[JTKMX]

A friend of mine is looking at used Bonnevilles. He is concerned that having some mileage on the odometer may be too much of a reliability risk.

All high mileage Bonnie owners out there - please report on your current mileage and what your experience has been with the bike over the course of accumulating those miles.

 

[357Bob]

My 7500 miles in 7 months is just break in miles. Now I can really ride it. Wheee!
But if your friend is looking at bikes still in warrantte, no sweat. Otherwise a new one would be good.

 

[whoa]

These bikes are so new, any with 50,000 miles or more would have to have a lot of highway miles on them. I'd think by then you could tell if it has been mistreated.

From what I've read on forums, most of these bikes having engine work before 100,000 are for upgrades.

 

[LaughingBob]

I see a chap at my local bike cafe who has an 03 Bonnie with 63,000 miles on the clock. Nothing mechanical, but some corrosion on the spokes and frame. The corrosion on the frame was caused by ill fitting pannier frames, so not really down to the bike.

 

[ohiorider]

This isn't exactly high mileage, compared to my other two older bikes, but I bought the used 2003 T100 in Dec of 2005. Since that time, no problems, and the odometer just turned 16,200 miles. My riding buddy has nearly 24,000 on his 2001 Bonnie, also with no problems.

Bob

 

[stevieteabags]

17,000 and some change and still running strong. Just had the valves checked and all were within spec.

 

[black-bonnie]

At a RAT rally a guy had 54,000 on his 01 bonnie. My late 05 bonnie has 22,000. No problems with mine.

I've heard of 80,000 plus on some bonnies. And why not?

 

[FattRat]

I've seen some high mileage Bonnie's, one with 68,000 miles ridden by a wanker who obviously abused his bike. The picture below shows my bike the afternoon I parted with it; it had about 22,000 miles when I sold it to a VERY happy couple. I can't say as I am surprised at how good it looked nor how well it held up during it's brief year with me simply because I took care of it. Lotsa wax, frequent chain upkeep, and regular oil changes..... nothing to it!

Looks good doesn't it? And it ran every bit as good as it's appearance!

 

[whoa]

On 2006-12-24 02:30, ohiorider wrote:
This isn't exactly high mileage, compared to my other two older bikes

Oh yah, good point. JTKMX doesn't mention what his friend considers high miles. I'd expect 18,000 a year, but also see used bikes three or four years old with less than 10,000 miles.

 

[sweatmachine]

just had my year anniversary, and turned over 16,000 miles.

no problems besides a weeping valve cover gasket, which is common.

 

[Bonnie1000th]

On 2006-12-24 10:18, FattRat wrote:
I've seen some high mileage Bonnie's, one with 68,000 miles ridden by a wanker who obviously abused his bike. The picture below shows my bike the afternoon I parted with it; it had about 22,000 miles when I sold it to a VERY happy couple. I can't say as I am surprised at how good it looked nor how well it held up during it's brief year with me simply because I took care of it. Lotsa wax, frequent chain upkeep, and regular oil changes..... nothing to it!

Looks good doesn't it? And it ran every bit as good as it's appearance!

:razz:
Yours was a sweet bike Pat!
How are you BTW?
Remember Chris Coleman in Cambria?
His bike has about 77000 miles on it, and still runs and looks great!

 

[Maccaoz]

G'day.
Heading for 50.000k and have replaced the coil and one chain(sprockets still look fine)Still on 01 battery,cables etc.
I have changed shocks/springs but only for an upgrade,the old stuff was still working OK,If only my old R80GS had been as good,maybe I would still have it!
Macca.

 

[agro]

'04 Thruxton 48,000 kms........

 

[FattRat]

"Bonnie1000th"
You have the better of me, I can't match screen names with faces.... you mighta been the guy on a Triumph??? Things been good, thanks for asking.

