Triumph naming system?

[TravisBickle]

The TLDR is - is a Street Twin classed as a Bonneville even though the word Bonneville isn't mentioned anywhere in the name or the marketing (that I'm aware of)?

The wife and I have been considering her first bike for when she passes, it's been on and off the cards throughout lockdown, had DAS courses booked and cancelled and re-booked about 3 or 4 times now, she can only do half terms so now we're looking at the end of May before we can get a course booked

So yeah, what bike to get is something we've been discussing for some time and myself in particular have been doing a lot of window shopping and watching reviews.

The flavourite contender at the moment is the CMX500 Rebel (because she's a short arse, she struggles with confidence from the limited experience she's had so far sitting on and riding bigger bikes, the ability to flatfoot both feet will help her confidence, I'm worried she won't want to ride and make excuses not to come out with me if she's intimidated by her bike) this is the lightest and lowest seat height bike you can get that could be considered a 'proper first big bike' i.e. not a 250 or a 400 or something sub 40bhp that she will quickly grow out of or get bored of (or not be able to keep up with me or tour on / motorway journeys). So for these reasons the Rebel 500 makes the most sense for her starter bike. She really loves the style as well, she's kinda into that American-looking cruiser style.

However a couple of retro bikes have caught our eye also. While not QUITE as low and light as the Rebel they're fairly close and I think they look much more stylish and are probably bikes that she should could grow into better / keep for longer than the Rebel???

The other bikes on the list are:

Kawasaki W800
Triumph Street Twin
Triumph T100

My thoughts on these are the W800 looks nicer (especially in green, she likes it in the dark green) and probably going to be more reliable than a Triumph? Same power as the Rebel but nearly twice the torque so possibly the more rewarding ride and easier / less effort to keep up at higher speeds?

The two Triumphs look very similar to me, I do prefer the look of the T100 with the straight seat over the Street Twin with the kinda cut-down-curved seat but having said that this feature gives the Street Twin a lower seat height so may be more appropriate. A review I read said the W800 is better spec'd than the base Bonnie and even the T100. If the T100 is considered better than the Street Twin, if the seats are interchangeable maybe putting the lower Street Twin seat on the T100 would be an option???

According the the review the W800 is better equipped than the Triumphs, cheaper and more reliable. So possibly the better buy. But there's something special about Triumphs although I've never owned one, and especially the Bonneville brand. She always said she wanted a Triumph even before we started looking properly, that was her go-to brand.

I suggested the Triumph scrambler to her which was replied with "are you looking for a bike for YOU or for me?".

I'll get her to test ride all 4 bikes before making her mind up but she's hedging towards the Rebel at the moment.

What experiences have other people had on here if you or your partner is a short-arse? Can you flat-foot a T100/Street Twin/W800?

Anyway it just confused me watching some of the reviews people are referring to the Street Twin as a Bonneville but I thought it was a completely different bike in the Triumph lineup?
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2024 BMW M1000XR
2021 Honda CMX500 Rebel S
2016 Triumph Tiger 1050 Sport

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Kentol750]

Mrs K has test ridden the t100, street twin and w800, also the newer speed twin. The w800 was too vibey and she was very disappointed. The street felt ablittle underpowered after her er6, however, she like it otherwise. The only reason she didn't end up with a speed twin or t100 was the difficulty getting hard luggage at the time. I've ridden a newer street twin and it is lovely! The rebel riding position is completely different and not to her liking.

+1 on an Enfield test ride.
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Some bikes.

[MarJay]

The Street Twin is based on the Bonneville range, but it's a bit more modern and newbie friendly, as far as I understand.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[TravisBickle]

[TravisBickle]

[Easy-X]

Green you say?

https://www.cycleworld.com/resizer/tKKRqouRrv2Ng9Tv3I4YqGKM33M=/760x506/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-bonnier.s3.amazonaws.com/public/F7ILOYLLMZBIFNDO4IPTFWATKI.jpg

No idea why I'm suggesting this bike
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[TravisBickle]

[CorriganJ]

[Weisse Schlange]

The Royal Enfields are fantastic bikes. Great build quality and a lovely bike to own and run.
Good warranty if it's ever needed.
And a better British Heritage than Triumph

I'd have one over a Triumph for starters.
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Hing Oan

[SW Motech Shop UK]

I saw the new Triumph Trident 660 the other day. I have to say its a very nice bike.
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https://www.motorcycle-road-and-race.co.uk and https://www.sw-motech-shop.co.uk/ and https://www.motorcycle-luggage.co.uk/

[Kentol750]

The w800 had a couple of k on it, she just felt it too vibey and not as smooth as the pre19 street twin and t100 she rode minutes later. I agree it may have been a bad one. The post 19 street twin is good, but the price on an interceptor nails it. (She rode a Himalayan last year and loved that too (not vibey)). The interceptor demo was out unfortunately.
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Some bikes.

[arry]

[BRUN]

Have you considered the new Trident ?

[TravisBickle]

[Easy-X]

[TravisBickle]

I wouldn't even know where to look for a RE dealer to test ride / purchase one???
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2024 BMW M1000XR
2021 Honda CMX500 Rebel S
2016 Triumph Tiger 1050 Sport

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[TravisBickle]

LOL yeah I know I Googled it straight after posting that. Two dealers fairly near to me. One is on Luton Road Chatham which I wouldn't go anywhere near unless I was armed to the teeth. The other is Groombridge, that's a nice ride from here. Will add it to the list! Give her the option but make it clear I disapprove

In fact the old boy up the road who is a motorcycle mechanic and does most of my work would be thrilled if we did get a RE because he used to be a RE dealer and knows them inside out (although from what I hear there really isn't much to know). He moan like fuck when I make him work on my complicated modern Japanese masterpiece.
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2024 BMW M1000XR
2021 Honda CMX500 Rebel S
2016 Triumph Tiger 1050 Sport

[TravisBickle]

[Polarbear]

Firstly I am a Triumph aficionado so a bit biased but I have had 4 Hinkley Triumphs and they have all been lovely bikes and totally reliable.

As for RE's, I do like that 650 but I have no experience of it IRL. My friends who have Royal Enfield's to a man have them as second bikes but these are various singles, not twins.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Robby]

Worth having Guzzi V7 on your list if you're considering that area of classic verging into cruiser styling.

[P.]

[TravisBickle]

LOL years of cab driving have taught me to avoid anyone wanting to go to or from that road! But yeah, I'm sure the dealership is fine! However living in Yalding, the prospect of a lovely ride through the countryside to Heathfield to test ride a bike is far more appealing than going through Maidstone, up Bluebell Hill and into Chatham :-/
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2024 BMW M1000XR
2021 Honda CMX500 Rebel S
2016 Triumph Tiger 1050 Sport

[arry]

My Enfield came from Bowens. The guy I bought it from said they were excellent.