Triumphrat

pman81 · 05-27-2007, 08:15 PM

my gf is looking to buy a motorcycle, and the Bonneville has caught her eye (mine, too, but i already have a bike). we've been doing some research online and reading the brochure we got from the dealer, but i still have a few questions. there's a 2004 T100 with 3k miles for sale locally that we're interested in (asking $5200, with a few accessories), in addition to perhaps buying a Bonneville Black new from the dealer

-- i see that the Bonneville got a displacement increase recently. is there anything wrong with the older 790cc motors that would make it important to really aim for a newer one? or is it enough of a difference to even matter? are there any other changes that happened at the same time?

-- what's the service schedule look like for the Bonneville? are there any big ones that i should look at when buying a used bike? (specifically, what service should an '04 with 3200 miles have seen by now?)

-- what kind of warranty does Triumph offer for new bikes? is it limited by time alone, or is there a mileage limit as well?

i apologize if some of these questions are some that the dealer could answer easily, but i'm looking for an unbiased response here (and it's after business hours, too)

thanks,
patrick

SCCTrim · 05-27-2007, 08:30 PM

Nothing wrong with the 790 motors...have no fear. There is no discernable difference power or feel wise between the 2. The 790 has a different cam profile to make more power on top of the rpm range while the 865 makes more down low.

You'll notice the 865 motor has "spacers" between the head and intake manifold while the 790 doesnt. These spacers would probably add to low end torque...to some degree.

New bike warranty's are 2 years unlimited mileage...pretty good deal if you ask me.

At 3200 miles you shouldnt need any service work, valve adjustment is supposed to be at 12K..just look her over good. Make sure the tires arent dry rotted, make sure everything function's as it should.

5200 aint a bad price I suppose, offer him less in cash...see if he bites.

When it come's time to make some performance mod's to the bike, check out Bill Gately in FLA. He run's a flat track race team using bonnies and can ge some really good #'s out of the bikes.

Later..

CAPTDON · 05-27-2007, 08:42 PM

Got the same bike. The 790 is probably the better motor? They upped the CC's t okeep up w/ pollution stuff. The only service stuff tocheck out is oil changes w/ proper syn MC oil @ the rite times. @ 3200 mi the bike is just getting broken in!
You can probably knock down the price a little on her as well? Make sure she hasntbeen dropped or wrecked in any way? If all OK sounds like a good deal? New ones are builtin Thailand. Warranty is 24 mo unl milage still I think? Haventheard too much about the new ones. Got 2 04 790's in my garage. No problems as of yet. 7k miles so far on both.
IMO - go for the 04 @ 4900? Either way - nice bike you wont bwe sorry!!

TRYMPH · 05-27-2007, 08:54 PM

Pman,
I bought an '04 T100 used with 865 miles on it for the same price, next month will make one year with her. One place I recommend you check is under the gas tank filler cap. Discovered during my first fill up the paint had bubbled around the opening. Other than that the bike is GREAT!! :-D

pman81 · 05-28-2007, 12:27 AM

so i guess my question now is this:

from a cost-now/cost-later perspective, would it work out to about the same in the long run to get an '04 T100 for $5k vs a new '07 Bonneville Black for $7k? assuming this T100 is as nice in real life as it looks on paper, i think it's a better deal, but then again i really hadn't given the Bonneville too much thought until a few days ago

how much $$ are the 6k/12k services usually?

this is good stuff, guys. thanks for your help so far!

UraniumC · 05-28-2007, 12:40 AM

Hey Pman....

Like you, I'm actively in the market. Was looking at an '07 Black and more recently an '03 T100.

Looking at the $$, you really can't get the '07 out the door at 7k. By the time they add various fees it's pushing 8k. Add a couple of extras like TORS, bags and center stand and my last quote was 9200.

The '03 has the extras, 10k miles (so it hasn't just been sitting these past four years) and is under 5k. If it is as nice in person as it sounds, that will be my deal.

Good luck finding yours!

JC

dcpyatt · 05-28-2007, 02:00 AM

I picked up my '04 T100 with 239 miles on her for $5800 + tax a year ago... with the all factory accessories I figure she booked out at about 10K, so I was happy with the price.

at 1900 miles I've had no major problems other than the shifter peg came off one night riding, but I was able to get a bolt from a local car dealership that had went out of business (a fellow biker that saw the Bonnie sitting disabled beside the road) and the next day I found it and put locktite on to keep it from happening again.

A great bike, expect to be asked about it everywhere you go... Both gas stations I stopped at today spawned conversations, one from a former Norton owner and the other a Bonneville America rider that pulled in for gas as we were attempting to get air.

ntr1972 · 05-28-2007, 07:29 AM

She's going to whip your butt on your Ducati.

Loxpump · 05-28-2007, 11:39 AM

Like ntr said. you may find yourself shopping for two Bonnies! Either way what a blast have a gf as a riding buddy. I bought 2 used ones in the past year and had no problems with either. No warranty with a used one but then with a few miles on them most bugs have probably been ironed out anyway. Plus saving $$ for MODS!

retrobiker · 05-28-2007, 08:50 PM

I purchased my 02 bonnie in 05.She had about 20000 miles.The previous owner had kept her in great condition.The TORS (Triumph off road pipes-better sound and perfomance )on her were worth about $400.00 new. I paid around $4250 (New ones were about $7000.00 with stock pipes. I added on accesories such as saddlebags,center stand,sissy bar,King&Queen seat ,dart fly screen ,shorter hagon shocks etc for a little over $1400.00.Love the end result.I also liked the cardinal red on my 02 and I couldn't have got it new.