Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Bonneville as a first bike

Hi,

I am about to get my license and I have been looking at the entry level beginner bikes. In a long run, I'd like to get a Bonnie for my main ride and I am curious if it okay to skip the starter bike step and go directly to a Bonneville. Any commends are appreciated!

Thanks,

I chose the Bonneville America as my first real bike. I had a choice between finding a used V Star or getting a great deal on the last 05 America at our local dealership. I went for the last 05. I'm happy.

vitaliy,

I'd say most any of the Bonneville premutations(T-100, America or Speedmaster) would make a great "beginner bike". There's little if any expensive to replace plastic bodywork on them(the front fender and the side-cover being the exceptions) in case of a "tip-over", and the power of any of these machines is not massive enough to engender a sense of fear in an operator new to the M/C scene. Yet, they also have PLENTY of power that most anyone with years of riding experience could find useful and plentiful enough.

So, just like the Baby Bear's possessions in that childhood story about that blonde bimbo who breaks into the abode of a certain family of bruins...these puppies may be juuuuuuuust right for almost everybody.(in many regards, these bikes are the world's best kept secret)

Cheers,
Dwight
(the ONLY problem is that I think you'll later find your conception of a "beginner bike" will turn out to be flawed, and that you'll find yourself holding onto your Triumph for many years to come, even after you have had thousands of miles under your belt)

I have no plans to sell the Triumph! Love British Iron even before having a real one. All my friends who got their liceneses bought starter bikes because, according to those people, that is what you are supposed to do.

When I went to a local Triumph dealership, I got to try different bikes. I must admit: I liked Scrambler the best. However, the pipes on the side look like a burn accident waiting to happen; therefore, I'll stick with a plain Bonnie.

Thanks!

A bonneville would be a good frist bike. My suggestion however would find a cheap 250 like a rebel or the such so you can lean and practice on. Usually you can find them fairly cheap and will not hurt your feeling too much if you happen to drop it. You should be able to get the money you spent back on it when you sell it. The only draw back is that freeways and major highways are almost out because you will only be able to go about 60 mph. After you become more at ease riding then you can go for whatever bonnie your heart and pocket book desires.

I'd go with the Bonnie or Scrambler. Neither will over power you and both are great bikes regardless of your experience. The mid controls and lighter weights make them easy to ride.

When it comes to learning experience, is it different because the bikes are totally different or simply becuase one bike is brand new? I am sat on both bikes and from the weight perspective, both of them seemed to be similar. In my situation, I do not want to get a bike that will kill me right away The plan is to get a license, go to a riding school and then get something.

My speedy was my first bike, I think it was a good fit. I would recommend the crash bars. Sadly I have needed them.

Post deleted by Grump

I'm 49 year old,bike it's been my dream for many years,and never I've drive a bike before my actually speed,my opinionin is ,isn't bike the problem but how you use bike .
if your choice is go on for relax and not for run as a crazy,ther's no any problem,speed in a iron sweet, agreable,but she can run,it's only your hand that decide how to go.
ride safe,it's a good choice.

if you are talking about Speedy or America YES if about Bonneville think twice its good for short distance ONLY !!!!!

My friends with bonnies T100 are gone in england last year. 1500 km without problems.next year they will go on Man island,and in 2008 also to cape north.

Get the Triumph twin. Bonneville, America or Speedmaster - whichever you like. They are a good "beginner bike", if that's what you want to call it. But it will grow with you.
Most of the members here have been riding many, many years and wouldn't ride anything else. Well, we would, but these are our primary bikes.

You can't go wrong with an America or Speedy. I wouldn't recommend the regular Bonneville because it's not as comfortable for long rides.

The Bonneville America is my first bike, and I couldn't be more thrilled. When I first bought it, I expected to keep it for 2 or 3 years then get rid of it to get a Fat Boy or something of the like. Well, I don't see that happening at all any time soon.

I never had the urge to even consider a Honda, Kawasaki, etc. They just never appealed to me, but as soon as my one friend (who owns a Harley believe it or not) told me to check out the Triumphs, I was immediately sold on the BA. Then I got on cycletrader.com and found one 1.5 hours away and talked him down to $6300.

Dont buy a rebel or other 250, you will be a traffic hazard. The speedy was my first road bike,been riding dirt for years. I think they work well light, good power curve etc. Most the same "starter bikes" are too small for a normal sized man, and if you live in a hilly area, forget it. If you really want a smaller bike, and are less than 6 ft tall, look at the suzuki savage, I got my wife one this winter. Plenty of torque, light and well balanced.
Dill

I have been riding for 30 somewhat years now. I started on a Yamaha 50cc and slowly progressed up the ladder. The best experience and learning curve I had was riding my Yamaha 360 Scrambler. It was light had no problems with the odd spill here and there. It taught me invaluable lessons that you would not be able to get on a heaver bike. So for me this would be the type of bike I would suggest you get as a starter. By all means have the Bonnie as well as a second bike but you will learn quicker and better lessons on the scrambler.

