Bonnie Shocks - Why Are They Considered To Be Bad?

Over sprung and under damped is the usual criticism.....I.e. stiff and bouncy. It may be Triumph set them up for the US market where your physique is more common.
Incoming!

 

I'm about 200 lbs (14 stone, I googled it) and I have no issues with the shocks on my Bonnie. I don't know if they are stock or not, but they are pretty firm, which I like because I like to be aggressive on the curves and that prevents wollowing.

 

Can't say anything about the bonnie shocks but I think what is good or bad suspension is a pretty personal thing. As an example, just recently I had problems with the rear shock on my trophy so I contacted Maxton to see what they could do for me. They said "The rear shock is under damped and under sprung for most people" and about the forks "The standard Triumph forks do not have much damping and the fork springs are too soft for most people. This means that the forks dive under braking and bottom out, then spring back when let go of the brake". So I looked at MCN's review of my bike, they said "its suspension is quite firm - especially for a tourer - but that just means the 237kg (522lb) bulk is well controlled and the Triumph Trophy 1200 won’t squirm or wallow through bends like a lot of softly sprung touring bikes. Instead, when the road turns twisty, the Triumph Trophy 1200 can maintain the pace and give a fun and sporty ride."
Mmmhhh... I like the original setup and have never had any problems when they are working normally, so completely disagree with the maxton suspension experts... and they know what they are talking about.... unlike me... or MCN....
If you're happy with them I wouldn't give it a second thought about what other people think.

 

I've got a 2012 Bonneville and I found the original shocks were ok on smooth roads but hit a lump or pot hole of the kind you find on many British roads now and it varied from a bone jarring jolt through the seat to actually being shot off the seat over the worst bumps! Obviously I do look out for potholes but with other traffic around to consider it's not always possibly to dodge them all. I switched to a set of TEC shocks and found them way more comfortable, I'm fitting their front suspension upgrade next

 

I'm no expert either, and have little clue about setting up a bikes suspension properly. However I have no problem with the standard shocks, and really like the way my Bonneville handles, its predictable and very forgiving. I don't find the standard shocks too stiff, in fact I have my spring tension set one position up (position 3, I think) from default. For reference, I'm about 12.5 stone.

 

You may be on to something. While I do not dislike the suspension on the Bonnie, I LOVE the suspension on the Goldwing. It helps that the ride can be adjusted with just the push of a button. So, going back and forth between the two takes a little mental adjustment on my part -kind of like going from a luxury sedan to a sports car, I guess.

 

My bonney has original shocks it is a bit rough but i have a better seat i find it ok My Deauville has much better single shock with easy adjustment . I wouldn't change the bonney shocks

 

My bonney has original shocks it is a bit rough but i have a better seat i find it ok My Deauville has much better single shock with easy adjustment . I wouldn't change the bonney shocks

 

Personally I have no issues with the stock shocks on my Street Twin. The roads here in California where I normally ride are quite good. Maybe that is the reason.

 

You could be right there in aus they patch the roads Been to America your highways are great plus you can do 75mph here it 65 mph 110km on a freeway 60 100km on other roads havent been to where you live but up north michigan

 

Suspension that is Under damped , combined with being set too soft , causes wallowing. Spring's set too soft , causes bottoming out (Jarring) standard springs are often too thin (coil's are 6 or 7 mm thick) uprated suspension is often 8 to 10 mm coil and so a softer heating on setting spring rate , they measure in grams per mm. Gives a stiffer spring because of it's diameter , but it's softer in spring hardness , so harder (tighter settings) are more comfortable when spring compressed over bumps. Std spring rates are Too soft on low and Too stiff when set near or at maximum

 

On my Thruxton 865 the stock front forks completely sucked due to deep brake dive weighing at only 14 stone as I ride over the tank.. Swapped to Traxxion Dynamics damper set and Bitubo rears. Night and day transformation for $600 USD.

You only like your stock set up because you have nothing else to compare too. Invest in a good front/rear aftermarket set up and you will ask yourself why you waited so long to change.

 

I also ride a Street Triple, and previously had a Street Cup and Bobber, plus I started riding in the 1980s so I have plenty to compare to. Sure the Bonneville shocks could be better, but for me they are fine and I like the way my Bonneville rides. Like most things it is individual personal preference. Some people replace the standard shocks, and then complain about the replacements they have chosen (see posts on TEC and Hagon) , whilst others sing the praises of the same shocks

 

I rode my Street Twin for 18 mo without adjusting the preload. I found the handling fine in turns, but did think it launched me a bit on bumps. I started looking into aftermarket shocks and then found a local specialist that offered to do a set up of the stock for £40. I eventually just measured rear sag following Bad Billy's post on how to do it. I found low static sag but high dynamic (I am 93kg) so tried going up to position 2. Such a little change that has really balanced the way the bike feels over bumps, no longer launching me. I may still go to the specialist out of curiosity, but I am not now sure what problem I would be trying to solve!

 

Hi @Notso ,
Could you share details of the specialist you mention. I need help setting up the suspenders on my tracer. My search for a local one drew a blank. Never used one before, but this yamah has me beat. Cheers

 

The biggest factor is price. If these Bonnies has been fitted with premium suspension they would have cost more, sold less and been properly appreciated by a minority of purchasers.
Manufacturers know we customise and personalise and cruisers and roadsters can get away with suspension compromises that would kill sportsbike sales that haven’t been exactly buoyant anyway.