[Llamacide]

I've owned several bikes over the last 20 years.....

2- 75' RD 350's
78' CB 750
81' Sportster
83' Suzuki Katana
98' Buell M2 Cyclone
01' Suzuki TL1000S

And my current ride.. The 2005 Bonneville Black!

The Triumph is the BEST handling bike I have ever owned and I haven't even upgraded the suspension yet!

And on that, what do you all recommend as far as suspension upgrades? I think Ohlins might be a bit outta my price range but I' love to hear what you all have experience with!

 

[steve betts]

You can spend days on this site looking at what guys have done to improve suspension on these bikes. A relatively cheap alternative which is said to produce good results is the combination of Ricor Intiminators in the forks combined with Hagon 2810 rear shocks. All in for around 600 bucks.

 

[vzshadow]

I love my Bonnie and when I set out it is always first choice. As good as it handles, it doesn't compare to my Honda NT700 in the handling department. The Honda wins on wind protection too. Otherwise, it's the Bonnie hands down.

 

[Askari]

+1

You can spend days on this site looking at what guys have done to improve suspension on these bikes. A relatively cheap alternative which is said to produce good results is the combination of Ricor Intiminators in the forks combined with Hagon 2810 rear shocks. All in for around 600 bucks.

I have IKONS but nothing wrong with Hagons or any other quality make. The biggest improvement will come from the front and the intimators are a simple effective fit. When it comes to springs front and rear, to get the optimum you need to get the spring rate that suits you. This might entail purchasing from a suspension specialist rather than the cheapest on the net. A 100kg guy isnt going to get the same effect from the same set up as a 75kg guy. Do you carry luggage, a mrs!Any of these scenarios will benefit from different set ups. Chuck these Q's at the supplier if he cant answer them go elsewhere.

 

[rwantin]

+3 on the Intiminators...fantastic improvement over the stock pogo sticks. I experimented with different length (cut myself) PVC spacers for a little preload and found my happy place.

I did, uh, spring (sorry) for the Ohlins 36E's thanks to a fellow member, and because they seemed to split the difference on the low and higher end of things. Very glad I did, particularly on the roads found around these parts.

 

[jimdunleavy]

I've owned several bikes over the last 20 years.....

2- 75' RD 350's
78' CB 750
81' Sportster
83' Suzuki Katana
98' Buell M2 Cyclone
01' Suzuki TL1000S

And my current ride.. The 2005 Bonneville Black!

The Triumph is the BEST handling bike I have ever owned and I haven't even upgraded the suspension yet!

And on that, what do you all recommend as far as suspension upgrades? I think Ohlins might be a bit outta my price range but I' love to hear what you all have experience with!

I've had CD185, XS400, XJ750, XJ900, 2 x FJ1200a, 1 x FJR1300 and 2 x CBR1100xx and the present Bonneville SE. The CBR1100s were the best handlers by far, the Bonneville is very easy handling but grounds the pegs much too easily and is OK for pootling about but no way is it the best handling bike, I'd class it as easy to ride but that's all.

 

[Derby Boy]

I kind of agree on the Bonnie not being the best handling bike.
That being said, it is a dream to ride in traffic & parking lots and does pretty good in the twisties. Just don't push it too hard or it starts squirming & bobbing. My Yammy GTS1000 out handles the Bonnie by far in hard high speed corners but is an absolute Bear at slow speeds.
I too pick the Bonnie 90% of the time. I think it has to do with the major "Smile Factor" that the Bonnie exudes. I have upgraded front springs, steering damper & fork brace which really helps to stabilize it. I enjoy the Bonnie more than any of the other 13 bikes I've owned in 40yrs. Everything from GoldWings to V-Twin cruisers to sport touring.
I think it feels like it handles better because it's such a joy to ride on daily trips. The word "Flickable" has been used many times to describe the ride. It just doesn't fight you, it does everything you ask it to do until you push it too hard. Then it gives you little hints that your getting too close to the limits.

 

[bonniemojo]

This simple combo works pretty dang good for me.

Progressive fork springs with 15w fork oil.
Progressive rear shocks, #412.
Fairly cheap straight forward suspension that does wonder's for the bike.

Of course a Bonneville will never be a Daytona 675. The mods listed above tame the bike very nicely for a good handling machine. ( I ride fairly aggressively and love curvy back roads!)

Dunlop 501 or Avon Road Rider tires or Pirelli Sport demons, ect...
(keep an eye on pressure!)

Ride safe!

John

 

[grumpy_1944]

A relatively cheap alternative which is said to produce good results is the combination of Ricor Intiminators in the forks combined with Hagon 2810 rear shocks. All in for around 600 bucks.

Worked for me Follow the instalation instructions to the letter!!!!

 

[PeteV]

I also installed Hagons on the rear and Intiminators up front. The intiminators introduced a vibration or bounce on smooth surfaces that has been discussed in several other threads. The solution has been to drill a .05" hole through the Intiminator to allow more fork oil flow. Ricor recommends this if you have the vibration problem with the Bonneville. They should do it free of charge if you buy Iniminators, which they did for me. Now, the Iniminators are really an improvement. Hope this helps.

