Triumphrat

jackella

I am looking to trade my 05 Speed Triple for either a Bonnie or a Thruxton. On paper the spec looks pretty similar on a couple of horses more for the Thuxton but nothing to get excited about. I love the look of the Thuxton but am concerned that my wrists won't thank me. I know there are bar conversion kits but then isn't that just making it into a Bonnie?

Is there any definable difference between the two over cosmetics and has anyone wished they had bought the other? Are the resale values different?

Sorry if this has been discussed endlessly here before.

CarlosFlys

I can throw my opinion in here. I've been riding on a "standard" (upright seating position) Honda for almost 20 years now. When it was time to get a new bike 2 months ago, and I learned Triumph was producing new bikes, it had to be a Triumph.

I had no idea why the Bonnie was the "Perfect Motorcycle", but everytime I saw a pic on one it was perfect (turns out, the honda I had been riding was a compleate knock-off of the '60s bonnie! So of course it reminded me of my first love). Anyway....

So I was in the dealer about to buy a Bonnie Black, but that Thruxton kept drawing my eye. Couldn't stop thinking about it. Why buy the same bike again? So... I bought the Thrux, and immediatly started pricing new handlebars.

Funny thing is, after the first 2 weeks, I was compleatly comfortable riding in such a "ready" position! Really love it.

Took a 7 hour road trip to the beach in week 4 of owning it (1/2 break in the middle) and loved it! It was the hard seat that was the killer at about hour 5.5, not the handle bars.

I really thought the low clip on handle bars were going to kill me, but nope.

If my wrists start to pang, it's easy enough to grab the gas tank with your knees and let them take the weight, or move up in the seat and sit more upright but I really don't like that at all, feels unstable somehow - or maybe just not as fun.

The Thruxton has the nifty pre-load adjusters on the front forks too, though I have no idea how to tune a suspension (YET!).

The only downside to the Thruxton: people just have to ask you about it. I hate it (introvert). I was leaving work, put on my helmet, about to get on and someone walks up and starts yammering, ok take off helmet. After 1/2 hour, he leaves, I put on helmet, and someone else pullsup on a bike and waves at me to talk! So, off goes the helment, another 1/2 hour. He leaves, I put on the helmet - and to older gents walk up and ask what the heck motorcycle is that (harly). This time I leave the helmet on! 5 mins later I finally get to ride - but now I'm late if I take my usual long ride home!!! ^&%&^%&^%&^%

Anyway, long story short - I love the Thruxton. Different is good.

R_Rick

I went from a Suzuki GR650 (their answer to the parallel twin to try and compete with Triumph) which I rode for several years to the Thruxton (bought it the end of June). Being used to the upright riding position it took some getting used to the Thrux. For the first couple of weeks my wrists were killing me, however, I found that I was gripping a bit too hard which would put my hands to sleep and but strain on my wrist. I started lightening my grip and occasionally gripping the tank with my knees to support my back and viola no more wrist pain.

I do find that stop and go city traffic is still a bit tough on the wrists particularly when on a down hill section as all my upper body weight gets pushed onto my arms (I'm 5'9" and around 230lbs). I just got back from a short 70 mile run and have no trouble with my wrists (I was to be home about 40 mins ago but got caught in a parking lot with several ppl wanting to talk to me about the bike).

Down the road I may change my clip ons for a different style but for right now they are fine.

Cheers,

__________________
'05 Thruxton - bought new in June 07. Stock to bar end mod (tks Ratcat & Keef for the idea), AI removed.

Bonafide

This topic comes up quite a bit. If you do a search - you'll find all kinds of info. click here

dave1068

I was in the same situation as you recently. I wanted a Bonne or a Thrux. I took a leftover Thrux w/ the BC clamp bars on for a ride and liked it but I am tall (6'2) and found it a bit cramped.

I then found a Bonne, took it out and really liked it. Had the bars on it, I put on tors and knee pads and was good to go.

The thrux is sharp looking as is the bonne, i think the bonne might be bit more practical for everyday use. Most T's suffer from poor stock seats.

Good luck

__________________
"A wise man knows everything, a shrewd man knows everybody"

SHRuuM

Its going to be a personal choice. Myself, due to age and injuries, I went the British Customs replacement bars. They are low enough to crouch when ready and the fly screen kicks in at 70 which helps for head wobble. Since my honey likes to ride on weekends, I got the king/queen seat with BC's thumb screws and in 20 sec. can convert over for her and back for going to work. The Thrux with the right accessories is VERY versatile, as seen below.

Riding my honey setup


my setup for work and pleasure

__________________
Mods:Predators/fork stabilizer/AI removed/Keihin CR-S carbs/RaceTech fork springs/Nology wires&coil/Iridium plugs/Traxxion emulators/LSL sliders & damper/Napolean mirrors/Monza fuel cap/19t front sprkt/flyscreen/Pazzo Levers/Ohlins 36PL shocks

stu

I put Norman Hyde bars on the Bonny and that puts you about halfway between a Thruxton and a Bonny position. A friend of mine who is a lot younger was in pain for days after riding his Thruxton 100 miles each way to Daytona. I guess it depends on age and agility. In my twenties I rode with BSA clip ons all day long, now I would last about twenty minutes before my neck hurt. One solution- get the Thruxton, and if its uncomfy you can buy Gen Mar risers that fit below the bars, and retain the stock look.
I have them on my Sprint ST.

__________________
Stu


TORs, NARK, thruxton needles, 140mains.40 pilots 2.75 turns out, procom igniter, 17T

Scrambler900

Here is your answer:

Compared to the standard (Bonne Black) or T100 Bonnevilles, the Truxton has a few differences, as follows.

(1) slightly longer rear shocks, being the same length as the Scrambler's, thus making the bike seat a little higher (but not as high as the Scrambler)
(2) aluminum rims (instead of the heavy chromed rims on the Bonne)
(3) very slightly more compression ratio (and thus about 2 more horsepower) due to slightly more aggressive cams.
(4) the seat has a slightly different shape and is a bit more firm, more like a solo seat, and has a removable plastic cover over the rear section. It is not as completely flat as the Bonne seat
(5) floating front brake disc
(6) clip-on handle bars and clamp (you can always raise them up with the addition of aftermarket risers)
(7) front and passenger foot pegs are made of rubber AND aluminum, with the Triumph logo (the Bonne just has solid rubber pegs)
(8) the tac and speedometer has a slightly different look.
(9) the chrome head light is mounted differently
(10) exhausts are up-swept, instead of running along the bottom of the bike, like the Bonne
(11) rider's foot pegs are placed slightly further back, as compared to the Bonne

__________________
Stay cool, like Steve McQueen

Aske

I'm not too familiar with the bikes, but I thought there were some chassis differences (rake, for example) and possibly suspension differences that might separate the bikes' handling characters.

__________________
"Try to become not a man of success, but try rather to become a man of value."

2006 Sprint ST/ABS (Sunset Red): going, going, ... gone

bosoxrider

This topic has come up before but take a look at me album. I wanted some of the classic appeal of the T100 but wanted some of the Thruxton-type elements.

~C

__________________
~=Bosoxrider
~=Other album
"That's right. White Lotus. Yam-yam. Shanghai Sally."