Triumphrat

Queen · 06-30-2007

I sold my '03 Bonnie a year and a half ago and switched to a Suzuki DL650 (VStrom). The VStrom is the most competent bike I've ever owned...a virtual swiss army knife of bikes. All that competence aside, it has NO soul and inspires nothing.

I miss my Bonnie! Anyone else made the switch to another bike and regretted it??

REVOLT · 06-30-2007

That's weird...I think there are a few folks that switched to some sort of "Swiss Army" bike from the Bonnie. DL, KLR, GS...Even the dealer I bought the Bonnie from suggested the GS or KLR as a choice while shopping? I said, "No thanks, they are great bikes...but I live in Portland, Not Dakar..."

Anyhow, Maybe you can pick one up pre-owned for a small price? Use it to get your "Soul" back and use the DL for everything else...

Right now there is only one motorcycle I would even ponder about taking over my Bonnie...and that's saying a lot...I am NO where near "done" with my Bonnie.

img.alibaba.com/photo/11108313/2005_Ducati_GT1000.jpg
Now that inspires a lot!!

Good Luck Queen...

[ This message was edited by: REVOLT on 2007-06-30 11:03 ]

pabonne · 06-30-2007

I've not switched (and I'm 99% sure I never will) but I think I know what you mean. A couple weeks ago I took a Tiger out for a 20 min test ride. It was fast, great brakes, handled like a dream, blah blah blah, but it felt like I was riding an arcade game.

It was soooo nice to get back on the Bonnie for the trip home.

Everything about it just feels the way a motorcycle should.

CAPTDON · 06-30-2007

I agree the Duc is a REAL nice looking & performing bike!
By the time I wear out the bonne there will be nuclear powered bikes I am sure? I think that bike is aircooled no? If so it wont be around long enuff for me to think about buyin one

Queen · 06-30-2007

I know they'll be another Bonnie in the garage, how soon will depend on if I want to (as Revolt suggested) add a used one and keep the Strom.

I was getting all excited about the possibilities so it's a good thing the closest dealer (65 miles away) is out of Bonnie's completely or I may have been riding one home today. :-D

slowgator · 06-30-2007

I can relate to the "soul-less" Japanese stigma. After having to sell my '70 Bonnie to move to California, I inherited a black and red Honda CX 500 from my Dad before "returning to the fold" with the black and red '07 Bonnie T100. The only thing the two had in common is their color scheme.

While the Honda performed flawlessly and never failed to get me from Point A to Point B, I never felt I was riding something special like I feel every time I get on the Bonnie.

There is something mystical about the Bonneville that defies description. My money is on you getting drawn back. Life's too short to ride a soul-less machine. Just do it. You'll be glad you did.

Queen · 06-30-2007

I've owned 25+ bikes since 1972, Beemers, UJMs, Harleys, and one Triumph Bonneville...that Bonnie was truest motorcycle I've ever had the pleasure to ride. It was everything a motorcycle should be.

decobike · 06-30-2007

Q
This person has posted this bike for a while, think he really wants/needs to sell it. Last I checked Cincy isn't "that" far from Illinois. 04 Bonnie 4 sale

Queen · 06-30-2007

Quote:

On 2007-06-30 17:22, decobike wrote:
Q
This person has posted this bike for a while, think he really wants/needs to sell it. Last I checked Cincy isn't "that" far from Illinois. 04 Bonnie 4 sale

Thanks, I was checking that out earlier. :upthumb:

wannabes3 · 06-30-2007

I am in the same boat, but in a backwards sort of way. The bike I have now has soul, character, turns heads and is a conversation starter, it's a speed triple! But it is very unfriendly to passengers, saddlebags, windscreens and dirt roads - I want to join the collective and get a wee strom!

I urge you if at all possible keep the wee if you can and get the bonnie.

So why am I posting in the bonnie owner's forum? I want one of those too!