Nillus
Member
Hi All,
Firstly, I'm not a motorcycle magazine journalist. Therefore my opinions are drawn from riding experience that is minuscule in comparison to a person that writes reviews for a living.
That said: I love it.
I never thought I would get off the brawling beast that is my (modified) 2011 T'Bird Storm and straight onto a 1200cc Bonnie & be so impressed that I'm considering putting the Storm up for sale.
Sure it does not have the straight-line neck-breaking acceleration of the much larger engine, but if you rap on the throttle at the right RPM, the T120 gets up and goes. A great responsive engine.
Handling is flawless - well you'd expect a Battlestar Galactica rider to say that. It took the turns around town with ease and I have discovered a new confidence in handling twisting roads with a squirt of that power (as described above) as I accelerate out. Sticks like custard to a cashmere sweater.
Instrumentation is excellent and clear. Put just below my helmet field of vision (Arai Vector2 -full face), all it takes is a slight lookdown and all is revealed...a gear selection indicator being something I'm not used to and quite handy. Other stuff is quite normal as you'd expect on any modern bike.
I was a bit dubious about the rear brake on the test ride, but after doing 30km around the streets, I've come around. Judicious use of front & rear brakes in harmony - mostly front gives impressive stopping power.
All-in-all...I'm in love with this new Bonneville.
Triumph have, in my opinion, made a sure winner.
Firstly, I'm not a motorcycle magazine journalist. Therefore my opinions are drawn from riding experience that is minuscule in comparison to a person that writes reviews for a living.
That said: I love it.
I never thought I would get off the brawling beast that is my (modified) 2011 T'Bird Storm and straight onto a 1200cc Bonnie & be so impressed that I'm considering putting the Storm up for sale.
Sure it does not have the straight-line neck-breaking acceleration of the much larger engine, but if you rap on the throttle at the right RPM, the T120 gets up and goes. A great responsive engine.
Handling is flawless - well you'd expect a Battlestar Galactica rider to say that. It took the turns around town with ease and I have discovered a new confidence in handling twisting roads with a squirt of that power (as described above) as I accelerate out. Sticks like custard to a cashmere sweater.
Instrumentation is excellent and clear. Put just below my helmet field of vision (Arai Vector2 -full face), all it takes is a slight lookdown and all is revealed...a gear selection indicator being something I'm not used to and quite handy. Other stuff is quite normal as you'd expect on any modern bike.
I was a bit dubious about the rear brake on the test ride, but after doing 30km around the streets, I've come around. Judicious use of front & rear brakes in harmony - mostly front gives impressive stopping power.
All-in-all...I'm in love with this new Bonneville.
Triumph have, in my opinion, made a sure winner.
Keeps the pics and reviews coming. feel free to blog on your experiences and trips with the new girl. we love those stories.
