[rstover]

Hi gang,
This is my first post to the forum, but I've gained lots of great insights by reading through various threads over the past couple of weeks while shopping for a new bike. So, thanks to all of you for that!

I just took delivery of a new 2006 Bonneville T100 and loved every minute of my ride from San Francisco to San Jose via surface streets (figuring that would be a better break in than trying to stay ahead of freeway traffic). I went with the '06 so I would have a bike built in the UK.

Anyway, this is my fifth bike since I started riding again in 1998. Started off with a couple of Honda Shadows, then moved to a 99 Harley Dyna, and to an Electra Glide Classic in 2002. I've really enjoyed the Harleys--the power, the look, the ride, but found that the Electra Glide was just too friggen big to hop on for quick weekend rides and, since my wife and I quit doing road trips, the bike was taking up the only motorcycle real estate I have in my garage. Once I decided to buy a new bike I looked at bunch of "naked" bikes, including the Buells, Suzuki SV650, Yamaha FZ6, Honda 599/919, and the Speed Triple. The Bonnie had just about everything I was looking for, plus it is just great to look at!

I'll be doing some minor upgrades starting with exhaust. What I want is something that maintains the bike's classic looks, sounds close to the original without being too loud, and enhances the performance. From what I've read, Staintunes have crept to the top of my list, but I'm open to your experienced suggestions. Oh, one question: I keep seeing "TOR" pipes referenced but, for the life of me, can't find them online. Is "TOR" short for "Predator"???

Thanks to all. I look forward to getting to know some of you online and maybe even on the street.
Roger

 

[GrayMitchell]

TOR is short for "Triumph Off Road", Triumph's aftermarket pipes. I have heard they still have a pretty muffled sound. Staintunes are supposedly really nice and have a great sound as well, though very pricey. The Sprint (Emgo) pipes are on the other end of the spectrum, great sound and pretty nice build, but for much cheaper than the Staintunes @ around $80/each on eBay.

 

[bonnevillebilly]

rstrover/Roger
welcome and congrats on your new Bonny. I am sure you
will love her. Sorry I can't help you on the pipes.
My only experience is the TOR,s . They are much better
then stock, but then again a moped sounds better then
the stock pipes. I like them LOUD!!!!!!!
I ended up gutting my TOR's out completely. and now they
are LOUD!!!!!!!! just the way I like em.
I am sure you will get a lot of responses on this.
Good luck with your Bonny.
Bill

 

[SCCTrim]

Staintunes are very nice from what I have read, there also alotta coin...

Since you wish to retain the classic look, I would suggest either the Sprint mufflers...( can be had at Newbonneville.com )...or the Norman Hyde toga's.

NH is in the UK....

NB is in texas....Sound clip on this page


your choice...


If reverse cone pipes don't turn ya off, check out the predators. They wont bark till you lean on it, and they are stainless, they also use a mechanical baffle welded into the pipe and never need repacking.


You will need to rejet when you add any of the above pipes, just so you know. The pipe's should come with jet's that will get ya close.

 

[road dog]

rstover,

Welcome and congrats on your new T100... :chug: . What color did you get? I can understand your concern about wanting to buy a Triumph that's actually coming from England. It wasn't an issue when I decided to make the move, color was the only deal. My dealer was selling black & red ones (only) as fast as they could get more in. I had a deposit on one for nearly a month to ensure I could even get one. Sure glad I did though!

As far as upgrading your exhaust with a classic look... Man I'd say you can't go wrong w/ those classic Staintunes. If you plan on keeping this bike for several years (unlike the Harleys you had), then it's an investment in quality and well worth the $750 they cost IMO. You're pretty limited in choices trying to maintain the original look. But nothing else in the classic category is gonna compare anyway.

Myself, I wanted to get away from the classic Bonneville look and achieve more of a modern sporty look. I run Staintune reverse cones and totally love 'em! But that's one of the great thing about these bikes. They come as a pretty basic motorcycle and can be transformed into many different styles, with relatively minimal modifications. "Like a blank canvas" I think it was said here before.

Enjoy riding and styling 'er up a little bit!!! Best of Luck! :-D

 

[MA0458]

Hi! Congrats, and welcome!

 

[whoa]

I run TORs on my Thruxton and think they have a good sound. They can get fairly loud at high rpms, but docile at lower rpms. There is a claimed 5hp (or so) lift by running TORs.

