Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[badhuis]

So I got my motorcycle drivers license a year ago and no bike yet. Learned to drive together with my son who then bought a motor scooter, a 300cc Vespa. Automatic, I drove it once but I do not like scooters.
He now has bought a 3 year old KTM Duke which looks horrible.

Dream bike would be a postwar Sunbeam S7. But I have to be realistic, want a bike which can bring me to my work, 50 miles away, once per week. Always traffic jams so a bike seems very handy.

I dislike most modern bikes in general with their stupid styling, high fuel tanks and no rear wings. Choppers are not my thing either. Too much testosterone and posing.

I have found that the "new" Triumph Bonneville is ticking all the boxes for me.
Old style (copy of a 70s Bonneville), reliable twin, fast enough. Gets favorite views everywhere on the net. They started building them in 2000 and it is still a fairly big seller.

I am now actively looking for one. Anyone had experiences with these "modern" Bonnevilles?
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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

[kevin2306]

A good friend has one and loves it, I think his is 2001?
He also has a Triumph Thruxton which is absolutely superb.

Another bike worth considering is the Suzuki Bandit, very similar to the Triumph and is both reliable and cheaper to buy.

Kev

[Penman]

Hi
There is also of course the Royal Enfield.
http://www.zigwheels.com/newbikes/Royal-Enfield
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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[Dipster]

Totally off topic but I remember the thousands of Honda 125 singles that rode around Sao Paulo when I lived there a few years ago. They regularly out dragged the Harleys between traffic lights!

Both bikes were produced in Brazil at the time. The little Honda would be quite enough to get you to work but also to put your licence at risk..... Cheap too.

[ka]

My experience of Triumph is their regular service intervals, that add to the overall running costs.
In my view you need to decide whether you are going to be a year round commuter and how big an engine you need. If you are considering 12 month commuting, then a fairing is essential, but not a barn door as BMW use. (I own an R1150RT, but use it to see the kids in Nottingham from up here)
Have you considered the Honda Deuvalle. V Twin, narrow, light, economical, half faired, heated handgrips and Honda reliability. Plus being mainly covered needs less cleaning.
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KA

Better three than four.

[badhuis]

Thanks for the suggestions. Have thought long and hard and decided the Bonneville is the one I would like. Fits almost all the requirements.

So I found one at a great price one hour away. It is from feb 2001, pretty early as they only started delivery in January for the public. It is bog standard, just as I like. Not perfect, it has specks of rust on the exhausts (underside) and a tiny bit of wear and tear but that just makes it good for me. I do not care for showroom or as new.
Very pleased with it. Have to wait to drive it until it has got new registration - I imported it from Belgium.


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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment