New "liquid-cooled" Bonnevilles for 2016

[skromfols]

Yep.  Beauty is in the eyes of the beerholder.  I certainly have my own taste.  I tend to like the stuff of my youth.

I can certainly understand that, but they look awfully young for you.

Stan
 :-[

[lorazepam]

Is it ok to say that the leaked pics of the new Triumph is uglier than a bag of hammered dog shit? I hope they keep the old version for a while until I can afford to buy one. I bought my V7 stone because it is as close to a modern airhead as I can get. I am tired of canbus, electronic suspension, and bikes that look like a transformer took a nasty Mexican food dump.

[kevdog3019]

Is it ok to say that the leaked pics of the new Triumph is uglier than a bag of hammered dog shit? I hope they keep the old version for a while until I can afford to buy one. I bought my V7 stone because it is as close to a modern airhead as I can get. I am tired of canbus, electronic suspension, and bikes that look like a transformer took a nasty Mexican food dump.

That's frickin' hilarious.  I agree on modern bikes, but never thought of it that way.   ;-T

[Penderic]

I don't think Triumph can make a credible scrambler version with the water cooling model- it will probably end up weigh too heavy.

They will have to do something else  ??? in order to compete with the new Ducati Scrambler.

The 60's Triumph scramblers at least looked light weight in comparison.  ;D

[Kev m]

Fwiw the article says the new one will be lighter.

[bpreynolds]

I don't think Triumph can make a credible scrambler version with the water cooling model- it will probably end up weigh too heavy.

They will have to do something else  ??? in order to compete with the new Ducati Scrambler.

The 60's Triumph scramblers at least looked light weight in comparison.  ;D

Looks kinda top heavy to me.

[Kev m]

Is it ok to say that the leaked pics of the new Triumph is uglier than a bag of hammered dog shit? I hope they keep the old version for a while until I can afford to buy one. I bought my V7 stone because it is as close to a modern airhead as I can get. I am tired of canbus, electronic suspension, and bikes that look like a transformer took a nasty Mexican food dump.

Meant to comment about this yesterday.

I too kinda loathe the look of "transformer" bikes, and that's one of the things that attracts me to my Stone, and my Harleys.

I wasn't originally sold on Jenn's Duc because of the cast rear frame bits that eliminated the rear portion of the trellis from the earlier monsters, and I'm still not sold on the angular headlight.

I'm also long on the record for preferring air-cooled bikes and generally not loving traps of water-cooling.

That said WTF ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? This new Bonnie is NOTHING like transformer...

Classic lines of a motorbike:



ALSO Classic lines of a motorbike:




Transformers:

[Rough Edge racing]

 You can't compare the new Bonneville to the vintage bike. In it's day the old Bonneville  was a leading edge sport bike on it's way to becoming obsolete. The new bike of the same model name but a different Triumph logo is not intended to be a top performer in the Triumph line of bikes. Yes, the older bike is 390 pounds and very graceful looking, but bikes don't look like that any more for a variety of reasons.

[rocker59]

  ...bikes don't look like that any more for a variety of reasons.

And that's too bad.

[jetmechmarty]

But none of that looks anything like the ThunderTurd ;)

I threw a pretty Thunderturd in there!

[Kev m]

And that's too bad.

Agreed, but at least some still do...

I threw a pretty Thunderturd in there!

Noted, and I wasn't casting any aspersions towards the aesthetics of that one... I just really don't like the looks of giant Vulcan 500 that Triumph is selling. And I'm a fan of much of their lineup...

[Penderic]

To me, riding any motorcycle over 500lbs now would be like driving a ....

 :P

[Kev m]

To me, riding any motorcycle over 500lbs now would be like driving a ....

 :P

Are you sure it's not anything over 499, or maybe 449, or maybe 399?

I DO lament when bikes seem too big or too heavy, but at the same time I'm not bench pressing a Ducati and sooner than I am a Sportster, so who cares.

I will note this, and I know it's not ONLY mass, but where and how it carries it (including chassis architecture and amount of bodywork etc.) but generally speaking in HEAVY crosswinds I'd rather be on a 500-700# Sportster, Road King, Cali (1100 or 1400) then on a 400-500# Monster, V7, or even Breva 1100.

The experiences I've had with the former in those conditions far outWEIGH the latter in terms of stability in those conditions.

[skromfols]

Motorcycles should be designed to serve a purpose.  I have a Honda Valkyrie, which I understand weighs about 660 lbs dry.  With the opposed 6 cylinder engine the center of gravity is pretty low and with the slightly wider handlebars, windshield, saddle bags, etc., that I've installed it is a great touring bike and holds the road really well.  If I have to spend any time on the super slab the Valkyrie is the way to go.

My second motorcycle is a Moto Guzzi Nevada.  Small (was 750, now 850), light (less than 390 lbs dry, and great handling on hilly, twisty roads.  I've added a windshield and throw over saddle bags and this is the perfect bike for riding up in the Sierras.

My third bike is a Triumph America.   I've modified the engine for additional power, added a Corbin seat, windshield, hard bags, etc.  It fits right between my touring bike and my little sport cruiser.  It's stable on the open road and handles well up in the twisties, basically a good all around bike.

Each of these bikes are suited to particular riding needs and to try touring on the Nevada or taking the Valkyrie on tight twisty roads can be done, but you're really taking them out of the element that they're designed to work best in.

Hopefully the new water cooled Bonneville meets the purpose that it was designed for and the people who purchase one are happy with it.

Stan

[Spuddy]

Best Bonneville is a Kawasaki W650 or maybe the W800... Just say'n

[lucydad]

All,

Very entertaining discussion and visuals.  Please keep it up!  lmfao....

Just off Mary Anne meeting my friend Mitch for breakfast.  His old Triumph Triple restoration is in progress.  Tempted him with the STRX.

Guzzi off for romp after light lunch and nap.   







ciao and cheers!

[rocker59]

Best Bonneville is a Kawasaki W650 or maybe the W800... Just say'n

Best at what?  Traditional looks?

Because performance-wise, the New Bonneville will walk all over either of those.

[skromfols]

Best at what?  Traditional looks?

Because performance-wise, the New Bonneville will walk all over either of those.

While I haven't tried either of those Kawi's, traditionally an imitation of something is lacking, at the very least in authenticity.   :)

[Kev m]

While I haven't tried either of those Kawi's, traditionally an imitation of something is lacking, at the very least in authenticity.   :)

But the W650 isn't an imitation, it's a reproduction of the Magaru (so?) which was a licensed BSA.

[kirkemon]

Best at what?  Traditional looks?

Because performance-wise, the New Bonneville will walk all over either of those.

I ride my W with Thruxtons, Bonnevilles, and Nortons. They can out run me on the freeway, but in the twisties (Angeles Crest or Mulholland), it's a different story.  None of them "walk all over" me. ~;

[Kev m]

I LOVE the W650... Would buy one in a heartbeat...