[Guest]

Want to trade in my Honda Shadow Spirit 750 for something lighter and better looking. I have owned British cars for many years but not a British bike. Is it worth the money? Is it comfortable to ride, as in the do the handle bars need to be changed? I am going to make a decision in the next few weeks. I ride on Cape Cod in Massachusetts so it's back roads and around town riding, not much highway.

 

[Whitehurst]

Dude, I would change that bike for a fricking 1980 sprint scooter.

Yes, trade it in, throw it away - whatever - you will love your triumph.

 

[ThruxtonMI]

A Bonneville or Bonneville T-100 is a great all arounder. Thruxton a bit more boy racer in terms of riding position - I like it but not for everyone. I lived on the cape 10 yeras ago but didn't ride back then. Must be a fun place to ride as long as you can avoid the tourist traffic jams in the summer months.

 

[whoa]

If its trails and less improved roads, you may enjoy the Scrambler. I really like the looks of the bike and would consider it, even if all my riding were commuting or on hardtop. Even if you did have a lot of highway miles to cover, the Bonnie is still a great pick.

The Thruxton is a great deal of fun, but more so in the sweepers, twisties and 90 degree turns. So the T100 may be more to your liking, assuming your not drawn to the Scrambler.

These bikes are well built, mechanically sound and a good value.

 

[rbrian_taylor]

The handlebars issues are one of the stickier points. Depends on your measurements. I am 6'2" and have average length arms for that height and I don't find the bars to be trouble at all. If you are comparing price, the bonnie black looks like the best deal, but the rest are within 500 of each other, more or less. I love the thrux, both the look and the ride so I would recomend it over the others.

 

[OldSkoolFool]

I'm 24 and after about an hour on the Thrux I start feeling it's time for a break. I would say if you're fine with taking a brief break every 45-60min then you should have no problem with the Thrux, plus the more you ride it the more you get used to it. The Thrux is definitely worth the money (especially if you buy used) and holds it's value better than most bikes.

What kind of British cars did you own?

 

[whoa]

On 2007-02-11 00:20, OldSkoolFool wrote:
I'm 24 and after about an hour on the Thrux I start feeling it's time for a break.

If you ride with a group, ask someone to check out your riding position. My longest ride has only been around 500 miles, but my only real fatigue point that day was the knees.

 

[Tabletop]

I'd also recommend a Thruxton.
If you're just around town riding, and short rides on back roads, the riding position is perfect and may never fatigue you.

 

[setts]

It's personal - why not ride the Bonnie, Scrambler & Thruxton and compare them? Although they're all based on the same package they are very different bikes. I ride a Thruxton, am 51 years old and back to riding a bike after about a 25 year absence. At 1,8m (say 6ft) and 80kg (say 176lbs). I have no problem with the Thruxton's riding position. I need to refuel long before I feel any discomfort and then it's only my knees that need a stretch - refueling allows me to do that. Riding any sports bike requires a reasonable degree of physical fitness, and although you can't compare a Thruxton to a modern sports bike in terms of performance, it does require a similar degree of physical conditioning. Enjoy your Triumph.
BTW My wife and I have owned a Triumph TR6, TR3a and a Spitfire in recent years. My wife loved her fully restored (and modernised Spitfire - brakes, ignition, suspension gearbox and steering) and was gutted when she had to switch to a Honda FRV after the birth of our triplets!

 

[Tex-ton]

Buy a thrux tons of fun minor upkeep looks great fun to ride. On the downside you may get to much attention . :-D

 

[t-birder]

I rode my friend's bonnie and it was very comfy. I have also ridden a shadow and the position is quite a bit different, unless you get an America or something with forward controls.

My tbird came with drag bars and was very uncomfortable for my height (5' 8.5"). I went all over town for some replacements and wound up with some buells. It's better, but not perfect.

Bottom line is they CAN be changed.

I really enjoy my tbird.

 

[whoa]

On 2007-02-12 12:57, t-birder wrote:
My tbird came with

Thread hijack. Hey t-birder, have you made any of the Austin RAT meets? Your bike looks familiar, but doggone if I remember names/handles.
David

 

[t-birder]

On 2007-02-12 18:27, whoa wrote:
Thread hijack. Hey t-birder, have you made any of the Austin RAT meets? Your bike looks familiar, but doggone if I remember names/handles.
David

David,
I haven't made it out yet. I just got the bike in early Dec. 06. I don't know if the previous owner participated or not. I do know he posted on this forum a few times regarding some clutch and carb problems with the bike. It seems as though they were worked out when I bought it except it did have a light wiring issue (front blinks don't work.)

Anyways, it had drag bars on it and I have since changed the bars and added panniers and quarter fairing. So you very well may have seen it. I have only put about 500 miles on it in short rides due to the weather but I hope to get out to a ride with you all soon. I am on the yahoo mailing list for Austin Triumph owners. username is Lucian

Hope to see you soon.

 

[Timmyjoe]

On 2007-02-10 12:46, tiger57 wrote:
Is it worth the money? Is it comfortable to ride, as in the do the handle bars need to be changed? I am going to make a decision in the next few weeks. I ride on Cape Cod in Massachusetts so it's back roads and around town riding, not much highway.

I absolutely love the riding position on my Thrux. Now mind you, I used to race GP bikes and my other ride is a Ducati 748S, which I also find to be very comfortable. The great thing about the Thrux riding position is that it allows you to ride "in" the bike, and not "on" the bike, which I feel on the stock Bonnie's. Again, just my opinion. And I'm 5'11" and weight about 172 lbs and it fits me fine.

We've got some great canyon roads out here in the Cascades, and riding the Thrux on them is as much fun at 65 mph as the Duc is at 95 mph. And you don't get nearly as many tickets. :razz:

Just had the Thrux out today to run errands, and it's just a ball to ride, no question about it. I refuse to put it up for the winter. If it is not raining, and above 40º F, I take it out.

Highly recommend.
-Tim