Triumph Bonneville T100/T120 or RE Interceptor/Continental

Triumph Bonneville T100/T120 or RE Interceptor/Continental

Author
Discussion

Wacky Racer

Original Poster:

38,989 posts

254 months

Wednesday 10th January
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Forgetting for a moment the large difference in price:-

Which would you go for and why?

Janluke

2,683 posts

165 months

Wednesday 10th January
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Assuming the 900s come under the T100 banner and if we're really ignoring the price then my choice would be the Triumph Scrambler 900 Orange stealth. The right size and power for me to potter around on, I like the style, build quality and reasonable service intervals

chappj

337 posts

150 months

Wednesday 10th January
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RE would be my choice. Significantly cheaper and that engine has bags more character than triumphs. Super cheap components to customise too. Obviously down on power compared to either the 900 or 1200 triumph (but that’s kinda missing the point of these bikes).

@phatmenace has one and is besotted (enough to be considering selling his r nine t scrambler).

zeb

3,235 posts

225 months

Wednesday 10th January
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I’ve had both and preferred the triumph by quite a way. Handling is better and feels more premium in its construction. To be fair I’d ride both and see which suits you.

Wacky Racer

Original Poster:

38,989 posts

254 months

Wednesday 10th January
quotequote all
Janluke said:
Assuming the 900s come under the T100 banner and if we're really ignoring the price then my choice would be the Triumph Scrambler 900 Orange stealth. The right size and power for me to potter around on, I like the style, build quality and reasonable service intervals
Interesting.

Here's my old Scrambler from 2008


Wacky Racer

Original Poster:

38,989 posts

254 months

Wednesday 10th January
quotequote all
The RE has 47bhp, which by co-incidence was exactly what Triumph's iconic 1968/9 Bonneville put out, a bike generally regarded by purists as the most desirable.

If you had one of these back then you were "king of the road".

CHLEMCBH

411 posts

24 months

Thursday 11th January
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Guzzi V7. You won't have to line up with dozens of others at every bike meet you go to, like you will with a Bonnie or RE.

trickywoo

12,311 posts

237 months

Thursday 11th January
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I'd go for the RE.

Wacky Racer

Original Poster:

38,989 posts

254 months

Thursday 11th January
quotequote all
CHLEMCBH said:
Guzzi V7. You won't have to line up with dozens of others at every bike meet you go to, like you will with a Bonnie or RE.
Freddie's review:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwvhUmym1ww&t=...

spaximus

4,289 posts

260 months

Thursday 11th January
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I tried both the RE and the Triumph as my first bike after passing my DAS in 2020.

I preferred the looks of the RE but on test riding it felt weird as you seem perched on it hard to put into words.
It also had 15000 miles on it, probably hard as a demo unit, but it felt like it had done a lot more.

The Triumph Street Twin was much better riding position and felt better quality in every way. the engine was perkier as well.

So I went with the Street twin and I love it, but there are issues with it. Bits to change it are not cheap at the side of the RE. The demo bike had the uprated suspension and mine is normal which is fine but when riding in Wales with a couple of mates that side of the ride let it down.

I should have tried the Kawasaki and the Guzzie but this suits me. The final bit I liked over the others was the cast wheels easier to clean and look a bit more modern but still in keeping

Since buying I find the servicing costs at the dealer extortionate, now done by a good indy instead. Not sure how that compares with an RE.


JulianHJ

8,791 posts

269 months

Thursday 11th January
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I've no experience of either, but I've heard lots of negatives about RE build quality. Are you aware of the new Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X coming out imminently?

PT1984

2,563 posts

190 months

Thursday 11th January
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I recently passed my DAS at 39. I was torn between the Street Twin 900 and the Scrambler 900. The Scrambler with the Total Triumph pipes makes me weak at the knees. However I have always had a soft spot for Ducati, so I ended up with this. It was from a dealer and the deal was too good to say no to.



I never liked the ‘Dark’ editions from images. But it’s lovely in the flesh. It really does feel like a quality product. The later EU5 models feel a step above previous models.

I’m looking for a second bike to run aside it. That’ll be a Speed Twin. I’m definitely a fan of torque, over revs / hp.

TheInternet

4,929 posts

170 months

Thursday 11th January
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I can see how much you love the Ducati from the chair. I can imagine you whiling away the winter nights sat there with your pipe.

PT1984

2,563 posts

190 months

Thursday 11th January
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Ha that was a little joke with my wife. But as it turned out I spent quite a bit of time in there over Christmas, whisky in hand.

Forgot to add. My friend who did his DAS at the same time, and we both had 125’s, picked up a Street Twin. I have no idea how they got it sounding so good.

Alex Z

1,513 posts

83 months

Thursday 11th January
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I’d also fancied a triumph for years but when I came to test ride them they didn’t really do it for me, so bought a Ducati scrambler. Financially a poor move compared to a used Triumph, but what the hell….

PT1984

2,563 posts

190 months

Thursday 11th January
quotequote all
Alex Z said:
I’d also fancied a triumph for years but when I came to test ride them they didn’t really do it for me, so bought a Ducati scrambler. Financially a poor move compared to a used Triumph, but what the hell….
Pics!!

srob

11,848 posts

245 months

Thursday 11th January
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If you’re forgetting the price, how about a new Brough Superior?

handful17

40 posts

12 months

Friday 12th January
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PT1984 said:
I recently passed my DAS at 39. I was torn between the Street Twin 900 and the Scrambler 900. The Scrambler with the Total Triumph pipes makes me weak at the knees. However I have always had a soft spot for Ducati, so I ended up with this. It was from a dealer and the deal was too good to say no to.



I never liked the ‘Dark’ editions from images. But it’s lovely in the flesh. It really does feel like a quality product. The later EU5 models feel a step above previous models.

I’m looking for a second bike to run aside it. That’ll be a Speed Twin. I’m definitely a fan of torque, over revs / hp.
That's lovely and the colour I would choose. There are a couple of nice ones advertised at decent prices but a bit far from home to just go and have a quick look. I'm a bit worried about the saddle height, how tall are you?

PT1984

2,563 posts

190 months

Friday 12th January
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I’m a weird shape. I can’t fit on the bigger bikes, so the 1100/1200 Ducati and triumph scramblers.

I’m 6ft2, but only have 30” legs and a longer torso. So I struggle getting my feet down. The bigger capacity bikes feel so much bigger. I prefer smaller, and lighter bike. But they do taller and thinner seat options.

TheInternet

4,929 posts

170 months

Friday 12th January
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I always thought it was good that cycle-ergo.com catered for the more extreme builds like that.



ps. I'll be envious of a Speed Twin too. Sadly insuring one where I live is excessive.

Edited by TheInternet on Friday 12th January 14:36