07-31-2014, 06:00 AM
As another simultaneous Bonnie/CB owner, I thought I'd chime in.
I bought my mag-wheel version in Sept. 2010. A few months later, I read the first blurbs about the upcoming CB, and just about dropped a brick; I felt that if I'd known the CB1100 was coming out, I would have waited and not bought the Triumph. Fast forward a year and a half, and I had no interest in getting rid of the Bonneville, but I could no longer go without the CB in my garage, too...
My impressions:
The CB feels much more substantial, the fit and finish is in another class altogether, and is much more suited to higher speeds and/or light touring. Although there's only about a 20hp difference between the two, the CB feels like it's got about double the Bonneville's. The brakes are much more sportbike-ish powerful, and easily modulated, especially comparing it's dual front to the Bonnie's single front disc. The suspension is much better sorted, and even "plush" compared to the Triumph.
The Bonnie (disclaimer: my mag-wheel version has 17" front and rear wheels, and is much sportier in feel and handling than the T-100, etc.) is better suited to in-town rides, or canyon/mountain road runs. I know many people tour on them, but I've done even short freeway rides, and not been interested in doing it much in the future unless necessary. The Bonneville also feels like it weighs about 200 lbs. less than the CB, and carries its weight MUCH lower. Just try moving the CB at slow to walking speeds and not have it feel like it's going to fall over. I dare you (and you can read the experiences of several of the members here who have dropped theirs, just moving it around). Although the CB is no slacker in the handling dept., the Bonnie's lighter weight feel makes it much more confidence inspiring, at least up to the 7/10s or so (at most) I push it to these days. It's a much more "tossable" bike. In fact, it's a bike you can get on and ride very comfortably and easily, even with no previous experience on it. I've said many times that it's a great bike for both beginners and veteran riders. That said, I would not recommend the CB for beginners. The Triumph Bonnie/Scramber/Thruxton Twins also has an aftermarket farkle support system unlike anything this side of a Honda Civic!
And let's face it, they're both great looking bikes:
[url=http://s157.photobucket.com/user/mustangfeverrr/media/2014-7-2005_zps5b215167.jpg.html]![[Image: 340c71e935f97a3e52aa40c04beca9bc.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201407/340c71e935f97a3e52aa40c04beca9bc.jpg)
[url=http://s157.photobucket.com/user/mustangfeverrr/media/2014-6-19132_zps5579a90b.jpg.html]![[Image: d663b30c6c75ba9079a013c7d82d5a8c.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201407/d663b30c6c75ba9079a013c7d82d5a8c.jpg)
I bought my mag-wheel version in Sept. 2010. A few months later, I read the first blurbs about the upcoming CB, and just about dropped a brick; I felt that if I'd known the CB1100 was coming out, I would have waited and not bought the Triumph. Fast forward a year and a half, and I had no interest in getting rid of the Bonneville, but I could no longer go without the CB in my garage, too...
My impressions:
The CB feels much more substantial, the fit and finish is in another class altogether, and is much more suited to higher speeds and/or light touring. Although there's only about a 20hp difference between the two, the CB feels like it's got about double the Bonneville's. The brakes are much more sportbike-ish powerful, and easily modulated, especially comparing it's dual front to the Bonnie's single front disc. The suspension is much better sorted, and even "plush" compared to the Triumph.
The Bonnie (disclaimer: my mag-wheel version has 17" front and rear wheels, and is much sportier in feel and handling than the T-100, etc.) is better suited to in-town rides, or canyon/mountain road runs. I know many people tour on them, but I've done even short freeway rides, and not been interested in doing it much in the future unless necessary. The Bonneville also feels like it weighs about 200 lbs. less than the CB, and carries its weight MUCH lower. Just try moving the CB at slow to walking speeds and not have it feel like it's going to fall over. I dare you (and you can read the experiences of several of the members here who have dropped theirs, just moving it around). Although the CB is no slacker in the handling dept., the Bonnie's lighter weight feel makes it much more confidence inspiring, at least up to the 7/10s or so (at most) I push it to these days. It's a much more "tossable" bike. In fact, it's a bike you can get on and ride very comfortably and easily, even with no previous experience on it. I've said many times that it's a great bike for both beginners and veteran riders. That said, I would not recommend the CB for beginners. The Triumph Bonnie/Scramber/Thruxton Twins also has an aftermarket farkle support system unlike anything this side of a Honda Civic!
And let's face it, they're both great looking bikes:
[url=http://s157.photobucket.com/user/mustangfeverrr/media/2014-7-2005_zps5b215167.jpg.html]
[url=http://s157.photobucket.com/user/mustangfeverrr/media/2014-6-19132_zps5579a90b.jpg.html]