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Looking for advice on buying a bonnie

3K views 25 replies 11 participants last post by  starwars12 
#1 ·
I am looking for a Bonnie and basically, my search has come down to a new the latest 2008-09 Bonnie black for about $7700 with tax and everything and a 03' bonnie t100 in white and blue with 5 grand miles on it...for $5500 with just a scratch on the gas tank.
I can afford both of them easily but frankly, am torn between buying a five year old motorcycle and a brand new one.

Is the price on black right? i live in minnesota and this price includes all taxes and fees. Is '08 bonnie black a good model? I can also buy their latest release, which contains a carbuerator

Is 03 too old ? Not sure.
 
#2 ·
You posted this in the wrong forum, bro. Don't think you're going to get the right audience in here.

Your price sounds high, like $1,000 high or more.
 
#4 ·
Help at hand

Now then, this forum should be here to help the novice as well as the established. I mean we all have to start somewhere. If you are thinking of a bonnie you are in my view welcome and deserve support to get better informed and educated about the choices. Bonnie owners tend to be inclusive, easy going, and not exclusive. However you need to do a lot more work - becoming a bonnie owner and enjoying it effectively means doing a lot of reading and research to ensure you make the right choice of bike and accessories - this forum; new bonneville riders forum; Triumph website; your dealer; the internet; specialist suppliers eg www.normanhyde.co.uk and www.mototwin.com and www.mecatwin.com (fabulous French custom house) - and so on. It is not really about cutting the best deal - because that is the wrong starting point. The best deal will be cut when you are clear about the type of bonnie you want, how you want to configure it - exhausts, bars etc - then being quite focussed in getting the bike that you want. Then the acquisition and tweaking of the bike becomes an evolution and extension of yourself. What price that??!!
 
#5 ·
Don't know how I missed this thread - hopefully I provided some useful input to you on your other thread.

Sofia is right - the forum is here for all users, and new riders / owners are very welcome.

03 is not too old at all - but I believe that particular bike has gone now from what you said elsewhere.

The 08 Black is an excellent bike, and you would have a lot of fun with it. It is worth doing some reading to see what customizing options are out there - but hey - you can do that anytime too.

If you want, since I'm in Mn, I can meet up with you at one of the dealers and have a chat if that helps you out. Belle Plaine is easiest for me.
 
#6 ·
03 vs 08

I would ask what (if any ) goodies are on the 03? 03 was a good year & the milage is rite. Any $$ mods done to the 03? Buy a new one & you gotta figuer to be puttin some $$ in to it, unless you lkike singer sewing machines? The T-100 was in 03 a nice bike. A little hi on both prices tho. I would say you could have a better chance of getting the 03 cheaper than the 08? Its a matter of what your lookin for & which bike does it for you? Want warranty, its a done deal. Is the warranty not a necessity- I never used mine , then Id think & ride both& then decide? T-100 for that $$ must have some goodies on it! Good luck either way!
 
#7 ·
So, the 03 with tax paid will be over $6k. For $1700 more you get a brand new bike with a warranty and a bigger motor. No brainer.

Get the new one.

I was lucky enough to get a 2005, exact color I wanted and 865 motor virtually brand new with 200 mile on it for $5500.But it was, as I said, virtually brand new and I found myself standing there with the cash in hand and well.....:) never regretted it.


Good luck and let us know how you made out.
 
#8 ·
According to the other thread:

http://www.triumphrat.net/twins-talk/92843-is-this-the-right-price.html

The 03 got sold. Not to worry though, there are other low mileage used bikes out there- but not many around Mn right now - but a new 08 Black is a very nice bike.

Used prices seem to be holding pretty well at the moment - even clapped out seventies kawasakis go for 1500 bucks and upwards. But I have not researchd used bike proces extensively so I don't know for sure.
 
#9 ·
Bought my 02 Bonnie in 05 from a triumph dealer in NC.Haven't regretted it.The bike had high mileage(22,000) but had been extremely well maintained.It did not like the color of the new models back then(personal preference).Even after costs to lower seat,tires etc I saved about $2000.00.
I don't think I'd buy a bike that I haven't seen or ridden again though.My experience was not as good with the older bikes I have.
 
#11 ·
Prop, turns out that the '03 is not sold yet and i am going to take a look at it today..The guy has the two bags on the side, which i plan to remove and he's got a screen too..i plan to remove that as well...i.e. of course if i buy it. I'll let everyone know how it rides but i did ride an '08 one over at Belle Plaine and i was blown away with how easy and light it was for a decent sized engine...Thanks for the offer to meeting at Belle Plaine..does Amber know you over there? Perhaps, you can help me negotiate a better deal with her should i decide to buy from her?

Anyway, to me the new one just brings that element of comfort that it is fresh and has not been used before.. and frankly, ill keep whatever i buy for a long time..so, depreciation is not really a cause of concern. It's just about saving some dough over something that ill prolly use very little given the pace of life.

