Triumphrat

TwoChordTom · 03-09-2008

Here is the deal.

I have access to a used 2002 Bonneville, green, with some nice accessories on it (chrome chain guard, tank bag, lower handle bars, etc). The bike has a little over 17K miles on it and is in need of some break pads. Other than that, it looks great.

There is a new all black 2008 Bonneville that I can pick up (and they will take my old Honda 250 Rebel in for a trade) as well which will make for a very clean deal.

Used is $3,500 -- new one out the door is around $7,000 (could be a littel less).

I'm liking the all black a little better style wise, but I'm really concerned over the miles on the used one. Also, I think the engines are different (newer one slightly larger)

Opinions here? I could buy the used on, paint it black and add the brake pads and call it a day for much less than the new one. Still can sell the hold Honda on my own, though that has issues as well.

Thanks.

CAPTDON · 03-09-2008

Thats a tuff call? The Rebel will sell easy! Great starter bike for someone. I doubt you will get much on a trade in. Painting the 02 isnt a problem, nor are brake pads. The 02 has a 790 motror like me. I have liking for it more so than the 865! - a little perkier. The 02 is made in England, less pollution (none w/ mods) I think a little better made- less plastic. Have the 02 mech checked & if all is well- Id lean in that direction? SAve on sales tax as well? No warranty, but if the 02 has been run properly than that shouldnt be a biggy. Just my opinion? Others may vary. Good luck either way & welcome to the club!!

yonder · 03-09-2008

I'd go with whatever bike made my heart pump harder.

There is something to be said for the reliability and warranty on the newer bike.

But there is also something to be said for having $$$ left over to upgrade a used bike.

What is your gut telling you?

dryheat · 03-09-2008

I have to agree with going with your gut. I'm in a similar position looking to get a pre-owned Scrambler. I have found a dealership willing to take my Suzuki DR-Z400 on a trade for a Triumph. It's one of those situations where everything came together just right. I had been looking at T-100 but they would not take the dirt bike on trade. Then the Scrambler just sort of appeared with the deal I was looking for. Go with your gut and a little persuasion.

TwoChordTom · 03-09-2008

Thanks to all for the advise.

CAPTDON: You mentioned that the '02's were made in the UK. To show you how much I know, I thought the '08's were made in the UK as well. Guess I'm wrong on that. They being made somewhere in Asia now?

I can make either bike work for me as a paint job on the green one isn't all that much $$$ wise. For the money that is left over with the used one, I could also add on the chrome engine guard and put the original seat back (right now it has the king and queen two seat set up -- comfortable, but I like the look of the original) and still have cash left over.

The 17K was bothering me a bit, but most are telling me here and locally that 17K on a bike is not really that much. My tech is telling me that he doesn't really get too excited about the miles until it hits the 30K mark.

I have a call into the person who has the used one, so we'll see what happens. I suspect one or the other will be in the garage within the next ten days.

They have GREAT deals on the '07 Scramblers. Love the look of those, but the Bonneville feels a bit more comfortable for me due to the seat height. They still have a blue, red and green '07 Scrambler that they are kicking off $1,100 off the price. Not a bad deal at all.

Old Scratcher · 03-09-2008

They being made somewhere in Asia now?
[/quote]

The classic twin range has been made in Thailand since '07, which bothers the purists (though there's been mo drop in quality, or rise in warranty claims) However Triumph have had a factory in Thailand sinced '02, & most (if not all) Triumph's have some Thai parts in them.

The early 790 motors had different cam profiles, which according the tech-heads here, are better than the later ones, as they allow the motor to rev harder.

!7K is nothing to these motors, as long as the service record's up to date. I saw a battered old T100, at my dealers the other day, with 70K (klms) on it. & it looked like it hadn't had a spanner near it in years (or soap & water). Yet it fired up first prod, without a rattle or a whiff of smoke, & sounded real sweet as it rode off down the road.

CAPTDON · 03-09-2008

I wonder why they would take the Suzuki on the scramblre & not the T-100??
The 02 w/ miles is no big deal- if it was serviced rite- it should be fine. Have a mech check it out? The 790 engine is a sweet running motor!! Just got back from a 150 mi ride - average speed 75-80. Filled her up & it got 47 mpg. A little less than the norm but this tank was 10% ethanol. Ran good on it but tends to get a little less mpg on it? W/ that many miles- Id be looking @ things like chain & sprockets etc.. The motor should be OK. Get her gone over & go w/ your gut feeling?? Good luck!!

BERT1FLORES · 03-09-2008

Having new is nice but if I knew the difference when I bought
my 07 model I would had looked for a used Hinckley instead.
You'll like what ever year you buy but in the long run, peace
of mind of having a English assembled bike would make me feel even prouder.

decobike · 03-09-2008

Bert has a good point. Quality is good on all the new Bonnevilles but, the idea of having an English bike made in England...

uzidzit · 03-10-2008

I have an '02 and had the '01 before, there are some nice things about these years, no plastic fenders, and side covers, The 790 engine is very sweet, you could do a ton with $4,200 difference, like a stellar custom paint job, and replace all the consumable milage rated parts, and still have $2700 left for suspension, mods and a big bore kit if you wanted. a no brainer in my book for the used bike.

ps got rid of the '01 with about 88k mi on the clock and it is still going with its new owner at a little over 100k. It still does not even use oil.