So I’ll soon have had the Bonneville for four years. She’s done 18000 miles, mostly commuting and (thus far) has suffered no major breakdowns - aside from the cold weather managing to kill her battery every year without exception.
Now I like the style of the bike but feel I want to upgrade, whilst staying loyal to Triumph.
But the thing is, going up from the Bonneville T100 (£6 900) the next bike up is the Thunderbird (c. £12 000). There’s nothing in between. The Speedmaster is £6 800, but surely that’s a step down, isn’t it?
I’d really like opinions on this one, too. I’m torn between trading in the Bonnie and getting a new T100 (potentially with special paint job) or going for something completely different (but still Triumph) like the Tiger 800…
If it’s the classic look of the Bonne’ your after and you like the styling of the Thunderbird but not the £10,800.00 listed price tag why not have a look at the Bonneville America listed at £6,900.00?
Well… I’m going to be taking a test ride on an America and a Speedmaster. The thing is they are both 865cc, the same as the Bonneville, so they can’t be much different… can they?
The America and Speedmaster seem to be a choice between chrome or black …
Engine wise they’re similar to the Bonne’ although they do have the chunkier twin walled headers to eliminate exhaust pipe blueing and the 270° firing order that has a parallel twin burbling like a V twin.
Looks like it’s pretty immaterial now: nobody on the whole of the Interwebs will quote for insurance unless the Thunderbird is garaged overnight. Bugger.
