New Moto Guzzi Door Mats Available Now
Well I guess we'll see how it goes. I have a special place in my heart for Honda and great respect for the company but just don't have one I really want. Barring the California, a Bonneville fits the bill better than anything else I've seen. It is kind of a smaller bike and that will take some getting used to but I people used to get by with smaller bikes before we all started demanding bigger ones so I think I'll be OK on it. I'm slowly transitioning myself to a much simpler lifestyle and a simple bike is a good match.
As to the bonnie, it may work for your girlfriend but you're going to want to replace the forks and shocks if you weigh over 170lbs. None of the Triumph classics have good suspensions. Most people mod the heck out of their bonnies to make them just right. To me it's not worth it. Brakes are not good either. Between that and the suspension, electronics, seat, and instrumentation, there's just too many things that need moding. That being said I still kind of wanted one but ultimately they're too small. Frankly, it's a good small persons bike.
RELATED TANGENT...Terms like Reliability or small/large, or fast/slow, or want/need are really subjective and a matter of perspective and this post reminds me of that:These comments remind me a little of the V7 comments (too small, no power, suspension sucks etc. all of which I disagree with on a practical sense).Look, I'm not a small guy and the V7 (nevermind the larger/heavier Bonnie) is just fine for me - it's not too small, the suspension isn't that bad.I'm sure the brakes could use better bite/feel, but MCN still has the Bonnie matching or outbraking EVERY Guzzi in their current Performance Index. Do people mod the crap out of em - SURE - just like Harleys and Guzzis too - that's part of the fun. That DOESN'T NECESSARILY present as evidence for a "need".It seems like everyone THINKS the factories screw up and THEY can do better. There are certainly things that can be improved from a performance standpoint, but the NEED is questionable.
Look it's not a matter of a fun project, these bikes are inexpensive and they lack in certain areas. Now I've never ridden a V7 but if it's as bad or worse than the bonnie I for one am not commuting on the slab with it. I absolutely disagree that it will comfortably transport a 200+ lb person without mods, especially on pot hole riddled roads at speed. My speedmaster had the insufficient brakes and suspension of the classic triumph bikes and I'll tell you what, rush hour in the NY metro area? Not even close to sufficient. Crap. My speed triple with brembo abs and ohlins? Different story. It's not a screw up its just a bike built to a price point. A price point made to be profitable to a company who's functional currency is the pound not the yen.
Seem to me, based on my experience, that all brands and models have their issues, VFR's with the R/R, KLRs with the Doohickey, Harleys with the primary chain tensioner...
All points agreed (I'm in a really agreeable mood today) That's all - carry on. ;-T
Kev, several of my coworker riding buddies have the touring harley's with considerable miles on them, and 3 out of 4 have had to replace the primary chain tensioner in the 40 to 50K mile range. They tell me that there is an improved one that will last much much longer. There bikes are in the 2009 to 2011 year range, an RK, Ultra Classic, and two Street Glides. One Glide is still OK, I think Howard has about 55000 miles and it hasn't made any vibrations yet so he hasn't replaced it. Others all started feeling vibrations that got steadily worse until they replaced them. Note, none failed on the road!
Tar, I think you completely missed the point. I'm not disagreeing that a V7 or a Bonnie or a Sporty aren't built to price point and as such don't have the BEST brakes or suspension or ______________ that money can buy.BUT I DO COMPLETELY DISAGREE with the narrow view point of "need" which I again reiterate varies from person-to-person and how aggressively they wish to ride. I say this having grown up in the NYC Metro and LI area, having ridden those roads on Sportsters, and Guzzis and BMWs etc. I say this having ridden a number of Bonnie variants locally, having just returned from a 1k mile weekend on my V7, having 10's of thousands of miles on similar "entry level" bikes etc.It's a cautionary tale about perspectives and absolutes that's all, not a dismissal of your opinion, just a reminder not to assume that everyone will share it or that those who don't aren't necessarily "wrong".
a multi-variable impacted dynamic.
a WHAT ? :DDusty
Need is indeed variable, personal, and a multi-variable impacted dynamic. However bad brakes are bad brakes. A person of 170lbs may be comfortable when a 200lb person may not. It's simple physics. You missed MY point in that I don't buy into the "everyone should mod anyway" mentality. Sure you may be comfortable on a V7. I couldn't even fit on one to test ride it. we're all different, but I think it's only conscionable to inform someone of your experiences good or bad should information they've been given be misleading. And from my experiences larger people have not found the stock bonnie to be at all pleasant. So simply pointing out to the poster that although a woman may love hers, he, if at a larger size, may not, and here's why... no where did I attempt to define need for everyone or say anything or anyone was "wrong." But the proof of the puddin' is in the eatin' as they say.
I should have said a multi-variable impacted dynamic...there are numerous inputs that are involved and effect the outcome of certain interrelated, interdependent processes..
Yeah, but I'm 5' 10" / 230 currently and again I've found the suspension and brakes adequate on Bonnies.You said bad brakes ARE bad brakes.Or essentially same about suspension.But what does "bad" equal? Since this isn't math the answer VARIES.You say Bonnie brakes are bad, but I pointed out MCN had brake distances = to or better all the Guzzis.That means YOU don't like the bite or feel of the brakes, but if used properly they ARE capable.Similarly I've heard complaints about suspension, but the difference is not only size of the rider, but adjustment, load, ambient road conditions, AND SPEEDS (especially aggressive cornering speeds). Change one factor and everything changes.I've even felt my NEEDS change with a single motorcycle over years of ownership. What was sufficient at one point might, become insufficient to me at a different point because of a change of usage. AND NO, I'm not advocating that "everyone must mod" as I generally keep my motors, brakes, and suspensions stock, or at least prefer to unless really motivated (or forced to change). I've changed these things on only a minority of my bikes.
The OP now has the bike for sale on the MGNOC classified section.
You don't look an ounce over 229lbs. btw.
Okay, you bring up road conditions. I don't know about the Island but the NJ turnpike, Palisades Interstate, and other bi-ways, s*ck. I'm 202 without gear and backpack, and I slammed around and bounced lanes on my heavier speedmaster, the suspension of which many owners complained of as well. I've much more limited time on a bonnie but it felt worse...again, my statement was I wouldn't ride it on those roads at 80mph.
As far as the brakes ONE reviewer claimed it was better than the V7 to my recollection, not all Guzzis.
It's all relative. If I were to only have one bike it wouldn't be a triumph, but for a second non commuting bike, the Thruxton appeals to me.. As you say its all in the use.
I have the same feelings with Honda. I wanted to like the new CB1100 but hated it, and nothing else floats my boat, though they're reliable and feature rich at a fair price. The Bonnie is a fun bike. I could never commute on it. Not the highways around here, but local roads it would be just fine if I could fit on it. The T-100 with a higher seat and footpeg kit would work but still too small of a bike. It is a simple bike that I'll give you. I get that simple is better sometimes. Just don't forget the fun! [/quoteI like the CB100. Its a pretty bike and fits me well but its a bit too bright and shiny for me and there are very few aftermarket accessories available in the US so far. I am a little worried that the Triumph will seem too small but we'll see how that goes. I see a lot of big old Harley guys that say they started off on Triumphs and it is kind of hard to picture.
Haven't been keeping up with this thread and just read it from start to finish. Noticed you asked in an earlier post for help from any Guzzi owners in Jacksonvlle. I'm in Gainesville & sorry I did not reply sooner. If you have any second thoughts about your decision to sell I'm more than willing to lend a hand. It will have to be on a Sunday, my only day off. I hate riding in the city but the old Subaru will make the trip unless you want to ride & meet up 1/2 way. Send me an email or go to the web site for a phone number ( I hate just posting it on line) OtterTrout.com
As I have come to learn... if the pain of ownership outweighs the pleasure of ownership, you have a decision to make.
Getting in late.Regardless of 'reliability' (issues that cause downtime) you will certaily have more normal maintenance issues with the Triumph.Depending on the amount of miles you put on, you will have to adjust the chain on a normal schedule. If you are at all sensitive to handling characteristics this schedule may be much more frequent than you might believe. As the chain gets loose it can have a progressively negative (and constantly changing) effect on throttle response, especially noticeable coming out of curves and turns. (This is especially true on really good handling machines. The handling can go off very quickly.)And of course, every time you mess with adjusting the chain, you have to deal with front and rear wheel alignment. If this isn't set perfectly say good-bye to any acceptable handling characteristics.I'm just sayin'......These maintenance tasks are normal. They are not rocket science. However, they do need to be performed with accuracy. Of course there is a certain amount of 'lash' in any shaft-drive system as well. The difference is that it gets worse over a period of many years, or even decades, rather than weeks or months. It is essentially constant and predictable to the rider.
BINGO - now we're starting to say the same things. That's why absolutes are dangerous.
All of them?
:D ~; :DLOL - ya know, for the record, I hadn't been to the doctor since the baby was born, and the battery in the bathroom scale had been dead for years. I went for a physical about a month and a half ago and I was like :o :o :o so I decided to make some lifestyle changes - make sure I really do workout 2-3 times a week, smaller portions, and the big one - NO DRINKING DURING THE WEEK. Lost 13 lbs in the first month just to get BACK TO 230... :BEER: I figure my goal is to get and stay BELOW 220 again before the new baby arrives. Shouldn't be too hard, that's only 1-2 pounds a month. ;-TNow, back to our Triumph and "entry level" bikes discussion.
Well, I can't speed to the Speedmaster as I never rode one (never really cared for it's style, though I did like that it at least had cast wheels and dual discs).
But the standard Bonnie variants (SE, T100, Thruxton) that I've put miles on were fine.You say slammed and bounced, but how were the shocks adjusted? Of course, you also point out that the Speedmaster is heavier - by almost 100 lbs wet weight, so hell, who knows what else was different.
The fact that "many" owners complain just means many want something different, it doesn't necessarily mean a new suspension is "needed".
No, that's not what I saidI said the MCN (specifically in their performance guide, a compilation of basic facts from their tests - rwhp, torque, wet weight, 1/4 time, BRAKING DISTANCE TEST) lists a couple of the Bonnies as MATCHING OR BEATING the braking performance of pretty much ALL GUZZIS THEY'VE TESTED - CARCS, V7s variants, Cali variants, etc. Though to be more accurate the Griso 8V beat out one of the Bonnies by 0.8 feet. :DThough in the interest of full discloser the Thruxton, Speedmaster, and Scrambler all did a little worse than some of the Guzzis.Ironically the THRUXTON did the worst ??? but that's not the point - the point was that in an OBJECTIVE TEST the standard Bonnie models demonstrated the brakes are very capable. Similarly a single 2-pot disc brake Sportster 1200N out performed a number of the dual-brembo equipped R1200GS variants. But I always got the impression from feel/bite that there was no way a single disc late-model Sporty could brake near as well.In both cases do some owners complain? SURE - largely ones that are USED to the feel of dual-brembos may very well complain for that same reason. I suspect in many cases they are complaining about a perception of how capable the brakes are more than actual reality. Or maybe they, like me, just want a different FEEL, which is totally fine.But that doesn't change the objective truth of the bike's capabilities.
You have to expect putting on a few pounds when having a baby ;Dbtw, not drinking during the week is just plain wrong! Gulp....ahh, this pumpkin stout is good! :BEER:<snip>except for beer is always better than wine ;)
