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2017 T100 or 2015 Bonneville-Opinions please

14K views 30 replies 18 participants last post by  cotterm 
#1 ·
I'm looking for my first motorcycle and trying to decide which route I should go. I am considering the 2014 or 2015 Bonneville with very low mileage and also new 2017 T100 or T120. I'm paying cash either way and it seems like the 2015 makes a lot of sense at basically half the price, but the ABS seems like a big deal. Am I overvaluing the ABS? I don't envision touring or really doing any highway riding, just some back road easy rides and around town a little. Money won't really break the bank with any of them, but I don't want to just spend it because I can either.
 
#2 ·
Hi Cotterm
I think most will agree, YES, you are overvaluing the ABS. In my experience, its a feature that would only be involved on a rare occasion, but its nice to have it. Kind of like heated rear view mirrors. If this is intended to be your first bike, ABS is way , way down the list of things you need to consider.

Just wondering, why would you want a Bonnie as a starter bike? Its easy to project yourself into the imagined role of the seasoned rider - these bikes have a great magnetism for us all. There was another thread about a guy in upstate new york, buying a T120, which appeared recently, suggest you read those replies. There's a lot of good advice in that group of replies, and not everyone was opposed to the idea of a large displacement bike as a starter. I think his name was Newb. My opinion on there was that there was no physical reason to prevent this choice as a first bike, but the common sense route was to climb the displacement ladder, over time. There is a reason for this.

When you are on two wheels, the skills you need to keep yourself riding safely can't be learned easily, or quickly. Riders on this forum have decades of experience, and they probably will only give you "tuff love." We are all glad to have more riders in our fraternity (gals too) BUT they will all tell you, when you're on a bike, the only ass you can save is your own.

It's smart to get our advice, but you are asking the wrong questions about "my first motorcycle."

Weedie
 
#4 ·
By all accounts, the new bikes are significantly improved from the older ones. Theres a fellow on here who makes funny Youtube review vids of each. Without spoiling the fun, he basically concludes that the older ones are nice enough with sufficient modifications. He absolutely loves the newer models as do most of us on this forum.
If money is not an object, I'd get the T120. For one thing, it's got a centerstand on the bike and provisions for jackstands bobbins. The T100 does not have a centerstand or provisions for bobbins. This will make chain maintenance more cumbersome.
The T120 is a more powerful bike, but it has a Rain mode that really makes the throttle response mellow and easy to control. Clutch on these bikes is also light.
Because they're relatively light and low to the ground, there's probably less chance you'll dump it.
I think ABS is the best safety gadget in motorcycling...especially for new riders who may not be able to maintain good braking practice in the heat of an unexpected, low traction event.
Besides performance considerations, my guess is the new ones will hold their value considerably better too. Triumph really did up their game with these new Classics.
Standard advice is to go with something older so you aren't stuck for much if you hurt it or decide it's not for you. Still, the guys I've known all went out and bought what they wanted straight away and rode them without incident. Know thyself.
 
#5 ·
Between the two -- if cost is not the determining factor -- I'd go with the T120. You're less likely to kick yourself later. (ABS might give you a break on your insurance as well.)
 
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#7 ·
@cotterm You are not overvaluing ABS, but it is not worth a $5k premium. Perhaps a $1k premium at most.

The most important variable is that this is your first motorcycle. I'd shy away from new off the showroom for that reason. Inexperience leads to mistakes, and mistakes are going to be a lot more expensive on the brand new bikes. The new water cooled twins are also susceptible to transmission damage when dropped on the shift lever, a potentially very expensive mistake.

My first motorcycle was $500 and I put 20k miles on it commuting daily over the course of a few years. Did all my own maintenance, since late 70's UJMs are easy to work on. Dropped it once at an intersection while standing still, no real damage other than my pride. It makes more HP than my 2017 Street Twin, but handles very sloppily in comparison, lacks TC and ABS.

Get something cheap and used as your first bike, ride the snot out of it, make all the rookie mistakes, learn proper riding technique, and then sell it for the same price you bought it for a couple years later. Then go buy something off the showroom and treat it well. Good luck.
 
