Triumph or Kawasaki?

[avgas]

New Norton commando - makes the others look like big girls blouses.

[blackdog]

so few of the kwakas in the country, i would be interested what getting parts for one would be like

maybe also factor in which will depreciate most and will be easier to sell in 3 years time.

easily the bonnie for me every time

[Fatt Max]

Personally I would go for the Triumph myself. I love 'em....

[Big Dave]

Factor in the shit service from the distributor

Triumph is not Aprilia. The distributor gets better factory support.

[eliot-ness]

Just how many "experts" on Bonneville actually owned one in the 1960s, and are not re-telling the same old bull shit from someone who once new someone who told them how bad they were: Very few I would think after reading some of the posts I read whenever Triumph are mentioned. I bought my first Bonnie in 1959, and followed that with four more up to 1970. None were unreliable, the biggest problem with all the English bikes was that they were too easy to work on, anyone could, with a few spanners and little knowledge, do a decoke and new rings in a weekend, and so did, whether they needed it or not, Buying a second hand bike in those days was like playing russsian roulette, you never knew what you were getting.
Now, after three more Bonnies from 04 to 2011 I can finally say that they have not only produced one that looks, and goes, the way it should, but with the 17"wheels, fuel injection, a slight weight loss, they are better than ever.
Anyone wanting to get one should go for the small wheel, injected model, the basic one is about $13,000 brand new so it might be possible to get a two year old one for less than $10,000.
The spoked ones, with the 19" front wheel, also very reliable, are a bit heavier, and a fraction higher, but still the lowest seat height for a traditional bike.
I won't comment on the Kawasaki, I've never owned one, but all those I've met have been happy with them on all counts, and if they are bringing out an 800cc then it'll be a good one.
Holeshot have my 05 bike for sale, almost as new, ultra low milage. Jamie knows it's history, go and check it out if you're interested.

[Gubb]

...if you need to ask.

[Big Dave]

I had a 1976 Bonne. It wasn't very reliable, but was better than my 885 Thunderbird, well, its failures were less 'catastrophic' in the engineering sense of the word.

The factory fire and the 955i engine are where T really turned it around for mine.

[HenryDorsetCase]

.....mmmmm yes I see your valid point, though I would go back to Triumph tomorrow if I didnt love my Honda so much, but thats a whole nother story....

Might have to show Anne a W650 or two.
She loves the Bonnies.

Those A1's are great if she is a bit short: 17 inch wheels and low seat height. Great looking bike too, IMO: I'd have one over a standard Bonnie or T100, and they're cheaper. Less ground clearance, sure, but probably still more than a HD sportster.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Just how many "experts" on Bonneville actually owned one in the 1960s, and are not re-telling the same old bull shit from someone who once new someone who told them how bad they were: Very few I would think after reading some of the posts I read whenever Triumph are mentioned. I bought my first Bonnie in 1959, and followed that with four more up to 1970. None were unreliable, the biggest problem with all the English bikes was that they were too easy to work on, anyone could, with a few spanners and little knowledge, do a decoke and new rings in a weekend, and so did, whether they needed it or not, Buying a second hand bike in those days was like playing russsian roulette, you never knew what you were getting.
Now, after three more Bonnies from 04 to 2011 I can finally say that they have not only produced one that looks, and goes, the way it should, but with the 17"wheels, fuel injection, a slight weight loss, they are better than ever.
Anyone wanting to get one should go for the small wheel, injected model, the basic one is about $13,000 brand new so it might be possible to get a two year old one for less than $10,000.
The spoked ones, with the 19" front wheel, also very reliable, are a bit heavier, and a fraction higher, but still the lowest seat height for a traditional bike.
I won't comment on the Kawasaki, I've never owned one, but all those I've met have been happy with them on all counts, and if they are bringing out an 800cc then it'll be a good one.
Holeshot have my 05 bike for sale, almost as new, ultra low milage. Jamie knows it's history, go and check it out if you're interested.

what you said. (I read your post after I posted).

[Big Dave]

Those A1's are great if she is a bit short: 17 inch wheels and low seat height. Great looking bike too, IMO: I'd have one over a standard Bonnie or T100, and they're cheaper. Less ground clearance, sure, but probably still more than a HD sportster.

Depends which sportster. There's a squillion these days. XR1200X, probably not, but that Harley has 30 more ponies.

883 Iron - probably - makes less power too.

I'd love a Scrambler.

Almost 2 million - http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141616

I'll rack up a million watched on You Tube over the weekend too.

[HenryDorsetCase]

New Norton commando - makes the others look like big girls blouses.

bring money. a lot of money. I reckon you would buy three brand new Bonnies for the price of one new Commando.

Still, if my Lotto based retirement plan works out, its on the agenda: fly to the UK, buy, ride, ship back.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Depends which sportster. There's a squillion these days. XR1200X, probably not, but that Harley has 30 more ponies.

883 Iron - probably - makes less power too.

Oh, sure. My H-D riding experience is entirely due to one demo ride on a XL1200 "48". which I really loved. But couldnt live with.

Next option is an XL1200N, then XR1200. Left field option: Buell XB12.

Why have I not got enough money for one of each?

[HenryDorsetCase]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-353198368.htm


this looks immaculate and reasonable money.

[Maha]

..and on a completely different note, we were at WMC talking to Pete a few years ago (maybe 4?) and on the floor was this cool Buell that had been lowered and fitted Anne it very well...possibly this one...
Turns out it is the same one!
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=353077546

[Grubber]

Whaaaaaaat!

The Bonnie is the worst retro I've ever seen. It's HUUUGE compared to the original Bonnie and those pipes with that kink are just wrong.

The W650 isn't "retro" in the true sense of the word it's vastly more authentic and almost a faithful copy of the BSA Meguro license built in Japan in the '60s.

Factor in the shit service from the distributor and the W650 wins hands down. You'll get a better parts supply from Kawasaki NZ than you will from Triumph.

Never had any problems getting bits from Triumph at all. After market or original. The Kwaka is a remake of the early 70's. Spitting image of an old school triumph. The bonnie is just a later model of previous models. Goes well for it's style and size.
Each to their own at the end of the day.