Bonneville vs Boulevard?

[Scouse]

Go for the Triumph also when you buy you Bonnie America get an after market exhaust custom chambers make some nice sounding aftermarket pipes you see part of the apeal of the Triumph parallel twin motor is the sound but you need to buy aftermarket cans to realise this.

PS dont listen to the Stranger

[tri boy]

Personally, I would trust Suzuki quality over Triumph.

I sorta agree with you there in some ways.
As Xer mentioned, I have had a shitty run with my front wheel assy, and personally, I think the front brake feels soft and underpowered on the Bonies/Scramblers/ America's etc.
The suspension is basic, and I'm not sure what the Suzis suspenders are like. If you want to upgrade it, add an extra 2K to the price.
Just ask about warranty claims from the Trumpy boys, and watch for shifting eyes.
On the good side, the engines are a lovely lazy donk, and I think that model has the 270 degree crank, that has its owe unique feel.
Try both and get what you feel the happiest on.

[Toaster]

Both nice bikes, but at your size I would definitley be doing a good road test on both and go for the one that most feels right, looks right and gives you the bigger smile as you roll down the road.

All the best with your choice, I love bike shopping!

[Macktheknife]

The speedmaster is essentially the same bike but has dual front discs, much better option if you go for the Triumph.
My pick would have to be the Triumph from what you have said you want, but you could always get a bigger tank on the suzuki if that was your only issue with it.

[Mom]

Personally, I would trust Suzuki quality over Triumph.

You know I used to be a Suzuki gal, still am really but....there is something about the Triumph

Go for the Triumph also when you buy you Bonnie America get an after market exhaust custom chambers make some nice sounding aftermarket pipes you see part of the apeal of the Triumph parallel twin motor is the sound but you need to buy aftermarket cans to realise this.

PS dont listen to the Stranger

You are just biased!

Suzuki's rule, but....Triumphs have soul!

[Scouse]

You are just biased!

Suzuki's rule, but....Triumphs have soul!

Me? I am the most unbiased person that I know I have owned Kawasaki's, Honda's Yamaha's and Suzukis so I think that what I am is Qualfied to advise

[Mom]

Me? I am the most unbiased person that I know I have owned Kawasaki's, Honda's Yamaha's and Suzukis so I think that what I am is Qualfied to advise

Pardon me.........

[Scouse]

Me? I am the most unbiased person that I know I have owned Kawasaki's, Honda's Yamaha's and Suzukis so I think that what I am is Qualfied to advise

And the most unsanctimonious prick that I know aswell

[Bonez]

Purely on fuel range alone I'd pick the Bonnie. If its quality of build I'd pick the other one even though it's a Suzuki.................

[jafar]

Hey all,

I'd be interested to get your most excellent opinions about what you think is better out of the Suzuki Boulevard S83 and the Triumph Bonneville America.

Obviously, these comparisons are very subjective, so I'll make sure to tell you what I might be looking for specifically.

The rough specs of the two bikes (looking at 2008 models) are as follows:

Bonneville America: (website)

Price - approx $16590 new

CC rating - 865cc
Engine type - Air-cooled, DOHC, 270° parallel-twin

Dry mass - 226kg
Seat height - 720mm

Fuel tank - 19.3L

Front brakes - Single 310mm disc, 2 piston calipers
Read brakes - Single 285mm disc, 2 piston floating caliper

Boulevard S83: (website)

RRP - $13995 new

CC rating - 1360cc
Engine type - 4-stroke, air-cooled, OHC, 45° V-twin

Dry mass - 244kg
Seat height - 740mm

Fuel tank - 13.0L

Front brakes - Disc brake
Read brakes - Disc brake

I'm not the tallest guy in the world, being 166cm or 5'5", and so I don't want a bike that is going to be much too heavy or too tall for me to handle confidantly.
I enjoy the thought of having the ability to exert decent power through my bike, and this is really the main reason why the S83 is in the picture at all. It seems to have a rather large engine despite being a whole lot smaller than most of the other Boulevards.
I also like the idea of doing decent tours/road-trips on the bike, so the size of the fuel tank or the economy would end up being a factor.
Lastly, I want to be able to offer pillion rides to lady friends without it being too uncomfortable or problematic for them even over longer periods of riding.

I suppose I should add that i'm a big Triumph fan rather than a Harley fan. For me, owning a Triumph would be awesome.

Cheers!

$2,500 more for the Triumph & it is half the cc rating
Both only have single stoppers on the front to pull up a wet mass in excess of 300kg. 400kg with a pillion
Also to consider is that both Suzuki & Triumph have been having issues with warranty claims.
Suzuki were not honouring warranty claims for Chrome etc
Triumph's were for safety related issues. (triboy being the latest).

It's your hard earned money they are wanting to take , widen your search & take your time in deciding.

[scumdog]

It's your hard earned money they are wanting to take , widen your search & take your time in deciding.

And buy a Harley???

[Robbo]

Go British Buddy, you can't beat the simplicity of the parallel twin and the handling is superb. The Suzuki is a nice bike but the Triumph will always turn heads wherever you go.

[Machiavelli]

There is a Bonnie America at Street and Sport... you should go and check it out! See it in "person"

I know how this works, they pay you 5c every time you mention them, don't they?

It's like sponsored ad links, but on forums.

Go on, you can tell us

But seriously, I didn't know that. I'll pop in and check it out.

[Machiavelli]

The speedmaster is essentially the same bike but has dual front discs, much better option if you go for the Triumph.

And it has "speed" in the title so it sounds faster!

Unless the 'S' in 'S83' stands for 'speed'...

[Machiavelli]

widen your search & take your time in deciding.

Given that I'm looking for a smaller / stylish cruiser type, what would people recommend if neither of these two (or a Speedmaster, that's already part of the calculations)?

I can't say I'm too familiar with the well liked cruiser models.

I don't particularly want to go Harley. I just... find them... a tad ugly...