Triumph Bonneville as a first bike?

[johnsont139]

Hello. I have taken and passed the MSF new rider course. Now I am searching for my first bike.

Been reading the forums and gleaned a lot of good info. I was wondering what everyone would

think of a used Bonneville a first bike?



Many thanks for your time...

[carlo]

These days, a bike like that is often considered to be a good beginner's bike.



I don't happen to agree with that myself, but when I started riding,

the Bonneville's of the day were equivalent to today's GSXR1000's or

KZ1000's.





The fact is that for every bike made, there's someone out there who got

one for their first bike and survived. The best starter bike is

something that weighs less than 400 lbs, and has less than 40 hp.



The Bonneville weighs 500 lbs, and has 60 hp, so it's not what I'd call

the best starter bike. Some people get a GSXR1000 for a first bike. I'd

bet that 90% of those who do, crash sometime within the first year of

ownership. The internet forums are filled with stories of new riders

who crash such bikes before they get off the dealer's parking lot.



Compared to a GSXR, the Bonneville is an excellent starter bike, so as

long as you're careful, keep the threat recognition/avoidance stuff in

mind all the time until it becomes second nature, you'll probably be

ok.



Just keep in mind that in a panic/emergency situation, that 500 lbs is

likely to get you in trouble where a much lighter, smaller bike would

be easier to maneuver out of harm's way.

[UncleErnie]

What he said, but not quite as dire. I'd liken it to an older Beemer 650 or 750. A little heavy, but not real huge power and no quarter-turn throttle; relatively forgiving. As usual, I recommend older, used (and lighter is nicer) bikes to get some experience on.

[Mark_H]

My first bike was a Bonnie, and still feel it was the right choice for me. Is it the best beginners bike? No, probably not, but it is a very friendly one without being too quick to scare you away from motorcycling, and not too anemic to make you wish you had something bigger once you're comfortable with it. If you desperately want a new bike like I did, then the Bonnie is about as beginner friendly as anything else out there. They are a little on the heavy side, but the weight is very manageable in my opinion. I'm 6'1" and 145 pounds, so unless you're really short I don't think it would be a problem for you.



Treat yourself, your bike, everything and everyone else around you with the utmost tedious respect when you mount up, and you should pull through the learning curve nicely.

[AUSSIE BIKIE 59]

I think that is a real good choice for a first bike should give you hours of good ridding.

[johnsont139]

Thank you for all the comments so far. I am 6'1", 175 pounds. I would hope to find a used Bonneville from the last 5 years. The bike seems on the outside of the weight range, but it is the bike that I most love just looking it. I don't want to get in over my head, though...