Bonneville, Interceptor, W800 etc - Opinions?
Discussion
I've not long passed my test, and keep being drawn back to bikes such as the Triumph Bonneville, Royal Enfield Interceptor, Kawasaki W800.
I guess I just like the style of them.
Does anyone have any experience in owning them?
I'm only 27, so potentially a bit younger than their usual demographic, though most of my riding is slow speed anyhow. Bumbling to and from work, a few nice lanes on a weekend, and the relaxed nature is what attracts me. They're also cheap to insure compared to some tastier bikes, which is something I need to factor in until I get a few more no claims.
Cheers, and enjoy the sun
I guess I just like the style of them.
Does anyone have any experience in owning them?
I'm only 27, so potentially a bit younger than their usual demographic, though most of my riding is slow speed anyhow. Bumbling to and from work, a few nice lanes on a weekend, and the relaxed nature is what attracts me. They're also cheap to insure compared to some tastier bikes, which is something I need to factor in until I get a few more no claims.
Cheers, and enjoy the sun
Never owned any of them - but see the attraction and have test ridden them all.
W800 - Only 5 gears, riding position felt a bit cramped. That external bezel drive thing looks quirky.
RE - Great value, but years ago I bought a Westfield and a month later wished I'd found the extra money for a Caterham, I reckon I'd have the same buyer's remorse with a RE.
Triumph - Really nice. I'd have a hard time deciding between the T100 and T120 ?
Have you considered adding the Moto Guzzi V7 to the list ?
Edit - xposted with Nigel - Hi Nigel long time no talk, miss our "chats" on TA !
W800 - Only 5 gears, riding position felt a bit cramped. That external bezel drive thing looks quirky.
RE - Great value, but years ago I bought a Westfield and a month later wished I'd found the extra money for a Caterham, I reckon I'd have the same buyer's remorse with a RE.
Triumph - Really nice. I'd have a hard time deciding between the T100 and T120 ?
Have you considered adding the Moto Guzzi V7 to the list ?
Edit - xposted with Nigel - Hi Nigel long time no talk, miss our "chats" on TA !
I've owned two Hinckley Bonnies, a n air cooled BMW, Guzzi and some proper old s
te over the years.
I sold both of my Bonnies after a while as they were lacking in character, but if you haven't experience of the same sort of bikes as I've owned, quite honestly, it probably wouldn't concern you. Both were early 2000s air cooled bikes. Both were totally reliable and very pleasant to ride. Possibly too pleasant.
My experience with Guzzi is that I just don't like them, I've tried... and generally I like bikes with character, but I just found the Guzzis to be too agricultural (and that is coming from someone who loves rigid mount Harleys).
A mate has recently bought an Interceptor, after a few mods it's a pleasant enough bike to ride... but I'd take a ten year old Bonneville over a brand new RE any day of the week. My mate loves his tho and that is after owning the likes of T140s and BSAs.
I've no experience of the Kawasaki W650 and 800, but have heard they are closer to an old British bike than most of the others - if so, that would be a good thing in my book. I may be buying one for my better half, as she struggles to start the T140 that I bought her.
I'd add a Harley Sportster into the mix, if you want a lazy bike with some character. I've owned them for years and have found them to be crackin' fun and almost 100% reliable. However, the more modern examples seem to have a few problems, so do some homework before leaping...
Whilst bikes like the above come in for a lot of stick from some quarters as being hipster bikes or old man's bike, they have their place. They are generally very easy to live with and relatively cheap to own. On the lanes where I do most of my riding, sit up and beg riding positions and lazy engines are so much more pleasant than a more focussed machine. They tend to be easy to strap rubbish to, pick up passengers and all that sort of unglamorous stuff as well.
Whatever you choose, enjoy it.
te over the years.I sold both of my Bonnies after a while as they were lacking in character, but if you haven't experience of the same sort of bikes as I've owned, quite honestly, it probably wouldn't concern you. Both were early 2000s air cooled bikes. Both were totally reliable and very pleasant to ride. Possibly too pleasant.
My experience with Guzzi is that I just don't like them, I've tried... and generally I like bikes with character, but I just found the Guzzis to be too agricultural (and that is coming from someone who loves rigid mount Harleys).
