Triumphrat

Ready to Ride · 01-10-2008

Hello all,

I have been lurking and reading this forum quite a bit lately as I approach the decision to buy an 07 Bonnie.

My history includes a Lambretta scooter as my first motor vehicle, a Honda Dream, a Suzuki X6 Hustler and a R100S Beemer. All that hints of my age and was long ago, but I have kept my motorcycle license current with the intent of riding again some day.

Test rode a R1200R Beemer and thought I would go that direction, but the dealer also carries Triumph and I took a ride on a Bonnie. Love the look and feel of the Bonnie, and it is better suited to the type of riding I will be doing.

Plan on getting the tach kit, a center stand, AI removed, manual and perhaps the TOR / rejet with the current $1000 accessory promotion from Triumph on the 07s. Also considering a summer or Givi screen. Would appreciate comment from those who have experience with the screens.

This forum has been a factor in my decision as you all seem to enjoy your bikes so much and help each other out. Look forward to learning from all of you,
Ready

Old Scratcher · 01-10-2008

Welcome R2R. I'm sure you've made a good decision. The Bonnie's a good honest bike, which sounds like it'll be perfect for someone of your biking experience.
Where do you live? & where will you be doing most of your riding? It's up to you, but the more you share, the more we can offer advice.
Ride Safe
Scratch
PS Oh yeah, & we're really big on pics around here. So when you get that bike....

PPS Have you done a MSF couse latley? It was the best "accessory" I bought after getting my Scrambler (I'm a returning old biker too, most of us here are). So I can't recomend it enough. It's also a fun day at a track (or mine was) & well worth the money.

CrazyCam · 01-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ready to Ride

Hello all,

I have been lurking and reading this forum quite a bit lately as I approach the decision to buy an 07 Bonnie.

My history includes a Lambretta scooter as my first motor vehicle, a Honda Dream, a Suzuki X6 Hustler and a R100S Beemer. All that hints of my age and was long ago, but I have kept my motorcycle license current with the intent of riding again some day.

Welcome back to the fold!

By the models listed, we could have a non-riding gap of upto 25 years here.

You don't say where abouts you are, but, could I suggest that you might find an appropriate motorcycle riding course when getting back into it.

More or less every place in the world has become considerably busier and more congested in the last 25 years.

The same passage of time doesn't typically hone and refine our physical reactions, rather the opposite.

A few bob spent on a course could save you pain in the long run.

Ready to Ride · 01-10-2008

Hi Old Scratcher,

I live in the SF Bay Area, and most of my riding will be on the twisties in the local hills, although I plan eventually to take a trip up the coast to Mendocino.

The refresher course is a good idea. I have been reading "Proficient Motorcycling, The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well", which contains a lot of good information, but I will probably take the course too.

Will post pics once I get the bike, hopefully within a week or so.

capoanj · 01-10-2008

You are making one of the best decisions of your life. Ride safe! As for the screen, you'll get endless input and opinion. Aesthetics are important- do you like how the bike looks with a screen? But more critical is how it works-Unfortunately, the only way you'll know is if you ride with it/ them to see what works best for your height and riding style.. I went to a scratch and dent sale at my dealer and picked up a beat -up aftermarket screen for $10 to mount on the Bonnie and try it out. Now I'll likely by an aftermarket quick remove screen ( far less expensive than Triumph screens) for winter/ long rides. Best of luck and welcome to a very special club.

ATGATT · 01-10-2008

Sounds like a fantastic promotion deal.

If you like retro, the bonnie is very tough to beat.

I have a Givi 603 with an adjustable wind deflector on top for sale if you are interested. It works great in all types of riding but I sold my bonnie recently.

PM me if interested. With screen and deflectors it came to over $200 but I'll let it go for $60, buyer pays shipping.

Bhakti-rider · 01-10-2008

Probably Cal BMW/Triumph, huh? Good dealership; Kari is a great guy! I have the Dart flyscreen on my T100; it helps just a little bit and isn't too horribly out of place appearance-wise.

If I were starting again now, I'd ride the Street Triple before I decided which bike to get. I really like the Bonnie, but I have to say that it handles like a tank compared to a really nimble bike like my SV650 and I'm sure the Street Triple. But the Bonnie, in spite of several appearance factors that I think should have been designed differently, is still a genuine British twin, and does have the magic, especially if enough mods are done to give it some serious acceleration (and sound, of course - the stock mufflers are the first things that have to be replaced).

When the weather warms up, perhaps we could do a ride some weekend? In addition to the obvious close roads, there's also Mines Road out of Livermore and Highway 25 by Pinnacles...

(My first motor vehicle was a 1954 Allstate scooter (Vespa) in 1963, from Bob Chaves, if you're originally from here and remember him...)

KingBear · 01-10-2008

Come on in, friend, the water is fine

chedd · 01-10-2008

Welcome from down under,
The best thing I did when i started riding again was a Honda riding course. They picked up on some bad habits I had and taught me some good survival skills and it was great fun as well.
I've bean back on the road for ten years now and haven't come close to having an accident which is good because at our age you don't bounce to good any more.
Bonnies are great.

Brooksie · 01-10-2008

Welcome to the "Born Again" chapter of RAT! A lot of us have had similar "restarts" into motorcycling. As mentioned here, you will like the Bonnie. It truly gave me the thrill of riding again and is the most fun I've had with a bike. It is an honest bike and really requires no upgrades to be engaging. plus the bike is a real conversation starter. Some of us get a little carried away when doing modifications to the bike (uh-hmmm), but that is not an indication that the bike HAS to be transformed to be be fun. I, err, some of us just can't stop tinkering. It's a "Worlds Fastest Indian" thing I guess. While it is not the fastest bike, or a track day tool, it is the best around. Reliable as the day is long. Get the Bonnie and its like meeting an old friend for the first time. Don't worry about what you put on it. It is versatile enough to go from "Touring" mode to "cafe" mode in a short afternoon. Enjoy and hopefully, "Welcome!".