Soz Nick.... take off the rose tinted specs it needs its arse caning to get it to move...... it handles well and the clutch was nice and light.... TBH thats as much good I can say about it.... in stock trim it was pants, needs pipes filters and the AI removing for starters and it's still 20 bhp short... what JaguarTVR said was bang on.....
Duh! Pipes n filters and AI removal is what most people do almost as soon as they get it. In standard trim? I haven't seen a standard trim Bonnie outside of a showroom! But I guess if you only rode a standard trim mag wheel bonnie it might underwhelm.
Rose tinted specs?
I have to say Bollocks to that too. But then Its fine. You guys carry on riding your water boiling overweight top heavy compromised old T bird Dinosaurs and believing that they are the best thing ever. Meantime I'll get practically the same performance with less weight to lug, a world of tuning / custom options and a bike I can fix without a day or more dismantling stuff in the garage! And a big old grin every time I jump on it and cane its arse.
I don't think this one of mine can be described as standard trim and had staintunes and clip ons. Still felt as if you needed pedals for a bit more oomph
Its very nice you should have put a big bore kit, junked the airbox fitted the 790cc engines cams and re jetted then. Mr Hyde seems to be able to get these things to go if you really want that.
Or you could get something that will never ever get used to its full performance this side of a track or a big lardy thing with a few more CC and an extra pot. But it won't be as nice as that or as fun
Anyone who rides a Bonnie or any triumph twin as a demo and says "harumph its a learner bike" doesn't get it frankly. How many standard sportsters do you see? How many LCs stayed standard? How many Bandits? Only the "my motorcycle is a vehicle for practicality" and nothing else" or the novices do that. The Triumph twins are basically a blank canvas and a relatively cheap one at that.
Don't disagree with what you say Nick but not everyone has the ability or want to modify their bikes. And sadly this is increasingly so nowadays as some can't even adjust the chain.
As we've said on other posts a big soft naked would definitely be a welcome addition to the range in the mould of the Suzi GSX1400/Yammie XJR1300 and the new 1215 triple would be the perfect engine and as JagTVR says would be a progression for those who wanted to move up from a Bonnie.
Bonnies may be fine for touring solo but there is no way I would tour on one two up whereas my GSX1400 would cope with that role admirably. I know you are tall like me and are happy with your bike and whilst the ergonomics are fine, actually more relaxed than the TBS, I still feel that the bike is a little on the small size for me (though the T100 is bigger)and there are a lot of big lads around nowadays!
Triumph need to keep the Bonnie range going but a big naked will I'm sure attract new customers who want a bigger engined/framed naked bike but not a cruiser.
Nick: I have to say Bollocks to that too. But then Its fine. You guys carry on riding your water boiling overweight top heavy compromised old T bird Dinosaurs and believing that they are the best thing ever. Meantime I'll get practically the same performance with less weight to lug, a world of tuning / custom options and a bike I can fix without a day or more dismantling stuff in the garage! And a big old grin every time I jump on it and cane its arse.
Look in the real world the TBS has about 80 bhp thats waaay more than a tuned bonnie..... weight not withstanding a bike that produced 80 bhp is going to move quicker than something producing less than 70...
Nick: Anyone who rides a Bonnie or any triumph twin as a demo and says "harumph its a learner bike" doesn't get it frankly.
Bulls!$%..... plain and simple..... I've had 2 Bonnie loaners, and put quite a few miles on both of them and both felt gutless and asthmatic on the open road, I'm 6'+ and weigh nearly 14 stones the bike felt small and underpowered... they are great around town and handle well but as a viable alternative to what I already have.....??? No.... sorry, the Bonnie just doesn't cut it... It's a big bike for learners direct from their tests to get a bit of big bike kudos, that is safe and viceless, and a blank canvas for customising and that's the market Triumph were aiming at as well as the Meriden faithfull... I'm not anti-twin Nick.... I'm anti not moving forwards.... they have an opportunity to make summat special
I'd like to see a roadster released using a warmed over version of the Thunderbird cruiser engine, or the 800 Explorer lump... in the future I can see the Bonnie being an albatross round the neck of the company....
In all honesty where can It go from here....? the 2012 Thruxton is far prettier but it's only just on a par with older triples and looking at the specs it makes the same power as the 2012 SE..... (ish)
I'm with Harry on this one, I rode a Scrambler demonstrator a couple of months ago, when I started looking for a new bike, I just couldn't believe how asthmatic it felt. That's why we decided to buy something else instead.
edit.. sorry for the lack of triumph content but thought it was more interesting than yet another 'bonnies are the best thing since sliced bread, oh no they're not' conversation
Don't be silly Neil - the twins v triples banter has to be resurrected now and again!
At least it's done in a good manner (mostly ) though I did have to go in the garage to console the TBS after that nasty Nick called it a water boiling overweight top heavy compromised old T bird Dinosaur
BTW Aitch I'm 6'2" and weigh 14 stone and The Thruxton has never felt asthmatic. In fact my rotund 15stone mate rode it and couldn't believe how much punch it had at low revs compared to his Bandit. A twin might be asthmatic if you are wringing its neck at top speed but frankly if 120 isn't enough then your on your way to prison sooner or later me old mucker!
