sounds like something you need to ask yourself, not us.
Sell or keep?
I bought my Bonnie cos I always wanted one. Through research I learnt the new bikes had improved specs and performance and that a simple modification could make the exhaust sound good. One thing I did not research or understand was if there is just one dealer/distributor in a city state of seven million that it would be so difficult to make changes and adjustments. Most of the mechanics are skilled with Jap bikes and parts and know how to interchange them but for Bonnies they need to buy from the dealer or import them.
It seems that a Bonnie is a good bike for a weekend enthusiast but not a commuter and this kind of breaks me. You see a brand new t100 costs around US$13,500 on the road here while an 883R Sportster is around $2000 cheaper. There are also a team of mechanics at HD in Hong Kong and at least two other shops that specialise in Hogs.
So I reluctantly put the T100 up for sale. Even though I had another great ride this morning, long term I don't feel I have the cash or the patience to pay for air freight parts and hard to access mechanics.
I'd love to have the option of keeping the Bonny and getting another bike, but I will have a trip to the marriage courts with that...
It seems that a Bonnie is a good bike for a weekend enthusiast but not a commuter and this kind of breaks me. You see a brand new t100 costs around US$13,500 on the road here while an 883R Sportster is around $2000 cheaper. There are also a team of mechanics at HD in Hong Kong and at least two other shops that specialise in Hogs.
So I reluctantly put the T100 up for sale. Even though I had another great ride this morning, long term I don't feel I have the cash or the patience to pay for air freight parts and hard to access mechanics.
I'd love to have the option of keeping the Bonny and getting another bike, but I will have a trip to the marriage courts with that...
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
hkt100,
Have you considered doing the work yourself? It's basic stuff mostly - no rocket science! Parts are easy to get online (perhaps no so in HC?), you can get a manual, a basic set of tools, and you may actually enjoy it! One thing you can say for the Bonnie, she responds well to tinkering.
I agree that she's not as "practical" as some other bikes out there, particularly for commuters. If you think about doing the mods and maintainence yourself though, it's a great bike for someone who doesn't have all the high-tech tools, etc.
I R&R'd a cylinder head on a park bench once!
I live 300 miles from the closest dealer, so I understand your sitch! Sure would hate to see you give her up, unless you're ready to move on anyway. If the HOG is looking good to you, then go for it man! Slap a Union Jack sticker on the tank though, ok? :-D
Have you considered doing the work yourself? It's basic stuff mostly - no rocket science! Parts are easy to get online (perhaps no so in HC?), you can get a manual, a basic set of tools, and you may actually enjoy it! One thing you can say for the Bonnie, she responds well to tinkering.
I agree that she's not as "practical" as some other bikes out there, particularly for commuters. If you think about doing the mods and maintainence yourself though, it's a great bike for someone who doesn't have all the high-tech tools, etc.
I R&R'd a cylinder head on a park bench once!
I live 300 miles from the closest dealer, so I understand your sitch! Sure would hate to see you give her up, unless you're ready to move on anyway. If the HOG is looking good to you, then go for it man! Slap a Union Jack sticker on the tank though, ok? :-D
That of course is your personal decision, but if you put the 883 HD price as not an issue, the Bonnie is a much better commuter bike than the 883.
It seems that your Bonnie is mostly stock, so improving the sound is not a science if you look at the many options that you have. Shipping at this days is quick and effective, some or many of us ordered parts from England or even from Germany for our Bonnies.
It takes soul and passion to have a Bonnie.
good luck with your decision.
It seems that your Bonnie is mostly stock, so improving the sound is not a science if you look at the many options that you have. Shipping at this days is quick and effective, some or many of us ordered parts from England or even from Germany for our Bonnies.
It takes soul and passion to have a Bonnie.
good luck with your decision.
When a vehicle is your primary mode of transportation you have a more defined bottom line. IMHO there is no question the Triumph is reliable as any other, but if you can't get a reasonable repair when needed, I too would assess the impact my choice had on my job.
How many miles a year do you think you will drive. I put almost 10k on my bike in 7 months and when it has been to the dealer for service I was able to make an appointment, wait for it and drive home with no inconvenience. 12K valve adjust is really the only down time requirement and it won't be critical if you went a bit over waiting to get it completed. If you want some louder pipes, you will not have to re jet if you don't open up the air box, etc. (TOR's). Any competent shop can/should be able to install components you want to install. Nuts and bolts are nuts and bolts.
The Sportster is a great bike and there are a couple of the newer models that look pretty good. I would go with the 1200 to maintain closer performance to your Triumph. Maybe you could look for another Triumph owner or independent shop that can help you.
Good luck, ride what works for you, it should be more pleasure than concern for any of us.
BobW
How many miles a year do you think you will drive. I put almost 10k on my bike in 7 months and when it has been to the dealer for service I was able to make an appointment, wait for it and drive home with no inconvenience. 12K valve adjust is really the only down time requirement and it won't be critical if you went a bit over waiting to get it completed. If you want some louder pipes, you will not have to re jet if you don't open up the air box, etc. (TOR's). Any competent shop can/should be able to install components you want to install. Nuts and bolts are nuts and bolts.
The Sportster is a great bike and there are a couple of the newer models that look pretty good. I would go with the 1200 to maintain closer performance to your Triumph. Maybe you could look for another Triumph owner or independent shop that can help you.
Good luck, ride what works for you, it should be more pleasure than concern for any of us.
BobW
Maybe it would just be easier to move? :-D
Seriously, sorry to hear about it. Good luck.
