NickWilliams
Member
For those that followed my original posts, I was having some problems with the Tiger ergonomics and a bad back. Long story short, I wanted to try out a Bonnie and see if a smaller lighter bike with more flexibility in the seat would keep me on the road. Needless to say I am pleased with what I found:
So, my initial impression was that the bike was smaller, lighter, much lower to the ground, and the front end left you feeling a bit exposed compared to the Tiger. It felt a little different, but at the same time it took me back instantly to the 1979 honda that was my first bike.
I had the dealer put the plank seat on the bike. I wanted room to scoot back and stretch my back, and the extra thickness of the seat gave me some knee room. As mentioned ergonomics are a key factor.
I started it up, and I actually liked how quiet it is. I'm not a fan of ridiculously loud pipes, and the stock pipes are perfect for me. (though I really dig the look of the scrambler pipes.)
Once I actually started driving, I was impressed at how easy this bike is to ride. The clutch was very forgiving and easy on the hand. I pulled out on the road, and went through a couple of stop lights. It felt good to ride, but I wasn't to sure of my self on it yet. Once I pulled on to the interstate, it felt very strange. I was low to the ground, and it felt like the wheels were dancing around under me. It was a little scary at first. As I eased into it a little more, that slippery feeling started getting less and less noticeable. I was so much closer to the ground that I started feeling more connected to the road. That was when I realized that the strange slippery feeling of the wheels was actually a whole different kind of responsiveness than what I was used to. Once I got the feel for it I really started to enjoy the heck out of it. I have never had a bike that was this nimble! It moves fast and agile compared to everything else I've had my hands on.
The ergonomics ended up being great too. After a couple hours in the saddle I was still itching for more. If I started to get a little sore I just moved back in the saddle or rolled my hips forward or back to change pressure points. There was now forward grade to fight against, and nothing to keep me pressed up against the tank, and I didn't have to constantly strain my legs to keep myself back in the saddle.
Highway speeds were much more enjoyable too. The Tiger has such a high center of gravity, the crosswinds on the interstates would constantly blow me all over the place. It was a constant battle. The low center of gravity on the Bonnie made me so much more stable that I could relax more and enjoy the ride. Speaking of the wind, I think I got less helmet buffeting on the bonnie without a windshield than on the tiger with the stock windscreen.
By the time I got to my exit off the highway to get home, I was feeling very much at ease with the bike. I came down the exit ramp, got down into the turn, and gave it a hard push on the throttle. The bike let out a surprisingly throat growl, and took the hell off in a hurry. I was instantly hooked. I am still smiling.
Even the paint job is starting to grow on me!
Over all I have to say that I much prefer the Bonnie to the Tiger. The Bonnie is just more my speed. I think that the Tiger is probably more bike for the money, but for me sometimes less is more.
So, my initial impression was that the bike was smaller, lighter, much lower to the ground, and the front end left you feeling a bit exposed compared to the Tiger. It felt a little different, but at the same time it took me back instantly to the 1979 honda that was my first bike.
I had the dealer put the plank seat on the bike. I wanted room to scoot back and stretch my back, and the extra thickness of the seat gave me some knee room. As mentioned ergonomics are a key factor.
I started it up, and I actually liked how quiet it is. I'm not a fan of ridiculously loud pipes, and the stock pipes are perfect for me. (though I really dig the look of the scrambler pipes.)
Once I actually started driving, I was impressed at how easy this bike is to ride. The clutch was very forgiving and easy on the hand. I pulled out on the road, and went through a couple of stop lights. It felt good to ride, but I wasn't to sure of my self on it yet. Once I pulled on to the interstate, it felt very strange. I was low to the ground, and it felt like the wheels were dancing around under me. It was a little scary at first. As I eased into it a little more, that slippery feeling started getting less and less noticeable. I was so much closer to the ground that I started feeling more connected to the road. That was when I realized that the strange slippery feeling of the wheels was actually a whole different kind of responsiveness than what I was used to. Once I got the feel for it I really started to enjoy the heck out of it. I have never had a bike that was this nimble! It moves fast and agile compared to everything else I've had my hands on.
The ergonomics ended up being great too. After a couple hours in the saddle I was still itching for more. If I started to get a little sore I just moved back in the saddle or rolled my hips forward or back to change pressure points. There was now forward grade to fight against, and nothing to keep me pressed up against the tank, and I didn't have to constantly strain my legs to keep myself back in the saddle.
Highway speeds were much more enjoyable too. The Tiger has such a high center of gravity, the crosswinds on the interstates would constantly blow me all over the place. It was a constant battle. The low center of gravity on the Bonnie made me so much more stable that I could relax more and enjoy the ride. Speaking of the wind, I think I got less helmet buffeting on the bonnie without a windshield than on the tiger with the stock windscreen.
By the time I got to my exit off the highway to get home, I was feeling very much at ease with the bike. I came down the exit ramp, got down into the turn, and gave it a hard push on the throttle. The bike let out a surprisingly throat growl, and took the hell off in a hurry. I was instantly hooked. I am still smiling.
Even the paint job is starting to grow on me!
Over all I have to say that I much prefer the Bonnie to the Tiger. The Bonnie is just more my speed. I think that the Tiger is probably more bike for the money, but for me sometimes less is more.
