New purchase

Battman69 · Jan 11, 2015

I am 63 years old. I am a Harley rider for over 30 years. I am looking to switch to a lighter bike due to a leg injury. I have loved the classic look of the Bonneville ever since the late 1960's. I am considering a late model Bonne T-100. Am I heading in the right direction. Are any years better than others? I am a bit concerned of the leg position of the Bonne since the foot pegs are directly below the seat, a 90 degree position that may be a cramped position for me. Any thoughts?

Recycled Rocker · Jan 11, 2015

Yo Battman, Vintage miself, still Harley rider, but as well as sorting a 63 Tbird, have a 2009 Bonnie SE. SE has smaller wheels so I'm nearer ground. No probs with pegs, did a weekend tour of Battlefields in Belgium. Feet fine, but a bit creased at back of legs but it was over 1000 miles. I love mine and it's proper tricked up. Bearing in mind I always compare my Bonnies to my old T120 Bonnie, I love it, Black and Chrome everywhere, there's a pic of it on Bonnie Pic page. As yer know, interrogate a friendly dealer comparing seat heights and models before yer buy. Like Harleys, buy one thats been customised , save yerself some money, some Triumph stuff aint cheap, but there are alternative suppliers. Plenty around on sites. If yer want feet forward, I rode a Triumph America hoping I wouldn't like it, but I did. My pal has one fer sale, see For Sale page. Welcome aboard lots experience on here.:upyeah:

PJT · Jan 11, 2015

Hello and welcome to the forum.

ColLamb · Jan 11, 2015

Hi young fellow, I have a new T100 Black and love it, it is still heavy but the weight is low and way less than your Harley Dog, I have hip problems and so (how do I say this) I am having trouble getting the leg over the TEX so got the T100 as a replacement but for some strange reason I still have the TEX.

For a jolly outing with two hours in the seat I have no issues but for going long distances with my 31inch inside leg I feel that it would be a little cramped.

Bonnies are now assembled in Thailand and I am not sure when the change from assembly at Hinkley moved, other guys on here know far more about that than I.

If I was a tinkerer then I would plumb for a late carbed model but the hip issue means that I cannot crouch down for long and I am to tight to buy a bike lift

steve lovatt · Jan 12, 2015

Hi and welcome to the forum - I think production changed from Hinckley in 2006. (but don't quote me on this as another source indicated 2004).
Go for the T100 - I'm 57 so a bit younger, but find the riding position comfortable enough for a few hours.

thebiglad · Feb 5, 2015

Battman69 said: ↑

I am 63 years old. I am a Harley rider for over 30 years. I am looking to switch to a lighter bike due to a leg injury. I have loved the classic look of the Bonneville ever since the late 1960's. I am considering a late model Bonne T-100. Am I heading in the right direction. Are any years better than others? I am a bit concerned of the leg position of the Bonne since the foot pegs are directly below the seat, a 90 degree position that may be a cramped position for me. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Hi Battman, if seat to footpeg distance is your criteria, a T100 will give you a little more space than an SE. The rear spring are longer and the seat is a little thicker, so both these differences make the bike feel a little more roomy.

Obviously seats, foot peg heights and ride heights can all be changed so don't worry too much about getting it absolutely perfect from the start. Most owners do quite a lot of modifying because there's so much stuff available.

Within the Bonneville range it comes down to : do you like spokes or alloys? Upright sitting, upright standing or prone riding positions?

If like me you like spokes, upright sitting, classic gorgeous looks, a nice torquey engine (especially after a few cheap mods) go, like I did for a T100 as below :

Carb or Fuel injected? FI every time - so much easier to tune.

Good look in your search/decision,

Dave