Prospective Bonnie Owner!

[SarahP]

Hello, folks, I'm a newbie to biking and am hoping to buy a 2013 Bonnie - the purple/white one - in a few days. I think there's almost a knee jerk reaction to that color scheme -- you either love it or hate it. I'm typing on a laptop that has a purple cover and skin on it, so I guess it comes naturally to me.

I have some Bonnie questions that I'll post on the appropriate forums shortly, and I thank y'all in advance for your help & time. I looked around at several other Triumph forums, but like how people at TT were friendly and helpful.

My background -- I'm an older rider, so biking started as strictly a bucket list item for me. I've put off riding for 44 years, since I was 16 (GO, you math wizards!!), but have gone completely apesh*t for it.

I bought a 2009 Honda CRF230M in July 2015 and parked it for a month until I took the MSF course in August. Got a good deal on a Honda VTX 1300C a month later and grabbed it, but it's sitting in the garage until I get more experience! I've put 2000 miles on that little Honda supermoto in 5 months and I'm totally hooked on riding.

I want a mid-weight bike that I can ride on the interstate locally without being blown over by a passing Kia or minivan. The CRF will only do 65 mph with the throttle full open, downhill, with a tailwind.

Thanks for listening, I hope I can post here in a few days as the proud owner of a purple Bonnie!

 

[hemibee]

Welcome to TT from Southeast Texas. You should be in good company here, lots of really good folks (maybe not a couple of the Tiger riders )to help you along the way.

I might not be much help with Bonnie questions but I'll try as best as a Tiger rider can.

Let's see, 44 & 16, dang that makes you 28.

 

[SarahP]

Let's see, 44 & 16, dang that makes you 28.


Hey, Hemibee, thanks for the welcome! Have to say that I like your math skills....I'm looking forward to reading everyone's posts.

 

[DRod]

welcome to the site Sarah. I had a Sabre 1300 for about 2 months before trading her in for my current ride, a 2014 Triumph Thunderbird 1600. The VTX 1300 is a nice bike BUT, if you do decide on getting a Bonneville I guarantee you will want to get rid of the VTX in a heartbeat. The Bonnie is a work of art. It is classic, timeless, and offers plenty of power for highway riding, plus it is super fun in the canyons or back country roads. There is also a huge community developing around cafe racers and vintage bikes. Google it and join in on the fun. You can also visit www.meetup.com to search for riding groups in your area. Regardless of what bike you ride, as long as you're on two wheels, you'll always be cool! Ps. some links to keep you excited. Good luck w/your purchase and please report back.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V2MnulNx7g&list=PLxhq9bfsgRHSe2XJ4IySFlpVPkYx4vkWO



View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04TBOZ93Qbk&list=PLxhq9bfsgRHSe2XJ4IySFlpVPkYx4vkWO



View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dhHqwPL2Os&list=PLxhq9bfsgRHSe2XJ4IySFlpVPkYx4vkWO



View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DmtbYbKHHU&list=PLxhq9bfsgRHTbmHH8YcB2T2IsA7u6Vcmg&index=5

 

[SarahP]

I had a Sabre 1300 for about 2 months before trading her in for my current ride, a 2014 Triumph Thunderbird 1600. The VTX 1300 is a nice bike BUT, if you do decide on getting a Bonneville I guarantee you will want to get rid of the VTX in a heartbeat. The Bonnie is a work of art. It is classic, timeless, and offers plenty of power for highway riding, plus it is super fun in the canyons or back country roads. There is also a huge community developing around cafe racers and vintage bikes. Google it and join in on the fun. You can also visit www.meetup.com to search for riding groups in your area. Regardless of what bike you ride, as long as you're on two wheels, you'll always be cool! Ps. some links to keep you excited. Good luck w/your purchase and please report back.
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Hi, Dave!

Thanks for the nice welcome and the good videos! I had to laugh when I read your statement about getting rid of the VTX. I'm already feeling as though it's a big albatross around my neck. I'm going to give it some seat time, though, just to see if I can get used to the forward controls. Will let you know how it goes! Also, thanks for the meetup.com link. Would love to join up with a group this coming year.

Just curious, what made you ditch the Sabre?

 

[DRod]

honestly, the Sabre wasn't a bad bike at all. It looked cool, had a nice design to it, and being a Honda, it was very reliable. I just wasn't crazy about the shaft drive nor the abundance of plastic parts and fake chrome covers around the bike. I understand it is to keep costs down. And coming from over 20 years of riding sport bikes, power was also on the weak side. I bought it used and for a very good price but decided to trade her in for the Thunderbird. Boy what a difference that made. Real chrome, excellent build, and better performance. Compared it with Harleys, Victories, and other brands and kept coming back to Triumph. Couldn't be happier. I also have a Thruxton R on order for canyon carving and fun track days. (the current sport bike is leaving the nest) attached are pictures of my Sabre, and the T-bird that replaced it.

 

[DaveM]

Hello and welcome to the forum you sure picked a nice bike as they are really great all rounders, any question you might have we will be please to help you out with them.

 

[Rocky]

Hello Sarah and welcome to TT
As Dave said, the Bonneville is a great all-arounder. The foot controls are easy to use and right where they should be. They don't have gobs of power, but plenty for highway riding and are lots of fun in the twisties and on back roads like DRod said - plus they are one of the coolest looking bikes around.
I've had mine for nearly ten years and love it.

