 Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 370
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 370 |
Hey
I currently have a 2003 SM which I love and plan on keeping. I would like to add a new ride to my garage. I keep looking at both the Bonneville especially the Black one and the Thruxton.
If anyone has either of these and would like to offer advice on which one they like better and why I would really appreciatte it.
2003 Red and Black Speedy. What do I want to change on my bike next????
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
If you already have a Speedy then I would get something a little different like a Speed Triple, Tiger, even an R-3 or something with a different engine. Just my $.02.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531 |
Quote:
If you already have a Speedy then I would get something a little different like a Speed Triple, Tiger, even an R-3 or something with a different engine. Just my $.02.
yep.... +1........  p.s. Sprints are sweet too
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 6 |
They both felt a little small under me, are you not interested in a standard Bonnie?
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
You really need to ride the Thrux first. I found it way uncomfortable when I tested one (first year model with the clip ons).
Bonnie? Eh, kinda boring from my perspective. Heck, ride that one too. I did. YMMV.
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Actually Steve, I think it depends mightily on what kind of riding you're thinkin' of doing with this other bike. Sport riding? Sport-Touring? Touring? Dual-Purpose, or what have you?
Now, if it wasn't goin' to be for any long-distance duty at all, then I'd buy a two or three year old stock Bonnie or T100 and then I'd customize that baby into a StreetTracker, WHICH you could do for probably 1500 bucks extra, and still probably less than a stock NEW Bonnie out the door!
And THEN if you'd really like to go a little crazy, put a big-bore kit on it a bit later.
(Oh yeeeeah...and you think you get folks walkin' up and admirin' the SM now, do ya?!...weeeell, that baby would have 'em droolin' even more when you'd ride up, 'cuz ANYBODY with a lick o' knowledge about motorcycles LOVES a StreetTracker, dude!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680 |
I have a 2008 T100 in addition to my America. Bernadette is just plain fun on two wheels. I am not a speed nut, and bought the bonnie primarily as an every day run-about / commuter; it fits that bill perfectly. With the stock seat it is not much of a long distance rider, although I have done a couple of 400+ mile days on mine with only some normal saddle soreness.
It is not a sport bike, it is not a cruiser it is a good old fashioned standard. I love my America for different rides and different reasons.
I love mine and have never regretted getting it! Your mileage may vary.
Thom
I might be wrong, I sometimes am.
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
You might want to take a look at the Thunderbird. Both the new twins and the older triples are similar enough to the Bonneville line to feel familiar, yet different enough to make things interesting.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
I also plan to eventually get another bike, but have no intentions of letting my America go. To me both the Bonnie and Thruxton would be competing for Sunday rides with my America. I'll probably get more of a tourer for longer distances and mountain riding.
If they come out with a new Trophy with fairings and upright sitting position, I'm sure I won't be able to resist.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531 |
New Triumph Trophy !!!!!!!!!!!! 
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 706 Likes: 1
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 706 Likes: 1 |
i to found my self wanting another bike didnt have the money for a newish 1
got hold of a early FJ1200 50,000 miles on the clock and i tell you what folks it fill's the needs that the Speedy car'nt reach
04 yellow&black Speedmaster+the Money Pit{xj jeep}
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 711
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 711 |
Here, I'll make things worse:  Have y'all seen this thing? The new Guzzi V7 Clubman? I am deeply in lust. http://www.fasterandfaster.net/2009/11/moto-guzzi-v7-clubman-racer-that-70s.htmlAlso listed on "****** for Leather," but I can't get the ****** page to load at the moment. --Jaeger --Jaeger
NEUTIQUAM ERRO
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 6 |
wow, I like that Guzzi 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874 |
Sweet as ******!! 
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 192
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 192 |
I think it depends on what kind of riding you want to do. Me, I'd go for one of the triples, a Sprint or Tiger.
'08 America, AI removed, National Cycle windscreen, bags, tach, dresser bars
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
It depends on what kind of niche you are trying to fill. I own an 03 America and a 04 Thruxton, love them both. They are both fine for around town, but with the clipons the Thruxton is not a distance bike. On the other hand the Thruxton will do things the America won't, it's quicker, handles better, you can throw it around. The America with a 19 tooth sprocket is my distance bike, but for that purpose it will be replaced this coming spring with a T-Bird or 1050 Tiger. I will keep the America.
The standard Bonnies handle better than the America, but not the Thruxton.
Last edited by MACMC; 11/11/2009 11:09 PM.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Deciding on a new Bike.....Your thoughts?
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 664
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2005
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WHATEVER you are looking at, make sure you arrange a LONG-TERM (300+ mile) test ride on it. The majority of test rides are less than 6 miles and do NOT give a true 'feeling' of the bike. Have fun trying out the models you choose to ride, just be sure you actually get enough miles on them to really see how they feel.
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