Boner-ville

Scot · 07-17-2013, 02:46 PM

I loooooove the Bonnies. I didn't want to like it as much as I did. My first ride on one lasted 300 miles.

Triple · 09-08-2013, 05:20 PM

Added a few minor upgrades: Ryjzq (TEC) shocks, OEM center stand (bought second-hand for $50 versus $230+ retail), and a Norman Hyde rear rack / side pannier set. The Givi E21 side cases were left over from my previous bike. I have a kit to attach my Givi Monokey trunk to the rear rack, but I won't install it until I really need it. I like the way it looks as-is.

The TEC shocks are cheap but still a huge improvement over stock, even on their softest setting. They did not include an appropriately-sized spanner wrench and it looks like the pannier racks might prevent shock adjustment anyway. Clearance between the racks and shocks is super tight. Can't say for sure until I actually find the right wrench and give it a try, I suppose.

The racks themselves were a bitch to get straight (still a little crooked, actually) and build quality doesn't quite meet actual Givi standards, but they are the best set available for this model. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to mount the rear signals on the extended stalks attached to the racks; if I do, I'll have to replace the OEM tail-light assembly with a Lucas-style piece. Otherwise, the original unit will have two big, ugly holes on either side to let in water and road grime. I could just cut the stalks off and plug the holes with rubber stoppers, but I'm not really comfortable with the little LED signals buried between the two hard bags.

Last month I took a 2000+ mile round-trip to Michigan and back. I took the scenic route on the way there but had to slab it the whole way home. My ride north took me through a few of the Appalachian "musts" (Deal's Gap, Cherohala Skyway, etc), but some of the remote two- and one-lane connectors were just as good. I tried to hit some roads I'd never ridden before, but ended up in some familiar places by accident. Still a great ride overall. The bike performed flawlessly. I made the following trip in two very long days; it would have been much more comfortable taking three or four:

Turbo Ghost · 09-08-2013, 10:17 PM

Love the chrome rack! It looks perfect on there!

Triple · 12-06-2015, 10:38 PM

Hm. It would seem all of the photos originally posted in this thread have disappeared.

Anyway, here are some Bonnie updates:

2012 Triumph Bonneville GRAND TOURING
http://www.triumphrat.net/twins-talk...d-touring.html

07-17-2013, 02:46 PM	#1
Scot Kneedragger Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Va Moto: varies Posts: 227	I loooooove the Bonnies. I didn't want to like it as much as I did. My first ride on one lasted 300 miles. __________________ 2007 Motoguzzi Griso 2007 BMW K1200S 1988 Moooostang LX 2012 Fiat 500 2010 Toyota FJ

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-08-2013, 05:20 PM	#2
Triple uncomfortably numb Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: JOH-JAH! Moto: WR250R & Bonneville Posts: 409	Added a few minor upgrades: Ryjzq (TEC) shocks, OEM center stand (bought second-hand for $50 versus $230+ retail), and a Norman Hyde rear rack / side pannier set. The Givi E21 side cases were left over from my previous bike. I have a kit to attach my Givi Monokey trunk to the rear rack, but I won't install it until I really need it. I like the way it looks as-is. The TEC shocks are cheap but still a huge improvement over stock, even on their softest setting. They did not include an appropriately-sized spanner wrench and it looks like the pannier racks might prevent shock adjustment anyway. Clearance between the racks and shocks is super tight. Can't say for sure until I actually find the right wrench and give it a try, I suppose. The racks themselves were a bitch to get straight (still a little crooked, actually) and build quality doesn't quite meet actual Givi standards, but they are the best set available for this model. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to mount the rear signals on the extended stalks attached to the racks; if I do, I'll have to replace the OEM tail-light assembly with a Lucas-style piece. Otherwise, the original unit will have two big, ugly holes on either side to let in water and road grime. I could just cut the stalks off and plug the holes with rubber stoppers, but I'm not really comfortable with the little LED signals buried between the two hard bags. Last month I took a 2000+ mile round-trip to Michigan and back. I took the scenic route on the way there but had to slab it the whole way home. My ride north took me through a few of the Appalachian "musts" (Deal's Gap, Cherohala Skyway, etc), but some of the remote two- and one-lane connectors were just as good. I tried to hit some roads I'd never ridden before, but ended up in some familiar places by accident. Still a great ride overall. The bike performed flawlessly. I made the following trip in two very long days; it would have been much more comfortable taking three or four:

09-08-2013, 10:17 PM	#3
Turbo Ghost Movie Star Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kingsport, TN. Moto: KLR650 Posts: 682	Love the chrome rack! It looks perfect on there!

12-06-2015, 10:38 PM	#4
Triple uncomfortably numb Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: JOH-JAH! Moto: WR250R & Bonneville Posts: 409	Hm. It would seem all of the photos originally posted in this thread have disappeared. Anyway, here are some Bonnie updates: 2012 Triumph Bonneville GRAND TOURING http://www.triumphrat.net/twins-talk...d-touring.html