I'd like to offer some advice, but since all anybody knows about you from your bio is that you can type and have 3 posts, any advice you have received will be flawed. Welcome to the board. Give the folks here some info on you, and you will get very sincere and educated responses.

These will apply to any new rider.

1. Rider Safety course.
2. Getting a used learner bike will ease the $ pain if/when you drop it.
3. Smaller bikes are easier to pick up.

later, Tom.

Hi,

I added more stuff to my bio for those who want to had additional information Basically, I am looking for a bike that will be fun to drive in Northern California, San Francisco Bay area. I absolutely love retro stuff; therefore, Triumphs are on top of my list.

As Dill stated, I have heard bad stuff about riding bikes like Honda Rebel in hilly areas and that is where I live I checked out Speedmasters, Americans and plain Bonnevilles and so far I like Bonnies the best simply because they fit what I want to do: No long rides, good size for my height and weight and reasonable specs. I am not looking into a machine that can be the fastest bike on the road; it is more for pleasure and sight seeing (I do a lot of photography). This is probably a wrong forum; however, I considered Scrambler as well.

In CA, as in many states, you can bypass the skill test at DVM by taking a riders course and that is exactly what I am going to do. After taking the course, I wanted to get a bike and since financing is available, then I would *not* mind getting a new bike provided that it does not expensive panels that can be scratched. If there is a dent, well then there is a dent

My sense of economy says the Bonneville can be a perfect starter bike, I like it simply because it is a "keeper" you can learn on that you may never want to trade out of.

Forgot to add

My opinion is worth exactly what you have paid for it......

My first bike was a brand new 1972 Honda CB350. Sort of a scaled down Bonneville. It weighed about 350 pounds or so and had just enough power to get me in trouble. I was 19 at the time, I dumped it twice and my brother wrecked it completely. It was a good bike, I learned a lot while riding it and although I regretted losing it, it was not a great loss. I'm glad it wasn't a 1972 Triumph, that would have been tragic. On the other hand, had I been a bit more mature I may have been more responsible and careful and my bike may have made it through OK. The Honda, good as it was, left me hungry for a real bike. If I'd had the Triumph or Norton I really wanted I would have probably been satisfied with what I had. Moral of the story? Buy what pleases you!

My Speedmaster was my first bike (after 15 years of not riding). I think it (or the America) is the perfect bike to learn or re-learn on. Getting a smaller bike like a Rebel or something else small seems to me to be a waste of money. After a month or so, you will be aching for something bigger. The America and Speedmaster are just the right size to always want to ride without that desire for larger. Out of the Bonneville (or T-100), the America or Speedmaster is to get the one that physically fits you the best. The America and Speedmaster (if they fit) are much more comfortable than the Bonneville for longer rides. They both do awesomely for those short trips around town as well.

Soren

Vitaliy

IMHO The bike you choose really doesn't matter. It is the rider that counts. For a moron rider with a deathwish a 50cc moped will probably get him in heaps of trouble. But a sane, sensible person who respects life and machinery and respects what a machine is capable of doing can learn to ride on a Hyabuysa.

The question isn't "is a bike to powerful, fast, heavy or what ever". The question should be are you sensible enough to understand what twisting the throttle does and what will happen if you twist it to far. If you DO understand that, then i suggest you buy what ever you like and enjoy it.

OH..and PS. I highly recomend the Red ones.

Hey vitality
I had a T100 as my first 'big' bike.

Very easy to get on with and learn some road craft.

I had it four months then changed to the America.

If you haven't done much riding, the Bonny is great to get you going.
The cruiser riding position can be awkward for guys new to riding.

Try and ride a couple of bikes and get the feel for 'em.

If you go for the cruiser, don't give up like I did at first!
It feels slightly wierd at first but after riding one for a while, other bikes become the wierd ones

Whatever you choose, make sure it's a parallel twin

Good luck and ride safe friend.

Don't get the beginners bike, go straight for bonneville or america. That's what I did, you can handle it. I'm 5'6'', 135 lbs.

Just take a safety course and be careful for a bit until you get your bearings.

I am 6' and about 200lbs., so I should do fine Several of you mentioned that Bonnies are not comfy in long rides. What is "long?"

Quote:

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"IMHO The bike you choose really doesn't matter. It is the rider that counts. For a moron rider with a deathwish a 50cc moped will probably get him in heaps of trouble."

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This is very true, when I was younger and dumber I was a meter maid for a town on the coast. I was the only person in 10 years to crash the 50cc moped. I was doing wheelies and a guy in pickup stopped in front of me and I went under the truck. That was fun to explain.
Take the course I took the brc in april with my wife even though I had my lisence already. Everyone can learn something, and it was fun. After you take the class, find a big parking lot and practice at night/or when its empty. With practice and some common sense you can ride any bike.
Dill