Triumph Bonnie - opinions please.

[mossy1200]

Food for thought with all this discussion about Bonnies. I was thinking of easing back on hyper velocities in maybe a year, selling the 'bird and getting a Monster or a Street Triple. However, after seeing these discussions and looking at on-line brochures, a Thruxton could be a serious consideration. I grew up on Triumphs and going full circle (minus the oil leaks) could be a good thing to do.

Its funny.i went sp1,blackbird,zx12r,bmwr1200s then bonny and i finding the bonny as fun as any of the prior bikes to ride.it just feels great to ride at licence safe speeds with character to burn.

[Blackbird]

Its funny.i went sp1,blackbird,zx12r,bmwr1200s then bonny and i finding the bonny as fun as any of the prior bikes to ride.it just feels great to ride at licence safe speeds with character to burn.

I love my wife's MazdaSpeed MX5 for the same reason - great fun at semi-legal speeds. Have had the 'bird for 8 years, done nearly all the twattish things it's possible to do on something like that and am quite comfortable to ease up now. I'd actually like to have a lengthy retirement now I've reached that age

[laRIKin]

The stock rear shocks are not flash for two up but thats easy fix.
I got long arms so the bars were replaced to increase passanger room by moving me forward instead of leaning back.Had for over a year now and wife loves the back.Maybe King queen seat before we go on holiday as the seats hardish.

Not sure if they had after market shocks.
Will have to look harder next time.

Food for thought with all this discussion about Bonnies. I was thinking of easing back on hyper velocities in maybe a year, selling the 'bird and getting a Monster or a Street Triple. However, after seeing these discussions and looking at on-line brochures, a Thruxton could be a serious consideration. I grew up on Triumphs and going full circle (minus the oil leaks) could be a good thing to do.

Its funny.i went sp1,blackbird,zx12r,bmwr1200s then bonny and i finding the bonny as fun as any of the prior bikes to ride.it just feels great to ride at licence safe speeds with character to burn.

Similar to me, after years on old Guzzi's then a newer one, a Daytona 955i and then a new Sprint.
I found the America is a giggle to ride.
Rode a Bonnie and like it, it cornered a lot better but thought I would like to try a Cruiser, so bought the America.

[shrub]

obviously I'd like you to buy a Bonnie because it would be me selling it, but it's more important that you wake up on a Saturday morning, open your shed and go "F#@k yeah, that's my bike, and I'm about to ride it!". In many ways comparing a Harley like yours with a Bonnie is like comparing a Jap sports 600 with a BMW adventure bike - they're completely different and do things in a very different way.

I haven't ridden many Harleys, so I won't voice an opinion on them because I'm just not qualified to do so, but I have ridden a lot of Trumpies. The Bonnie is a nimble, agile bike, and a lot of fun to play in the hills with, but it's also a really nice bike just to cruise along and cover big ks on. It's not a big bore cruiser and doesn't pretend to be - in the same way a Harley doesn't pretend to be a sports bike. To compare a bike with your Harley you'd really need to look at either a Rocket Touring or a new Thunderbird, but Rick's America is probably the best compromise. For around $17k you can get a brand new America or Speedmaster that will give Sportsters a good run for their money, but they're lighter and smaller than a Sportster, also you're talking a bike that was designed from scratch in 2000 whereas the Sportster has been around a while.

Good luck Rosie, and if you want to take the Bonnie for a spin on a fine day, come in and grab it. Whatever you decide, make sure you choose the bike that makes you grin the most. I can't imagine owning anything other than my Thunderbird, and every time I look at it or ride it I get a big arse grin and realise that I have found true love. Take your time and ride our bikes as much as you want. I won't mind if you end up buying a Harley as long as you look me in the eye and say "this is it, this is MY bike and I love it".

D

[rok-the-boat]

Keep your bike - they just get better with age.

[rosie631]

Keep your bike - they just get better with age.

I agree with you there. Unfortunately I binned my old girl and she has been written off. Otherwise I wouldn't even have been looking at anything else.

[rosie631]

obviously I'd like you to buy a Bonnie because it would be me selling it, but it's more important that you wake up on a Saturday morning, open your shed and go "F#@k yeah, that's my bike, and I'm about to ride it!". In many ways comparing a Harley like yours with a Bonnie is like comparing a Jap sports 600 with a BMW adventure bike - they're completely different and do things in a very different way.

I haven't ridden many Harleys, so I won't voice an opinion on them because I'm just not qualified to do so, but I have ridden a lot of Trumpies. The Bonnie is a nimble, agile bike, and a lot of fun to play in the hills with, but it's also a really nice bike just to cruise along and cover big ks on. It's not a big bore cruiser and doesn't pretend to be - in the same way a Harley doesn't pretend to be a sports bike. To compare a bike with your Harley you'd really need to look at either a Rocket Touring or a new Thunderbird, but Rick's America is probably the best compromise. For around $17k you can get a brand new America or Speedmaster that will give Sportsters a good run for their money, but they're lighter and smaller than a Sportster, also you're talking a bike that was designed from scratch in 2000 whereas the Sportster has been around a while.

Good luck Rosie, and if you want to take the Bonnie for a spin on a fine day, come in and grab it. Whatever you decide, make sure you choose the bike that makes you grin the most. I can't imagine owning anything other than my Thunderbird, and every time I look at it or ride it I get a big arse grin and realise that I have found true love. Take your time and ride our bikes as much as you want. I won't mind if you end up buying a Harley as long as you look me in the eye and say "this is it, this is MY bike and I love it".

D

I enjoyed riding the bonnie. Certainly very nimble and easy to handle. But have come to the conclusion that I am a Harley girl at heart. That is what I've always ridden and probably what I always will. Was awesome to have a chance to test ride something different tho. Thanks for that.
Have sealed the deal on the new bike but STILL waiting for insurance. Picking her up when I get insurance payout and will be posting pics then.