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Message started by jcstokes on 08/02/17 at 20:50:47

Title: Rode a Bonneville (briefly)
Post by jcstokes on 08/02/17 at 20:50:47

Rode a Bonneville yesterday. Positives, it had much more power than our beloved little bikes, it had two disc brakes, it would handle ok by my limited standards, once you are used to it, had more instruments and warning lights than we do. Negatives, the side stand was hard to find, the foot pegs tangled in my over trousers, it is obviously heavier than our bikes and more difficult to back into my garage, the gear lever seemed too close to the foot pegs, the left foot peg would spring down annoyingly when you went to find the side stand.

Title: Re: Rode a Bonneville (briefly)
Post by Armen on 08/03/17 at 02:34:15

Which Bonnie?
I've worked on the older 865cc oil cooled ones a fair bit. An honest 100+ lbs heavier than a Savage. Not a bad bike, but needed a bunch of stuff.
If you the one you rode had dual discs stock, it'd prob be one of the new water cooled ones. A different beast.
I've ridden the new Thruxton R, and it is a pretty amazing bike.

Title: Re: Rode a Bonneville (briefly)
Post by jcstokes on 08/03/17 at 14:10:33

Armen, I can't really say which one, because I don't know enough about them. As it had the front and rear discs, I will accept that it's one of the later ones, although I did notice a radiator. What we get in NZ may have different specs to USA.

Title: Re: Rode a Bonneville (briefly)
Post by MMRanch on 08/03/17 at 14:40:11

J

I would have got a "Speed-Master 865" when I got the Sportster, if it were not for that "Chain Drive" thing Triumph won't give up. To many memories of the old days with chain lube and messy rear rims ... :(

Honda don't want to give up the chain idea either ... maybe Harley won't let them ? :-?

If ya don't mind "Liquid Cooling" and "Messy Rear Rims", have ya checked out the Honda 500 Rebel ? :P It feels really light and nimble

Title: Re: Rode a Bonneville (briefly)
Post by jcstokes on 08/03/17 at 17:22:33

MM, what I had been looking at is the Yamaha Bolt, which is belt drive, short seat height 950cc so more power. I did sit on one and noticed the airbox banging my knee. By NZ standards, some of them can be had under retail, but they would still be costly by US standards. Reality is that the S40 is still doing 90% of what I want, it's main deficiency is that it's a little light on overtaking power. So I'll probably stick with it despite this and the tendency to butt rivet on longer trips, I can live with these two factors and I'm probably too disciplined to have multiple bikes. Two antique cars, one bike and a one modern car is enough

Title: Re: Rode a Bonneville (briefly)
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/03/17 at 17:53:32

Two antique cars...

Ohhh, do tell..

Title: Re: Rode a Bonneville (briefly)
Post by jcstokes on 08/03/17 at 23:47:35

JOG, they are a 1929 and 1930 Willys Overland Whippet Four model 96A's, very popular as taxis and government cars in NZ at that time. If you do want to see mine go to www.wokr.org and click on photo gallery, scroll to 1929-31 Whippet four gallery and look for rego plates MR 1201 and BC 7683

Title: Re: Rode a Bonneville (briefly)
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/04/17 at 01:32:47

That's cool stuff. Thanks