A mate has recently bought an Interceptor, after a few mods it's a pleasant enough bike to ride... but I'd take a ten year old Bonneville over a brand new RE any day of the week. My mate loves his tho and that is after owning the likes of T140s and BSAs.
I've no experience of the Kawasaki W650 and 800, but have heard they are closer to an old British bike than most of the others - if so, that would be a good thing in my book. I may be buying one for my better half, as she struggles to start the T140 that I bought her.
I'd add a Harley Sportster into the mix, if you want a lazy bike with some character. I've owned them for years and have found them to be crackin' fun and almost 100% reliable. However, the more modern examples seem to have a few problems, so do some homework before leaping...
Whilst bikes like the above come in for a lot of stick from some quarters as being hipster bikes or old man's bike, they have their place. They are generally very easy to live with and relatively cheap to own. On the lanes where I do most of my riding, sit up and beg riding positions and lazy engines are so much more pleasant than a more focussed machine. They tend to be easy to strap rubbish to, pick up passengers and all that sort of unglamorous stuff as well.
Whatever you choose, enjoy it.
I had a smililar choice a few years back, I liked them all. Basically came down to what was close, and what could I get the best deal on, so ended up with a Moto Guzzi V7 iii Special which I love.
The retro market has loads of options at the moment, and I don't think any of them are bad, and certainly none of the ones you've mentioned. Out of your list, it would have to be the W800 for me. Looks class, especially the Cafe, and the 360 degree twin sounds excellent. Have a soft spot for the Royal Enfields too.
The new BSA gold star is also out next month for around £6500, possibly worth checking out. And if you really want to save some cash, and don't mind not being able to go above 80mph, the Benelli 400 Imperiale is available for around £3.5k new and looks great.
If you're willing to buy second hand (or willing to spend more new) a Triumph Speed Twin, BMW R Nine T, Kawasaki Z900RS etc will kick the arse of all the other retros in the performance department.
Also, I'd add the Yamaha SCR950 to your list. They are a cool bike with a reliable big V Twin, but no one bought one and so dealers need the old stock gone. You can get a pre registered but unused bike for around £5k, a saving of around £3-£3.5k over a new price.
The retro market has loads of options at the moment, and I don't think any of them are bad, and certainly none of the ones you've mentioned. Out of your list, it would have to be the W800 for me. Looks class, especially the Cafe, and the 360 degree twin sounds excellent. Have a soft spot for the Royal Enfields too.
The new BSA gold star is also out next month for around £6500, possibly worth checking out. And if you really want to save some cash, and don't mind not being able to go above 80mph, the Benelli 400 Imperiale is available for around £3.5k new and looks great.
If you're willing to buy second hand (or willing to spend more new) a Triumph Speed Twin, BMW R Nine T, Kawasaki Z900RS etc will kick the arse of all the other retros in the performance department.
Also, I'd add the Yamaha SCR950 to your list. They are a cool bike with a reliable big V Twin, but no one bought one and so dealers need the old stock gone. You can get a pre registered but unused bike for around £5k, a saving of around £3-£3.5k over a new price.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Tuesday 19th July 18:24
Seight_Returns said:
Edit - xposted with Nigel - Hi Nigel long time no talk, miss our "chats" on TA !
Good lord, how the devil are you ?I do apologise for not recognising the screen name.
Is TA still going , I haven't looked for years ?
I only pop in and out of PH infrequently now, even this seems far too PC for me these days lol (all this support for scameras, lower speed limits, and all the green b
ks).I guess you must still be riding if you're in here, what are you riding these days (I'm just pottering around on a Guzzi Nevada) ?
had W800 and early T100 (07 carb) myself
I dont feel any significant difference in power of both bike, reliability is good on both bike
I prefer the look of T100, hence I move from W800 to T100
the chrome quality are terrible on W800, T100 slightly better but still suffer the usual chrome corrosion issue just not as severe as W800
T100 will be my pick between the two
I dont feel any significant difference in power of both bike, reliability is good on both bike
I prefer the look of T100, hence I move from W800 to T100
the chrome quality are terrible on W800, T100 slightly better but still suffer the usual chrome corrosion issue just not as severe as W800
T100 will be my pick between the two
I’ve had a 2018 Triumph Bonneville Street Twin for the last 4 years, bought new. Such a great bike that I have struggled to find anything better to replace it with even though I fancy a change now.
