Triumphrat

hogwylde · 07-04-2006

I've had my Sportster since '99 and every now and then I get an urge to trade it in for something else. Don't know if I would ever get rid of it, but nonetheless.

One bike that I like is the Bonnie because it is simplistic looking. No bells and whistles, etc. But in that simplistic look - that seat! My bike's seat feels like a 2x4 wrapped in leather, but it does somewhat support your lower back with the contour of the seat.

How comfortable is the stock Bonnie seat?

dawgfan · 07-04-2006

Let the festivities begin.

Fraederichs · 07-04-2006

I have no problem w/ the stock seat. However, I rarely go for longer than 100 miles cruises at a time.

Pete_Twizz · 07-04-2006

The best advice I can give is to try one. I get on fine with the seat on my Thruxton, and my wifes' Bonnie seems fine although I've not been further than a few miles on that.
Others on this group have complained about the stock seat and sung the praises of various aftermarket offerings.
Get a test ride and see how you feel.

dawgfan · 07-04-2006

Wow, I expected to see different responses.

I have had my Bonnie for about a year and I swear that seat is just now getting settled. My average rides are a few hours here and there as well as commuting 15 minutes to work.

I have recently spent the day up in the GA mountains and did a full day of highway, twisties, small towns, etc. and the seat was fine. I am about to take the bike down to south GA (bout' a 5-6 hour trip) and I am not worried about seat comfort at all. In fact, I know I will have to stop to refuel every 100 miles or so there will plenty of walk and stretch brakes.

If you are considering the Bonnie, good luck. I am thinking the test ride will make the worry of the seat a memory.

hogwylde · 07-04-2006

It's amazing what goes through us guy's minds when we want something!

If I were to trade in, I would be going down in displacement and overall comfort (I have forwards which I love)....but still! I am assuming if I were to sell or trade in I could get close to the MSRP of a Bonnie but *****! What to do? What to do?

My niece just started going to college in Worcester, MA and wouldn't you know it? There's a Triumph dealership there! I reckon I'll have to "visit her" more often LOL

Too bad today is a holiday and they're closed.

[ This message was edited by: hogwylde on 2006-07-04 08:43 ]

ChrisV · 07-04-2006

I went from a Custom Sportster (which vibrated so much I couldn't read the big motorway signs) to a Road King (more relaxed ride but hell to manouvre when parking or garaging) and then to a Bonny.

The Bonny is better in all respects.

badrufus · 07-04-2006

Over the year and a half I've been following this forum, and riding my T100, the stock Bonnie seat has been rated as "just fine, no problem" to "*&^%$ brick." My experience is more toward the brick side. After 6K miles, the seat had not "worn in," nor had my butt, so I sent it off to Sargents for a refoam, a solution that has worked reasonably well for several riders on this forum. Now, 500 miles after the refoam, my upgraded brick seat is still a problem. But that is my experience, and many riders have reported no issues with the seat. Given the number of options for aftermarket seats for the Bonnie, I wouldn't let something like that be the deciding point for your purchase. This bike is about much more than the seat, but you'll need to take a test ride to see exactly what I mean. Despite the problems I've had with the seat, my T100 is the best bike I've ever had, and by far the most enjoyable to ride and own.

hogwylde · 07-04-2006

Quote:

On 2006-07-04 09:04, badrufus wrote:
Over the year and a half I've been following this forum, and riding my T100, the stock Bonnie seat has been rated as "just fine, no problem" to "*&^%$ brick." My experience is more toward the brick side. After 6K miles, the seat had not "worn in," nor had my butt, so I sent it off to Sargents for a refoam, a solution that has worked reasonably well for several riders on this forum. Now, 500 miles after the refoam, my upgraded brick seat is still a problem. But that is my experience, and many riders have reported no issues with the seat. Given the number of options for aftermarket seats for the Bonnie, I wouldn't let something like that be the deciding point for your purchase. This bike is about much more than the seat, but you'll need to take a test ride to see exactly what I mean. Despite the problems I've had with the seat, my T100 is the best bike I've ever had, and by far the most enjoyable to ride and own.

Oh - the seat is not the deciding factor! Just trying to look at all angles of the bike and hear from people who know.

FattRat · 07-04-2006

I find the best way to describe the factory bench seat is:

If Corbin made a seat to replicate the Bonnie's bench, it would have leather uppers, vinyl sides, sexy stitching, and a subtle contour to cup the butt...... but the foam's padding would have the same 'feel' as the factory foam.

The Bonneville's saddle is firm, it's wide at the thighs, and it takes on the shape of the owner's azz if given enough time.

Unlike other bikes out there, the Bonneville has sooooo many different seats offered by so many different vendors, that your choices are almost endless.