 Newbie questions
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2 |
I'm thinking about getting a 2004 bonneville as my first bike. It has 14,697 miles and its selling for $3,800. I don't know a whole lot about these bikes. Is there anything I should know before buying a triumph? how reliable are they? since they are british bikes, is it expensive to get parts? how reliable are they and how many miles do they typically get in a lifetime (if well maintained)?
Lastly, I am a pretty big guy: 320 lbs and 6'4" (working on losing the weight lol) will this be a good bike for a guy my size? The place that is selling it is kind of far away, so I haven't been able to sit on it yet. I was just wondering if it would be worth the trip out there
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 Re: Newbie questions
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Firstly... might I say welcome! And secondly, it's worth the drive to go check out the bike... it really is. The America and/or Speedmaster are very well crafted and engineered, enough to continue the tradition that a Triumph is something special amongst it's peers. But you need to sit in it (and I say this after JUST buying a bike sight unseen... but I know the bike so...) and find out how it feels. You need to know from a relationship point of view, if it will work for you. Otherwise I'd have to say you can count on these bikes. They are as reliable as any counterpart. I mean they are not infallible but they become a friend you can count on for huge amounts of fun and discovery. OEM parts are expensive... but there are ways around that. There are good sources for used parts and many third party businesses supply a host of useful things for our bikes. What else... how long do they last? Take good care of them and they should last well over 100,000 miles and even then, it just becomes a matter of tearing them down and building them back up again. Should last a lifetime!!! But ya know... these bikes have soul. They stand out in any crowd and generally attract onlookers with discerning taste. They speak of past and present, and convey a story of a bike that never forgot it's roots, yet evolved to become something different. If she holds you in her powers, there's nothing you can do. Go visit her and see if you can or cannot resist her many charms.  
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Newbie questions
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 663
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 663 |
I agree with everything Keith, I mean mountainman, says  . My America has proved to be a very reliable bike for me, and the great thing about this bike is that it stands out in a crowd, and just performs, sounds and feels so good. As with any used bike, you need to ride it, and get a sense for how well it's been taken care of. Good luck on your search! 
2013 Speedmaster Matte Black
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Re: Newbie questions
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,728 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,728 Likes: 5 |
Welcome beardawg! First off, try to knock a little bit off that asking price, I'm confident you can get it for less. You may be a little big for a Bonneville, but if you look at an America or Speedmaster you may find they fit you a little better. There are plenty of um.. ahem... larger guys here and the bike fits them fine. If you get any Triumph, be prepared to talk about it when you stop for gas!
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Newbie questions
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 950
Banned
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Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 950 |
I havnt been a triumph owner long enough to vouch for there durability.I can say I am a bigger guy myself 6ft 250.I sat on a std bonny a time or 2 but have not ridden one as of yet.I have the suspicion that a std bonny is not for you.I would suppose you would have some long legs so the america or speedy would suit you better as would the more relaxed riding position.Just my 2 cents.Check out that bike,but make sure you set on the america/speedy for comparison.Good luck with your choice.
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Re: Newbie questions
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 144
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 144 |
Mountainman, how well put. Triumph's do have a way of working their ways into our hearts. Maybe other bikes do too, but having had a number of bikes for over 40 years, my first Triumph and my current '05 Speedy are very special. Not for everyone, but for those that it is, it is something magical.
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Re: Newbie questions
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
If Triumph was good enough for the Fonz it's good enough for anyone.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Newbie questions
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 103
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 103 |
I recently purchased an America and have not found anyone who has not like it. Several people have taken it for a spin, most of whom are very into motorcycles. Every one of them has LOVED the way it handles and overall riding experience.
Soon, I will post a story of my weekend: First road trip. Look for it. It will be long, detailed and should give you an idea of what the "experience" is like.
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Re: Newbie questions
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580 |
Quote:
Firstly... might I say welcome! And secondly, it's worth the drive to go check out the bike... it really is. The America and/or Speedmaster are very well crafted and engineered, enough to continue the tradition that a Triumph is something special amongst it's peers. But you need to sit in it (and I say this after JUST buying a bike sight unseen... but I know the bike so...) and find out how it feels. You need to know from a relationship point of view, if it will work for you.
Otherwise I'd have to say you can count on these bikes. They are as reliable as any counterpart. I mean they are not infallible but they become a friend you can count on for huge amounts of fun and discovery.
OEM parts are expensive... but there are ways around that. There are good sources for used parts and many third party businesses supply a host of useful things for our bikes.
What else... how long do they last? Take good care of them and they should last well over 100,000 miles and even then, it just becomes a matter of tearing them down and building them back up again. Should last a lifetime!!!
But ya know... these bikes have soul. They stand out in any crowd and generally attract onlookers with discerning taste. They speak of past and present, and convey a story of a bike that never forgot it's roots, yet evolved to become something different.
If she holds you in her powers, there's nothing you can do. Go visit her and see if you can or cannot resist her many charms.
Pretty much sums it up
Out of the many bikes I've had over the years (mainly Jap) my Triumph is the only one deserving a name 
Although I think you should check out the America or Speedmaster as I think you might be a little bit too tall for a standard Bonnie IMO
BTW, we're not biased here  
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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Re: Newbie questions
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Mountainman pretty much summed up the good points. I would only elaborate on one, a Triumph is for an individual who likes to be just that, an "individual". Sure, there are a lot of nice Harleys out there. And I do mean, a LOT! Most guys don't get a second look when riding by or filling up with gas. Our America's and Speedmasters are every bit as good looking, in the same "classical" style of past Triumphs. Wanna be cool and "one of the guys?" Get a Hardley or a Metric Cruiser. Wanna be cool and standout from the rest of them? Get a Triumph.
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Newbie questions
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2 |
Thanks for all the advice. However, I realized the day after I posted this that the bike is a lot further away than I originally thought. lol I thought it was a 2 hour trip which I was willing to make, but actually it is more like 7 hours. That is a long trip (especially if I decide the bike isn't for me lol). But after doing a significant amount of research, I am leaning heavily toward Triumph. Are there any web sites or other resources that I can use to find out more about Triumph and their bikes?
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Re: Newbie questions
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,728 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,728 Likes: 5 |
newbonnevilleriders.com and I guess you could check out triumphrat.net, but that site kind of sucks
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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