Triumph Bonneville Review

[Speeddog]

Just a stellar video, it was a good laugh I needed today:



Borrowed from A&R:
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/reviews/humorous-triumph-bonneville-review-video/

[triangleforge]

  

I want to like the new Bonnie a lot - I am, after all, old.

But I keep getting stuck on the fake carburetors...   

[DucHead]

That's hilarious -- thanks for posting it!!!

[kopfjäger]

 

[MadDuck]

We need more reviews like that!!!  The stories we could tell. 

[SpikeC]

 I just do not understand why they can't get as much power out of that bike as Ducati can from the old 900 2 valve air cooled motors. I might have bought a Thruxton if it was not so gutless.

[Travman]

I just do not understand why they can't get as much power out of that bike as Ducati can from the old 900 2 valve air cooled motors. I might have bought a Thruxton if it was not so gutless.

I'm pretty sure both motors make just under 70 hp.

[SpikeC]

 I think the trump is closer to  generous 60.

[Travman]

I think the trump is closer to  generous 60.

Here is why I was thinking the Triumph was just under 70 hp...


http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2013-moto-guzzi-v7-racer-vs-2013-triumph-thruxton-video-91487.html

However, I did see another figure of 61.7 hp by the same group.
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/triumph/2013-triumph-thruxton-review-91475.html

It doesn't matter, I just read that a few days ago so it was still on my mind.  I'm sure the 900 Monster is a good 50lbs for more less in weight and feels a lot faster. 

[MadDuck]

The reason why the Monster feels faster is because it is faster.         

[ungeheuer]

 

[Kev M]

Here is why I was thinking the Triumph was just under 70 hp...


http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2013-moto-guzzi-v7-racer-vs-2013-triumph-thruxton-video-91487.html

However, I did see another figure of 61.7 hp by the same group.
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/triumph/2013-triumph-thruxton-review-91475.html

It doesn't matter, I just read that a few days ago so it was still on my mind.  I'm sure the 900 Monster is a good 50lbs for more less in weight and feels a lot faster. 

I don't know where they hell MC.com came up with that hero dyno but MCN has tested SIX variants of the Bonnie//Thruxton/Scrambler from 2001 to 2012 and they got 47-62 hp on them with wet weights roughly in the 500 lbs range (give or take about 10.

In contrast an 02 Monster 900ie they tested got 75 hp and weighed 443 lbs wet.

I'll posit that largely it's a choice that Triumph has made for efficiency and reliability. A purposely milder state of tune.

[SpikeC]

 I doubt that the Thruxton they tested was showroom stock. Triumph has some performance bits for that motor, butt there is no lightweight option regardless!

[Curmudgeon]

His first mistake was starting with a girlie model.

FWIW, that video was originally posted here. You can read all the owner comments from the newbies. The bike "is what it is", however numerous niggles are easy to correct and then that leaves you with a decent "standard" which is a good bit better than a cruiser. Had Triumph spent another $3K on weight reduction and premium components, I doubt they'd sell any vs the equally lacking competition. http://www.triumphrat.net/twins-talk/335921-my-honest-video-review-of-the-triumph-bonneville.html#post3739521

Mine has Ikon shocks, Ricor valves in the forks, air injection plugged with a cork, a custom Sargent saddle, forks raised 15mm in the clamps and Pirelli Sport Demons. Total of ~ $1,200 spent including an OEM grab rail.

For what it is, the bike has enough "go" for me. It's easy to pick up another 5 - 8 BHP without sacrificing reliability. IMV that isn't the point. The engine is such a torquey, lovable lump at lower speeds and in traffic. With my mods it handles better than most. For an experienced rider it's a relaxing ride. I only wish it were 50 lbs lighter! For the most part, they ARE as reliable as a stone axe and are very cheap to maintain.

If I'm feeling "sporty", I take the the 796 which only wants to go 80 MPH. 

And..., oddly, of the 35+ bikes I've owned, some absolutely luscious and exotic, it's THIS one which draws a crowd of all types, including riders and non-motorcyclists alike. Go figure!
http://www.hogwildphotography.com/Motorcycles/Classic/i-whzKjbW/XL

[koko64]

That made my day!