If I buy a new bike this coming spring ....

[ohiorider]

I'm excited that I can still get excited about the prospects of a new motorcycle. 

I think the new Triumph T120 has won my heart, even without a test ride.  I've found that an hour in the saddle of a prospective new bike doesn't say much for how it'll fit over the long run.  I enjoyed my 'soulless' (as some call them) 2003 Centennial Edition (790cc) Bonnie for nearly 50,000 miles.  I suspect a 1200cc, 80+hp Bonnie will be a delightful ride over the long run.  And there's an excellent dealer within 25 minutes of home. I spent a few hours there earlier today sniffing around the new Bonnie, and liked what I saw.

My 2008 Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport, which was purchased as a leftover in late 2009, will remain in the stable in the event I want to do a major road trip.  She's already equipped with Mana handlebars, HB hard bags, a HB rear rack I can bolt up in 5 minutes, and a Bagster tank bra/bag.  There's also a Corbin saddle at the ready, good for dawn to dusk riding, that takes no time to swap.  At nearly 9 years old, and 63,000 miles, she's nearly worthless as a trade in or outright sale.  Better I keep this sweetheart of a bike, even though she's a bit heavy for me since surgery.  This bike is one excellent road machine.  CARC rules!

The R100GS BMW (1991 model) is still good for a daily ride.  The only bothersome issue, aside from saddle height, is the slight case of engine vibes around 4000rpm.  I'll throw a few more bucks at that issue in the hope it can be cured for not a lot of $$.  But this bike will begin seeing less miles.  And why not?  Just turned 150,000 miles.  Job well done!

The Bonnie T120 ...... well, after some miles in the saddle, I'll figure out where this bike fits in the lineup.  It'll certainly replace the BMW as a day tripper.  I've previously had two retro bikes (T100 and W650) and truly love the ergonomics of this class of bike.  They fit me.

Anyway, that's where all things bike stand with me today.

Bob

[lucydad2]

Bob,

I think you have excellent taste in Triumphs.  The T 120 appears to be a gem.  Too heavy for me I think, but performance reviews have been stellar.  I remain interested in the lighter T 100-- waiting for local dealer to stock one. 

[ohiorider]

Bob,

I think you have excellent taste in Triumphs.  The T 120 appears to be a gem.  Too heavy for me I think, but performance reviews have been stellar.  I remain interested in the lighter T 100-- waiting for local dealer to stock one.

Lucydad,  I think the Bonnie will work for me.  If you're considering a new Street Twin (or new 900cc T100) you might want to check with your dealer re the weight difference between the new T100 and T120 models.  I don't think there is that much difference.  I could be wrong.  However the new T100 may be lower.

Bob

[jbell]

Sounds like a plan!  I bought my first Guzzi (Ambassador) without a test ride and put many happy years and miles on the "loops".

[ohiorider]

Sounds like a plan!  I bought my first Guzzi (Ambassador) without a test ride and put many happy years and miles on the "loops".

Speaking of road tests .... I bought the 1200 Sport without having ridden a modern Guzzi.  On the ride home from the Swanzy NH dealer, I thought 'this SOB is killing my elbows and knees.'  But I knew I hadn't made a huge mistake, since owners on WG had already given me remedies before I even bought the bike.  And I loved that damned 2v 1151cc engine!  And still do.

So .... demo rides?  Meh!  If you like it, buy it.  If it is really a letdown, sell it.  But the half hour demo ride won't tell you much about the long term relationship you'll have with the bike

[BillinPA]

I'm happy for you!!!!  Sounds like good moto decision making to me !!

[ponti_33609]

So .... demo rides?  Meh!  If you like it, buy it.  If it is really a letdown, sell it.  But the half hour demo ride won't tell you much about the long term relationship you'll have with the bike

+1  Same here......bought my v11s and v7r without ever sitting on one....

[Kev m]

Lucydad,  I think the Bonnie will work for me.  If you're considering a new Street Twin (or new 900cc T100) you might want to check with your dealer re the weight difference between the new T100 and T120 models.  I don't think there is that much difference.  I could be wrong.  However the new T100 may be lower.

Bob

I  don't have WET numbers yet in my spreadsheet, but the dry number suggest a difference of 57#

(T120 494 dry vs. Street Twin 437# dry).

But just as importantly yes the Street Twin sits more than an inch lower at the saddle and that amplifies the difference so it feels like it is much more.

[twowings]

Speaking of road tests ....I loved that damned 2v 1151cc engine!  And still do.

Ain't it a honey? I finally feel 100% connected to a machine...

[Sasquatch Jim]

 If I buy one it would be a Suzuki Van  Van.  Guzzi doesn't make anything to compete with it.

[Demar]

+1  Same here......bought my v11s and v7r without ever sitting on one....

I bought my 2012 Stelvio without a test ride. I sat on one in the dealer showroom to see if my toes would touch the ground. When I saw it I knew I had to have it. A few weeks later I flew to Los Angeles to pick up the Stelvio. Left the dealer showroom and didn't get off until 175 miles later. That was an awesome day.