Hinckley Bonnevilles

My non-Norton powered bike is a 2006 Triumph 1050 Speed Triple. The bike is hands-down the best bike I've ever owned. It has character, looks, and an engine that is one of the best motorcycle engines out there - smooth, torquey, easy-revving, and wonderfully mapped. It will pull easily from idle to redline in 3rd gear without stumbling, which makes it a great commuter bike. The seating position is nearly identical to my Commando if my feet are on the Commando rear pegs. I've done three day-trips to Daytona on Speedy, and they were great. I did one day-trip to Daytona on Ed. It was good, but I was wiped out the next day. (a day trip to Daytona from my home is about 600 miles altogether).

Sadly, I'll be selling the S3 sometime in the next year. Once the G15 CS is running, there will be no room for Speedy in the stable. Also, my wife has never liked the Speed Triple. She calls the Commando 'Ed'. She calls the Ranger the 'Lone Ranger'. She calls the G15 'Bones' (it is in pretty rough shape at the moment)

She calls the Speed Triple 'The Irritant'.

GRM 450 said:

My wife bought a new bonny when they first came out, 790cc if I remember.
It was a very nice bike, did everything well but nothing great.
She sold it because it had no character, her words.
I thought it was a good bike but I did agree with her about the character.
I don't know what the newer ones are like with the larger engine.
Mk3 has character in bucket loads and is a nice bike to ride long distance.

I had a 595 for a few years, that was a great bike, very well made and finished.
It is (was) one of those bikes I wish I didn't sell. Went well, handled well, sounded cranky, but it was very hot in the summer.

Graeme

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Out of the box the twins are pretty boring but a vibrant aftermarket excels at personalize them. Much like a Commando can be many different bikes (racer to touring and everything in between) so can the Triumph twins. A good set of mufflers make them sound really healthy.

The key thing here is that we have our classics, which stir the soul but are also a lot of work, so sometimes it's nice to hop onto something modern, turn the key and go. If it has character, great, if it doesn't, no big deal. I now have to admit to owning a '01 VFR800 for commuting and occasional two-up trips. It has all the character of a washing machine, but it was cheap and does the job. Ideally, I would like another Triumph.

I like the look of the Scramblers but doubt I will ever own one even though look to be good value for money.
The Bonneville's probably suit a lot of folk for their classic look without the drama's,look to be as exciting as a wet noodle though. :lol:

Time Warp said:

The Bonneville's probably suit a lot of folk for their classic look without the drama's,look to be as exciting as a wet noodle though.

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Sometimes all you need is a little spaghetti...