Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Thoughts - bikes comparison

I'm considering going to the dark side (no, not a Harley), just trading my America for either a Truxton, Speed Triple or Street Triple. The America has been great, but after looking at what kind of riding I usually do, I think a "standard" bike would suit me better.
Now, I'm not an idiot (my wife might disagree) - I know these are all different bikes, but they're all attractive to me. I saw a Thruxton recently with normal height handlebars installed, and it was really a nice riding position. The Speed 3 has always got great reviews, and the 675 Triple looks like it might qualify as the "new Bonneville" of the 21st century, and with its HP-weight ratio, it shouldn't be a slouch compared to the Speed 3. But... the Thruxton has some serious old-school appeal, and that amount of horsepower is plenty to get me into trouble.
Any thoughts?

Well Tim, I don't think you'd be going wrong with any of these alternatives.

My first thought is that the Thruxton really wouldn't be giving you that much more power, if that's what you looking for, which it appears you are. It's a great classic looking machine alright, and a standard handlebar conversion on it makes for a much more comfortable reach to those bars.

If, as I mentioned, you're looking for more power, the Speed Triple has it in spades. With it's standard seating position, it's pretty comfortable too. I've ridden my friend's 2004 a couple of times, and that thing flies, and handles great. Basically, as you probably know, it's a naked sportbike.

The brand new 675cc Street Triple sounds great(I haven't seen it "in the flesh" yet, though), and sounds to me to probably be even a better handler than it's bigger brother due to it's lighter weight. I have ridden the 675 Daytona, and I was amazed as to how much torque this relatively "small" engine provides the rider, and in the higher RPM range it really moves.

As I said at the beginning here, whichever way you go, I don't think you'll be dissatisfied.

Out of the three, the Thrux ha the most soul. It has more than enough power for hooliganism, but the sport bikes out power it 10 fold if thats what you are into. Any of them would be a blast to ride though.

Thanks; I am kinda thinking what you both said. The Truxton wouldn't be much (if any) more power, considering all the re-jetting and adjustments on my TBA, but its riding position lends itself to a more aggressive approach. Of course, the 3 cylinder bikes have lots of power and other attractive features. It's a tough call, especially since I still love the America.

My brother has a Thruxton with pipes and such... it will smoke my B.A.

Thanks, Gimpy - one question I do have - does he ever ride long distances on his Thruxton? I do a 2000 mile or so trip every summer on my BA and it's no problem- how would it be on the Thruxton?

ride them all if you can then go from there. this way you wont make any mistakes

Frank

It's a few years into the future but I, personally am planning on the rocket when I upgrade!

If you are thinking of buying new there is a bit of a difference in price between the Truxton, Street Triple ( not much in it I think if you add the bar conversion) and the Speed Triple. How about keeping what you have and get a street Triple as well
If space and resources stretch.

The Thruxton may not have that much more power out the engine, but is so much lighter. Every time I borrow one from the stealer I wonder how much trouble I'm gonna get in to on it.

I have seen pics of them done out for long distance with so much stuff on, I've done a weekend away, but it was only 100 miles down the road.

Go to the dealer and one of them will speak to you....that's the one to get.

Get the Thrux man...you won't be disappointed. I've put more miles on mine than my BA so far this year...and I took the BA on a 3000+ mile trip to GA.

The Thruxton is claimed as weighing the same weight as the BA's & SM's. Stock, the Thrux will SMOKE any heavily modded BA unless you've got a BB kit. I'd have to say it's more capable than the BA's. Perfect for when I used to ride in NYC every day (put some bar-end mirrors on it and it's one heck of a lane splitter), and even better when you find some twisty roads. Or hit the highway and run 400-500 miles out on her.

You say you want a standard bike, have you considered the T100 or the Scrambler?

If you pick one get either the Street Triple or Speed Triple,if your thinking a Thruxton go with a Thunderbird Sport if you can find one.They are way more confortable and the power is no comparison,I have ridin a Thruxton and own a TBS and they are both night and day.
But ride all 3 if you can and decide which one fits you best,you cant go wrong with either machine.....

I would suggest before you make up your mind have a test ride on the new Tiger and then let us know

Any of those bikes would make a great daily ride. Some would be more comfortable then others.

If it were me, i would go for the Thruxton in a heartbeat. Such a beautiful machine. Not very comforatable on a long run though.

Good luck picking your new bike. Do let us know what you get.

Excellent responses - thanks everyone. Clearly, the Thruxton gets the most emotional reaction, and I like that a lot. It's definitely got soul (thanks, Nuthin), and I'm pushing 50 myself, the old school (old's cool) thing is kinda my bag. I'll ride them all, if I can hold out until the 675 triple hits the store. I have ridden the Tiger, and if any of you guys haven't, you owe yourself a ride on one - it's a great bike. For some reason, it's just a little too sophisticated (for lack of a better word) for me. Thanks again.

I can't speak for anyone else but last night I was laying on the tank of my '01 Bonneville and thoroughly enjoying it winding along the mountain...made me want to cafe it up right away...sort of unseemly at 56, eh?

I rode to a rally in Indiana last month (the ABATE Boogie - highly recommended if you like nudity and good music, BTW), and rode from there to Cincinatti with a lovely woman (56 also) named Cathy, who was something of a biker hippie type (bored out Sportster 883, chromed tank, very cool) from Oregon, and a really nice person. At a rest area where we stopped to take a breather, she told me "old guys are so cool". Age is just a number, man.
So, unseemly at 56? I don't think so.

Wait a minute Ed! Are you gonna listen to a guy who wants THIS motley crew's opinion about what bike to get???

Face it Dude! You're OLD!!!

(well...at least you're ONE YEAR OLDER than I AM!!!)

Well, I DO hear that those Brit Iron Rebel dudes can get ya a very good deal on one of those Davida pudding bowl helmets, if you're so inclined!!!

oooh, Davida, exotic and leather lined, too....

Nah, I'll stay with your basic Bell RT, a good clean California built pot...

Yep! I hear ya, ol' buddy! AND, as an added bonus, the Dork-Factor is greatly diminished TOO!

(not that those "cool" German army helmet models that I often catch some H-D riders wearing out there aren't "cool" either, of course!)


My take on this (hijacked...sorry Tim) whole helmet thing is....

Ya wanna play John Surtees? Then ride a Norton Manx around.

Ya wanna play Blitzkrieg Soldier? Then ride a friggin' BMW, DKW or Zundapp hack around, Sport!!!

(that's my take on this, and I'm stickin' to it!)

I'm seriously considering a speed triple myself but as a second bike. I love the thruxton but more for its looks. It has decent power but the triple just blows it away in all performance. Been waiting to try the street triple. There is a new/old triple over here you could probably get for $5-5500k.

Yep Ed! Those exotic italian beauties are juuuuust a bit "pricey" nowdays, aren't they?

That's why I said a Norton Manx! Those babies are "only" goin' for around 15-20 Large or so.

(but considering that some of these "Blitzkieg Soldier German Army Helmet wearing WANNABEES" I see riding around on those gawdawful 60 thousand dollar and higher CHOPPERS on the road nowdays, that's STILL a STEAL, Dude!!!)

Well, here's what you do. Tel the missus you are thinking about trading the America for a Harley tourbike and let her see the final price. Then, go buy a Thruxton, Speed triple or whatever and she will be so happy with the money you saved that you will be able to keep the America.

Sigh.... so many Triumphs so little money(or garage space!)