2009 Bonneville SE

[Indiana_Jones]

Who has seen one of these 'in the flesh' or ridden one?


due to emission loaws they've had to make the bikes fuel injected now, that's cool, but I don't like the way they're gone with the wheels, kinda kills the bike.

just reminds me of CB750s etc

-Indy

[YellowDog]

I was never a fan of the revamped 'Bonnie'.

I have seen these new units down at AMPS and I must say they do look pretty classy.

[AllanB]

EFI is all good - they gained some valuable hp out of that

The SE at first looks ... different .... probably due to the front wheel being visibly smaller than the 19 incher and the bike looking overall lower.
Nothing wrong just takes a look or two to get used to it.
A very nice unit, and classy is a good description of the bike.

However I do not like the spoke design - it pays homage to the last of the 'old' bonnies (early 80's) as it's a copy of their cast wheels - just looks wrong to me. I'd whip them off and paint them completely black or a nice metallic gunmetal grey.

By all accounts with what I have read the SE is the 'best' new bonnie yet.

Big Dave wrote a glowing review.

[Owl]

I hope to have one parked next to the Speed Triple by the end of the year. I won't actually own it, but the Mrs plans to buy one after she gets her full licence. I'm not complaining!

[mossy1200]

I got the 08 carb version and then fitted cr race carbs and k&n and race pipes and they develop more ponies than the injected version.Installed flat bars as the originals dont suit longer arms if you want room for passanger.I like the spoked wheels.Next project is the 5.5inch rear spoked wheel conversion.waiting for the price to reduce as more ally wheel versions take away the market value of spoked wide rims.$800usd ouch.

[nudemetalz]

However, I do like the 50th Anniversary model.
This pic is way cool....
(1959 model with the 2009 model)



Look how you could modify a new one to look like the old...errr..I mean classic one !!

[Indiana_Jones]

lol nice comparison

-Indy

[Motig]

Well had a look at the SE in Dunedin yesterday and I like it. Like the lower seat height as I have trouble getting the old leg over these days, might think about selling the GSX this summer and see what the bank will do. Besides the daughter likes it whereas before she thought my old Bonnie was ugly

[xwhatsit]

Look how you could modify a new one to look like the old...errr..I mean classic one !!

Bit hard to do that when the new one makes the old one looks like a three-quarters scale model. Until you get close and realise that the new one is, in fact, four-thirds overweight.

[Spyke]

the old one gets my vote

[Big Dave]

Bit hard to do that when the new one makes the old one looks like a three-quarters scale model. Until you get close and realise that the new one is, in fact, four-thirds overweight.

Rubbbbb-bish.

The new one is fitted with the equipment it needs to pass modern European emission and sound controls, as well as things that are essential to selling a bike in volume today. An electric starter, a big battery, an alternator, electricals that work, and a whole lot of stuff that wasn't compulsory on the Meriden, like reliability and no oil leaks (I have owned both), all of which IMO make the new ones more pleasant to own.

They don't have the same 'Jenny se qua' true, but unless you enjoy tinkering with them (a lot) you don't have to own a trailer either.

[pritch]

you don't have to own a trailer either.

Ahhh yes. That takes me back to my Brit bike days. Owning a van (or a trailer) was definitely desirable, if not a necessity...

[vifferman]

They don't have the same 'jene se qua' ....

That's "je ne sais quoi", Mr BigDave, Sir. (Literally "I don't know what").

[rosie631]

Who has seen one of these 'in the flesh' or ridden one?


due to emission loaws they've had to make the bikes fuel injected now, that's cool, but I don't like the way they're gone with the wheels, kinda kills the bike.

just reminds me of CB750s etc

-Indy

I'm taking one out for a test ride this weekend. But at this stage I'm looking to buy a 2008. Because I don't like the wheels on the 2009 and I don't really want fuel injection either. May change my mind after I ride it tho - who knows.

[Big Dave]

I'm taking one out for a test ride this weekend. But at this stage I'm looking to buy a 2008. Because I don't like the wheels on the 2009 and I don't really want fuel injection either. May change my mind after I ride it tho - who knows.

They 17" wheels make a bit of difference to the way it rides and the saddle height though. They do handle better. (And they are easier to keep looking nice)

Objections to fuel injection can be that they made it look like carbs and 'I can't tune it myself'. Neither of those things bother me in the slightest.

EFI performs better (they are slightly smoother), produces six times less emissions and should last longer.