[ddttpp]

Anything specific I should be concerned about or look at other than the usual stuff for any 12 year-old bike?

Only 9500 miles, amazing cosmetic condition, brand new tires, $3600... from a long-time Triumph/BMW dealer with a fantastic reputation.

I test-ride it Tuesday and may purchase then if it all checks out.

I've lusted after these things for a long long time and I need a bike that is easier to mount/dismount and can get flat-footed on with my 30" inseam. I sat on this bike and it absolutely checks those boxes. Mostly will be used as a commuter with the occasional foothills/mountain rides sprinkled in.

Thanks.

 

[FreedomLiftOff]

I'm sure the gang will be along shortly to give you a few "give it a check " things. The term you used usual things is hard to operationalize. Ride it if the dealer lets you--make sure it's riding balanced , up right, not pulling to one direction, not making weird loud sounds, that it shifts reasonably quiet. You might here a clunk (not a bang), that's not too bad but if you feel it thud--hmmm.

Take a light and look around the tank, check the spark plug for carbon fouling, run your finger inside the exhaust to learn about soot etc. Lights horn loud , ok. They may have changed the spark and done some minor work.

You seem to know bikes. Given the dealer's reputation, I'd imagine if you discover something in the first few days they'll want to make good on it-make that part of the purchase /sale.

I'm a vertically challenged rider (under 5'6") and the Bonneville has worked out well. I did lower the shocks for a brief spell which brought the biker lower but then I just went up higher. Riding boots help for the flat footing. Sounds like it fits you well. Price seems fair.

 

[Baltobonneville]

Sounds great!

 

[ddttpp]

Thanks so far!

yeah I’ve been riding for a while but worsening hips are making getting on and off the VStrom more and more of a chore… sometimes impossible even.

 

[ddttpp]

You know I should have asked… how well do these do on the interstate? It would not be a regular thing but it will happen from time to time. I’ll probably get a MadStad windscreen for it if I pull the trigger.

 

[photorich65]

I have a 2013 SE, i.e. the interstate - installed a Dart Piranha fly screen which is tiny but seems to ease wind in the chest syndrome. My only nit is gearing which makes 60 mph a sweet spot while 80 feels like you forgot to shift out of fourth on other bikes. By all accounts the engine is up to the revs, but be forewarned it's a busy chunk of metal over 70. Easily fixed with a 19T sprocket and everything else about the bike is delightful... I love the thing - after only a few months of ownership.

 

[DriftlessRider]

Anything specific I should be concerned about or look at other than the usual stuff for any 12 year-old bike?

Only 9500 miles, amazing cosmetic condition, brand new tires, $3600... from a long-time Triumph/BMW dealer with a fantastic reputation.

I can't think of anything specific to that model to be concerned about. Those numbers all sound excellent.

I bought a v-strom recently with similar numbers. A bit newer, a few less miles, a bit cheaper ... I mean, it was a great deal. Wife came with me and I met the owner who I liked. Looked at the bike, it was clean and nothing obvious wrong. I said looks good and started to hand him the money, and wife says "aren't you going to ride it" So maybe I'm not the guy to ask. I rode it, it was fine of course. And it's been perfect since.

I guess I'm just saying don't go looking for problems. Yeah, wife was right. Riding it was smart Maybe I would have realized a fork was bent or something. Make sure the forks are straight and the brakes work, then don't act too eager


Oh, about highways. It's a small bike without a windshield that will do 80 indicated fine, which will actually be 75 or a bit lower. It's just about your comfort level, the bike itself will handle interstates fine. It's not designed for interstate travel, but will do it without a problem.

 

[okitoki]

First issue I had when I bought my 09 was the dreaded click caused by a dead battery.
Make sure battery is good and is charging right when idling.

 

[ddttpp]

I have a 2013 SE, i.e. the interstate - installed a Dart Piranha fly screen which is tiny but seems to ease wind in the chest syndrome. My only nit is gearing which makes 60 mph a sweet spot while 80 feels like you forgot to shift out of fourth on other bikes. By all accounts the engine is up to the revs, but be forewarned it's a busy chunk of metal over 70. Easily fixed with a 19T sprocket and everything else about the bike is delightful... I love the thing - after only a few months of ownership.

What does the 19T sprocket do for non-slab riding? Is it a compromise that I would be willing to live with for only occasional highway use? I mean I am talking like MAYBE once or twice a month - if that. My 20 mile commute is all small city/country roads and the recreational riding around here is chock-full of glorious twisties and hills.

 

[Flash Nick]

What does the 19T sprocket do for non-slab riding?

Big shout from me for the larger sprocket, and I don't do much highway at all. There is more than enough torque to handle it.
Also you are getting an EFI bike, big plus for me as well, although others disagree passionately on both counts. Ah the rich tapestry of life.

 

[okitoki]

19T also extend the gear in slow riding.... especially in traffic jams for me...
I can use first gear a little longer rather than keep changing between 1st and 2nd if that helps you

 

[ddttpp]

Cool, thanks.

Yeah EFI is a selling point for me... I HATE carberators!

 

[photorich65]

Cool, thanks.

Yeah EFI is a selling point for me... I HATE carberators!

Cool, thanks.

Yeah EFI is a selling point for me... I HATE carberators!

…what Okitoki said ! I still have the stock sprocket, but several posters have said it doesn’t noticeably affect low speeds or taking off from a light.
if your interstate exposure is limited just leave her as is. Let it rip and ride it like you stole it ;-)
A note on the fuel injection - if you do any mods like exhaust or intake consider the “Booster Plug”. A little plug and play gadget that tricks the EFI into running richer. Did the trick on my ride.

 

[mick 85]

The 19t sprocket means your Speedo will now be accurate ... Applies to efi bikes anyway

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

 

[DriftlessRider]

2009 EFI still has the speedo cable to the front wheel, changing the gearing won't affect speedo accuracy on them. In the US at least.

 

[ddttpp]

well nuts... bike sold in the four hours the shop was open after I left. Oh well.

Thanks for your input everyone. I'm sure the advice given will also apply to any other 09+ Bonnie I come across!

 

[Cigar Rider]

Sometimes if you know what you want and the price is right, just pull the trigger and hope for the best.


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[FreedomLiftOff]

Sometimes if you know what you want and the price is right, just pull the trigger and hope for the best.


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Agreed. My process was similar, learned the hard way 2x, to get the bike.#3 was the right price and bang--plunked down a sack of cash (the right sized), drove home on a Bonnie.

 

[FreedomLiftOff]

You know I should have asked… how well do these do on the interstate? It would not be a regular thing but it will happen from time to time. I’ll probably get a MadStad windscreen for it if I pull the trigger.

I am always missing something but I had never associated Bonneville's with having interstate issues. I'm on a 2001 that accelerates fine, does highway speeds, doesn't jostle me too much and I don't mind wind buffeting (that's a matter of preference). Except for refueling, which gives me a chance to straighten out my spine, can do 5 or 6 hours and it's fine-ish.

 

[Langosta]

Riding the Bonneville on the freeway is no problem. You might want to get a Mad Stat, or Parabellum windshield for the longer rides, if you are use to the V Strom's wind protection.
I owned a 650 V Strom for about a year. Went back to riding Bonnevilles. Nothing wrong with the V Strom just the Bonneville is so much more fun to ride.
The air cooled Bonneville will not be as smooth on the freeway at 75 MPH. But Strom means smooth or tranquil in German. LOL