Triumphrat

lencap01 · 08-22-2007, 11:44 PM

Hi All - This is a serious post, not intended to troll or upset anyone. I bought a '05 Tangerine T100 several months ago and just began riding it over the last week - two shoulder surgeries made me unable to ride until now.

Prior to the surgery I owned a Moto Guzzi California EV, a bike with "character", meaning it had lots of flaws but ultimately was a fun ride with a lot of style. My better half rides with me about 10% of the time, so we got a "king and queen" seat for the Goose and life was good. When the doctor told me I needed surgery the prognosis was that I'd never get the full use of my arm back and couldn't handle the weight of the Goose, so I sold it.

Well, the doctor isn't totally right. I bought the T100 hoping that I'd be able to handle it and get back on a bike, especially since I've had one for 35 years. Yes, the shoulder is weaker, but it has 95% range of motion and strength is fine. He isn't happy, but agrees that medically I'm fine to ride. (Why is it that every doctor thinks if you own a motorcycle you'll be killed on it?)

Well, the T100 and I are still trying to find a mutually happy relationship. The look of the bike it great - reminds me of the original from the '60s. No problem there. The bike is easy to handle, about 100 pounds less than the Guzzi, but there is a lower "fun factor" on the T100.

The exhaust sounds like a sewing machine - reminds me of my former BMW R1000R, a fine bike, but boring. The T100 is also quite a bit lighter than the Guzzi and I find my time on the highway, or even on streets above 50MPH gets me pushed around quite a bit. My wife complains that she isn't "confident" on the back of the bike, feels less comfortable (natural given the smaller size of the T100) and less stable (no side rails to grab and no place to put her hands other than around me).

The T100 headlight at night is very weak, and the rubber mount of the headlight has me constantly tugging at it to keep the beam on the road instead of in the trees. I've tried locking washers, but it still moves. I've considered adding a flyscreen, but reading this forum many people say it makes the headlight movement worse - that makes it a non starter for me. Windblast above 55 or so is very high, again not uncommon for a naked bike, but worse than the Guzzi or the BMW by a fair amount.

The Guzzi had it's flaws, but it sounded like a real motorcycle, not Harley loud and obnoxious, just a mellow growl. I felt that I could jump on it and ride across the country without giving it a second thought. I don't feel that way about the T100. The BMW was kinda boring too, but it ran like a freight train and had hard luggage keyed to the ignition - something that I used rarely, but enjoyed when I needed it. The lights at night were the best I've ever had - you could read a newspaper at 100 yards with high beams on. Only problem, and the reason I sold it, was the fuel injection - surged all the time, making it very hard to ride smoothly.

All in all I'm not sure what to do. I like the T100 look, but the "rideabilty" issues are frustrating - poor headlight, exhaust sound, light weight. I'm seriously considering a Suzuki Bandit 1250S as a replacement. I've owned many bikes from a Honda Valkryie, to a Ducati 916 and many others in between, but the T100 is the most frustrating - beautiful to look at, but not a very satisfying ride.

By the way, I don't have a lot of time to ride, so I really try to enjoy every minute. The Ducati had me taking aspirin when I got home, and my wrists hurt for days, but I always smiled. The Valkyrie was the smoothest bike I've ever had - six cylinders perfectly synched with separate carbs. The BMW was an anvil - couldn't stop it. The Goose was my favorite - real exhaust sounds, the mechanical click of manually adjusted valves, but also more of a tractor motor that a sport ride. The Yamaha R6 was actually more fun than the Ducati - lighter, more nimble and a far better turning radius for the street.

I had the T100 fully serviced by the local dealer after I bought it - all fluids changed, etc. The bike is running fine. I know about the air box, etc., but I actually like blued pipes, so other than some new light bulbs and a flashing LED tail light, all is stock.

Before I do something silly, can anyone suggest a solution that will let me and the Bonnie live happily ever after? By the way, I just turned 1000 miles on the bike over the weekend. The prior owner only put 450 miles on it. I don't know if he had similar issues, but it sure hasn't been ridden much.

Help.

Thanks in advance, this is a great forum.

Diego · 08-22-2007, 11:56 PM

Hmm. My principal complaint with the Bonneville family is that they're not light enough--not by a long shot! To each his own, I guess.

The sound...that's easily curable if it's a problem for you. The Triumph offroad pipes are very pleasant without being annoying.

Headlight? Not the brightest on the Bonnie, true, but mine's never head any tendency to wander. Sorry, no ideas there.

Overall, I wonder if you might have been better off with a Bonneville America than the T100? Just a thought. I hope somebody else will have more suggestions for you.

BlitzPig · 08-23-2007, 12:01 AM

First time I've ever heard anyone say the Bonnie was too light, I've always felt it was over weight.

Anyway, the sound part is easy to fix. Change the mufflers, or do like I did and remove the rear baffles.