To the topic at hand. If my satisfaction with the Bonneville was such that 22,000 miles in less than a year produced NO PROBLEMS, you may understand why I was anxious to put THIS bad boy on the road. I had no doubt that my '05 BonnieBlack could easily have continued logging on the miles with few problems, but I couldn't pass up the deal that resulted in the below pictured Bonnie. These things have a very good motor..... if any weak links, it would be elsewhere and minor.

 

[CAPTDON]

When I bought my Bonne there was an 01 w/ 78000mi on it in the parking lot. As said these engines are built strong! I wish they had put a little more attention to the chrome! A chore @ times to keep the rust off. So far the engine appears bullet proof.

 

[whoa]

On 2006-12-26 10:34, FattRat wrote:
why I was anxious to put THIS bad boy on the road.

You have an FZ1 (which Ducati?) and you wanted a Thruxton!! I admire your addiction. Right on.

I'd almost trade out for the 675, but I'm still tightly drawn to this old school bike and I cannot justify two bikes. Right now I like the way the Thruxton sounds and feels when I'm out on the backroads.

 

[FattRat]

whoa said,

"...an FZ1 (which Ducati?) and you wanted a Thruxton!!"
I'd almost trade out for the 675, but I'm still tightly drawn to this old school bike and I cannot justify two bikes. Right now I like the way the Thruxton sounds and feels when I'm out on the backroads.

yeppers, it's an addiction.

I currently have an '03 FZ1 and the Bonnie. The other bikes were bikes that I USED TO have (and the Duc' was a GT900S w/Conti's; what a sweeeet bike!). With regard to the Thruxton, I like to lean potential buyers toward the Thruxton as you get soooooo much more for your money (although I would have to buy a handlebar kit for mine)!

About that 675, well that's cute magic in a potent package that would defy EVER being called "cute"! The Triumph triples are soooo easy to exceed legal speed limits on. I got rid of my 955 Triumph Sprint RS because it's 110 hp was outa pocket! Oddly, the Fizzy's 124 hp is easier to tame and less likely to lure the rider to the dark side.... but it'll do it, oh yeah..... it'll do it!

Since getting the Bonnie built and on the road, I seem to ride IT now more often than my rather docile (though FaaAST) "Fazer" (FZ1). There's something about a parallel twin, a good exhaust note, and the attention one gets aboard a retro Triumph.

As you suggest though, I seem to have "addiction" issues.....
but only when it comes to my motorcycles. I can't help it.

-- It's better on a Bonnie! --


[ This message was edited by: FattRat on 2006-12-26 21:29 ]

 

[Bonnie1000th]

On 2006-12-26 10:34, FattRat wrote:
"Bonnie1000th"
You have the better of me, I can't match screen names with faces.... you mighta been the guy on a Triumph??? Things been good, thanks for asking.

To the topic at hand. If my satisfaction with the Bonneville was such that 22,000 miles in less than a year produced NO PROBLEMS, you may understand why I was anxious to put THIS bad boy on the road. I had no doubt that my '05 BonnieBlack could easily have continued logging on the miles with few problems, but I couldn't pass up the deal that resulted in the below pictured Bonnie. These things have a very good motor..... if any weak links, it would be elsewhere and minor.

Patricio:
This new Bonnie of yours looks great! You did a fantastic job!
Of course I'm a guy in a Triumph a cafe Lucifer Orange that you seen in Cambria, another hint is that I can't resist to drink Espresso.

 

[FattRat]

DUDE!
(Have I told ya ((again)) that you ARE quite the gentleman?)

Your's is a work of art, and only a trained eye could scan this image and catch what's been done to the bike..... Still, so many subtle touches and not-so-subtle major mod's would slip even the trained eye. This bad boy is ONE BAD BOY!

Check out Big C's Lucifer Orange guys!

Thank you for your kind words 'C'.....




[ This message was edited by: FattRat on 2006-12-31 10:57 ]

 

[pabonne]

Geez Louise, I've died and gone to heaven. That's one SWEEEEET looking Bonnie. Is that a bonnie?? Yeah, that's a bonnie. Is that a Bonnie?? Yeah, that's a bonnie. (Sorry, just talking to myself.)