Speed Triple or Bonnie Cafe Racer?

**TD675** · 14th May 2011, 19:21

Im torn, im starting to look into my next bike.

I really want a speed triple with a BC GP exhaust (matte black). They look sick and sound wicked.

But recently I been looking at bonnivilles (cafe racer) and i love the tones and now the looks of a matte black one (not sure if a custom paint).

I know totally different bikes, just curious on other peoples thoughts...

**98tls** · 14th May 2011, 19:34

Only thing similars the name on the tank mate (as you know).Take both for a long test ride is the answer.Might be woth pming Big Dave for some insight re the ride.

**AllanB** · 14th May 2011, 20:30

Interesting choice. Ones more of a cruiser and other a hoon machine with well over twice the others power.

It would be like saying there's this mature and classy looking older woman and a spunky, lively young one, and I can't decide on which one.

Ride and decide I say. This applies to the gals too..........

**Big Dave** · 14th May 2011, 21:27

They are chalk and cheese, but there's no wrong answer. I really enjoy both of them for different reasons. The sensible answer is the Bonne. It doesn't need as much self-control to keep your licence and is practical, but the (new one particularly) Speedy is just barking mad, strap-a-wicked-motor-to-your-butt, fun.

If you wanted a more versatile bike throw a Scrambler in the mix too.

**John_H** · 14th May 2011, 22:08

I can't comment on the bonnie too much as I've never ridden one. All I can say is how much I love my speedie. It is a cliche but it puts a massive smile on my face every time I ride it.

I guess you have to think about your riding style and let that dictate what you want. Do you ride more sedately or do you want a machine that will give great excitement from its power? Do you ride long trips or just go for a twisty blat? Will you commute on it?

**TD675** · 15th May 2011, 10:35

thanks all, yeah i knew when posting the thread it was asking a really bizarre question.

i think where i am coming from is that i love cool mean looking street bikes. now for the the bonneville is still cool to look at and they have that cool tone. where as the speedy has a sport bike tone (hence why i would look at deepening the tone a bit with the GP exhaust).

i guess im a bit of both. i would be looking to commute on it as my sole transport. i also considered the striple. i also considering the HD 883 iron.

i think i am more sports bike though and will likely go with the speedy or striple.

does anyone know if NZ got any of the matte black speed triples?

**short-circuit** · 15th May 2011, 13:13

Originally Posted by TD675

thanks all, yeah i knew when posting the thread it was asking a really bizarre question.

i think where i am coming from is that i love cool mean looking street bikes. now for the the bonneville is still cool to look at and they have that cool tone. where as the speedy has a sport bike tone (hence why i would look at deepening the tone a bit with the GP exhaust).

i guess im a bit of both. i would be looking to commute on it as my sole transport. i also considered the striple. i also considering the HD 883 iron.

i think i am more sports bike though and will likely go with the speedy or striple.

does anyone know if NZ got any of the matte black speed triples?

I know someone selling the nicest Street Triple in the country (with $11,000 worth of extras built into it). Nothing in it performance-wise compared to the Speed either.

**TD675** · 15th May 2011, 13:44

yes that does look truely shizzlenistic.

but i wont be buying for quite some time. just making sure i know what i want before i do ;-)

**Geeen** · 15th May 2011, 13:59

When I was looking for a bike end of last year I was thinking Thruxton or S3. Took a Thrux for a ride and found it is a bike that really responds to a smooth flowing style of riding where as the Speedy has a lot more Hoon in it. Both awesome bikes to ride and when my Wife certifies as a Chartered Accountant I'm going to convince her to let me get the Thrux as well so I can have a "project" bike

Try having a look around on Triumphrat.net, HEAPS of info on both bikes on there. There's even a guy in the US who has taken his Bonnie to 1200 and added Nitrous to it

**Big Dave** · 15th May 2011, 15:02

Matte paint is great looking but it's impractical. Anywhere your leathers touch (legs, belly) it while riding gets polished to a satin finish eventually.

**Scouse** · 15th May 2011, 23:39

Originally Posted by TD675

yes that does look truely shizzlenistic.

but i wont be buying for quite some time. just making sure i know what i want before i do ;-)

Oh so what you are realy saying is "Im a bit of a dreamer, I realy want a Speed Triple but I cant realy afford it, so I might get a Bonnie but I cant realy afford one of those either and anyway its light years away before I am going to do this, so I'll just get youes to help me dream about what I want if and when I can afford it"

**TD675** · 16th May 2011, 10:15

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Matte paint is great looking but it's impractical. Anywhere your leathers touch (legs, belly) it while riding gets polished to a satin finish eventually.

yeah i was thinking that. is there any kind of paint protection for it?

i also need to consider what will be the easiest around the city to commute on, i was thinking the striple would be lighter but the others would be less gear changes. going on from that is the clutch on the speedy the same on the 955i daytona? (found that to be hard around the city)