sportster v. modern Bonneville
#11
10-24-2007, 11:05 AM
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RE: sportster v. modern Bonneville
the bonnie is 100lbs lighter than either Sporty and handles amazingly well.
in the quarter mile the bonnie will beat the 883 but will lose slightly to the 1200.
ih the twisties, the bonnie will beat both.
since you are a mainly a dirt rider, i'd go with the bonnie since it is a smaller and better handling bike than either sporty.
in the quarter mile the bonnie will beat the 883 but will lose slightly to the 1200.
ih the twisties, the bonnie will beat both.
since you are a mainly a dirt rider, i'd go with the bonnie since it is a smaller and better handling bike than either sporty.
#12
10-24-2007, 11:05 AM
RE: sportster v. modern Bonneville
ORIGINAL: jc_denton
The Bonneville would be both more maintenance and less performance.
The Bonneville would be both more maintenance and less performance.
I like both. Having owned both makes, I will say that the Harleys have better build quality, but the Triumphs are more unique and have a bit more character.
#13
10-24-2007, 11:37 AM
Grand HDF Member
RE: sportster v. modern Bonneville
When I bought my '01 Sporty I was also looking at the Triumphs; sold a Norton Combat Commando to purchase another bike. The pre-rubber mount sporty's are a lot leaner than the '04 and later rubber mounts and would weigh about 25lbs more than the Triumph (WET; you can't ride 'em DRY) I didn't really want to "buy into" the harley thing having had a number of Brit bikes over time, but the aftermarket gave the Sporty far more potential to be whatever I wanted it to be...it had 100hp/88ftlbs when I sold it and could keep up to and clobber any other metric "cruisers"I encountered. If you don't want to do much to the bike after, than the Triumph would get my vote for being somewhat smoother.....but if you like to tweak and modify then the '01 - '03 Sporty is the way to go. I currently ride a 103inch FXDXT and hope to find an '02 or '03 883R to work up into a fun solo ride.....the used Sporties are cheap.....
#14
10-24-2007, 11:39 AM
#15
10-24-2007, 01:42 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
#16
10-24-2007, 02:42 PM
RE: sportster v. modern Bonneville
Wow, ok I just went to Triumph site for a look around. The Scrambler looks like it would be just a blast to ride. I dont usually like the crotch rocket bikes but the Speed Triple in jet black is badass. I personally dont like any of the other bikes on there, but everyone has their own taste. The Bonnevilles are pretty much a Sportster style so no complaints there. I like Triumphs slogan:
"Some people go through life following the crowd - Others think for themselves - They go their own way"
That's funny and I'm slightly offended!
"Some people go through life following the crowd - Others think for themselves - They go their own way"
That's funny and I'm slightly offended!
#17
10-24-2007, 02:53 PM
RE: sportster v. modern Bonneville
You would not go wrong with either bike. The Sportster got my nod due to the belt drive. That may seem like a little thing, but the bikes are really good competitors. I don't ever intend to get another chain drive bike. That's just my perspective.
Unfortunately, only test riders get much chance to ride lots of models of the same vintage and compare them. You will get more info by reading all the tests that you can locate on the web.
Unfortunately, only test riders get much chance to ride lots of models of the same vintage and compare them. You will get more info by reading all the tests that you can locate on the web.
#18
10-24-2007, 04:59 PM
RE: sportster v. modern Bonneville
Yes those year Sporty 1200s weigh in less than 500 lbs wet...
I would pick the Sportster hands down...
I would pick the Sportster hands down...
ORIGINAL: sharkey
When I bought my '01 Sporty I was also looking at the Triumphs; sold a Norton Combat Commando to purchase another bike. The pre-rubber mount sporty's are a lot leaner than the '04 and later rubber mounts and would weigh about 25lbs more than the Triumph (WET; you can't ride 'em DRY) I didn't really want to "buy into" the harley thing having had a number of Brit bikes over time, but the aftermarket gave the Sporty far more potential to be whatever I wanted it to be...it had 100hp/88ftlbs when I sold it and could keep up to and clobber any other metric "cruisers"I encountered. If you don't want to do much to the bike after, than the Triumph would get my vote for being somewhat smoother.....but if you like to tweak and modify then the '01 - '03 Sporty is the way to go. I currently ride a 103inch FXDXT and hope to find an '02 or '03 883R to work up into a fun solo ride.....the used Sporties are cheap.....
When I bought my '01 Sporty I was also looking at the Triumphs; sold a Norton Combat Commando to purchase another bike. The pre-rubber mount sporty's are a lot leaner than the '04 and later rubber mounts and would weigh about 25lbs more than the Triumph (WET; you can't ride 'em DRY) I didn't really want to "buy into" the harley thing having had a number of Brit bikes over time, but the aftermarket gave the Sporty far more potential to be whatever I wanted it to be...it had 100hp/88ftlbs when I sold it and could keep up to and clobber any other metric "cruisers"I encountered. If you don't want to do much to the bike after, than the Triumph would get my vote for being somewhat smoother.....but if you like to tweak and modify then the '01 - '03 Sporty is the way to go. I currently ride a 103inch FXDXT and hope to find an '02 or '03 883R to work up into a fun solo ride.....the used Sporties are cheap.....
#19
10-24-2007, 05:59 PM
#20
10-24-2007, 08:12 PM
RE: sportster v. modern Bonneville
I'd been thinking of getting a Bonne T100 lately. There's a lot of ok reading on this Triumph forum.
http://www.triumphrat.net/triumph-models-dealers/
http://www.triumphrat.net/triumph-models-dealers/