Sold my Moto Guzzi, I'm thinking about a Bonneville.

HardDrive · 04-07-2012, 08:36 PM

I thinking about a modern Bonneville. Curious about the carbed vs FI models. Any issues to be aware of with the newer FI bikes?

What is the engine feel like? Is it 'buzzy' at higher RPM?

How compliant is the ride in the rear suspension?

I need me some peashooter exhaust pipes.....

EarlyPorsche · 04-07-2012, 09:09 PM

One of my best friends' brother purchased one new around 2005. It was a carbureted model and honestly started every time really easily. I don't have a ton of bike experience and I didn't ride the Bonneville a whole bunch but it was plenty of bike. It seemed like the engine was pretty well balanced to the bike. All of the features made sense to me at the time and it was certainly comfortable. The only thing I would say is that he did have to have a rebuild on his engine by Triumph because the carbs leaked fuel into the bottom end and ate up the engine with the diluted oil. Using the petcock would have prevented that and what happened to his bike could happen to any bike.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

I think Nynor had one.....

mikeesik · 04-07-2012, 11:31 PM

My Son will sell you his 82 yamaha 920 Virago for a fair price!

jhynesrockmtn · 04-08-2012, 06:43 AM

Quote:

What is the engine feel like? Is it 'buzzy' at higher RPM?

You sold the Guzzi and kept the Enfield and you're worried about buzzy?

Does it make a difference? You'll have the thing for approximately 8 months anyway........during the winter

HardDrive · 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

You sold the Guzzi and kept the Enfield and you're worried about buzzy?

Does it make a difference? You'll have the thing for approximately 8 months anyway........during the winter

You know me too well

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Threadjack: what was the Guzzi like? I see them for sale from time to time on CL.

HardDrive · 04-08-2012, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah930

Threadjack: what was the Guzzi like? I see them for sale from time to time on CL.

The Guzzi was.....interesting. It was a comfortable bike, tons of low end so it was easy to haul around in the city. It buzzed a bit on the highway, but not bad. The large laterally mounted motor put a lot of weight up high, so it wasn't flickable. It handled like a tank. It was a really cool bike, but it seems like an answer to a question that no one is asking!

The gear box was clunky, and I didn't like the shaft drive.

HardDrive · 04-08-2012, 10:18 AM

BTW, Moto International in Seattle has a bunch of 2007-8 bikes sitting new in the crates. A dealership went under, and they got the stock. They have a brand new 1100 Grisio for $6500 on CL.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

If I bring home one more bike, I'd better bring along a divorce lawyer, too.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

I'll store one of your bikes if you want to buy another

Chocaholic · 04-08-2012, 05:56 PM

Quack....just sayin'.

exc911ence · exc911ence's Garage

One word: Thruxton

I have a major hankering for one of these... been grooving the seat of a red one at the local Triumph dealer in town for months now. *drools*

Moses · 04-09-2012, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exc911ence

One word: Thruxton

I have a major hankering for one of these... been grooving the seat of a red one at the local Triumph dealer in town for months now. *drools*

I want a Thruxton bad. Great looking bike. I've never been on one. I'm a little concerned about how aggressively lowered the bars are. Is it uncomfortable?

nynor · 04-09-2012, 02:39 PM

i had a '77 bonnie. 'nuff said.

my good friend has a 2007 bonnie, however. it is a nice bike. very low center of gravity, torquey, and very smooth. get the suspension adjusted for your weight, you'll be good to go. i've done a little work on the bike, it is very straightforward, but difficult to get to the internals (IMO). its been a solid bike and is getting the valves adjusted very soon (about 10K on the odometer, IIRC) with no major issues. brake pad changes, etc., is about all.

FWIW, i would get FI. i will never have another carburetor on a motorcycle again in my life.

HardDrive · 04-09-2012, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nynor

FWIW, i would get FI. i will never have another carburetor on a motorcycle again in my life.

I'm with ya. Cold morning, walk out, turn key, ride.

jhynesrockmtn · 04-09-2012, 04:51 PM

Quote:

I'm with ya. Cold morning, walk out, turn key, ride.

The carbs on my old 93 VFR have been great. The short warm up gives me a chance to check the bike out and I much prefer the throttle response vs. FI bikes I've ridden which admittedly has been a fairly small group, V-Strom, BMW GS and a few CBR600's. The CBR's I did not like, felt like an on/off switch.

Britwrench · 04-09-2012, 05:56 PM

Another word: ZRX
Although that's not really a word, but regardless...

nynor · 04-09-2012, 06:00 PM

i'd ride a ZRX. nice corbin seat, BTW.

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

I rode a friends Bonneville years ago. A very nice bike - cruiser. Honestly I would tire of it quickly if it were my only bike. LOL I don't have any motorcycles right now. In a couple years I might cross that bridge again.

I can't help but suggest something else from Triumph...Speed Triple. I still miss mine - huge mistake letting it go but it was the older 955. The newer ones can only be better...