 

[turtleman]

Hi, welcome, ahve fun fun fun

 

[SarahP]

I bought it used and for a very good price but decided to trade her in for the Thunderbird. Boy what a difference that made. Real chrome, excellent build, and better performance. Compared it with Harleys, Victories, and other brands and kept coming back to Triumph. Couldn't be happier. I also have a Thruxton R on order for canyon carving and fun track days. (the current sport bike is leaving the nest) attached are pictures of my Sabre, and the T-bird that replaced it.
View attachment 35220 View attachment 35221[/QUOTE]
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DRod, those are both beautiful bikes. It would be hard to give up the Sabre, but I think there's just something about a Triumph that keeps pulling you back. Great pics, too! That Thruxton should be a blast. Thanks for the info --

 

[SarahP]

Hello and welcome to the forum you sure picked a nice bike as they are really great all rounders, any question you might have we will be please to help you out with them.

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Thanks, DaveM, folks have already been really helpful and welcoming. I'm glad I found y'all!

 

[SarahP]

Hello Sarah and welcome to TT
As Dave said, the Bonneville is a great all-arounder. The foot controls are easy to use and right where they should be. They don't have gobs of power, but plenty for highway riding and are lots of fun in the twisties and on back roads like DRod said - plus they are one of the coolest looking bikes around.
I've had mine for nearly ten years and love it.

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Hey, Rocky, thanks for the thumbs-up on the Bonnie! It says a lot about the bike that you've had it for 10 years and are still enjoying the ride.

I had to think long & hard about the power issue you mention and how important - or not - it was to me. The riding buddy who got me hooked on all this is a BMW1200 guy and an avid dirt biker. Through him, I've discovered two things: (1) my bones are a little too old for dirt riding (I got my ya-yas out years ago with doing dangerous stuff), and (2) I don't really want to go hair-on-fire fast. 60-80 is pretty much good for me along the eastern seaboard. (Uhh, ok, I *did* rip around NV from Ely to Tonopah last year at 120mph in a rental car on Rte 6. But that was different. ;-)

I'm a little worried about being able to customize the Bonnie with some routine after-market things like bags, different mirrors, sissy bar, etc. -- they seem hard to find. Has this been your experience or am I looking for (accessories) in all the wrong places?

TIA!

 

[Rocky]

Sarah, the Bonneville has plenty of power for highway riding and cruising and getting you up to speed from an on ramp.
The Bonneville 865cc has 66-67 HP I think and that's plenty to get you going. Just crank the throttle!

There is plenty of after market stuff for the Bonneville. Since you're in the US you've got it made.
When I bought my T100 I had the dealer fit the Triumph saddlebag rails, but there are others available. I also had the Triumph seat rail fitted at the same time.
I also use Tourmaster saddlebags which zipper on and off easily so I only use them when I need to.

Google these:
Bellacorse, New Triumph Bonneville and British Customs.
British Customs is a contributor on this forum.
These dealers have tons of stuff for the Bonneville.

My bike with the bags fitted just to show you what they look like.
In this picture I have the Triumph King & Queen seat fitted and a Triumph summer screen windshield.
I only use the seat once in a while, but it's nice to have on a long ride.
The summer screen caused too much buffeting around my head so I ditched it for a Givi fly screen.
It's all about preference and what works for you.
The factory mirrors are fine for me so I left them as is.

 

[Mad On Triumphs]

Nancy andto the forum from across the pond. Will very much look forward to seeing your pictures of your Bonnie, and all the trips that will surely be coming up this summer. I've had my 1995 Thunderbird since new and love it.
Glad that you've found biking, ( and our forum ) it really is the best thing. And as Hemi said 28 is a great time to start
Enjoy it won't you

 

[Rocky]

Sarah, this my bike without the bags to show you what the rails look like.
This is a later picture and by then I had fitted the fork gaiters and the Givi fly screen.

 

[DRod]

I love the way you can easily switch looks between all season long touring bike, to a local, just loving life cruiser. Like I said before, the Bonnies are timeless.

 

[Qship]

Welcome from Eastern Canada.
Like others have stated, ya can't go wrong with a Bonnie.
Great all around bike.
Enjoy your ride(when winter is gone )
Check out this thread on what you and a Bonnie could do;1 Woman…1 Bike…1 Year…all 50 Us States And Canada

 

[SarahP]

I also use Tourmaster saddlebags which zipper on and off easily so I only use them when I need to.

In this picture I have the Triumph King & Queen seat fitted and a Triumph summer screen windshield.
I only use the seat once in a while, but it's nice to have on a long ride.
The summer screen caused too much buffeting around my head so I ditched it for a Givi fly screen.

The factory mirrors are fine for me so I left them as is.


Hey, Rocky,

Those are good photos -- I like the bags and will check out the links you provided. Do you happen to recall the model # or name of those bags, as a starting point for me to research? Or has it been too long since you put them on??

The K&Q seat that you mentioned you use sometimes --- does it give you a little bit of lower back support? I'm thinking maybe I should just bite the financial bullet and get whatever I can afford installed at the dealer before I leave with the bike (dealership is about 2 hours each way from my house). So maybe they can throw on the seat rails for bags, etc.

And yeah, your mirrors look fine. Maybe I just have to recage my eyeballs -- I'm used to that little Honda supermoto dirt bike.

Thanks for the info!

 

[keystiger]

and from the SWAMPS of Central Flroida!!!
Hope you are enjoying the forum.....watch out for MAd on Triumphs ---he will try and talk you into things .......I cant say WHAT things......but he is very savvy, SAVVY?

Oh and as a general rule ignore me.....I am not right.

 

[DRod]

sarah, if you are going to pick up a new bike soon, make sure to ask them about incentives. I hear Triumph is offering $1000 voucher that can be used for anything, including accessories, if you buy within the next month or two. The incentives may be higher is certain areas. Look into it. I was offered $2500 when I purchased my bike a few months ago. I also placed an order for the new Thruxton R and was given a heated gear set. You may not get the same deals but you should get something. good luck!