Educate me on Triumph Bonneville's - 2009-2015 ish, ~£4-5k

Arfa__ · Traffic Copper Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Karma :

My wife is looking to replace her CBF500, she's always fancied a Bonneville - loved the style etc. So, we're started looking for a good one, but I'm somewhat swamped by all the variations and minor versions. Budget is around £4-5k, which we'll prob take out a personal loan for. It will need to be to the FI Euro 3 models from 2007+ as she'll be commuting into London ULEZ.

My wife is super short (feck all over 5'), so we're currently looking at a cast wheel T100 model. From what I gather they've a smaller front wheel and more cut down seat. Being able to plug a puncture on a tubeless wheel is likely to be handy too.

I'm seeing variants: T100, SE and Newchurch, which all appear similar. How do these actually differ? Merely different bling and cosmetics? Anything functional different (tank size, equipment etc)?

Is it worth spending a spot more for a newer water cooled T100? or Street Twin?

What are the best hard luggage options? Givi or is there something that looks more 'authentic'?

Any common faults/issues we should look out for?

There's clearly loads about, so I can be choosy. I've seen a couple with super low miles, <1000, despite being a few years old. Do these trigger alarm bells?

She has a test ride booked tomorrow on a 2012 Bonneville 900 with cast wheels at a local dealer. 9k miles on it, priced at £4.5k. That'll be our starting point to compare others to.

FWIW She's test road a RE Interceptor 650 - not bad, but bit of a stretch height wise. And I keep hearing less favourable reports on reliablity.
She test rode a Ducati Scrambler 800 (Full Throttle I think), got on well with it. Did spot their 0% HP deals on new models, but insurance is North of a grand for her. Second hand they're £1-2k more than a Bonneville.
We may look at a Kwak W800 too. Initially seemed a bit high when she sat on one at a show. But they maybe OK with the lowered seat option. Saw a dealer in Scotland with one on 0% HP which was tempting, but would have to test ride one locally first.

Thanks!
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :

I know sod all about these except for the fact that a mate has the water cooled t100 on an '18 plate. To my eye it looks small, light and well-made. It sounds lovely too - not in any sense loud, but where it's audible is all in the lower exhaust tones, and I think it's a 270 crank iirc, which makes it more like a v-twin sound than a parallel twin.

I seem to remember this iteration being lighter than other versions from across the years, and it certainly looks it. Only slight problem is they might not be in budget.
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Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

You don't really get a bad bike from a mainstream manufacturer, it's all choices.

I'm a Triumph fan, my 4 Hinkley Triumphs have been nice bikes.
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om15 · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 Aug 2018 Karma :

I have had two Bonnevilles, nice bikes with no problems, however if your wife would like a lighter bike she may like the Street Twin, I bought one new and had it for two years, no problems at all, low seat, lighter than a Bonneville and handles very well.
Worth a look, tubeless tyres as well.
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Easy-X · Super Spammer Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :

The Bonnie America has a low seat... Laughing

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Arfa__ · Traffic Copper Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Karma :

Well, she test rode the 2012 Bonneville, wasn't bad, but it's was a bit tatty. Found side stand awkward, struggle to get foot under gear level (yeah, can adjust, but it was in stock position).

Also took out a 2020 Street Twin, which she's liked far more and desperately wants to buy now... Found it more comfy, spot lower so more confidence, more beans and more equipment (ABS, TC, modes, fuel gauge etc). Looking at an ex-demo one for around £7k, which seems pretty good as there's very few under £6 and certainly none of the newer 2019+ ones with more power, better brakes etc.
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om15 · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 Aug 2018 Karma :

This is tempting,

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/triumph/street-twin/57618771/

Risk with an ex demo is that the running in won't have been carried out, you might be better with a higher mileage one owner bike, less chance of it being caned.
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Arfa__ · Traffic Copper Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Karma :

om15 · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 Aug 2018 Karma :

Mine was a a 2015 model, had no problems, good luck with your new one, I'm sure that your wife will love it.
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ThunderGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :

I would be less worried about a Bonny being caned, particularly a Street Twin; the engine is massively understressed and isn't a rev monster anyway. I loved my 2017 Street Twin; comfortable, fast enough (loads of torque), looked fantastic, faultlessly reliable in my time (although you'd expect that with a nearly new bike) and incredibly frugal, on a run even with panniers I'd get mid 70s to the gallon which offsets the slightly small fuel tank.

Other things about a Street Twin for commuting; there is a space through the engine to pass a chain meaning you can secure it very well (I used it for my ground anchor, but you could lock it up to a post I expect and keep the chain well clear of the ground. It's also very narrow, with a deep burble and loads of idle-level grunt which makes it fantastic for filtering.

However, like all Bonnevilles, it has lots of fins/shiny bits and basically places to accumulate road gunk; something to think about for year around commuting?

I got mine fitted with factory heated grips; a couple of hundred quid but well worth it and they seamlessly integrate (including the control display being within the binnacle).

If you get a Twin, I've got some black TEC Pannier Rails (designed more to just keep throw-overs clear of the wheels rather than actually hanging the panniers off) which I can let you have for half price as they're not doing anything other than being a wall decoration in my garage at the moment.

Good luck - I miss my Bonny.

https://cdn.bcf.44bytes.net/files/snakepass2small.jpg
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Arfa__ · Traffic Copper Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Karma :

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

Arfa__ · Traffic Copper Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Karma :

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

Peterrebel · L Plate Warrior Joined: 17 Jul 2018 Karma :

Hey all you t120 bonneville fans

I had the first 1959 bonnevlle to come to the uk and i had it from my 1938 matchless 1000cc V twin part exchanged in london in 1959

Want to hear the full sorry where and how i got it

Im 83

Ace cafe etc i lived in muswell hill london i has two Vincents a manx norton and an arial square four etc etc etc etc and an Indian Chief ....and a .Brough Superia etc etc and more etc

Rebel Peter.

Peter Hall muswel hill london N 10

Now live in Essex i ride a Yamaha Cruiser 600

Anyone wanna email me Very Happy

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