Very easy to ride with a low seat and light clutch. Torquey and mellow, a pleasure to bimble about on, but not exactly slow either if you crack it open. One of the best sounding stock exhaust notes on any modern bike I’ve heard. Plenty of easy customisation options to make it your own (swapping out the seat etc). As with all retro nakeds, you will need to keep on top of cleaning it, or it will start to look tatty - something with more plastic might be a better choice if you will be using it daily. No wind protection, obvs, so you'll struggle to do sustained periods above 70mph.
I also had a 2005 Triumph Bonneville T100 a few years ago and, my recollection is that it felt a bit “older”. Without comparing them side by side, my impression is that the Street Twin feels more agile in comparison. All the Bonnie variations are nice, though. In fact, all of the retro’s the OP mentions are good bikes, by all accounts, so I’d go with whatever you like the look of (and sound of) the best.
And no need to apologise for what you like, OP. If you like retro bikes, there’s no need to be humble about it, saying that you need to build up no claims etc before getting something faster and that it's an old man's bike. Plenty of folk going around on much smaller and slower bikes than an 800/900cc retro and, ironically, I've heard the big adventure bikes that dominate the mainstream these days being referred to by young folk as “Dad bikes”!
Very easy to ride with a low seat and light clutch. Torquey and mellow, a pleasure to bimble about on, but not exactly slow either if you crack it open. One of the best sounding stock exhaust notes on any modern bike I’ve heard. Plenty of easy customisation options to make it your own (swapping out the seat etc). As with all retro nakeds, you will need to keep on top of cleaning it, or it will start to look tatty - something with more plastic might be a better choice if you will be using it daily. No wind protection, obvs, so you'll struggle to do sustained periods above 70mph.
I also had a 2005 Triumph Bonneville T100 a few years ago and, my recollection is that it felt a bit “older”. Without comparing them side by side, my impression is that the Street Twin feels more agile in comparison. All the Bonnie variations are nice, though. In fact, all of the retro’s the OP mentions are good bikes, by all accounts, so I’d go with whatever you like the look of (and sound of) the best.
And no need to apologise for what you like, OP. If you like retro bikes, there’s no need to be humble about it, saying that you need to build up no claims etc before getting something faster and that it's an old man's bike. Plenty of folk going around on much smaller and slower bikes than an 800/900cc retro and, ironically, I've heard the big adventure bikes that dominate the mainstream these days being referred to by young folk as “Dad bikes”!
I only just passed my motorcycle test too (over in the States), and just got myself an RE Interceptor 650. I absolutely love it. I don't have a lot to compare it to though. I originally wanted a Bonneville, but frankly couldn't stomach the additional $$ while I'm so new at this. I truly have zero remorse about buying cheaper. I've upgraded a few components to make it my own, and am aiming to do quite a few more. It's a lot of fun. I think the one thing I'd mention on this behalf is that the Bonne is far more supported by the aftermarket than the RE, from what I see.
I'd say one thing to watch for: the run-in period for the RE is long. 1200 miles below 4k rpm. You need to have an oil change and valve adjustment at 600 miles, which is a few hundred $.
The bike goes well for what it is as far as I'm concerned, I don't think i'll be getting in much trouble with it, but I'm really looking forward to opening it up in the coming weeks once I hit that 1200 miles.
I'd say one thing to watch for: the run-in period for the RE is long. 1200 miles below 4k rpm. You need to have an oil change and valve adjustment at 600 miles, which is a few hundred $.
The bike goes well for what it is as far as I'm concerned, I don't think i'll be getting in much trouble with it, but I'm really looking forward to opening it up in the coming weeks once I hit that 1200 miles.
croyde said:
I like that Yamaha V Twin. I presume it's based on it's Sportster lookalike that was around a few years ago.
Seems Yamaha stopped selling it as it's not Euro5.
Not sure if that means it'll be no good for the London ULEZ but as my 2008 Vespa is ok, I'd be surprised.
Euro 3 and later for bikes in ULEZ, and it’s just NOx that they use as the criteria, so anything less than 0.15g/Km..Seems Yamaha stopped selling it as it's not Euro5.
Not sure if that means it'll be no good for the London ULEZ but as my 2008 Vespa is ok, I'd be surprised.
Edited by bgunn on Wednesday 20th July 17:23
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