Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire First bike in almost a decade.

Haven't owned a motorcycle in almost 10
years. A few months ago I got the the desire to own one again. My friends never quit riding so that only added fuel to the fire. Rising cost of gasoline was also a good incentive (excuse?) Wasn't sure at first what I wanted but I always liked the looks of a bonneville but had never ridden one much less owned one. I drove down Saturday to the dealership and picked it up without even as much as a test ride. I knew when I swung a leg over it that it was the bike for me. I'm
5'9 but have short legs, the low 30.5" seat height is perfect for my frame.

I've put 200 miles on it since Saturday evening just riding the back roads and getting a feel for things again. I'm loving it so far.

What are you guys riding?

Just two thoughts....
Loud pipes and ape hangers!!

Those new bonnies are a great bike. I looked at them hard about 7 years ago. My dad has one now - he loves it.

Nice looking bike!

I haven't ridden any since 1982/83.
Had a Yamaha XL650 as my one and only street bike.

Had I liked road riding I'm sure that I'd have wound up on a HD at some point.
I remember as a kid in the 70's several Triumph's and BSA's around and always liked both.

Miss the MX days as a yute.

Enjoy and be safe!

Congrats. Super bike.

Sold my Ninja 1000 about a year and a half ago. Dealer made an offer I could not refuse due to the bike shortage. So it was an easy decision.

I rode a BMW GS1250 a few months ago in Africa. Not sure I would own one here, but awesome bike for the gravel and salt roads there.

Not sure what to do next, but I've been riding since I was 15 so something will probably happen before long.

But I could be persuaded to buy one of these - https://newatlas.com/aircraft/air-one-test-flight/

Got a buddy jonesing for an Africa Twin. The adventure bikes are just too tall for me.

Legit - check out the Pan America by Harley. It's a real adv bike and has adjustable seat height. It's won a lot of attention as better than the BMW GS series and being cheaper.

If i could find a 1982 Yamaha XS1100 in great shape,i'd be on that quick.

I have a Kawasaki Z125 for around town and a Yamaha 650 V-Star for the road.

kwg

Rode for 45 years without so much as a minor accident. Then about 22 months ago someone decided to run a red light and hit me from behind smashing my shoulder in the process.
To many distracted drivers on the road and I gave up riding.
Your bike is nice, always liked the Triumphs.
Stay safe

Love those bikes! Love the clean uncluttered simple lines.

Just have 2 scooters in the stable now, but have been shopping.

I had an original Bonneville back in 79.

Old man had a vintage 650 for a while. I rode it some, the right side shifting was weird.

I'd like to try riding something with MotoGP shifting. Instead of 1 down, 5 up it's 1 up, 5 down. Just to see how that is.

Congrats, great looking bike. What Paul said, they've got the lines.

I like that Triumph has continued to produce a classic looking motorcycle. I ride a 650 V-Strom (suzuki), a KLX 250, Kawasaki, and work on an old Gold Wing. My Suzuki has the seat from a 1000 on it to gain a little seat height (about 5/8 inch). When I bought it, there was a guy buying a 1000. He was about 5'7" and was happy to make the swap. On the Suzuki, I dislike the fuel injection throttle response, tolerate the anti-lock brakes, and like the seating position. Power is adequate.
The KLX has good throttle response from it's fuel injection, excellent brakes, good handling, and is slightly slower than the 1985 KLR
250 it replaced; although it is rated as having more horsepower.
If I replace the V-Strom, the Triumph is in the running. GD

Either of those would most likely 'F' me up pretty bad!

Very nice! I'm currently riding a 2009 Harley Lowrider. It's just like me - old and slow. Actually it's pretty competent. Nice bike, and pretty cheap to own.

My first bike was a 1966 Bonneville, loved riding it. Handled awesome, one time I went down in a curve and got it back up tank slapping like crazy and cleared the curb on the far side of the s curves! Don't ride like that anymore.

I had a 1978 (first year) Eleven. Great bike, but it was a bit porky. Over 600 lbs as I recall. I have a FJ1200 and a GTS1000 now, but I don't ride as much anymore. Getting old sucks!


Jerry

Jerry I am in the same boat. Throwing around a 550+ pound sport bike in the twisties is tiresome after awhile.

Not sure the solution other than downsize and that's like admitting defeat. A 600 feels like a moped.