Triumphrat

janner

Hi. My first post here so be gentle

Took an 07 Bonneville out for a test ride last Saturday and I was impressed.
I am not in a position to purchase one just yet, was going to wait until next year.
2009 is the 50th anniversary and I am thinking that maybe Triumph may bring out a special edition of some kind, .......but then I heard a rumor that Triumph may drop Bonneville from their line up....is there any truth in this?.......What changes if any are there on the horizon that you know of. Can I afford to wait till 09, or should I panic and grab an 08?

Thanks.

Texascat

wow... that a loooong wait... you have a strong will and self-restrain

__________________
2011 BMW GS 1200

Gob-ny-geay

Hi Janner,

First off, welcome to the post, and hey, we're always gentle!

I have an '07 Bonnie, best bike ever, no complaints at all. Buy it!

We've seen some inklings of this "rumor" of the Bonnie being discontinued, but I haven't seen it in writing from a super reliable source just yet. Maybe someone else here can comment on this discontinuation subject.
2008 and 2009 are going to be interesting. Europe has introduced EFI in the Bonnie, so let's let them be the test lab. Hopefully they will iron out any possible bugs prior to a US release. Again, I have no solid proof of the EFI coming in '09, thus far yet another rumor.
I would assume Triumph might choose to be tight lipped about this, as sales of '08 models may suffer.
Sorry I'm not much help here, but these are rumors for now, unless someone else knows for sure.

__________________
"I found myself homesick for a place I've never been to."

azrat

If you need to make a decision maybe this may help... I sold a bike I liked alot to buy a annv. Harley and 2 years later it was no big deal so I sold it , I was sorry that I didn't keep my other bike.... I now own a 07 T100 this is my 3rd Triumph and the best yet.. If you don't have the money wait other wise your losing riding and a great time.... good luck

janner

No.....................a wife.

35mm1.4L

Oh dude, I know EXACTLY how you feel! lol! same boat.

Derby Boy

janner, first off welcome to the site. As far as gentle only the first time.
As for waiting for an 09, I think if your set on an 09 then go buy a used 05-07 and have fun riding for a year or so. I'm sure you could sell it if you keep it in good shape to close to what you paid and go get the 09 when you have the cash. Never know you may fall in love with an older model and never want to part. It happens. I don't see any great improvements between now and then. The bonnie is pretty much set in stone and if it goes away, oh well it was another good run in over a century of being around.

__________________
"Another Trumpet Rat enslaved to a Bonnie"
07 B/B, AI gone, Emgo 60's Cocktail Shakers, K&N Pods, ARKed 40/142, 1 shim, +1 risers, Custom gauge bracket, never ending tinkering

mecscc

There is a rumor floating here that the Bonnie as we know it will be gone after 2008. Nobody has verified that anywhere. It is highly unlikely that any significant changes will be made to a successful line of bikes, based on the Bonnie motor and iterations of it, will be made in the near future. I think there is a chance that they will make some changes that some here will think comprise the end of the world as we know it. Recent examples of such "revolutionary" changes are EFI and a change in the tank shape and size on the Twins cruisers. And the fervent complaint of many who want all the Twins to be assembled in England will persist.

The slightest change in almost anything will constitute a change in the Bonnie "as we know it" by some members. Those members inevitably already have a Triumph Twin that fits their discription of what a "real" Bonnie should be, so they should take care of them. My '05 Black is all the bike I want so I won't be competing to buy a new Bonnie anyway. So I don't have a dog in that fight.

Meanwhile, whether you buy in 09 or even later there will be lots of good used Bonnies for sale, as there are now. So you can choose to buy one of those. The engines are pretty much bulletproof and the other bits and pieces that could cause problems are fixable. Plus there is a fast growing aftermarket developing to supply your future needs.

I think it is too early to worry.

Welcome to the forums, BTW

__________________
Monte

"The Old Ohio Preacher Man"

Stealthrider

The Bonneville is the most anticipated bike to make a come back in the motorcycle history. Triumph will be making a "MONUMENTAL MISTAKE" yes with capital letters , to discountinue the "Venerable Bonnie". Even whenTriumph had other models out before the brought back the Bonneville in 2001. The "Bonnie" puts Triumph back in the market. As far as I know the Bonneville is one of their best selling bikes. The Bonneville is the " Marketing Face " of Triumph. I sincerely doubt that they are going to embark in that extremely risque venture. Specially when the Bonneville has not comparison. She is unique, classy , and nostalgic. Yes they are ( Triumph that is) jumping to every coincivable model to make themselve competitive; But descountinuing a model that have a "heritage" of Elegance and Nostalgia will be a corporate suicide decision. Not to mention a lot and I mean a lot of fans and die hard followers of the beloved "Bonnie". I am one of them ( since 1969). In my case this might sound harsh but I belive im not alone in this line of thought. All their line is fine , but I dosen`t have any appealing to me. If the Bonneville wasen`t in the market I pretty sure that I did not have a bike today. I own a 2005 Bonneville , and im very proud of it; to have a piece of "modern history". Relax boys its not going to happen. Ever. This is my humble oppinion of course. Actually is the only bike on the line that Triumph is selling faster than they can manufacture. What do Triumph think? That their are going to be able to compite with HD, and the "rice" companies? Not a change. Their best insurance in this competitive and " die hard" market is the "VENERABLE BONNEVILLE. "Long Live the queen of all bikes The inrreplaceable "BONNIE". They are not going to let us the "Bonnie" owners straded as they did in 1984 do they?

Sorry for the long posting.

Just my humble oppinion, but i know they are reading and listeing to us. belive me.

Stealthrider. LONG LIVE THE BONNIE...

janner

Good replies, thanks...has put my mind at ease.

I am currently riding a BMW R1200R so I am at least riding. A couple of weeks time I will be covering around 3k miles in a weeks ride from Tx to Ca to visit family. My 1200R is kitted out well with side bags, top box and parabellum scout fairing for this sort of trip.
I am sure the Bonnie could also make that trip in style.

The Bonnie I test rode last week had the (I think you call it ) King and Queen seat. It was VERY comfortable. In some ways, the bikes size and position reminds me of my 1200R.

I promised my wife I would keep my 1200R for at least a year, and the year is up in July ....I wish I could own both bikes, but the wife would divorce me if I were to spend any more money on a bike.

I also have a Honda 650L with some add ons....maybe if I were to sell or trade the 650 then her indoors will not be quite so mad at me....now thats got me thinking.