Best Bonnie ever?

[Big Dave]

I'm sorry but using insults like 'stick in the mud' isn't a proper argument either. Especially when the one making them actually recieves payment to help market the new Triumphs and thus has a vested interest - it is a good tactic but I'm not buying it.

Nah - I haven't been paid by Triumph for anything for more than 5 years. Just an owner and enthusiast.

They make bikes available - but I'm under no obligation.

Most of the world is over the 'new ones are uncool' 'tude and see the bikes as what they are - stylish modern machines.

The old ones may be cooler to some. I'd like one as a curio.

But as a former Meriden and current Hinckley owner - there is no comparison in which vehicle I enjoy the most overall - and it's the new ones by a country mile because of the reliability and overall just get on it and go rideabilty.

But then I dislike working on motorcycles mechanically - a lot. Waste of riding or leisure time.

As far as collecting for investment or financial gain. I'd prefer a Picasso and a Matisse.

PS - normally people who question my integrity get a 2 word answer. Respec. :-)

[Voltaire]

But then I dislike working on motorcycles mechanically - a lot. Waste of riding or leisure time.

)

I prefer working on old motorcycles than going to work to pay off new ones.
But being paid to ride bikes.....how cool would that be!!!!
How about a poll?
classic vs retro?

[Big Dave]

>>Dave, there's one area where Meridan Bonnie beats Hinckley Bonnie hands down. And that's future value.<<

Current value on some - and you can still buy an old dunger for what $14k?

I suspect in 50 years my original Hinckley T'bird will have some collectible and curio value too.

[Big Dave]

I prefer working on old motorcycles than going to work to pay off new ones.

There is a best ever poll on the OP page. I voted SE.

Part of the reason I bought my Buell is there is nothing to do to it between services. Not even a chain to adjust, no bright parts to clean.

I'm keen to follow up on taking them to the track.
Bonne v Bonne, Trident V Trident and Daytona V Daytona. (insert maniacal laugh here)

[Motu]

I suspect in 50 years my original Hinckley T'bird will have some collectible and curio value too.

That's a pity....I was hoping to pick up a cheap one in a few years time.

[Motu]

Part of the reason I bought my Buell is there is nothing to do to it between services. Not even a chain to adjust, no bright parts to clean.

Part of the reason I bought the BMW is there are plenty of things to play around with,and most are easy to get at.I love working on my bikes....it's a large part of owning them for me.

[Big Dave]

Still near the bottom of the curve for standard T'birds - but I see Thunderbird Sports are starting to attract better prices as they become a 'rarer' very good bike.

Part of the reason I bought the BMW is there are plenty of things to play around with,and most are easy to get at.I love working on my bikes....it's a large part of owning them for me.

Used my lifetime's supply of elbow grease in keeping the T'bird pristine for 10 years. Now I'd rather playstation motorbike games.

[Big Dave]

And all that said - I would like a really wild Meriden Chopper one day.

[AllanB]

And all that said - I would like a really wild Meriden Chopper one day.

On my list of 'things to do before I die' is to build a Triumph bobber. As a styling exercise I prefer them to the HD styled V-twin chops.

IMO Triumph is missing a market not producing a stripped down bobber style bonnie - Triumphs response to the Nightster basically.

Feel free to put my name forward to help them with a prototype Dave

But then Triumph has been very savvy with their model releases and they possibly have it all sorted for a later release...

[Paul in NZ]

PS - normally people who question my integrity get a 2 word answer. Respec. :-)

Sorry if I came over snarky - it was a badly worded post and unworthy of your contributions here. In my defence, I was in a hurry to go ride the Trophy down to get a wof (and yes - got my ear bent at the gas station with a 'my dad had one of those, couldn't believe my eyes etc when you rode up' etc etc). Yes - it was freezing and it rained but the bike went like a goodun and I came back with rosey cheeks and a swell in me trousers.

I would not question you integrity, quite the opposite but I would place your position into context just as my ownership of an old triumph puts my opinion into context and colours my opinions. We all see life through our own lens and our lived life experience colours that view. People who have had a horrid time with a T140 are unlikely to ever believe that an old Triumph can be a good bike.

As a student of Triumph history you might find Jim Scaysbrooks article in the aussie mag 'Old Bike' of interest. (He does not even consider a T140 a proper bonnie)... Pokes a bit of borax at the Tangerine Dream bikes too...

Dave - I LOVE triumphs... I have several old movies etc on DVD and have done a fair few movie evenings for TOMCC folks and classic clubs all with a triumph feature someplace in there. I find it sad that the attitude of the new Triumph dealers just leaves me cold though. I've offered to run a big screen or projector in their store (free) featuring triumph footage for a new model release or an owners evening, offered to lend the TR6C (free) as a prop for display of the new scrambler and at BEST the dealers have been dismissive and often plain rude..... In one case, VERY rude.... Its not just the owners of old bikes that have an issue and maybe you can see that my lived life experience colours my view....

Then again, perhaps they are scared to put the older bike alongside the newer in case of unfavourable comparison....

[Paul in NZ]

And all that said - I would like a really wild Meriden Chopper one day.

Have you seen Ewan McGreggors one? It's based on a bike featured in a classic bike mag - it looks bloody good and it's actually rideable...

The new Thunderbird engine has been cleaned up around the exhaust ports and could be used but unfortunately the massive radiator is not going to help with the lean and light 'bobber' look...

[Big Dave]

I was just riding home from a job and thought the answer I should have given was: "I might be arguing on my spare time'.

Just banter this end. I don't atchally give a toss - think they are all cool - it's just entartainment really- and professional interest in traffic to my web site - guilty.

[Paul in NZ]

I was just riding home from a job and thought the answer I should have given was: "I might be arguing on my spare time'.

Just banter this end. I don't atchally give a toss - think they are all cool - it's just entartainment really- and professional interest in traffic to my web site - guilty.

Hmm - so - what would professional argument cost me?

[Big Dave]

Add something here and I'll tell you again.

http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.co...years-ago.html

[popelli]

Still near the bottom of the curve for standard T'birds - but I see Thunderbird Sports are starting to attract better prices as they become a 'rarer' very good bike.

A friend of mine has bought one, beautiful bike but he has yet to tell his wife that he spend the money put aside for bay windows on it