Triumphrat

Brooksie

It seems pretty apparent that the Bonnie range will be fuel injected very soon. Considering that the engine is a large (and heavy) 865cc, what do you think Triumph can do to up the HP to get into the real world? If you are paying insurance by CC, it sure would be nice to get you moneys worth of Horses to go with it. Either that or take the cc's back to 650 with 55hp. Fire away!

Orpheus

I think Triumph understands that for its retro-classic bikes to remain competitive in the long run, they do need to put more efficient engines in them. BMW's new parallel twin makes ours look pretty sad in comparison, and the 1000 DS engine in the Ducati SportClassics is no slouch, either.

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2006 Triumph Bonneville T100, 1968 Honda CL350K0, 1973 BMW R60/5 LWB Toaster

10860

But you're not paying insurance based solely on CC - they factor a whole bunch of other stuff in there - specifically - the class of bike and hp output. My ZX6R (600cc w/ 105hp) is $800 a year for full coverage on a clean record vs. $200 a year on my Bonnie. I almost fell over when I discovered how much the insurance was on a sportbike. I figure they're charging me for all those squids that keep crashing their ride while acting a fool.

Brooksie

I have State Farm. If I bought a 675 Daytona, it would be less to insure with them than my 790 Bonnie. That is why I bought the 955i. It is under $400.00 a year to insure. It has 120+ hp. I hoping that Triumph uses the 865 to produce more hp in the Bonniville range. I think most folks who buy Bonnies look to re-enter biking or are older entry level bikers. It looks like Triumph will start to build "entry" level bikes that will be more interesting to younger customers, like the 675 Speed Triple coming out soon. I am glad I have the carbed version because it allows me to do things like a 904cc kit that gets the hp most Bonnie owners would like to see from the factory. Either that or go back to 750 or 650 twins.

FattRat

Insurance, I'm not gonna pretend to understand it......

It costs me less to insure a brand new 268 hp '07 Camry SE than the anemic four banger '99 Tacoma I had prior.
- and -
It costs me less to insure a 124 hp '03 Yamaha FZ1 than my 59 hp '05 Bonnie.
----- go figure -----

And I'll be honest with you, much as others may disagree.......
If I could have 80 hp to the rear wheel of my Bonnie, I wouldn't feel content with it unless I had two discs up front, tubeless tires, and the overall craftsmanship exuded a little more quality, better components, and more attention to detail. I can't help but feel as I wrench more & more on this bike, that the Bonneville consists largely of 'merely functional' parts is parts. I might feel differently if I was wrenching on a Thruxton, but I'm sure it's left for lacking too.

A really 'good' 80 hp Bonneville that would capture the interest of those who were willing to dish out the BIG bucks for a Kenny Dreer Norton, would be as expensive as a Sprint ST and have a little more than half it's horsepower. And 90% of those of us posting to this board would not be able to afford one.

Fuel injected Bonnie? Keep it priced competively, even if it means having to make performance compromises. But Triumph, DON'T compromise the quality of our beloved entry level time machine.......

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OldSkoolFool

I'll always say there should be more power but Triumph really could've given us some more hp form the factory. What's up with the low 9.2 compression or whatever it is? Some higher compression, headporting, and diff cams all from the factory would be nice. I still have great fun on my bike and understand it's not meant to be a modern sport bike but still felt it should be quicker. I haven't ridden the bike w/o the Predators and jetting so I couldn't imagine how much slower that would feel. Airbox mod is almost done for me, maybe that will fulfill my want for some more power for awhile.

sweatmachine

Pat, your bike is ready:

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"If you will it Dude, it is no dream"

904cc Custom Bonnie Cafe Fighter!

FattRat

Oh my God,

OH my GOD

OH MY GOD!

I wanna be your friend.
:-D

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wait a minute......
you know how to photoshop things BEFORE they're on the bike? Okay, yeah, that's right, that's what I want, yeppers!!!

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daaaahmn, I like that machine. Perfect without the knee pads, good looking exhaust system, black headlamp housing, perfect saddle, now I want frenched tail lamps because of that image, and are those W650 gaiters.... I gotta get rid of mine and replace them with something like THOSE!

[ This message was edited by: FattRat on 2007-02-21 17:04 ]

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jojje1963

A Bonnie should have 90hp at the wheel. They can handle that power in stock form. With a steering damper and better shocks they can handle 100hp just fine but then the breaks feels weak. With 120hp they get a bit scarry and with 140hp the engine is over the safe limit. At 240hp they only last a few sec at a time :-D

HiVel

I was wondering if the chassis could handle 80 HP and was tryng to decide to go ahead and beef up the HP. A stock Bonnie is NOT ready for 80 HP IMHO. I have a litttle over 70 HP estimated now and like it fine . I am presently upgrading my brakes (I use them both) and have done the forks and shocks and installed a great (STORTZ) steering damper. I manage to scare myself silly on our mountain roads here and at my old age (65) do not feel like I need more HP. WHAT? Did I say that?? I am seeking a combination I call the "Gentlemen's Express" and so far so good. It is getting there. The D&Ds will probably have to go-too loud for my back street sneak-I do love them. I will keep seeking my ultimate machine and that is half the fun of motorcycling. Ride safe.

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2005 T100 Bonneville 865cc "Creamsicle"
2007 Tiger "Old Blue"
2004 Thruxton "Big Red"
2006 Sprint ST ABS "The Blue COW"