Oh and BTW the Scrambler will feel asthmatic Nick. Its making about ten hp less than the Thruxton in standard trim I believe. from memory the quoted rw hp on the Scrammy is 54hp. On the Thrux its 69 hp (carb model) Now even allowing for exaggerated manufacturers claims the Thruxton is making way more than the Scrambler. If the TBS is claimed to be making 80 hp but weighing in considerably more I might suggest a well set up Thruxton will near match its performance.
Lets have a look
TBS Maximum power 83PS (82bhp) at 8,500rpm Weight (dry) 224kg (494lb)
Thruxton Maximum Power 70PS (69bhp) at 7,250rpm Weight (Dry) 205kg (451lb)
So the Thruxton is 43lb lighter, and makes 13bhp less but at 1250 rpm less.
And having ridden both It certainly feels like that. But its not about speed its about what you can do with a bike and you can't do this with a TBS can you? The TBS is basically a one or two trick pony
So Bollocks is it a learner bike. If you feel that way you might need some trouser enhancements cos clearly you're needing to compensate for something by having a big old lump between yer legs
so enough with the personal comments......!!!! I speak as I find Nick to me it's slow and asthmatic, just because you don't agree there is no need to make it personal.... I've had two loaners a T100 and an SE both needed their necks wringing to make progress end of....
Bluelabel aka ~Aitch~: so enough with the personal comments......!!!! I speak as I find Nick to me it's slow and asthmatic, just because you don't agree there is no need to make it personal.... I've had two loaners a T100 and an SE both needed their necks wringing to make progress end of....
Personal comments!!!!! Cmon et a sense of humour like the one your always telling me to get? Lets be honest here I've taken more personal comments on this board than most mate.
But yeah lets leave this one its in danger of getting boring.
Sorry mate you're wrong, I'm right as the figures and the reality of ownership rather than a little pootle on a demonstrator prove. Its like the T shirt says if you have to ask you don't understand. Its not just about technical or performance superiority on paper its about something a bit less tangible. The feel good factor that some modern whiz bang doesn't have but bikes like the Twins still do (when you get rid of the standard pipes, filter and re jet of course!) End of.....
Oh and BTW the Scrambler will feel asthmatic Nick. Its making about ten hp less than the Thruxton in standard trim I believe. from memory the quoted rw hp on the Scrammy is 54hp. :
Fair comment, but my Harley makes 58 BHP (It's a 1200!) and weighs 545 lbs, but it feels a LOT quicker than the Scrambler. (Probably because the brakes are s!$%e, to be fair!)
Like I say "Its not just about technical or performance superiority on paper its about something a bit less tangible. The feel good factor" Which is probably what the Harley has got?
Nickwiz: Sorry mate you're wrong, I'm right as the figures and the reality of ownership rather than a little pootle on a demonstrator prove.
I'd hardly call 70 miles on the TT100 and 70 on the SE "A little Pootle" and it's not about who's right and who's wrong, its a matter of opinion and while we're at it.....
Nick: So Bollocks is it a learner bike.
so where did I say that.....???? what I said was...
Me: It's a big bike for learners direct from their tests to get a bit of big bike kudos, that is safe and viceless, and a blank canvas for customising and that's the market Triumph were aiming at, as well as the Meriden faithfull... I'm not anti-twin Nick.... I'm anti "not moving forwards"....
I didn't say it was a learner bike.... read what I wrote FFS Mate.... you really have got to accept that folks are allowed to have a different point of view to that of your own and that twins are not the be-all and end-all of motorcycling...
We do differ and of course I accept it but what wrong with having a little debate about it? Be bloody boring threads if we all just sat around typing "yeah I agree" to everything wouldn't it?
So what did I do to my bike today? I got it ready for a Trip to Spa this weekend (just get us back on track)
thats not a debate... I think you have to look at the fact that I like twins.... I really do...... I loved Robnobrakes's Bonnie.... it had nearly 90 BHP and looked like a million dollars and was rideable.... one of my favourite bikes was the Yam 850 TRX/TDM series twins.... but again they had power and torque over and above that of the Bonnie and thats what I'm getting at... thats where I feel Triumph are missing a trick... if you can get your head round that
What did you do to your Triumph today? I've done sod all on the Triumph. It hasn't bee delivered from Blackpool yet. But I've cleaned the VTR and the Harley of the s!$%e accumulated at Ostrichfest, and put the undertray back on the outfit ready for Mallory this weekend.
What did I do today, yesterday, the day before, the day before that?
I rode my beautiful Bonny twin that's what! The weather has been peachy her the last week so I've been out every day - 3 of which spent with a mate on his way back from Greece, on his touring bike - a Ducati 620 Monster.
I accept entirely that others may have a different opinion but for me this is the best bike I've ever had and I can't stop riding her.
Just superb.........................................and 64mpg!!!!!
TBS - Fitted the fork protecters having had the seals done, re-fitted the 2000 MY grabrail which is better looking than the later tubular ones and gave the bike a polish.
