Sold the Ninjette, bought a Bonneville

[scottg]

So as much as I loved my Ninjette, I always wanted a Bonneville. As it turned out, an older guy who lives down the street from my in-laws decided to sell his 2006 with about 7000 miles on it in just about perfect condition for $4300 and I couldn't pass it up. It has a ton of extras on it too but the aftermarket Triumph pipes are what I love the most. The bike sounds amazing, not Harley-ish, not sport bike, kinda a retro deep sound that makes really cool crackling noises when getting off the throttle.

I've ridden it a couple hundred miles at this point and as far as comparing it to the Ninjette, it's apples to oranges. Obviously handling can't compare with an extra 150 pounds and old-school tires but the center of gravity is probably lower and adjusting to the extra weight wasn't really a big deal for me. It's also pretty easy to ride at low speeds although the seat height is higher and combined with a wider seat, it has been a been a bigger adjustment for me since I'm 5'7" with a 30" inseam.

While it's not fast (60 hp or so), it does make a lot more torque and acceleration is as much as I would ever need on the street. It's also very comfortable and rock solid at 80 mph on the highway. I find it to be much more comfortable in windy weather too, sideways gusts don't move me around nearly as much.

Eventually, I'd love to get the mufflers ceramically coated in black like the header pipes to finish out the blacked out look. The guy I bought it from did the header but never thought to do the rest. Of course that would involve some down time and I'm having too much fun riding it now so it will have to wait till later some time.

[CC Cowboy]

Nice bike. Looks the same as the ones from the 60s.

[slickt0mmy]

It's so pretty! Congrats on the new bike. I've been eyeing the Bonnevilles for a while now and even though I've only been riding for a year, I'm already looking forward to the day I can get one and turn the 250 into a track bike.

[sharky nrk]

congrats, the bonnies are such cool bikes

[psych0hans]

Congratz!!! That's a sweet ride

[thisisbenji]

I really like these! I'v always wanted one, but I don't know if I could live with it as my only bike.

[OCMagnum]

Great looking bike and sounds like a pretty good deal as well; congratulations!!

Any thought on maybe putting a Thruxton seat on her? For me that would complete the look (plus the pipes black as you mentioned).

Enjoy her and many, many safe miles!

[tooblekain]

Dude, you got a SMOKIN deal on yours!!! Im pretty jealous

I LOVE my Bonnie. Got her brand new with not even a mile back in April 2008. I have almost 48K miles on her and still running strong. I'll need to do a valve clearance check again next week. Ive lucked out big time...every 12K, the valve clearances STILL in spec...but I am pretty sure this time I will need to change out shims. Mods galore too that I have slowly done:

[astricklin]

Originally Posted by scottg

The bike sounds amazing, not Harley-ish, not sport bike, kinda a retro deep sound that makes really cool crackling noises when getting off the throttle.

To me, the triumph twin is what a motorcycle is supposed to sound like.

My recommended mod...SIDECAR!

[StephenA]

dam so nice! nice choice man!

[csmith12]

[scottg]

Thank you all. This forum is so good and collegial, I see why people stick around even after they change bikes!

Matt, great to know about the mileage and reliability. And love the yellow highlights, looks killer, definitely not gonna see other ones that look like that around town! The polycarbonate badges are such a simple idea but make such a difference in the look.

And I do really like the looks of the Thruxton seat with the cowl, definitely a change to think about after I get the pipes blacked out.

[ninjamunky85]

Sweet ride.

I'm not much for cruiser type bikes but I think these are cool. Definitely would ride one in a heartbeat given the chance.

[Joshorilla]

Originally Posted by ninjamunky85

Sweet ride.

I'm not much for cruiser type bikes but I think these are cool. Definitely would ride one in a heartbeat given the chance.

Cruiser?! The Bonneville was the Hayabusa of its day! Even now I would say they are more a standard position.

[ninjamunky85]

Originally Posted by Joshorilla

Cruiser?! The Bonneville was the Hayabusa of its day! Even now I would say they are more a standard position.

I definitely agree I would classify it as a sporty standard.

It still looks kinda like a cruiser though. I just saw a magazine shoot out with it and the sportster 883, and some other bike I can't remember .

[scottg]

I read that article too, the 3rd bike was the MotoGuzzi V7. The idea of that article was to compare so called "hipster" bikes due to the retro look to all of them, not because they considered them cruisers. I've actually ridden all 3 and my 1st bike was a Virago 535. The Bonneville is definitely more upright and handles better than both of those bikes. The Guzzi is way lighter than both and actually was a little more comfortable but it really wasn't that much more powerful than the Ninjette and I really couldn't see spending $8000 or so for something that I would be always wanting more power on. Still a cool bike though, I really like the look of it too.

[00NissanNinja]

Cool another triumph owner Nice bike man, and congrats!