 

[Bron-Yr-Aur]

Suspension problems were few with the stock springs for me...while I lived in flat and straight Florida. Now that I'm in the extreme Pennsylvania mountain backroads I find the stock suspension downright terrifying at times. The intiminators that have been collecting dust on my shelf are about to go into use. I'm really hoping my experience will be the same as others'. Being that I'm light, I have a strong suspicion that the bouncy problem will also arise though. At least the cure is well documented here in case it does happen.

 

[rwantin]

Suspension problems were few with the stock springs for me...while I lived in flat and straight Florida. Now that I'm in the extreme Pennsylvania mountain backroads I find the stock suspension downright terrifying at times. The intiminators that have been collecting dust on my shelf are about to go into use. I'm really hoping my experience will be the same as others'. Being that I'm light, I have a strong suspicion that the bouncy problem will also arise though. At least the cure is well documented here in case it does happen.

Similar path here...I lived in So Cal for eight years, and bought the Bonneville there. Upgrading the suspension was a backburner thing (nice roads there), until I got back to MI - then it became necessary.

You'll still feel the bumps, of course, but the quality of the action does not send the front end all a twitter. Much more composed, and I noticed reduced dive as well. I hope it works as well for you as it did here.

 

[jkmolt]

I absolutely love my "retro" bike. It handles very well for what it is. In stock form, it rides almost exactly like my previous bikes built in the '60's and late '50's. Definitely glad it doesn't come with the same tires from that era! Low siding around a corner is not a pleasant experience for rider or the bike! I wanted to go back in time with my ride and I am more than pleased -- I'm ecstatic. I've made no mods to suspension, brakes, etc. All I've done is add hard Hepco-Becker bags and trunk so I can tour on my "ancient" motorcycle.

Karl

 

[rodhotter]

for a stock standard bike in this price range i am pleased with the suspension, brakes pretty good too, i weigh 180 lb, on my 06 sportster i needed upgraded brakes ans suspension for about 3G, harley sportsters have poor stock shocks and cheap damper rod forks, on a bike weighing 575 lb upgrades were necessary IMO

 

[Burgandy25]

I've owned several bikes over the last 20 years.....

2- 75' RD 350's
78' CB 750
81' Sportster
83' Suzuki Katana
98' Buell M2 Cyclone
01' Suzuki TL1000S

And my current ride.. The 2005 Bonneville Black!

The Triumph is the BEST handling bike I have ever owned and I haven't even upgraded the suspension yet!

And on that, what do you all recommend as far as suspension upgrades? I think Ohlins might be a bit outta my price range but I' love to hear what you all have experience with!

Ive always been a big fan of Buells and almost got an 1125r or 1125cr, how was m2?

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Motorcycle.com Free App

 

[VodkaAndPickles]

For a stock suspension, I think Triumph did a pretty good job. The Sportster suspensions are a hundred times worse. Rough pavement is a pain in the ass, of course.


For those of you with high-dollar suspensions such as Ohlins or Ricor, does the bike really "float" over bumps and potholes as advertised? I mean, do you not get jarred around at all?

 

[scottslob]

This simple combo works pretty dang good for me.

Progressive fork springs with 15w fork oil.
Progressive rear shocks, #412.
Fairly cheap straight forward suspension that does wonder's for the bike.

Of course a Bonneville will never be a Daytona 675. The mods listed above tame the bike very nicely for a good handling machine. ( I ride fairly aggressively and love curvy back roads!)

Dunlop 501 or Avon Road Rider tires or Pirelli Sport demons, ect...
(keep an eye on pressure!)

Ride safe! John


I have this set up as well works good. Mine are a inch shorter. Currently with the Avons, I think I will go back to the metz. next time. As I get a little wobble right around 70 mph.

 

[Llamacide]

Ive always been a big fan of Buells and almost got an 1125r or 1125cr, how was m2?

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Motorcycle.com Free App

I had a 98 'M2 that I bought new... Honestly, it took quite a bit to get I to ride decent... It was top heavy, it had a lot of factory recalls... The " pull" rear suspension was lousy... It shook like a Harley (it had an XL 1200 Sportster motor)... A tough ride.... Though it was a head turner and a rough naked bike it was probably the worst bike I have owned...


Tbyrd

 

[Llamacide]

These are great responses all... A wealth of info... Keep it coming! Thanks!


Tbyrd

 

[rickgz]

My Bonnie handles just fine with my Intiminators and Ohlins 36E's, but is it the best handling bike in my Garage? I am afraid that answer is NO. But it isn't the worst handling either. That would be my Sym Fiddle with its 10" wheels. My BMW big pig GS is just about the best handling bike for everyday riding that I have ever owned. But at least right now, my Bonnie still puts a bigger smile on my face.

Rick G