Fitted the single-seat I picked up today having been recovered and am very pleased with it. So much better without the faded yellow piping.
We mused whether it had been dropped etc. which was not helped by the owner not knowing. However further investigation by me found that he had not owned the bike long and wasn't a Triumph man but the paperwork showed that the first owner had spent loads replacing the front mudguard and side panels and buying the flyscreen and single seat all in yellow to get the look he wanted. As well as adding TOR's and chrome accessories. Whilst the coloursheme is wrong for the year I and friends like it.
However, as you can see I have changed the side panels, as I think there was too much yellow. I also have a black front mudguard and another flyscreen which I intend getting painted black so that if I wish I can have it correct for the year. I also have the various seats and grabrails/racks!
That's the great thing about the TBS, just by fitting the different accessories, which is quick and easy, you can change the look of the bike.
I'm currently running it in naked guise which is my favourite look.
nothing to mine, but t'other half has sort of decided she wants a Bonneville for some reason.. so she went and had a sit on one - she's not had a roadbike for 15-20 years so i guess at least the Bonnie will be a nice gentle introduction back into it all (step away from the keyboard Nick! )... she also sat on a kawasaki Er6 just to see if it fits - it does and is the 'sensible' option ( a new one is the same price as a 2nd hand bonnieville) but she doesnt need a sensible bike - her words not mine - thats my girl! whilst we were there i had a look at the kawasaki W800 special edition they had in.. the one with black and gold wheels.. really does look great in the flesh.. again not just saying this as a wind up, but it does make the Bonneville SE look at bit ordinary when sat side by side... but she wants a Triumph - sigh...
Because the W800 is a copy? the First W650 was a copy of a BSA A10. So then years n years later when Kawaski realise some people want a classy bike to ride instead of a plastic rocket they bring out a copy of their copy of a BSA and fit it with a copy of an NSU or Norton engine! Where as the Bonnie SE is a redesigned British Parallel twin! And is just a bit faster. The W800 is a Japanese erzatz Brit bike. The Bonnie is a Brit bike. Your wife has sense. Oh and the ER6 is an ugly bike much like the new S3!
As for what I did to my Triumph. I took it to the festival of 1000 bikes this weekend and ordered a handlebar fairing for it to make touring a bit more comfortable.
Next weekend its VMCC founders day at Stamford hall. And Ton up day at Towcester. Summer is great rain or no rain.
wife?? when did that happen, I must've been asleep well I've asked if i can have the Bonneville as a loan bike next week whilst the Tiger is in for its service, so i'll be able to see how they go and fit me, just for research purposes of course..
as for my 'classic'.. all i did was clean off around the bottom of the engine to try and see if the drip of oil is comming from the gearchange oilseal or over enthusiastic loobing of the chain!
never made it to Mallory in the end this weekend..
I had a close look a one of the W650's a couple of years ago and thought the build quality of the frame was appaulling, all lumpy welds and looked as if it had been brush painted.
SWMBO is thinking about a return to riding..... and the Bonnie was mooted.... as she's been out of it for many years (about 15) did have a look on the Bay of E and prices seem to be bloody high.... only got about £2.5 k to play with at the mo (and no garage space really)
Truth be told she could probably ride the TBS, she was insured on the T595 and my GSXR750, so she's no "Girly" on the bike, she's just been out of it too long to get back on a bike the size of the TBS, (Tall and top heavy) added to that she broke her pelvis in a horse riding accident 7 years ago and it's not been right since...
TBH I think if we found one (T100) it wouldn't stay standard for long but at the mo it's just out of the question, they are just too expensive for 10 year old bikes
It shouldn't stay standard either which was my point all those threads ago. Thing is they grow on you. Once you get one and start modding it you tend to keep it. They can be made to go much faster if you so wish, too. That's why there's not many second hand and what there is is expensive. Us Twinners can't all be wrong eh
If you get one I do a few parts for them (I know I'm slumming). Short rear mudguards with Lucas rear lights. Belly Pans. Chrome or polished alloy instrument cups, carb only at the moment but EFI version on the way. Also have a couple of sets of Tor's and Thruxton Tor's
I was thinking of making some Handbag rails instead of pannier rails, do you think there's a market?
I was thinking of making some Handbag rails instead of pannier rails, do you think there's a market?
or those sari rails like the do for Enfields, for the 'ladies' who like to ride side saddle!
well she (and yes Clare is most definately a fulltime she, not just on special nights Nick ) has resisted my best atempts at considering other stuff so far.. i keep showing her adverts for those new Guzzi V7's without much luck...
so i'm currently trawling through ebay and autotrader to try and get my head around specs and prices...
V7s are nice and lighter than a Bonnie too. But a little smaller! And the shaft drives robs them of power and they don't have much to start with. So you have a Clare in your life too. Mine really loves her Bonnie.
My advice if your on a budget is look for an older one and don't worry too much about mileage. The motors are seriously understressed. People have got them producing 80-90 hp with no reliability issues. Thruxtons are lighter but taller in the saddle and rare as rocking horse poo.
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