[Butcher]

Hello all....
I am a Harley guy fed up with the "modern Harley scene"....the wannabees, the band-wagon-jumpers, the "I have one cause it's cool to have one". I am really interested in the Triumphs and and embarrassed to admit I fought against the temptation of getting anything different than Harley.
My Triumph interests are either the Bonneville or the Speedmaster. While the Speedmaster is more the style I am used to, the Bonneville represents the old cafe types from the good old days that I really dig. Plus I think the power is greater on the Bonnevilles?
How is the Bonneville with two-up? How is it with just me wanting to burn up the pavement? Any constructive input is greatly appreciated.
And by the way...hope to become an official part of the family soon.
Take care

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Another round over here.

 

[OldTimeBiker]

I am not saying this lightly...My '05 T100 Bonneville is the smoothest running, best handling motorcycle I have ever owned. It is, by far, a better handiling bike than my '91 FXRS-Sp. The H-D is more powerful and more comfortable on long trips two up, but when I have a choice as to which bike I'm going to jump on just to go for a ride, the T100 wins 99% of the time. For the price, and for what you get for that price (VALUE), I doubt you'd ever regret getting a Triumph twin.
I am NOT a Triumph salesman or a dealer, just a proud, satisfied owner.

 

[Panthermark]

Welcome aboard!
<BR>
<BR> Like Triumph sayz....Go Your Own Way!
<BR>
<BR> I almost purchased a Sporty, but I didn't like the HD vibe I got. It seemed like I was looked down upon for not getting a "real" twin, and for not buying into all of the HD hype....but I just wanted to ride. Grab a Bonnie, Thrux, or Scrambler and don't look back. If you get a Bonnie, be prepared to spend an extra 10 minutes talking about your bike to someone every time you fill up. They always start off with "I didn't know they still made Triumphs...I use to have one in 19......."

[ This message was edited by: Panthermark on 2007-01-21 00:06 ]

 

[Kevin57]

Hey Butcher.....I'm a recent RAT forum member, and soon-to-be Bonnie owner. I've been riding for about 30 years, but my newest bike is 25 years old. I like vintage. I also like tinkering and modifying bikes as much as riding, and that has steered me away from buying new. I just have too much fun messing with my old vintage (Japanese) stuff. If you hadn't picked up on it yet, its clear that virtually nobody leaves their Bonnie stock, which will satisfy the tinkerer in me. And, it looks vintage right out of the box. But, what may have pulled me to the fold as much as anything is the "scene"......the very thing that over on the Harley side was starting to bug you. There's a strong sense of comraderie among Brit bike enthusiasts here in the Houston area, and several of my friends have old and new Triumphs, BSAs, Nortons, Vincents and so on.

 

[Bonefide]

It'll do the Ton out of the box, but IMO - aftermarket pipes are a necessity. Sounds so wimpy in stock form - like a clicking sewing machine.

It can handle the twisties like a sport bike - out of the box, but slap on some aftermarket springs/shocks and whoa nellie. The fun factor is HUGE with this bike. You can still make it a cruiser if you like - but that just ain't my thing.

It has that vintage look to it, but the darn thing is pretty much bulletproof. You can choose from an array of parts on the market - bolt on some clubman bars, bar end mirrors, rear seats, etc and make your own cafe racer.

Triumph dealers around here have demo bikes. Find a tolerable day (weather-wise) and go ride one.

 

[road dog]

Butcher,

Welcome. Hey... you might be interested in the new Triumph big twin cruiser, reported to come out in '08. There's been quite a few threads about the bike here lately. HERE is the latest one. You can search for "1600cc" and find most all of them as well.

 

[webonnielad]

The Triumph Bonnie's of now are not as crude as they were in the 50's 60's and 70's.

In original trim they lack a bit of the viciousness of the old Triumphs acceleration characteristics, but if you read what some of the guys on these posts have written you'll find there's a million or so relatively cheap ways to get a lot of that back.

They're about 1000 times more reliable and you only really need to get the wrenches out because you want to, and not because you have to, just keep it serviced, cleaned and polished and it'll last forever.

So I suggest when you get it, that you ride it around at first and get used to it, and then if you feel like getting the wrenches out and having a play with it, the speak to Mike Selman at BellaCorse.com.

He knows his stuff.

I live in the UK but he's the main man for me.

All the best

Jon (UK)

 

[stu]

Its probably easier and cheaper to bump up the horsepower on the Bonny than any other modern bike. No electronic remapping BS needed etc. Slap on some JC Whitney pmufflers, modify the airbox for pod filters, rejet the carbs and pick up 12-13 HP for about $500. if you do it yourself