybe a 2013 or 2014.
 
#14 ·
Yeah, forgot about the belts -- almost hard to believe that you need change belts at 12k. No thanks.
 
#22 ·
Getting back on subject.


These new bikes are gorgeous and they really hit the icon stuff from the 60's even more so.


Only concern I have is with the new heads, I'd want to see a dependability profile before I jump.


Changes sometimes end up with a weak point or two.
 
#23 · (Edited)
Concern about new heads? Say what? You are putting the cart way too far in front of the horse. These new bikes may not even start. In fact, they may just be props or artifacts just to look good. Any videos of them running...engine noises may have been piped in.

So there is much more to be concerned about than the heads. You have to consider the arms and legs too. These bikes maybe like headless horseman or worse. The book on reliability will be better known in about 3 years...so you have plenty of time to decide. Meanwhile, place concern what it belongs...if the engines will start and the bike will roll. The wheel bearings may wear out in 100 miles as well. Or the new clutch may self destruct after 50 miles. Just hope if they start and roll the brakes don't fail or you get a flat tire.
 
#26 ·
It could all be a well orchestrated plot. 911 was a real wake up call.


Just look at the new chips going into the new credit cards. Government tracking brother.


I would not doubt these new bikes have terror related intelligence collecting devices built into the frames.


Why did they decide to change the bikes at a time all of these terror attacks are going on? It's connected man. Big brother can do some strange stuff. The FBI just put back together crushed phones. That the stuff we know about. Triumph could be in on it.
 
#29 ·
At last a man who really understands what's going on in the motorcycle industry! And don't forget these bikes are being made in Asia. I reckon the Chinese are in on it. There's some kind of Chinese subterfuge going on here, take my word for it... Or maybe it's the Russians...
 
#27 ·
SonicBoom throw away the bottle and hit Da Bong! U do live in CO? LMAO!
 
#30 ·
Man o man, stop the worrying already!

Do you really think Triumph would replace their big money making model (865) with a new one that has issues, or questionable reliability? Why then don’t they just shot themselves in the head too? The new 1200 will probably have the usual niggling little issues that all new models have when first introduced.

As far as the Thai factory where they will be produced, that facility has been turning out 865’s for eight years now, and there have been no concerns so far with those bikes. Why will the new twins not be of the same quality or better?

The new bikes will be wonderful, when the get here that is. Until then I guess people are just going to image the worst. That's sad.
 
#31 ·
I would not buy a first year anything, even with a warranty.


How many times have we seen a company refusing to step up to the plate on warranty issues. I've seen all of these companies play games refusing to recognize issues with bikes. Only after threat of law suits and some judge steeping on them do they finely recognize and offer some fix and even then they find ways to weasel out. The one that comes to mind is that rear bearing issue with HD and those 99,00,01 model years. They never did offer a good alternative to fix those bikes. They are not the only company that pulled stuff like that off. They always tell the judges in these cases they are going to go out of business with the re-call, so then they get granted a case by case situation only after catastrophic failures. Then the games go on at the dealerships and approval process design to drive people away from making the claims.


People need to make there on decisions, keep in mind first year anything can really be an issue when things come up. Often the excuse is that they don't have enough data, so on and so forth. Better to go in the second year when those things have been corrected. Just my 2 cents for what it's worth.
 
#32 ·
The only concern I had about the new T120's was the 270 degree crank. I was worried that they would sound too much like a Harley and that would be disastrous. Thanks to the fine people on this forum that was put to rest. As for the new Bonnie's, I think that they are gorgeous and after 4 years of R&D I am sure Triumph has 99% of the bugs worked out. I have noticed that quite a few are carping about the new Street Twin have 55 HP. I guess we have to realize that these bikes are not performance bikes and never will be. I bought a new T120 because it is a Triumph and I like the looks and the features of the new bikes. I had a 07 Guzzi with about the same HP as the new T120's will have and that bike ran fine for me until a 16 year old girl pulled out in front of me while she was texting. I broad sided her car and totaled the Norge. Replaced it with a 08 R1200RT which was a wonderful bike. I am really looking forward to the new T120 as I think Triumph really hit the ball out of the park with this retro bike. A lot of customer feed back and thought has gone into it. If the new T120 has 75 or 80 HP that will be fine with me. I am 70 years old so a lot of HP is not at the top of my list on a new bike. The new Street Twin is about 35 cc's less than the 865 and has a little less horsepower but has a little more torque so maybe it will be wash. It is way too early to decide that.
 
#33 ·
I am 70 years old so a lot of HP is not at the top of my list on a new bike. The new Street Twin is about 35 cc's less than the 865 and has a little less horsepower but has a little more torque so maybe it will be wash. It is way too early to decide that.
You mean the Street Twin is about 35cc's more than the 865's and may have a little more horsepower? No matter, I think the 900's and 1200's will be very interesting machines and do well in our older hands - we will have a ball with these things! I thank John Bloor every time I ride one of the Triumphs!
 
#34 ·
I agree. It seems that there are a lot of members that are not very impressed with the specs on the Street Twin that were just released. I think Triumph has worked very hard over the past 4 years to bring us the best possible motorcycle they can and I think they have done a wonderful job. The new bikes have features that Triumph customers have been asking for and they listened. I have purchased a new T120 and can not wait to get it. Let's get behind the new bikes and quit finding fault with them.
 
#35 ·
By the time anyone gets their hands on a T120 or a Thruxton, there will be more information and some early test rides by motorcycle rags in the U.S. & Europe, so more info to come - then we can make a decision whether to go through with the purchase or get our deposits back. All of the stuff we are reading is just early information, worries, imaginings, feelings, prejudices and just general BS - but that is what forums are for sometimes. A lot more to come...
 
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