Considering a Bonneville

mcgtech · L Plate Warrior Joined: 15 Jun 2021 Karma :

Hi, I passed my Mod2 last week (late to the game as I am now in my fifties - better late than never!) and I have narrowed what I want to buy to two of the new Triumphs: Street Twin or T100 or possibly the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650.
I will try them out tomorrow.

I have always fancied a Triumph and to be honest I know that the Interceptor is a great bike but I really prefer the looks of the Triumph.

The question I have is: the Triumph dealer has a second hand black 2019 reg T100 with heated handlebars, a centre stand, Pannier Rails, Knee & Tank pads and a Givi Rack with 5800 on the clock for £6,995.
Does this make more sense for my first big bike? I would like to think that I can get a few years out of my first and not wish I had got something more powerful (like the new model).

I live up in Inverness, so I am planning doing the NC500 on it.

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

Heated grips are easy to fit and are quite cheap to buy so don't include this in your deliberations.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
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mcgtech · L Plate Warrior Joined: 15 Jun 2021 Karma :

Good point, thanks Nobby.

Weisse Schlange · Spanner Monkey Joined: 09 Nov 2020 Karma :

Have a good look at the RE They are seriously well built and look gorgeous. For 5.5k new.
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Hing Oan

mcgtech · L Plate Warrior Joined: 15 Jun 2021 Karma :

Thanks Weisse, I will be taking a test ride tomorrow afternoon (Triumphs in the morning)

Keithy · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Sep 2020 Karma :

Mate at work picked a Continental GT over a Bonnie, despite the Triumph being more powerful. Just felt better. As always, ride both, pick the one that fits you.

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

I've ridden an Interceptor extensively, a Street Twin for enough to form an opinion on it and a T120 for a fleeting enough time to realise it wasn't for me.

The Interceptor has a buttery creamy engine delivery and sound, minimal vibes, a nice rush up the revs and is very tactile / easy to use, despite not being very powerful - it feels punchier than it is. Its let-down is the suspension, especially the rear, which was a bit pogo-stick even on very smooth Spanish roads. That can be fixed, if you throw some cash at it. Fit / finish and quality all seemed to be there, until I put it against my mate's Honda CB100 EX aaaaand then it's just not, but the Honda would make anything look poorly built. The Enfield is all day comfy, good looking, relatively well built, easy to use, easy to wheel around, fun, and cheap. It's popular for a reason.

The Street Twin is a whole different story to the Interceptor. Very sporty in position terms, I was feeling more like I was on a sports bike than a modern retro, sliding forward into the tank. The engine is a brute and it's very much set up on its nose, aggressively poised and darting into turns. Brakes are great. Build quality is there, too. It's over twice the price of the Enfield and are totally different beasts.

The T120 was....... meh. Ground out the footpeg round a roundabout hardly even trying. Plodder bike IMO.

mcgtech · L Plate Warrior Joined: 15 Jun 2021 Karma :

Thanks for replies guys very helpful ta, off to try them out.

to v or not to v · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Nov 2020 Karma :

so how did it go?
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
its old and fat, but its a damned good ride. the bikes not bad either.

ThunderGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :

Weisse Schlange · Spanner Monkey Joined: 09 Nov 2020 Karma :

Had a wee sit in the Interceptor yesterday again. Bloody lovely thing.
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Hing Oan

mcgtech · L Plate Warrior Joined: 15 Jun 2021 Karma :

Tried them all out - enjoyed them all. Interceptor was a lovely ride, but I was blown away by the street twin so that's the one that I have ordered.
I found the Interceptor a nicer ride to the T100 but I loved the street twin, silky smooth gears, the whole experience made me feel confident. Great first big bike I think.
Thanks for all the comments - appreciate you guys taking time to let me know your thoughts.

ThunderGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :

Weisse Schlange · Spanner Monkey Joined: 09 Nov 2020 Karma :

Nice one. They are a good looking bike.
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Hing Oan

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

Zen Dog · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Karma :

If I was considering a new, or nearly new bike, the Speed Twin would definitely be on the list. A Triumph retro with actual power and a non crippling riding position! They should have made it years ago really. Bloody gorgeous in the flesh too.
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