Classic bike question

[5150]

Just wanted to clear up a confusion.

If one buys a brand new 2012/13 Triumph Bonneville. Can the bike be entered in classic bike events? Racing, runs, rallies, shows etc? Or does it have to be at least "x" number of years old to be considered for these type of events.

[Sable]

The current production Bonneville has nothing in common with the old ones apart from a vague aesthetic resemblance. So, no.

[ellipsis]

...in about 20 years...

[Paul in NZ]

No you can't but usually the classic club guys are very accommodating and if you want to trundle along for a ride with them they won't usually get all antsy about it... However - you can't race it as a classic and why enter it into a classic bike show when it isnt a classic bike? That would be considered very rude and insulting to people that have made a genuine commitment to run a classic bike.

Rallies and runs etc are different - turn up on anything really ....

Most 'events' that have a competitive nature will have classes with guidelines. ie 'pre war'. pre 1960 etc....

[5150]

No you can't but usually the classic club guys are very accommodating and if you want to trundle along for a ride with them they won't usually get all antsy about it

If they did, I just bump down a gear and leave them all in a cloud of dust

[ellipsis]

...i'd say your new 'bonne' would have to work hard to stick with a lot of the classics we run...

[5150]

...i'd say your new 'bonne' would have to work hard to stick with a lot of the classics we run...

I beleive it probably would.

[Paul in NZ]

If they did, I just bump down a gear and leave them all in a cloud of dust

Only if you were going the other way....

[5150]

Only if you were going the other way....

How the hell did you know what I was thinking?

[Paul in NZ]

How the hell did you know what I was thinking?

Lets just say the last two 'new' bonnie owners that came out for a fang ended up trading them in on a new Thunderbird and a Daytona....

[HenryDorsetCase]

Lets just say the last two 'new' bonnie owners that came out for a fang ended up trading them in on a new Thunderbird and a Daytona....

not surprising. I think a new Bonnie has about the same power as say a T120 (Paul will know) but its easily 50kg heavier.

[5150]

I didn't obviously buy my new Bonnie purely for speed. I loved Bonnevilles ever since I was a young kid and my dad took me to see "Great Escape" I bought it cause I like the look and the feel. If I wanted to whip your arses I would have kept my 675 Daytona. This one I am planning to keep and hand it down to my kids. I will get another sportier tourer in a very near future. Maybe even a dual purpose bike for the adv rides. Bonnie has a special place in my heart. speed or not

[Paul in NZ]

I think it pretty well comes down to size, weight and steering geometry... The new ones can be made to go a bit quicker though.

A really good T120 whips along pretty good and our 70 TR6C slays most of the new twins in the twisties mainly cos its so nimble and balanced. You really can chuck it ear to ear with no drama, they are a beautifully balanced neutral steering motorcycle. Park it next to a new one and it looks like a 250 and its hard to remember that these things were the king of the road once...

However if I had to ride to Auckland the new ones really come into their own. You always feel like one of the old 650's is about to explode between your legs at 100kph.... You certainly ride with one hand over the clutch (mainly to stop it rattling) and you feel a bit intimidated on the motorways these days.

I wish triumph would have built a light weight twin and stuck it in a light chassis...

Having said that the new ones sell like hot cakes and are greatly loved by their owners. I'd have a scrambler or a Thruxton in a flash... Both if I win Lotto and if there is room next to the Manx, Triton, Norvin, Brough Superior, the Black Shadow and Gold Star.... Cough.....

[5150]

I think it pretty well comes down to size, weight and steering geometry... The new ones can be made to go a bit quicker though.

A really good T120 whips along pretty good and our 70 TR6C slays most of the new twins in the twisties mainly cos its so nimble and balanced. You really can chuck it ear to ear with no drama, they are a beautifully balanced neutral steering motorcycle. Park it next to a new one and it looks like a 250 and its hard to remember that these things were the king of the road once...

However if I had to ride to Auckland the new ones really come into their own. You always feel like one of the old 650's is about to explode between your legs at 100kph.... You certainly ride with one hand over the clutch (mainly to stop it rattling) and you feel a bit intimidated on the motorways these days.

I wish triumph would have built a light weight twin and stuck it in a light chassis...

Having said that the new ones sell like hot cakes and are greatly loved by their owners. I'd have a scrambler or a Thruxton in a flash... Both if I win Lotto and if there is room next to the Manx, Triton, Norvin, Brough Superior, the Black Shadow and Gold Star.... Cough.....

Ahh, yesss. TR6. Would love to get one of them. As for Thruxton. I love the look of a cafe racer, but my heart still lies with the Bonnie

[Voltaire]

...i'd say your new 'bonne' would have to work hard to stick with a lot of the classics we run...

What the Bonnie loses in weight and power it makes up for in not having to carry parts and tools and you can run one hard all day....