Somebody mentioned that they've got a bike to sell...do you mind sharing the details too ? :)
 
#12 ·
Amber remembers my name - that's basically just good customer service, I don't know her especially well or anything. I'm afraid you're on your own on negotiation, I don't step in there, but I'd be happy to meet you over there if you want any opinions or what not.

What you say on a new bike makes a lot of sense - having the security of new ownership can be a big deal.

EDIT: You can always sell on the accessories from the '03 too - just another thought. If it were me I'd go for the new black. Just my opinion.
 
#13 ·
Just saw the '03 bike

and it looks awesome! there is just a minor scratch on the tank..a small one..it has 4700 miles on it and the gentleman to sell it is a car mechanic and he seems to have taken good care of it.

Also, it comes with the wind screen and two side bags.. He's asking $5400 for it. I am considering making an offer on it. It won't be 5400 but what do you think is the right price? Frankly, i don't wanna disrespect him by offering something very low but just wanna be fair in the transaction.
 
#14 ·
Just get on with it

Starwars - now you have had good advice and posted several questions already. Bearing in mind the fact that you said you could afford either bike (ie money is not the real issue}, which in my view is a key point about all of this discussion, it is perhaps now time to cut to the chase, pay the full price of the second hand motor, and show respect.....or buy a new one.........and if you buy the new one, which you said has the better engine and is a key point too, then we will all look forward to seeing the pics of the new bike and how you have tweaked it to suit your physique and your riding style. But either way, please, put us out of our misery and make a decision! If you want my advice at this late juncture, and I am going to give it anyway, for one last post, is get a new one and take advantage of a two year warranty and the support and understanding of your dealer. Your mechanic bonneville owner will doubtless be of great help, but once you are gone, he is gone.
 
#15 ·
I really think the new one - the price quoted, if it was all in, tax, delivery, assembly, random "we need to charge you money for a new boat" fees, is fair.

Take it from me - start adding accessories and that price goes up quickly!

Still - it's all part of the fun.

The price on the used bike seems fair to me, given that it has accessories. It's a T100 right? plus bags and windshield? Doesn't sound over the top. Maybe talk him down a couple og hundred - most people expect a bit of a haggle on a used bike deal.
 
#17 ·
Phew

Glad to hear you are about to make a decision - and to complicate matters further, would you be better waiting until the '09 models surface, including the new Bonneville SE.........that would be my final final suggestion even if I said my last post was my last post.
 
#19 ·
Swither a little more

Well mate you have swithered thus far so the SE plus Arrow exhausts, Hyde semi rearsets, Monza fuel cap, M shaped bars, Jenks seat bolts, tank pads, Davida open face helmet, Ace Cafe submariner sweater, silk scarf and white hose socks, add on a Belstaff jacket and Gold Top boots and you are that 70's rider we all want to be...so bite the bullet and go for it!
 
#22 ·
Is it just me or does $5400 for an 03 sound high?

I bought my 04 T-100 used and (almost) bone stock from a dealer in 05 for $5700.

Check MCN for used prices and of course eBay. There is an 05 Thruxton on eBay right now with a reserve of only $3900. I bet it will go for less than $4500. Its in Wisconsin too.

...but maybe its just me.

Either way, get yourself on a bonnie whenever you can. It's just such an easy, great looking bike that you'll fall in love just like the rest of us.

Its all good!!!!

P
 
#24 ·
Alright guys, ive made the purchase........it comes with a wind shield, two side bags, a back rest (or whatever you call it) and a bunch of tools...it sounds like a brand new (i test rode one), handles very well and is blue and white...

frankly, i am happy with my choice .. sure, if i had pushed, i cud've saved some dough, but do i care? 4700 for a bike that i like with some $200 worth accessories sounds a good purchase knowing that i wont ride as much and when i do, ill love it.
 
#25 ·
That is a deal

That is a sharp price for just run in motorsicle. You guys in the States dont realise how cheap these bikes are. In the UK that price equates to around £2500 - which is a real bargain. New bonnevilles are much more expensive in the UK than over there, which I just do not understand - unless they are being shipped in from Thailand? Anyway it gets you started and if you trade, then you will probably recover your outlay against a new bike no problem
 
#26 ·
Not sure if you are interested in economics at all but really, it boils down to supply and demand of bikes in the US..The demand for motorbikes is not very high here in the US and the number of competitors is too many. Besides, most buyers including me almost always look at Harleys before making up their mind. So, foreign manufacturers are forced to cut their price in the hope of attracting business.
Finally, the USD to pound conversion is only a numbers game. i mean it costs Triumph the same amount to build the motorcycle. And when it prices the bikes here in the US or in the UK, it makes sure it makes a profit on it in pounds terms. So, up to 20% change in currency doesn't quite affect them. They will prolly jack up the MSRP here in the US id USD were to fall really low.
And, we all know that you guys pay more tax there in the UK.

Anyway, i am back on road...yoohoo!! It took me six years since i got rid of my 135 cc Yamaha :) i am 31 and ready to feel like one...
 
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