Triumph Bonnie - opinions please.

[rosie631]

Hi all. I may soon be in the market for a new bike. Not through choice but shit happens.
Anyway, my current bike is/was a 95 customised Superglide with a 1450cc S&S motor, screaming eagle air cleaner, drag pipes. And I LOVE her.
In an ideal world I would probably get a similar bike but newer. So basically I am trying to choose between another older Harley or a new Trumpy. I have always loved the Bonnies but I have never ridden anything other than Harley so will have to take one for a test ride obviously.
Anyway, the thing I want advice about is if I go from the harley to the Bonnie. How much will I notice the loss of size and power?? The salesman assures me the Bonnie will sit on 120 all day but in reality the motor is half the size I have now. I'm not looking to break any land speed records but I intend to do some BIG rides over summer and just wondering if the bonnie will be up to it and will it keep pace with the bigger bikes?
All opinions appreciated.

[Molly]

I've owned a couple of Hinckley Bonnies and Harleys so feel qualified to comment.

The Bonnies were fine mechanically. No problems at all. However, to me they felt 'insubstantial' after riding a Harley. The switchgear, for example, seems flimsy and is cheap looking, finish on the frame isn't as good as a H-D (not even close) and I had problems with corrosion creeping up behind the engine lacquer (covered under warranty). The air injection will need to be removed but that's easy enough. Finally, the clincher for me now, new Bonnies for our market are assembled in Thailand not the UK. Maybe that won't bother you but it did me.

Have to say the local Triumph dealer is great to deal with. Phil's improved the dealership immeasurably and he's a genuinely good bloke. Happy hunting.

[Scouse]

Wait until the new Triumph Thunderbird comes out then make your decision they are due out in July - August
http://www.triumph.co.uk/uk/ThunderbirdHome.aspx

[tri boy]

If you compare a standard Bonnie to a S+S big block, then you'll be disappointed.
Bonnies are a totally different bike. More flickable, more friendly, but learn to ride them in a spirited way, and many bikes will be in your rear view. (Like the two Guzzies that tried it on with the scrambler).
test and decide. MHO

[Big Dave]

>>How much will I notice the loss of size and power??<<

Metaphorically speaking: You can ride the S&S & I'll ride a stock Bonneville SE and I'll still school you around the Port Hills. A drag race to Ashburton a different story.

[Big Dave]

If you are comparing fit & finish - Road King to Bonneville you should also make allowance that Bonne costs around 50% less.

I haven't checked - what are we talking - $14k V $28k ?

[rosie631]

In my case would be 14k v 18k. If I go for another superglide it will be an older one like I had. But if I get a Bonnie would be new. That is the other thing I need to factor in.

[Molly]

Y'know, $22k gets you a brand new Dyna. Just a thought.

What's up with the S&S Harley by the way? Sounds to me like a fine bloody bike!

Take the point about fit and finish versus price but was actually thinking about my wife's Sportster and my Scrambler. Side by side the Bonnie was just disappointingly finished. Still like them though and she's keen for me to find an early one to do-up in an old, classic style - if y'know what I mean.

[rosie631]

Y'know, $22k gets you a brand new Dyna. Just a thought.

What's up with the S&S Harley by the way? Sounds to me like a fine bloody bike!

She is an awesome bike. But I had a bin at the weekend and I'm just waiting to hear back from insurance. The bike shop has checked her over and pretty much told me not to be surprised if she is written off. If that happens I will be gutted. Have been trying to console myself by dreaming about possible replacements.

[Headbanger]

She is an awesome bike. But I had a bin at the weekend and I'm just waiting to hear back from insurance. The bike shop has checked her over and pretty much told me not to be surprised if she is written off. If that happens I will be gutted. Have been trying to console myself by dreaming about possible replacements.

Bummer....

[SDU]

I am thinking off going from my V11Sport to the new thruxton- sure after a test ride to Kaikoura & back I realised I'll miss the guzzi lurch to the left & the power a little on hte straights but I won't miss the clunky gear box & the heavy weight of moving the ole gal around, but the Thruxton was so flickable, & was faster to throw around the hills & never I missed the power thing at all there. Was still easy to overtake the cars on the straights & able to sit at a comfy fast pace (not telling) no problem. The new fuel injected bonnies will probably be not too different. Heard after market pipes will make a difference.
The boys will look after you if you wanna test ride one- (maybe we can borrow demos off bothe & swap so you can see )

[mossy1200]

I purchaced new bonnie last year after riding big sports bikes and love the bonnie.I added cr race carbs and did some mods but with the price of the bonnie had change to do mthe mods.Power is quite good and fun to ride and handles good with sports suspension added.Not sure how hard to mod the 09 fuel injected model.More fun to ride at moderate pace than a big sports bike that wants to travel 150plus.

[YellowDog]

Hey Rosie, sorry to hear about your bin. Glad you are not hurt enough to not get another bike. I don't know the price however i sat on a Bonnie SE the other day. Very nice quality finnishing and comfort. You should plant yourself on one and see if you like the feel.

Moving from an HD riding position to a more conventional Bonnie will take a bit of adjustment. You'll find the Bonnie a great deal more nimble and easy to ride around corners. The one I rode a couple of years back before I bought my Tiger seemed to rocket to 150kph very easily, so I am not sure of the relevance of the 120Kph thing. I didn't sit at 150Kph for long however top end power didn't seem to be an issue.

Enjoy the test ride and I would be very interested to hear your feedback.

[mossy1200]

Hey Rosie, sorry to hear about your bin. Glad you are not hurt enough to not get another bike. I don't know the price however i sat on a Bonnie SE the other day. Very nice quality finnishing and comfort. You should plant yourself on one and see if you like the feel.

Moving from an HD riding position to a more conventional Bonnie will take a bit of adjustment. You'll find the Bonnie a great deal more nimble and easy to ride around corners. The one I rode a couple of years back before I bought my Tiger seemed to rocket to 150kph very easily, so I am not sure of the relevance of the 120Kph thing. I didn't sit at 150Kph for long however top end power didn't seem to be an issue.

Enjoy the test ride and I would be very interested to hear your feedback.

I ran mine in quarter miles at carterton at 197kmph in flying average speed with cr carbs and one tooth higher on front sproket so they can go quickish.Ran out of rpm before power.well into redline.

[Big Dave]

That's because the Tiger has arguable the best engine slung in a road-going motorcycle so far.

The 120kph is relevant because there are a number of bikes on the market where that is the speed that they start to get 'interesting' - and they are kinda boggy below it.

Subsequently they are not good road bikes in the current circumstances.