Seriously, sorry to hear about it. Good luck.
hk T100- you are facing the same situation that many of us who own Triumphs face. Look at the Dealers section here at RAT and you will see that just because you have a dealer nearby, it doesn't mean you'll have good service. Triumph's parts distribution can be trying sometimes, but it is only as good as the dealer. There are so many HD dealers here in the states that you can't go one county without seeing one. All of them have "service" departments. Like Triumph, it is not a guarantee that your bike will be taken care of the way you expect. I do not like to do things myself, other than very simple maintenance and upgrades. Luckily, I have a dealer with superior service personnel for the valve timing and engine work (which this bike should never need). The new 883's are fuel injected, belt driven bikes with mid-40hp and torque. If you have a carbureted bike, you can do your own muffler upgrades much easier than fuel injected. You will need to have it reprogrammed by a dealer, and that is really no guarantee it'll be right. Belt drive vs. chain is a wash to me. It is so easy to maintain a chain on this bike it is not an issue. The HD is a vibration machine, that will be good for comuting for about a hour at a time. The Bonnie is superior in all mechanical aspects. KEEP IT!
You bought your T100 at the only Triumph dealership in all of China! It is the only one between Japan and Thailand. That said, one dealership in Hong Kong should be acceptable. The T100 is a great bike and should be able to climb the various peaks around Hong Kong.
If you get the 883, which is another great bike, you will have marginally more service locations in Hong Kong. But, there is only one official H-D dealership in China (a boutique store and fledging new dealership in Beijing), and one in all of South Korea. Singapore has 2 or 3, and Japan has many. Thailand has some, but not many. So the bottom line is you will be nearly as removed from H-D support as you feel you are from Triumph dealer support.
[ This message was edited by: Scrambler900 on 2007-02-14 22:28 ]
If you get the 883, which is another great bike, you will have marginally more service locations in Hong Kong. But, there is only one official H-D dealership in China (a boutique store and fledging new dealership in Beijing), and one in all of South Korea. Singapore has 2 or 3, and Japan has many. Thailand has some, but not many. So the bottom line is you will be nearly as removed from H-D support as you feel you are from Triumph dealer support.
[ This message was edited by: Scrambler900 on 2007-02-14 22:28 ]
I understand your problem, but it seems that the Harley is hardly a solution. If service and maintenance by the dealer, parts availability, etc. are truly the issues then why, living in asia, would you not buy a good Japanese bike?
Otherwise, stick with the Bonnie which is at least as reliable as any Sporty and is a far better urban/suburban commuter.
Monte
Otherwise, stick with the Bonnie which is at least as reliable as any Sporty and is a far better urban/suburban commuter.
Monte
Hmmmmm ..... makes sense to me. Considering the issues, a bike from one of the Japanese Big Four (Kaw, Honda, Suz, Yam) would make sense. And if you're riding in heavy traffic like I experienced for one short week in Singapore, maybe something smaller than the Bonneville. Ya gotta match the bike with your riding situation.
Bob
On 2007-02-14 22:53, mecscc wrote:
I understand your problem, but it seems that the Harley is hardly a solution. If service and maintenance by the dealer, parts availability, etc. are truly the issues then why, living in asia, would you not buy a good Japanese bike?
Otherwise, stick with the Bonnie which is at least as reliable as any Sporty and is a far better urban/suburban commuter.
Monte
Thanks for the advice.
I ride in mild traffic and used to have a GSX1100, VX805 and 1200 Sportster to ride through the traffic which I all found to be good rides. I live very close to work and use the bike for riding around in my spare time, so I want to enjoy without spending time tinkering and working to pay for spares and repairs.
Maybe I will have to go Japanese because of the availability of parts and ease of service and they plug n play.
Still love the Bonnie but maybe it would suit an enthusiast in this market.
I ride in mild traffic and used to have a GSX1100, VX805 and 1200 Sportster to ride through the traffic which I all found to be good rides. I live very close to work and use the bike for riding around in my spare time, so I want to enjoy without spending time tinkering and working to pay for spares and repairs.
Maybe I will have to go Japanese because of the availability of parts and ease of service and they plug n play.
Still love the Bonnie but maybe it would suit an enthusiast in this market.
quit whining and sell the thing already.
Do you really need us to make these decisions for you?
Do you really need us to make these decisions for you?
I agree...go buy the Sporty, sell the Triumph.On 2007-02-15 13:59, sweatmachine wrote:
quit whining and sell the thing already.
Do you really need us to make these decisions for you?
But not before you find one of those cute girls in a red dress, sit her on the Bonnie, and snap a pic for your buddies on the net! TIA, Tom
Are you sure you'd be in marriage court if you bought a second bike??
also, if you're this mechanically inept and unwilling to learn or even understand, maybe motorcycle ownership isn't the best idea for you.
Might I recommend an electric scooter?
Might I recommend an electric scooter?
G
HAHAHAHAOn 2007-02-15 20:59, sweatmachine wrote:
also, if you're this mechanically inept and unwilling to learn or even understand, maybe motorcycle ownership isn't the best idea for you.
Might I recommend an electric scooter?
+100000000000000
That might keep your wife happy also.
Thanks for the those of you with constructive and intelligent advice.
G
An equal thanks to you for your intelligent question.On 2007-02-15 22:19, hkt100 wrote:
Thanks for the those of you with constructive and intelligent advice.
Sorry to be negative towards you, but you sound like a kid at christmas who got his present and used it for an hour then got sick of it.
You should solve these issues yourself. A trumpy is a trumpy. if you dont like it, just sell it.
:kck:
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
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