Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes This Spring: Speedmaster OR T100?

I'm sure this will get over looked as "another" comparo. Forgive me. I have been hiding for the past eleven months, because I sold my '05 Speedy. I have been painfully watching everyone enjoying themselves on motorbikes this year. So, I told myself that the spring of 2011 I would do what I could to buy a BRAND NEW TRIUMPH! The spring of 2008 I bought a 5000 mile black and red Speedmaster from a coworker. At that time I wanted to buy a Bonneville. The Speedy has my first bike, and I rolled over around 7-8000 miles over the two years. I thought I did a great job buying that bike as my first. Now, I am at square one again. My game plan is a 2009 or newer T100 or Speedmaster. I want to ride with my Hardley studded coworkers on there mile eatting all day rides. I did manage a 13 hour/400 mile cruise one day with little discomfort. My fear with a T100 is that I won't be able to say the same. I think the looks of the Bonne are nuts on, and I love that. I think the injected Speedys have a crappy lookin tank, since there is no longer the knee dips. So, I come to you, the greatest group of riders on the net. I have asked a few of you over on SpankBook your ideas, and it seams that the Speedy would be my road trippin choice.

I'd make sure to get the 2011 Speedmaster. It looks pretty darn cool.
I'm not sure about touring on a t-100. They are great fun to ride, and I have friends who travel on them, but it really is just preference. The standard riding position is nice.

just my thoughts, 'cause even in '07 I had a hard time trying to decide, I went in the door because of the Bonneville, Scrambler, Thruxton's, and rode out on a Speedmaster.

Good Luck,

~Brent

I have an 06 black speedy since new and I love it. If I bought the new speedy there would be many things I would change including the tank. I love the new bonneville T100 too. I nearly bought one the other day to have as well but I cant really afford two bikes and would never sell my speedy.
I say buy both. Failing that buy the speedy and change the tank because I think it would suit your purpose better. The choice is ultimately yours and they are both hot bikes.

The 2011 speedy has twin disks so the specks tell me
Have a read

I like the tubeless tires.The litature on the new Bonneville showed the standard Boneville with mags,is this correct? I know the SE Bonneville comes with tubeless tires on mags. I would much rather be able to plug a tire than to have to patch a tube on a trip.

The Bonneville and Bonneville SE both have spoked mag wheels. The Bonneville T100 has wire wheels.

Get the Bonnie if that's what you're really gaga over and have a seat made custom for touring. Of course, the Bonnie won't have dual discs either. The Bonnie SE is a saucy wench, the only thing wrong in my eyes (or butt) is the seat (same for the Scrambler).

It's a tough call... which one would get the most looks from chicks? Hope I helped!

Well, to me, it's a pretty simple question. Do ya want the "totally classic" look of the bonny or the "Americanized classic" look of the Speedy? Do ya want the regular touring handling of the Bonny or the "Cruiser" handling of the Speedy? That is the criteria to judge by, cut down to the basics.

Frame Tubular steel cradle
Swingarm Twin-sided, tubular steel
Wheel Front Cast aluminium alloy 5-spoke 19 x 2.5in
Rear Cast aluminium alloy 5 spoke 15 x 4in
Tyre Front 100/90 - R19
Rear 170/80 B15
Suspension Front Kayaba 41mm forks with polished lowers, 120mm travel
Rear Kayaba chromed spring twin shocks with adjustable preload, 96mm rear wheel travel
Brakes Front Twin 310mm disc, Nissin 2-piston floating calipers
Rear Single 285mm disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper
Instrument Display/Functions Analogue speedometer and tachometer with odometer and trip information
Dimensions and Capacities

That is copied from there web site

I don't think that is right, even the pic on the American site was a single rotor on the 2011 Speedmaster. Time will tell...

Since I have an America (not a speedy, I know) and a T100 and have done long trips on both... I abstain. Both are great bikes. I love the shorter wheelbase and higher center of gravity of the T100 in the mountains, but like the longer legs and lower center of gravity of the America for more relaxed riding. The T100 is, perhaps, the worlds best commuter bike, small, nimble, and quick. But the America is no slouch there either.

oops, sorry, I was abstaining.

I've had both at the same time so here's my perspective: snappier handling with the Bonnie, more leg room with the America/Speedmaster. Both have similar power and highway manners. Both will bring a grin to your face.

For me, the Bonnie's stock ironing board seat is not sitable for over long periods of time but neither was the stock America seat due to it's lack of support. It's a tough choice, I was just leering at a very nice used Bonnie Black yesterday...

Try to get a test ride on as many of the Bonneyville based bikes as you can and buy the one that feels best to you. No matter how it looks, if your bike doesn't feel right to you it will become a garage queen. The mechanical and price differences across the range are not enough to worry about.

I keep worring about the touring part of the Bonne, but I don't know if I should be. Of course, I'll be putting on as many or more miles on just around town and going to work. I'm not out to impress anyone. Triumph's are "those" bikes. I have a retro look on life, even though I'm only 27(I think). The T100 is still on the top of the list for me, for now.

The UK site still lists a dual front disc, but the pictures speak for themselves...

have you ridden the t100? the seat does leave a bit to be desired. i have had a 03 t100, 06 scrambler and a 09 bonneville. now i have a 06 speedmaster. i like the relaxed feel of the speedy. i use to drag my pegs alot with all the bonnies, even the scrambler. so where is this going?? if you want to do more touring then the speedmaster if you are going around town and twisties then the t100. i did 400 mile days on the t100 but i felt it the next day.

I rode a Scrambler at demo days a few years ago. I liked it, but you know how that goes. They don't let you ride the way you want to. I did see that New Bonneville (New Speedmaster) sells highway pegs for the Bonne. Also, whichever model I buy, it will get the Triumph gel seat before it leaves the dealership.

I LOVE this shot!

Can you afford to wait until Spring? There may not be any 2010s left...

I have no choice

Frankly, from the 2010/11 bikes, I'd go for a T100. I love my '03 Blue, but am not so fond of the new design.