Triumphrat

drooartz · 05-24-2007

For the third time since I registered for this site in 2004 I'm on the hunt for a motorcycle and considering a new Bonneville. First time I wound up buying a used W650 (neat bike, shouldn't have sold it), second time I bought a V-Strom 650. That's an incredible bike, really, but after a year and 5000 miles I just found that I didn't have any passion for it. If all goes well, the buyer is flying in on Saturday to ride it home.

So once again I'm starting a bike hunt, and this time I'm not going to let other factors take a Bonnie out of my short list (which also includes 70s BMW airheads). Always been something -- better deal elsewhere, etc. This bike swapping thing is getting expensive, though! :-D

One of my main concerns with the Bonnie is dealer support. We have a local Triumph/BMW dealer in Salt Lake City, but I've heard many complaints about them from local BMW riders. Many of them go out of state (Boise or CA) for purchase and service even. Not quite sure how to handle that. I've got no problem doing mechanical work myself, but a good local dealer for warranty issues at the beginning seems like it would be a nice thing.

merlin · 05-25-2007

I do truely have the highest regard for BMW's and the folk who ride them. However...
Some BMW guys have a stick so far up their tailpipe that no dealer in the world could possibly meet their standards. Ask the Triumph riders about the dealer.
As for buying a 30 year old bike, even a BMW would start showing some reliablity issues (yeah, someone's going to go on about the BMW they have that is still....)
I was tempted to buy a 70's bonnie but someone who owned one said I'd be crazy. Spend the same $ on a brand new classic that is bullet proof, modern and absolutely road worthy and reliable. So do you want a museum piece or a riding bike?
Sit with the bonnie a while, no bike like it in the world. All it wants to do is go... If you liked the copy (W650) you might find yourself in love with the real thing.

Sheepdog · 05-25-2007

I agree with Merlin about the Beemer riders. I used to ride one and spent a bit of time amongst them. They have impossibly high standards that are often unrealistic. That said, it is not just by coincidence that the dealer who chooses Beemers as his product also chooses Triumph. In fact, looks aside, I find that my T100 has more in common with a /6 BMW than with a Meriden Triumph. It is torquey, stable, and classy...it exceeds the sum of it's parts. Those parts of the Truimph that you feel do not measure up can be replaced with ease (it gets downright obsessive, I have to tell you...). These Bonnevilles are the stuff.

vertwrks · 05-25-2007

I have a 78 R100RS in my garage right now, helping a friend get it on the road. I accept that those are good reliable bikes but not for me. PITA to work on. To get the freaking battery out you have to remove the rear subframe, or someone bought too big a battery. Removing the oil filter one of the filter cover bolts rapes the frame as it nearly doesn't clear the frame. Getting parts is spendy too. Now if you have the patience and cash to fully restore one then by all means have at it.

I bought a used Bonnie with 829 miles with no warranty that I knew of. Didn't make a difference to me as I wanted that bike and have not looked back. If you are mechanically inclined forget the shop except for those rare times and then if you need either deal with the local shop and ride their butts to do right or travel. Just my two cents..........then again I love my Bonneville so my brains are biased.

Subliminal message..........Triumph..........Bonneville...... Yes

drooartz · 05-25-2007

I'm definitely not looking for a museum piece (I've got a '60 Austin Healey Bugeye for the full vintage experience, breakdowns and all), just the right ride. I like classics, and I'm tired of all the plastic and disposability of many modern bikes. That, and they're ugly. Triumphs just look right to me.

Hopefully my V-Strom will be sold on Saturday, and I can get serious about hunting down the next bike. I am willing to give the local dealer a try, since I'm fine doing the maintenance work myself as long as I can get parts. I'd say the Bonnie is still my #1 choice right now, but I've got to look at a few other things first so I can be certain.

[ This message was edited by: drooartz on 2007-05-25 08:43 ]

KingBear · 05-25-2007

If you check out the membership directory here at TriumphRat you'll find plenty of members in your area. I'm sure most of them bought their bikes from Accolade/Triumph of Salt Lake (since they are the only dealer in the state) and they'd probably be happy to tell you about their experience.