am painfully torn between these 2 bikes and I may soon be making the plunge. I have been riding off and on for a number of years, Yamaha, Harley, Honda, etc.
My wife bought an abused and worn 80-something Honda Nighthawk and rebuilt it and restored it. Its now a beauty, custom paint etc... but I digress.
There is now NO excuse for why I cannot have a bike (she just got another fixer-upper). I have been told to "choose whatever I like"
Now for the agonizing part I have been drooling over both the Bonneville T100 and the BMW r1150r for quite some time. They are completely different vehicles and both suit the type of riding I do and get both, unfortunately is not an option.
opinions?
-Aesop
r1150r vs. Triumph Bonneville T100
Moderator: Moderators
The Bonny is certainly beautiful (as all things British are!!) but due to the design and styling it will always be a compromise between function and form. The R1150R, however, is not trying to 'be' anything other than what it is.
For long distance comfort, reliability and ability the R is the one to go for. For style, history and compliments, the Bonny.
Either way you will need to be ruled by the heart, not the head.
You won't go wrong which ever you choose providing it is for the right reasons.
For long distance comfort, reliability and ability the R is the one to go for. For style, history and compliments, the Bonny.
Either way you will need to be ruled by the heart, not the head.
You won't go wrong which ever you choose providing it is for the right reasons.
England, land of tax, rain and potholes. But the beer IS good.
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Capt. Blackadder
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Well, Doug (husband) and I along with some buddies rode our 780cc Bonnevilles (mine an '02, his an '04) to Nova Scotia and back last June. Half way there I knew I'd be looking for a used BMW as soon as I got back home. Handlebar buzz at highway speed drove me nuts and I had forgotten how much I dislike messing with chain drive. The suspension still wasn't what it should have been even after $400 or so in upgrades; the brakes weren't up to par either. It was a beauty to look at, it got 50mpg, and it sounded very nice after we drilled the baffles out of the pipes. I'd say for short hops and Sunday afternoon 60 mph cruises the Bonne will be fine, and you'll enjoy keeping it clean and waxed. But for loading up and heading out, I'd say think twice. Now that's just my opinion; like everybody says, do your best to test ride the daylights out of both bikes before you decide.
Sarah
Sarah
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DJ Downunder
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That's a question that would take me about 2 seconds to decide...
The BMW wins hands down in all areas except for maybe the classic old bike area...and maybe exhaust sound.
The Roadster has better...
Power, brakes, comfort, quality and finish, reliability, handling, luggage, accessories, resale, two up ability....and looks IMHO.
I'm sure there's even more.....I say go with the BMW.
DJ
The BMW wins hands down in all areas except for maybe the classic old bike area...and maybe exhaust sound.
The Roadster has better...
Power, brakes, comfort, quality and finish, reliability, handling, luggage, accessories, resale, two up ability....and looks IMHO.
I'm sure there's even more.....I say go with the BMW.
DJ
I have had both. The Bonneville is a great bike, but is form over function.
If I thought I could have used it enough, I would have kept it, but I just couldn't convince myself.
I do a 100 mile round trip every day in British weather, and there's no way the Bonneville would have tollerated that. Then ther's that chain thing<sigh>.
I guess the Bonneville is just about DIY maintenance, and the R almost certainly isn't.
It depends what you want to do. Fine weather rides to the local bar, then the Bonnevill will be great - and it does look wonderful. Much more then the R wins over. It certainly has more grunt, handles better, lasts longer, and is generally easier to look after.
Service costs for the Bonneville were low though.
Let me know if you have any specific questions.
If I thought I could have used it enough, I would have kept it, but I just couldn't convince myself.
I do a 100 mile round trip every day in British weather, and there's no way the Bonneville would have tollerated that. Then ther's that chain thing<sigh>.
I guess the Bonneville is just about DIY maintenance, and the R almost certainly isn't.
It depends what you want to do. Fine weather rides to the local bar, then the Bonnevill will be great - and it does look wonderful. Much more then the R wins over. It certainly has more grunt, handles better, lasts longer, and is generally easier to look after.
Service costs for the Bonneville were low though.
Let me know if you have any specific questions.
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Cheers
Barry
Cheers
Barry
Both are great bikes, when the novelty and looks of the bonnie start to fade the beemer comes into it's own, you start to realize that though it excels in no one particular catagorie it does most everything very well and with ease.Making you a better more confidant rider. This I think is the secret to beemer loyalty. Good Look
Peter
This is why this is a great site, always great advice!
I would add that a R1150R handles mods very well, you can turn it into an all out tourer (hard luggage, windscreens) more easily than the Bonnie. Or, you can strip it all off in minutes, even the exhaust, for a more exotic flavour. No other bike I can think of can play all three roles - touring bike, sport bike, or naked bike, as well. And this includes new Beemers.
But, if I could have 4 bikes, a bonnie would be in my collection, next to the R and my 2nd bike (a Fireblade), and the cruiser that I've been considering lately...yikes!
I would add that a R1150R handles mods very well, you can turn it into an all out tourer (hard luggage, windscreens) more easily than the Bonnie. Or, you can strip it all off in minutes, even the exhaust, for a more exotic flavour. No other bike I can think of can play all three roles - touring bike, sport bike, or naked bike, as well. And this includes new Beemers.
But, if I could have 4 bikes, a bonnie would be in my collection, next to the R and my 2nd bike (a Fireblade), and the cruiser that I've been considering lately...yikes!
Rui
'03 R1150R silver w/abs,black motor,bags,backrest,givi
'00 CBR929RR
'08 Road King Classic
'03 R1150R silver w/abs,black motor,bags,backrest,givi
'00 CBR929RR
'08 Road King Classic
You will have noticed a definite trend in the responses on this board.