Better headlamps are out there as well.

Complaining about the wind on a motorcycle is like complaining about the sun in the daytime, does not make any sense. Don't like wind? Drive a car.

Really, it sounds like you should go back to a Guzzi.

Did you even ride the Bonneville before you bought it?

midlifecrises · 08-23-2007, 12:05 AM

Don't know how to help you mate. I have an 07 America. Love the bike. Stable at speed, handles well. It's been 20 years since I had been on a bike and I have not owned the fancy euro bikes you have, so I would find it hard to compare. I find the head light wonderfull (bearing in mind bikes 20 years ago). My kids often hop on the back as well as a couple of friends and all are happy and comfortable. I did spend the extra and fit the Triumph sissy bar. That would probably solve that problem. The Bonny is what I would call a street bike, and while OK with a pillion over short distance, I would not like to pilot or pillion one for any distance. I bought the America for this very reason.
Sounds to me like you bought the wrong model. I would recomend the America or the Rocket 111 if you have the extra money.
Anyway, if you are unhappy riding the bike regardless of the look, by something different. Although we love the look of the bike, you must be happy riding it, otherwise may as well park it in the lounge room and look at it. Regardless of what bike you have enjoy your biking.
Al.

NewOldSkool · 08-23-2007, 12:10 AM

Lencap, There are a lot of upgrades to meet your needs to do different things to the Bonnie. Like stated already, TOR exhaust might be a good investment. You could also upgrade the suspension (progressive front springs, and one of many rear springs), that should help with the tossing around alittle. And although pricey, IMO, they do have sissy/grab bars out for the Bonnie that would satisfy the miss. Have you looked around at some aftermarket add-ons? If not... try the normal places... http://www.newbonneville.com/ http://www.british-customs.com/store/home.php
http://www.madss.com/
http://www.bellacorse.com/home.htm
And there are more places, but those are the normal places I look for inspiration. If you like something, just search forum for it... chances are somebody has and posted something about it.
Mondo

Old Greaser · 08-23-2007, 12:13 AM

Sorry to hear about your ailments. I too have my fair share but battle on.

Light? well, not for me. If it's going over that's it, it's done. The other minor points are fixable. I didn't like the lights so changed out all the bulbs - xenon H/L and the rest halogen. You want roar, get out the hole saw.

I have my wife at the weekends on the bike and she felt uncomfortable. Bought the sissy bar and now she just relaxes and enjoys.

A naked bike will give you the same wind, whatever it's make. I put on a summer screen and cuts some of the wind off and eliminates bugs.

You have come to the wrong site if you want to hear anything bad about Bonnie's. Advice - OK, gripes OK, condemnation - No way.

Ernie.

mecscc · 08-23-2007, 12:14 AM

I don't know if you would have the patience or not to tackle each problem one at a time. Except for the weight issue all can be solved with mods. I don't mod but plenty here do and can give you good advice.

Diego's advice about considering a Triumph cruiser is sound. Either a Bonnie America or a Speedmaster solves most of your issues.

Personally, life is short, and before I put many more miles on it hoping to like it, just a little, while having a complaining Mrs. to boot, I'd probably just get rid of it. With so few miles on the bike I doubt you will lose much in the process. The new Bandit 1250 has had rave reviews and might be a good fit. It is a lot heavier than the Bonnie so I'd be sure your physical condition can handle it in close quarters. And it sits pretty high.

As much as I LOVE Bonnies it is foolish for anyone to own one that doesn't love it. And, after a thousand miles, you have enough seat time to answer that. Most of the people who post here are in the midst of a torid love affair with their bikes. If you aren't there yet it is doubtful you will get there. And it is where you should be with any bike.

Good luck.

Monte

dnyman · 08-23-2007, 12:22 AM

Lencap01, I think you may have bought the wrong bike if you're trying to compare it with a BMW or Guzzi. They're not the same thing, and a comparison is never going to make any sense. You could try to option up the T100 to something closer to what suits you, but you may spend the time and money and still not be happy.

It sounds like you perhaps want an excuse to go back to the Guzzi or similar. If that's true, then just do it.

Dave.

RonD · 08-23-2007, 12:26 AM

yeah sounds like you may have bought the wrong bike, if you ride a new bike and dont like the feel of it thats a bad start, perhaps u should have test ridden it before hand .
personally i have owned vertually lots of bikes over the years, my opinion here is my brothers bandit is a rocket ship, to me its a nothing bike , even he prefers the bonny, bikes are very personal and we all see them in different ways.

Stealth · 08-23-2007, 12:28 AM

Comparing a piece of trash Motor Guzzi to a Bonnie is absurd. The Guzzi is a piece of s**t get a grip. Why don't you sell your Triumph and buy a Honda.

Geezz what a whinnier!

I seen this before your bike hates you.

Stealth