Triumph or Kawasaki?

**shrub** · 11th February 2011, 12:27

Originally Posted by DEATH_INC.

Kwakka, easy. Japanese reliability/ease of ownership/parts prices and availability blah blah vs a triumph, which while not like they used to be thankfully, is still a triumph.

I see. So you don't know much about modern bikes then? No worries, I don't know much about boats or buses.

Modern Triumphs are grossly over-engineered, and are at least as reliable and well made as anything from Japan, and there is no reason a modern Bonnie can't do over 100,000 kms with no major work done on it - the local Triumph dealer have yet to open a modern Bonnie engine. And they don't leak oil either.

As for parts availability, the modern Bonnie range have been one of Triumph's biggest sellers whereas the W650 is a bit of a dead end, and there aren't a lot around. That means Triumph parts are readily available, and the longest you should wait for damn near anything is 3 weeks, although a lot comes down to the parts guy you deal with. Triumph parts are bloody expensive, but the huge number of Bonnies sold over the last 10 years mean that second hand parts are reasonably easy to get, and www.vgcspares.co.nz stock pretty much everything you need at good prices.

I rode both bikes back to back a couple of years ago, and the Bonnie with 200cc bigger engine means less work for your left foot and is a bit gruntier (not a whole heap though). The Bonnie also feels bigger and more planted, but the Kwakka has a kickstarter and actually looks more like an old Brit bike. Both handle and brake well for retro bikes and while I only rode the Kwakka for 30 or 40 kms, I can imagine it would be easy to ride for extended periods. I have ridden Bonnies quite a lot, and they are very capable tourers as long as you remember that they're not quick and have a range of around 220kms before reserve.

Personally I think the Bonnie is a better bike in every way (apart from a few styling things and that kickstarter), but they're more expensive.

**ac3_snow** · 11th February 2011, 12:58

the kawaka is alrite, being a thou cheaper, slightly less kms (what's 3000 anyway) but i would still go for the triumph.
you wouldn't buy a low alcohol beer....

**avgas** · 11th February 2011, 13:15

Originally Posted by ac3_snow

the kawaka is alrite, being a thou cheaper, slightly less kms (what's 3000 anyway) but i would still go for the triumph.
you wouldn't buy a low alcohol beer....

instead of Lion Red?
Hell yes I would

**shrub** · 11th February 2011, 13:19

Originally Posted by ac3_snow

the kawaka is alrite, being a thou cheaper, slightly less kms (what's 3000 anyway) but i would still go for the triumph.
you wouldn't buy a low alcohol beer....

Originally Posted by avgas

instead of Lion Red?
Hell yes I would

Yes, I'm sure you would.

**skippa1** · 11th February 2011, 13:36

Hmmm.....a real Triumph, or one they have tried to make look like a Triumph? You really have to ask?

**YellowDog** · 11th February 2011, 13:55

The main thing going for the Bonnie IMO is the fact that there are lots of parts and options available. You can easily change it from an ordinary retro look bike to something quite special. If anyone's ridden the SE with uprated dampers, it really has become a retro looking bike that can compete favourably with its modern peers.

There is also so much free info available via the RAT network.

Good luck.

**davebullet** · 11th February 2011, 14:11

Originally Posted by James Deuce

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.

It is heavy but confidence inspiring. Mrs B. took one overnight for a spin and was far more confident on it than her VTR250. When I told her the bonnie weighed 10kg more than the Speed Triple- she didn't believe me.

I rode the bonnie and thought it very solid. It had that glued to the road feeling. Just don't expect the performance to give you wet undies. Then again - that motor will just keep going and going and going....

**DEATH_INC.** · 11th February 2011, 14:24

Originally Posted by shrub

I see. So you don't know much about modern bikes then?

Ok.
But I still stand behind what I said 'which while not like they used to be thankfully' they still aren't as good as a jap bike in the details. And parts aren't as common... I'll bet you can find a Kwakka oil filter in Warkworth a lot easier than a Triumph one...
Don't get me wrong I'm not slagging Triumphs (I'd love a 675) just saying I still believe the Kawi is a better option for ease of ownership.

**Big Dave** · 11th February 2011, 14:46

Originally Posted by DEATH_INC.

just saying I still believe the Kawi is a better option for ease of ownership.

And a modern Harley is even easier. No shimmy shimmy shake shake. All relative innit.

**shrub** · 11th February 2011, 14:48

Originally Posted by DEATH_INC.

Ok.
But I still stand behind what I said 'which while not like they used to be thankfully' they still aren't as good as a jap bike in the details. And parts aren't as common... I'll bet you can find a Kwakka oil filter in Warkworth a lot easier than a Triumph one...
Don't get me wrong I'm not slagging Triumphs (I'd love a 675) just saying I still believe the Kawi is a better option for ease of ownership.

In what way are they not as good? You say details, but what does that mean? The finish matches and exceeds Japanese bikes, design technology matches and exceeds Japanese bikes in the market segments where Triumph are involved and quality matches and exceeds the Jap bikes. Have you ever actually looked closely at a modern Triumph? Do you have any idea about the design criteria and production quality control methods they use? Or are you still stuck in the idea that all British bikes leak oil and break down?

And how is a smaller, superceded model that never sold all that well easier to own than the Bonnie?

**avgas** · 11th February 2011, 15:01

Isn't the W650 carb'd?
If so I would go with that.

Makes stuff like removing air boxes etc a simple pleasure.

Also is there a price difference? If not get the Triumph.

Confused yet?

**Grubber** · 11th February 2011, 15:18

Originally Posted by DEATH_INC.

Ok.
But I still stand behind what I said 'which while not like they used to be thankfully' they still aren't as good as a jap bike in the details. And parts aren't as common... I'll bet you can find a Kwakka oil filter in Warkworth a lot easier than a Triumph one...
Don't get me wrong I'm not slagging Triumphs (I'd love a 675) just saying I still believe the Kawi is a better option for ease of ownership.

I buy my oil filters for my Daytona at Repco. How easy is that! I buy my oil just down the road at the Mobil supplier. How easy is that. I buy any parts through internet or AMPS and have no problem at all. How easy is that. You sure you know what your talking about??

**HenryDorsetCase** · 11th February 2011, 15:44

Originally Posted by Big Dave

And a modern Harley is even easier. No shimmy shimmy shake shake. All relative innit.

and hydraulic tappets too. just saying.

**drmikenz** · 11th February 2011, 16:29

Originally Posted by Maha

Traditional thinking aside, the W650 (in my view) would be a great by at under or around 6k.
Whereas the Bonneville at around the same age is a few grand more.
In saying that, there is one around at a dealers for around the 6.5K mark.

The Triumph gets the nod for 'oh hell yeah' but would it be the better buy?

W650....http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-353494402.htm
Bonneville...http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-351241605.htm

just a heads up if your interested in the W650, i tried to have a look at it about a month or so ago when i was thinking of getting one to cafe racer up. Wierdest fucking conversation i've ever had on trademe. organised a time to go and see it then the guy tells me its best 'just to leave it' since there is 2 people coming with cash for a deal in the next 24 hours. apparently i wasn't 'keen' enough despite wanting to come and see it....that was two relists ago and its now $500 cheaper

YMMV