[Readyt]

I'm just getting back into bikes after years. I started by looking at Triumphs, then looked at the HD's, and all other metric HD knock offs and came back to Triumph.
I'm attracted to the America or Speedmaster, but the T100 and Bonneville look faster and better handling. Then I ran into a used Thunderbird that seemed like the perfect fit.
Help!!!

Q1 Which is the better bike? I've heard that the triple is bullit proof

Q2 Whch is the quicker or faster Bike?

 

[Ballacraine]

If you are wanting grunt and soul there is no contest...

Gotta be a triple....

Nige.

 

[Sage]

Readyt,

Although you can't go wrong with any of the Triumphs, my advice is to take the 'bird and never look back!
I had to make a similar decision a few years back. I was away from motorcycles for over 30 years and itching to get back into it. I didn't reaIly want a Harley and didn't want a sport bike. I wasn't quite sure what to get and when I learned that Triumph was making Bonnevilles again I just had to have one! I had fond memories of riding my younger brother's 650 Bonneville back in the '60s. So I started looking. There was no local Triumph dealer and there were no used 'new' Bonnies to be had from the want ads. But there was this '99 T-Bird with barely 2k miles. So I got it and have never regretted it! There is of course a bit of bias coming from this forum, but the T-Bird is a great motorcycle and the triple is very smooth. Pulls like a train. I think it is more motorcycle than the Bonneville (although I do love Bonnies). Go for it.

Larry

 

[Gdsila]

Ultimately test rides (on as many as possible) will determine what you really want. that being said I own a Legend and Speed Triple and definitely favor the Triples....
However I do have friends who own a Bonnie and a Thruxton respectively (I've ridden both)and while they don't have the "grunt" down low like a triple motor does, they do have that "cornering on rails" feeling and that is definitely worth considering. It guess it all comes down to what kind of riding you do and what you want the bike to feel like at speed.
All of the bikes mentioned will need suspension upgrades if you chose to ride aggressively. And I daresay motor wise they are equally "bulletproof" But for me the Triple motor is the ultimate...
In the end the bike that fits you best and suits your riding style is the "best choice" you just have to decide which bike that is...
:razz:

 

[meanchuck]

I would suggest a triple. The triples are cheap for the awesome bike you get. Do your shopping correctly and if you feel the twin is more to your taste sell it for what you paid for it and get a twin. You get a lot of bike for what you pay, most people that have ridden mine cannot believe how little I spent on a bike that has such an incredible feel. The Thunderbird Sport is the best of the breed for classic triples but all of them are awesome bikes.

 

[jp99tbirdnm]

What they said. I'm really biased towards the T-Bird. :-D

 

[ecrabbit96]

I love the tripple. My opinion is the tripple gives you a bit of both worlds. The twin is the cruisin putt. While the tripple has the git of a sport bike. Put a tripple in a cruiser frame and you have what we refer to as a "muscle cruiser". It will meander down the road calm as a clam for hours, twist the wrist and poke the R's to it, fun fun fun. Just keep in mind you have to stay within the limitations of the bike. It rides and handles nicely but wont hold the power it has like a true sport bike. It sure is nice to know it's there when you want it though. When I get the extra funds to just burn, I will find a nice Thunderbird Sport dual disc front end and upgrade my Adventurer with it. I must say if I had the cash I would buy a Thruxton for nimble fun, and a scrambler for riding the highway to the mountains.

 

[Levenvale]

If a Thunderbird is a 'perfect fit' - go for it. You will never regret it.

 

[Ballacraine]

On 2007-01-01 14:55, ecrabbit96 wrote:
When I get the extra funds to just burn, I will find a nice Thunderbird Sport dual disc front end and upgrade my Adventurer with it.

A highly recommended upgrade. If you need to know the 'in's and 'out's of it give me a holler

Nige.

 

[Readyt]

thanks
That helps alot!

 

[Kem770]

I'd get another triple in a heartbeat. I love all the Triumphs, but a twin seems like the triple's little brother. The heart and soul of a triple is unmatchable. If you ask this same question on the twin talk forum, you'll probably get totally different answers. The bottom line is, you can't go wrong no matter which Triumph you choose because all the models are quality machines that dare to be different. Can Harley, Kawasaki, Honda, or any other brand say the same? I think not. Happy New Year.

Kem

[ This message was edited by: Kem770 on 2007-01-02 22:00 ]

 

[highcard]

TBird...bought mine last spring...put on over 6k miles...and I'm getting it out during the winter a bit.

Great bike.

 

[entropy]

don't get me wrong the triumph twins are awesome in their own right....but man the sweet sound of a triple is something else. (that applies to all triumph triples, that's for you S3 boys.)

i haven't ridden mine all year due to a compression fracture from a fall at work but i started it yesterday, and i just couldn't get the grin off my face.

 

[BigAl8295]

Everytime I ride my Legend I love it more and more. We rode in the cold and rain yesterday for a New Year's Polar Bear Run and that bike tore up the road.

I've test ridden a bunch of bikes, but nothing beats the sound and feel of that triple.

 

[Rincewind]

I have test ridden the Bonnie and the Scrambler, and didn't feel a need to trade in my Tbird on either one.

It's not like any of these bikes are that fast, but to me my liquid-cooled Tbird feels more powerful and lively than the Bonnie twins I rode. Plus I prefer the sound of the triple, which is more musical and growling, than the Bonnie twins, which to me sound more like annoying jackhammers.

The Bonnies have the more vintage look, and are slightly less weight and width, but those are their only advantages in my estimation.

 

[denny]

In May of this year we had the demo truck in town. I was there leading demo rides. I rode a Bonneville black for most of the time. I also rode a Scrambler and a T-100. They are nice bikes, especially for around town because they feel so light. I still have my TBirds so the Bonnie's just didn't quite do it for me for the type of riding I do the most. I'd prefer a 675 based standard over the Bonneville any day.

 

[Woody1911a1]

WOOOHOOO , just got approved for my loan for

thats an image i got off here in pics but the only dif is the panniers are the triumph fabric ones.

was gonna wait till i got it home to introduse myself here but waaaaay to psyched !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bobsyouruncle]

Upon returning to bikes after too many years, I tested a Bonnie briefly, and while it was light and slim, it just didn't have quite enough power for my liking. The TBS I bought has been a great success. It's the coolest looking bike in town, and I hope it lasts forever

 

[Tommybro]

I really had a "triple appreciation check" that last few days. I was riding with my brother and another guy the other day. My brother just bought a used 2000 HD 883 Sportster (he also has a 2002 Bonnie T100). This other friend of ours has a 2005 Honda Sabre 1100. We all swapped rides during the day. Of all the bikes mentioned the Legend was by far the most fun bike to ride. The HD was fun but I couldn't ride it for any distance. The Honda was smooth but didn't have any soul kinda sterile.

 

[Kem770]

On 2007-01-02 21:15, bobsyouruncle wrote:
Upon returning to bikes after too many years, I tested a Bonnie briefly, and while it was light and slim, it just didn't have quite enough power for my liking. The TBS I bought has been a great success. It's the coolest looking bike in town, and I hope it lasts forever

You're correct on the coolest. My TBS is the coolest looking bike in Sioux City. I hope I can ride it forever.

Kem