Hi all, I've been away from bikes for 3 years now after selling my last bike, a vfr800 which I'd had for 10 years. Taking a blue/white 2015 Bonneville Newchurch with just 450 miles on the clock for a test ride tomorrow. The bike looks just great, I'm really looking forward to tomorrow, if the ride out feels right it will be mine before the days over. Any hints as to anything I should particularly look and listen out for would be greatly appreciated, I know little about Triumphs but love the looks of the bike. The dealer says he will give it its 1st service, it is not a Triumph dealer, anything I should specify there, if I end up buying? Many thanks in advance, Curly
Hi Curly and welcome. My comments are more based on your previous bike and your expectations of the potential new one. VFR 800 - whichever the version - were always smooth motors being V4 - 100bhp plus from memory. Triumph Bonny Spirit or Newchurch both 865cc parallel twins so a little bit more vibey, 65bhp and in standard trim the motor is a bit stuffy. Quite light and easy to handle and a pleasure to ride. The standard seats are not - imo - day-long comfortable. The biggest single advantage about any of the recent Bonnies is their ability to be customised to make them YOUR Bonny. There is a vast aftermarket parts range available to help you make yours ride like you want and look like you want. I'm not in any way trying to put you off, the exact opposite in fact. It's just that coming from a 10 year relationship with a Honda VFR that is a defined product, changing to a Bonny is a bit like joining a completely new club - but you'll love it !!! I look forward to hearing how you get on. Just one final point which you may find reassuring. Triumph Bonneville models have the highest residual values of any 2nd hand bike on the market. So if for any reason you don't take to a Bonny you won't lose money. Take a look at the prices being asked for 2003 to 2005 models. High residuals usually mean the product is pretty damn good and highly desired.
hi Curly, welcome in and all that. There's plenty of folks on here who'll sort out any queries you have so don't fret.
Thanks for all your replies, interesting food for thought. The vfr 800 was a fine machine, without doubt the best I've ever had over quite a few years, however, it was becoming a little too heavy to handle in the limited space I have available at home, and I simply needed a change. When I sold it I was in no hurry to go out and immediately replace it, but now, a few years later,my needs have changed significantly, I no longer need the carrying capacity or the power of the V4, I fancy a simpler,unfaired bike which has enough power to carry a pillion, and the wife loves the look of the Bonneville as much as I do! I see us chugging around at a sedate pace on sunny days, a bit stereotypical I suppose, but that I think is what we'll be doing. Really looking forwards to tomorrow, got the old lid out and cleaned it up and out, sitting twiddling my thumbs now waiting for tomorrow! Best regards Curly
At last, no work until Monday, the sun is shining, yes, it's actually shining, we're going out on the bike for the first time since we got it last Saturday! I even had it delivered by the dealer as it was pouring with rain when I'd arranged to collect it and neither of us take any pleasure in getting soaked when it can be avoided, been there far too many times. The bike is very light and easy to move around the garage, this ticks a lot of my boxes, We looked at a really lovely Legend for sale but up close it was obviously too bulky for us. I'll post my thoughts at the end of the day. Curly.
Photos, tall order for me, I'm still using my trusty olympus Trip 35! Great ride out, a few hiccups. Warm and hot engine starting not as easy as expected. Wasn't sure how much fuel to put in when at the filling station, space between the pump nozzle insert in the tank and the top of the tank. Some grounding over speed humps. When all else fails read the manual! Seems as though I need to pull out the 'choke' one click when starting a warm engine? Tank is full when the level reaches the top of the neck into which the pump nozzle iinserted? Wind up the rear shock absorbers a few notches and take greater care over those blasted humps. Starts from cold without problem, hopefully the one click will sort out warm/hot engine starting? Any advice greatly appreciated. Curly
Phone camera, ah yes, that will be my Nokia C1 with cracked lens which is full of something like belly button fluff! I'll find someone who understands these things. Thanks for the replies folks. Curly