While I second the notition that "both are great bikes", I'd suggest that you are comparing dissimilar entities.
The T100 is a handsome machine (but almost an ugly duckling compared to the stunning Thruxton!) and I'm sure fun to ride. I haven't ridden that particular model but I have a fair number of miles under my belt on British vertical twins. In fact, my first new bike purchase (years ago) was a Bonneville that was a joy to ride - under certain conditions. While the Bonnie was great at short trips, especially on twisty roads, it was not so hot on long rides and you always wanted a little more horsepower. It also wasn't the kind of machine you wanted to use for pedestrian tasks, such as running out for groceries.
The Roadster on the other hand is pretty much an "everything" bike. Adequately powered, stable at speed and agile in the corners, great brakes, good looking and reliable. Fun to ride naked; just add a set of system cases, tank bag and shield for long distance touring. Keep the system cases on and use it for grocery shopping (you'd be surprised at how many bags of groceries will fit).
In short, my take would be that the T100 is likely to be a good bike for someone who wants a classic design to ride for a few hours one in a while. The Roadster is far more versatile and would be the choice for someone who has a variety of cycling needs and plans to ride a lot.
Just keep in mind that all the opinions you get on this topic are worth every penny you paid for them.
While I second the notition that "both are great bikes", I'd suggest that you are comparing dissimilar entities.
The T100 is a handsome machine (but almost an ugly duckling compared to the stunning Thruxton!) and I'm sure fun to ride. I haven't ridden that particular model but I have a fair number of miles under my belt on British vertical twins. In fact, my first new bike purchase (years ago) was a Bonneville that was a joy to ride - under certain conditions. While the Bonnie was great at short trips, especially on twisty roads, it was not so hot on long rides and you always wanted a little more horsepower. It also wasn't the kind of machine you wanted to use for pedestrian tasks, such as running out for groceries.
The Roadster on the other hand is pretty much an "everything" bike. Adequately powered, stable at speed and agile in the corners, great brakes, good looking and reliable. Fun to ride naked; just add a set of system cases, tank bag and shield for long distance touring. Keep the system cases on and use it for grocery shopping (you'd be surprised at how many bags of groceries will fit).
In short, my take would be that the T100 is likely to be a good bike for someone who wants a classic design to ride for a few hours one in a while. The Roadster is far more versatile and would be the choice for someone who has a variety of cycling needs and plans to ride a lot.
Just keep in mind that all the opinions you get on this topic are worth every penny you paid for them.
Had a Triumph Thunderbird triple and if you're looking at ride comparison then go BMW. The slickness of the bimmer toasts the hardened ride of the Triumph IMO. Everyone has their likes/dislikes, if you do "test ride" then take it for a WORTHY ride, not a ten minute spin. You'll see what I'm talking about after 2+ hours in the saddle and grabbin the bars! Good Luck
A man who knows others has wisdom,
A man who knows himself has enlightenment
2004 R1150R SILVER
A man who knows himself has enlightenment
2004 R1150R SILVER
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jimcameron
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- Location: Annapolis, Md.
Beemer vs. Bonnie
I've had both, and currently have chosen the R1150R, without regret. I believe that the Bonnie can be easily enhanced to make a very comfortable, and reliable ride that I would take anywhere. Buzz at 60mph?? Something isn't set up right!! The Bonneville is very close to a broken in R up to 80mph in smoothness. I ran an 18tooth front sprocket on the Bonneville, for exceptional smoothness. Combined with Staintune reverse cone exhaust and a mild jetting of the carbs, it ran very, very smoothly, and I believe that the reliability and longevity of the Bonneville engine is excellent. I rode mine long distance and in terrible rain/weather with never any hesitation on the part of the bike. They are excellent.
Here's where I believe the Bonneville falls short. Suspension/handling is not even in the same century as the R, tweek it all you want, spare no expense, the basic bones of the two bikes are decades apart. The braking for the Bonnie is excellent for a 50 year old bike. The braking for the R is excellent for a bike that will be designed in about 50 years. No comparison for these two components. You can make the Bonnie a tourer or a daily rider with modest effort. The R comes that way. One component I never liked on the Bonnie were the tubed, spoked wheels. Having had a flat or two out on "the road", repairing a tubed tire roadside is no fun, and frequently very difficult. At least with a tubless tire, you have a shot at a TirePlugger repair roadside and you'd be on your way shortly.
You will not be unhappy with either bike. I would have a Bonnie again in a second. I would not, however, trade my R for one. By the time you set up a Bonnie the way you may like it, you have as much $$ into it as the R. For the same price, you are on the short end with the Bonnie.
Good luck.
Here's where I believe the Bonneville falls short. Suspension/handling is not even in the same century as the R, tweek it all you want, spare no expense, the basic bones of the two bikes are decades apart. The braking for the Bonnie is excellent for a 50 year old bike. The braking for the R is excellent for a bike that will be designed in about 50 years. No comparison for these two components. You can make the Bonnie a tourer or a daily rider with modest effort. The R comes that way. One component I never liked on the Bonnie were the tubed, spoked wheels. Having had a flat or two out on "the road", repairing a tubed tire roadside is no fun, and frequently very difficult. At least with a tubless tire, you have a shot at a TirePlugger repair roadside and you'd be on your way shortly.
You will not be unhappy with either bike. I would have a Bonnie again in a second. I would not, however, trade my R for one. By the time you set up a Bonnie the way you may like it, you have as much $$ into it as the R. For the same price, you are on the short end with the Bonnie.
Good luck.
JimC