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Originally Posted by ru153 Took the test ride of the Bonneville in Bangalore along with my wife this Friday. Also wanted to take a TD of the XC800 but it is not available yet in Bangalore. Is it available in Hyd? |
Tiger 800XC is available in Hyderabad. Both for test ride as well as for purchase
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Originally Posted by ru153 1. The clutch was very hard. Not sure because this was the TD vehicle or in general that is how it |
Iam surprised to note this feedback.
In contrary Bonnie's clutch is ultra soft and almost feather-like. Without sounding like iam exaggerating, you can slip in a gear by pulling in clutch with you little finger.
So there is definetly something wrong with bike you test rode. Check out other Bonnie's as well.
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Originally Posted by ru153 2. Rear suspension felt a little hard. What is your input on this? (FYI: I have owned Thunderbird and a CBR 250R till now.) |
Even I ride a bullet and coming from lower-end bikes, initial feel was similar like you which I have reported on this thread that suspension seemed quite hard.
But, now after riding the bonnie for 4500kms, I feel suspension is "Perfect" it's hard in a perfect way and never comes in your way of a comfortable ride and is definetly not bone jarringly hard like a HD.
You can glide over rough patches at high speeds without even feeling any discomfort
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Originally Posted by ru153 3. Bonneville does not have ABS. Do you think this is a drawback? Considering you have driven extensively on it, I thought you might be the best person to answer this. |
Braking is one of the strongest point of a Bonneville. I keep repeating this feature with almost an "Awe' that braking of bonneville at high speeds on highways is to be experienced to be beileved. Front brakes especially can take your breath away
Coming back to your query, I dont miss the ABS and dont even think its required
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Originally Posted by ru153 4. I was thinking of replacing the speedometer with one in Bonneville T100. Does it have any additional specs when compared to SE version. As one of your group member have T100. |
Bonneville T100 is exactly same bike as Bonneville SE except for the cosmetic changes like RPM Meter, Bigger 19" front wheel and both wheels are spoked instead of alloys, Lots of chrome etc
You can easily fit the Speedometer-cum-RPM meter console to a Bonneville SE. It costs Rs.17,000
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Originally Posted by ru153 I see that one of the group members in your pictures is a riding a Tiger XC800, which has karnataka (KA) registration. How do you think this one fares on tarmac when compared to the Bonneville? |
There is a very interesting incident about this gentleman who owns the Tiger 800XC. In his excitement to own the first Tiger, he picked up the bike from Bangalore as dealership opened there a day before Hyderabad and was riding back to Hyderabad and happened to pass the Triumph showroom in Hyderabad and was shocked that it opened here as well and was a bit aghast as now he has to pay some additional amount for this oversight
Now to your query, He is happy with the Tiger on tarmac except that he feels it's handling is not that great and is not too stable at high speeds. After riding with us so many times, He's infact in love with Bonneville's as he is surprised they pass him so easily, wriggle between vehicles so easily and he just cannot keep up with them
He told me, he might pick up a Bonneville pretty soon. If your seriously interested in a Tiger, I can share you his number and you can speak to him directly and refer my name as he is a very good friend now