Even at full growl, I wouldn't describe the TORs as loud, but I'm very happy with them.

 

[mikeyland]

I have the Tors on my T100 and love the sound.Mikey

 

[rick05rocket]

Sprint Mufflers. . .from NewBonneville in TX, but made in U.K.

GREAT sound and quality construction.

Wonderful pipes.

ride on

rick

btw: my '07 Bonnie is also made in U.K.

 

[Shorty]

Another vote for the Sprints. In my opinion they are of good quality, good price, classic looks and sound, and easy to install.
I've had nothing but compliments from people on the Sprint's looks and sound (and some great conversations while stopped at traffic lights,gas pumps and store parking lots).
They are made by EMGO as replacements for 60's Triumphs and I believe the mounting brackets are made in England. I compare the sound to an "Aggressive Growl" above 3500 RPM, but not obnoxious while riding around in your neighborhood with reasonable throttle control. I installed the 1 1/2" JC Whitney $3.99 baffles in the header pipe in front of the adaptor pipe for some back pressure and some (but not much) loudness control.

Shorty

 

[kliff]

Congrats Roger!
I too came from a recent background of large heavy bikes, and I gotta tell you I don't miss a one of them.

Tailor that Bonnie into just what you want and ride man....every time I take mine out, I grin longer than I did the time before.

 

[Brooksie]

Welcome to the RAT rstover! You came to the right place. These folks can help you out so much it's not even funny. I have and like the TOR's, simply because they look stock and give a nice tone the stock bike lacks. As far as tuneability goes, most all your aftermarket pipes will get you about a 10% increase in hp. Also, if you are keeping the stock air box, put a K&N Filter in it when you do the pipe and let your shop tune it, unless you have invested in tools. You'll really love the bike and keep us posted on how it goes!

 

[Bigman]

RSTOVER-

I just got my Tor's on my 2005 Bonneville and I throughly enjoy them. I just wanted some rumble without being overly loud. From what I have read from the posts, the TOR's will loosen up a little after a while and become a tad bit louder. The TOR's keep the same classic look that you get with the stock pipes. I investigated this topic for almost a year before deciding, and I got my dealer to give me a 10% discount (its not much but it is something). :-g

 

[DrEnglish]

I had the TORs for a while (OK, I still have 'em in the garage). Right now am running Specialty Spares tt pipes. The TORs are loudish, the tts are very loud.

Both are good pipes. I'm keeping both since the swap is easy and my mood is changeable.

There are sound clips around, and I am in San Jose. You wanna hear a loud Thruxton, I got it.

 

[Thrux181]

I've got a friend with a 06 T100. He put the Norman Hyde's on. They sound really good, seemed to have a little bit better exhaust note than the Staintunes I was running on my Thruxton. All he has done is have the IA removed. Had his 6000 done and they said everything looked good. I keep telling him he needs to go with the K&N filter. They are supposed to sound like the old Bonny's did. To old to remember.

 

[Christov]

My exhaust experience started out with TOR pipes. These were a bit better than stock. They still had a good look, but were still very restrictive for lots of power. I now have D&D megaphones and they are quite loud!! Without the airbox, and proper jetting the Bonneville will scoot very well with this combination.

 

[rstover]

Hi gang,
Thanks for all your great input and ideas. Talking with the Triumph tech today, I was advised to make the exhaust change with the 500 mile service. He said that if there is a manufacturer defect it is likely to show early rather than later and that the whole warranty coverage process is simplified on a stock system. While I'm eager to make the modification, it will take only a couple of weeks to reach the 500 mile mark, so no big deal. Right now I'm leaning towards TORs, but will still investigate others.

Cheers for now,
Roger

 

[Guest]

riding a T100 with TOR pipes fitted,but considering they are "off road pipes" I think they are still fairly quiet. I rode a big V twin before with Vance and hines "longshot" straight through pipes which were fantastic. Read all the posts with interest and Iam thinking of buying some "Norman Hyde" pipes here in the uk for around £300 ish as I have heard they are louder, although I see"bonnevillebilly" has taken the guts out of his TORS,is this easy to do and what does it sound like.
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated, thanks in advance Reggie

 

[rstover]

In the FAQ link there are a few threads on removing the baffles from the stock pipes (aka bafflectomy), and there may be reference to TORs. I would assume the procedure is similar, i.e., drill the suckers out.
Roger

 

[HIM]

Predators all the way for me! They may not be classic the sound superbbbbbbb!