[LanceD]

I waited about 6 weeks. Went 2 exits up the highway @ 55 and was terrified. Two weeks later, I went on an organized ride with friends that terminated in a 1.5 hour ride down I-5. 70mph speed limit. I was white knuckling @ 70 and cars were passing me like I was standing still. I was NOT ready and ended up scared, fatigued and pissed off that my friends pulled away from me and left me behind.

If I were to offer advice, it would be to take short trips… a couple more miles each time. It won’t take long to build your confidence, but don’t rush it. It’s a miserable experience when you do.

[LanceD]

From standard to cruiser? Interesting. I’m on a 800cc cruiser, and my second bike will probably be a standard (Street Triple R is high in the running). I guess you have to find your passion and many of us end up completely switching bike styles. Just curious what it is about cruisers that you think you’ll like better…. or what about a standard that you’re not satisfied with?

[LanceD]

They would be good for a GPS so you don’t have to take your eye off the road… but I’d keep the phone and music turned off.

[LanceD]

I know many excellent riders (a few of them MSF instructors) who learned on pavement and have never ridden on dirt. In fact, they assert that dirt riders are (sometimes) harder to teach because they think they already know how to ride and have to break some habits that are dangerous on pavement.

No, I’m not trying to disparage dirt riding. My point is that one way is not the only way (or even necessarily the best ) and education is everywhere … it’s up to the individual to take it in.

[LanceD]

That sounds a lot like my first ride outside of my ‘neighborhood’. It only gets more fun. As for the red-light triggers, check out this page:

http://lifehacker.com/302108/trigger-green-lights-with-your-motorcycle-scooter-or-bicycle

I did it my first week with the bike and haven’t had a problem with lights since.

[LanceD]

Depends who your buying from. Dealers will take a personal check, private parties usually like cash or a cashier’s check.

[LanceD]

Cool. Glad the SE has renewed your interest. The bonnie is a great bike. I’ve got several friends who own them and wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Interesting to hear your thoughts on the Speed Triple. I’d probably feel the same way. I’ve been looking at the Street Triple as a second bike (that or a Monster 696), but that will probably be a couple of years away. I’m quite happy with my little Speedmaster for now.

[LanceD]

Going by the “brightline” you mentioned in the other thread “power/weight ratio”… and me being a Triumph fan:

Speedmaster (cruiser):
HP: 61
Torque: 55
P/W ratio: 0.12

America (cruiser):
HP: 54
Torque: 51
P/W ratio: 0.11

Bonneville (New Bonneville, Bonnie SE, T100) (standard — classic):
HP: 67
Torque: 51
P/W ratio: 0.15

Scrambler (standard / light dual purpose):
HP: 59
Torque: 51
P/W ratio: 0.13

Thruxton (cafe):
HP: 69
Torque: 52
P/W ratio: 0.15

[LanceD]

Great post, and I agree that power/weight is a good ratio, but torque is also important for a new rider. Before the controls become second nature to you, it’s pretty common to tweak the throttle at the wrong time (like when someone pulls out of a blind driveway in front of you *surprise!* ). Too much torque might just plant you squarely in the trunk of that car. Just something to consider.

[LanceD]

I went in to my local Harley dealer when I was looking, and had a similar experience (but worse). I went in asking about a Blast. He said they don’t even carry them. Rolled his eyes and said he could “make some calls to other dealers” (well hell, I could do that too…). So, just out of curiosity, I asked about the xb9sx and he said they didn’t carry those either because they were “just a smaller version of the xb12” which he thought would be a better fit for me… Then somehow, steered me out of the Buell side of the showroom entirely and tried to get me to drive out the door with a decked-out Nightster. So, in short, he could have sold me a $5k bike… tried to steer me to a $12k bike, and sold…. nothing. When will dealers learn that the hard-sell doesn’t work like it used to???

[LanceD]

I haven’t had a problem with helmet hair…

Hair is only a problem for people who have it.

Lose the hair… lose the problem!

[LanceD]

Have you thought of just putting a different seat on the T100? They sell seats with lower profiles that are narrower in the front (which REALLY helps if you have shorter legs). I sat on a showroom T100 and felt the same way you did… Then I sat on my friend’s Bonnie with a Corbin seat and it felt 100% better. It was like night and day.
He’s got this seat (http://www.corbin.com/triumph/bonnevillegnl.shtml)

There are also other options like shorter shocks/springs that can take it down an extra inch or so, but that’s a rather expensive options (and it decreases your lean angle in the turns).

Try asking questions (or just searching posts) on http://www.triumphrat.net. Friendly folks and there’s a wealth of knowledge. For seat options, you can try http://www.corbin.com or http://www.british-customs.com.

Also, your dealership is probably associated with a R.A.T. club (rider’s association of Triumph). Find out when they meet and show up. You’ll probably get to see dozens of bonnies there with different seats, configurations and customizations as well as get an earful of advice from the owners…

Hope some of this helps.

[LanceD]

If you don’t mind sticking with a cruiser, you could check out the America or Speedmaster. They have seat heights even shorter than the Bonnie SE. Comfy bike if I do say so myself… and same engine as the T100 (or any of the ‘Modern Classics’ bikes)… just a different posture.

[LanceD]

Welcome Muyiwa!

The Ninja 250 is a popular bike. I’m sure you’ll have a great time with it.

[LanceD]

Yes, it’s more engine than is recommended here. BUT it has less torque/HP than the sv650 which IS recommended here. There’s a big difference between an 800cc sport bike and an 800cc cruiser. It’s actually considered a mid-size cruiser. Some people believe the weight (500lbs dry) is too much for a noob. Frankly, yes, the weight is an issue, but only if you don’t do enough low speed practice and get to know your bike. Knowing how to use your clutch, throttle and rear break @ parking lot speeds goes a long way to erasing the weight issue. I sometimes even pull off into a parking lot in the middle of a ride to take a break and practice emergency stops, figure-8s, u-turns, etc…

I got it against the advice of this site because everyone I’d talked to who had it as a first bike LOVED IT (even the ones who were in the process of learning). I think a good way to find out about an experience is to ask people who are actively going through the experience.

Hope this helped..
Lance

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