Gary
Member
After having owned both new and old Bonnies for a total of about 20 years combined, I am disappointed in the new Bonnies.
Likes: Twin front brake discs
Fuel Injection
Dislikes: More displacement
More weight
Wire spoke wheels
Undecided: Liquid cooling
The Bonnie's fame originated with its light weight handling and performance. The brakes were weak and carbs can be a hassle, so upgrades were needed. Also anyone who has ever changed a tire on a wire spoke wheel can attest that forged or cast tubeless wheels are superior (and usually weigh less!).
Displacement creep disturbs me - 650cc original, then 750cc, then 790cc, then 900cc and now 1,200cc. Its practically a variation in the Rocket model now.
Everyone maintains that to create more HP, you will generate more heat and sooner or later to get more HP you need to go to liquid cooling. It seems to me that going to 1200cc and liquid cooling with fuel injection, the new Bonnie should have HP numbers well in to the 100+ category, but it doesn't. Maybe they are inviting people to modify their bikes for more HP? Personally, I would have liked them to go back down in displacement (and less weight) when they added liquid cooling and tuned the bikes to around 80 HP. The Ducati Scrambler is very tough new competition with its retro look, more HP and less weight.
I still have my 2003 Bonnie that's an air cooled 790cc with carbs (but heavily modified intake and exhaust) and I am 100% certain I can out accelerate and out top end any new stock 1200cc Bonneville. If I want to ride something with big displacement that's heavy and slow, I'll ride my HD. But then.... maybe Triumph is aiming at HD clone riders (99% of HD owners won't switch)?
Likes: Twin front brake discs
Fuel Injection
Dislikes: More displacement
More weight
Wire spoke wheels
Undecided: Liquid cooling
The Bonnie's fame originated with its light weight handling and performance. The brakes were weak and carbs can be a hassle, so upgrades were needed. Also anyone who has ever changed a tire on a wire spoke wheel can attest that forged or cast tubeless wheels are superior (and usually weigh less!).
Displacement creep disturbs me - 650cc original, then 750cc, then 790cc, then 900cc and now 1,200cc. Its practically a variation in the Rocket model now.
Everyone maintains that to create more HP, you will generate more heat and sooner or later to get more HP you need to go to liquid cooling. It seems to me that going to 1200cc and liquid cooling with fuel injection, the new Bonnie should have HP numbers well in to the 100+ category, but it doesn't. Maybe they are inviting people to modify their bikes for more HP? Personally, I would have liked them to go back down in displacement (and less weight) when they added liquid cooling and tuned the bikes to around 80 HP. The Ducati Scrambler is very tough new competition with its retro look, more HP and less weight.
I still have my 2003 Bonnie that's an air cooled 790cc with carbs (but heavily modified intake and exhaust) and I am 100% certain I can out accelerate and out top end any new stock 1200cc Bonneville. If I want to ride something with big displacement that's heavy and slow, I'll ride my HD. But then.... maybe Triumph is aiming at HD clone riders (99% of HD owners won't switch)?