#9 · (Edited)
I say the T120 too. I just traded my 2010 T100 for a 2017 T120 and the difference is huge! I just thought my T100 rode great. And then I got on the T120 for a test ride, night and day difference in all aspects, the ride, power, shifting, braking, comfort, all the new bells and whistles which I am actually using. It is a great ride! If money is no object, the T120 is a no-brainer over any other bike. I bought the two tone jet black/bright white. I love it!
 
#10 ·
When I came back after not riding since I was a kid I bought a new 2010 Bonnie thinking it would be a good first (again) bike. And it was. For a while. In about a year I felt I had outgrown it and began regretting at least not getting a T100. Of course the additional expense of the T100 was a consideration. I couldn't stand it and shortly traded on a new 2012 Tiger 800 roadie. I'll admit as I drove the Tiger out of the dealer parking lot sitting two and a half stories in the air on the Tiger I thought, "What the ^@##$ have I done!" But now I have no regrets at all. I love the power, the windscreen, etc etc.

IMHO go for the T120 if you have the means. You won't out grow it and I don't think you'll regret it.
 
#11 ·
Why Bonneville? I love the way they look and feel. I have lower lumbar disc issues and prefer standard bike so that I can get on the pegs if needed at rare times, unlike forward controls. I don't want to take every bump through the tailbone. Mydad has had Harley's and Triumphs but has loved the Triumphs. Looking for one for him now too. He is 70 and I'm 48. .

I'm hoping to test ride the new ones tomorrow unless the rain doesn't clear the area. If the used bikes had the ABS I would consider that route the best choice for sure. I just really have no way of knowing just how important it is. I get the concern about the cc's and that new is too expensive and may need fixed if dropped. I'm not over confident and I've had dirt bikes, 4 wheelers, jetski's, etc. Financially, the motorcycle new or used, is not a burden to my family. The responses have been great and really appreciated.
 
#12 ·
I initially felt the T120 felt too refined for a Bonneville. I rode the Bobber and had a completely different opinion. I purchased on the spot. It is so much better in every way than my 2015 T100 that I purchased new. I traded and took a pretty good hit but in all reality I could have only gotten 1K more if I had found a buyer. I have no regrets. If the Bobber hadn't been built I would have bought a T120. Take your time and be sure, the new engines are awesome.
 
#13 ·
I test ride the 2017 T120 today. Wow! I seriously can't get the smile off my face. It was incredibly windy today and I wasn't really expecting the amount of pressure I received from the gusts. I rode it only in rain mode and I was seriously shocked at the power of the bike. It was incredibly smooth and I absolutely loved it. They didn't have a T120 to demo unfortunately. I also went to the HD dealer and test ride the Nightster and 48. Neither were close to the experience on the Bonneville for me.
 
#14 ·
Matt, from what you post you sound like a new or re-entry street rider. When I was a new rider looking for my first bike, I received similar advice regarding getting a cheap starter bike. I suspected that I would out grow the generic Rebel 250 class motorcycle -- and I didn't want the hassle of unloading it for a bigger bike -- so I bought a new Nighthawk 750 and rode that for a few years before trading up. [Honda even reimbursed me for the MSF course as part of a promotion at the time.] I find the T120 no more challenging to ride than that Nighthawk; just a whole lot more refined. It also has the benefit of modern safety features. Test ride both bikes and get the one you want. If you believe that your skills are rusty, take the basic or advanced MSF rider as a refresher.
 
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#15 ·
Get a 2014 or 2015. The newer ones aren't better by double the cost. I recently bought two 2014s with very low miles. One for $5K and one for $5700. Enough power and great torque.
 
#18 ·
All male statement set aside, take an ABS model if you go for a powerful first motorcycle.

Despite what more advanced riders than me may say, ABS is important, because you are not on a track and danger appears shockingly fast. The day you need to brake hard, just brake hard and let your Bonnie do its trick.

And the newer models are so much better in so many aspects.

A no brainer to me if you have the freedom to choose.
 
#19 ·
When I was in college, I bought a used Honda CTX 500 to commute. It cost me $800. When I was done I traded it in on a Zuk and got my $800 back, so aside from gas and maintenance (very little) it was essentially free.
Was there any bike really worth twice that? I mean it handled getting me where I was going everyday and even having a little fun on the weekends. Nothing ever went wrong with it. Got great mileage. Even if another bike went twice as fast, I couldn't have used it, so why spend the extra?
Why do we value what we value? Who knows? Things cost what they cost. If you can afford what you like, even if it's only marginally better in terms of objective metrics, why not get it? The worms won't care how much you saved.
What's it worth to WANT to go out in the garage with a microfiber towel and wipe down and stare at a perfectly clean bike? What's it worth not to have to spend a bunch of time and effort getting the fueling right? Or the suspension? Or the brakes?
By the time you get a '15 to the level of refinement of a Modern Classic, you will have spent more than half on it. And it still won't be as powerful nor will it ever have the blessed 270° firing order.
To me, the Modern Classics are worth every penny, but I can afford them. If I couldn't, I could be happy on a '15 I'd have to correct gradually too. But honestly, Triumph twins were never on my radar before these Classics came out.
This guy started off by saying neither is a financial burden. Taking that constraint off the table makes it a bit of a no brainer to me. For guys who love to work on their stuff or like the peakier power delivery, the '15 may provide them better value.
 
#21 ·
There are so many excellent responses here. Each and everyone of them is appreciated and has been read multiple times and taken into consideration. I still have a big smile on my face from a test ride from over 9 hours ago. I honestly don't have the time or skill set at this point of my life to wrench an older bike. As I said before, money really isn't an obstacle for a purchase like this, and I've always been extremely generous with my family but tight when buying for myself. Last big purchase for me was a sweet car, and I've had it for over ten years now. My wife wants me to get anything I want. I'm really thinking that I will likely buy a new T120 and just really respect its power. I have a saying about everything in life...just make sure to crawl, walk, then run. In that order. I'm trying to read reviews now about finish and maintaining the bikes beauty so I can't decide on a color ASAP. (Chrome vs Blacked out). The local dealer has the cinder red and the gloss T120 black. May need to Drive a couple hours. Thanks again, this forum is awesome.
 
#22 ·
Good hunting, Matt.:Chopper
 
#24 ·
It would appear you made your choice and I believe it is one you will not regret. I had a similar experience when testing the T120. I rode the ST first and thought it was a nice ride and then took out the T120 after and I was giggling in my helmet. I knew right then it was my next motorcycle. I had always liked the Bonnie's but felt they were under powered and lacked ABS which I will no longer ride without on the street with regularity anyway. It might be different if you live in a sparsely populated part of the globe but for me here in the urban jungle I find it as near to necessary as can be I guess. The new 1200 motor cures that power issue. It's my 4th Triumph but first Bonneville and I can see having it for a long time. As for those who state ABS isn't that important or really needed, they have never needed it and can make those statements. I consider myself a professional rider as I was a motor officer for a decade riding well in excess of 100K miles in a large city urban environment and the one time it saved my ass was enough for me to buy in. I was initially skeptical of its merits as well, so you can take that for what it's worth. Good luck......




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#25 ·
Motard menace- really sweet bike. Love it. I can't tell if you kept the brown seat from that pic. It looks like it could be black. My thought was even if I'm paying double, if I have an accident that could have been prevented with ABS it will have been money well spent. Difference is less than a weeks pay and if I'm off a week longer because it could have been avoided, makes sense. Now trying to figure out if that blacked out bike would be easier to keep clean and looking good than the chrome versions. Not much to choose from around here.
 
#27 ·
Best decision to have to make: which color?

I lust for the cinder red, but could not wait that long (they would not promise and it could have been 6 months --a free importer, not a dealer). So black it is. Chrome and black, and it has grown on me, and still does.

There, you know which way I'd lean.
 
#28 ·
I prefer the ABS... several motorcycles later... With and with out ABS... doing the fishtailing is not fun at all when the idiot in front of you have not tail or blinker lights... I like the smooth stop of the ABS. I vote ABS it is worth the money.
In my humbled option :)
 
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