Bonneville vs CB1100

[redbirds_imp]

Having owned a Bonneville SE (2012) I can vouch for what has been said here already, no comparison other than both being retros. The CB is superior in every aspect of performance and is vastly more comfortable. Considering my Bonneville and CB were about the same price, the Triumph comes off as being a poor value for the money. I do like the Bonnie and Triumphs in general but feel that the CB is a much better choice for the money spent.

[DAC]

Those Bonnies sure are purdy tho.

[Rocky_imp]

I own both, and there's no question that the CB is the finer more refined machine, but the Bonneville is a nice machine too and I enjoy riding it.
I bought it primarily for the retro look and the fact that back in the day I wasn't into motorcycles while the Bonneville was in its heyday. The T100 has its limitations, and I know that, so accept it for what it is and just enjoy the ride.
My modest "fleet" covers all my ambitions for speed and comfort so it comes down to what I want from a bike on any given day. I make my choice and off I go.
I'm not one who buys a bike and then wishes it was something else. I'm not into trying to turn a sows ear into a silk purse. I make a few mods; add a few farkles and I'm done.
Ride; enjoy; repeat.

[Mike Bee_imp]

I've never owned a Triumph, but have admired their looks over the years. I particularly like the T100. A new one does cost less than a Honda CB1100, and trying to find a smoking deal on a used one is tough. I'm not tempted to switch, but one of each could be fun.

~ The Bee

[Capo]

This is a common thread subject across many forums. As an owner of both bikes, simultaneously, I can answer with subjective perspective. The CB is a 'better' bike based on the spec sheet and measured performance. I love it. But a CB1000R is a 'better' bike than the CB1100 on both counts. And so on. There is always a 'better.' But I can't honestly say that, if forced to, I would keep the CB over the Bonnie. I just find the Triumph to be an almost perfect motorbike that is loaded with imperfections. There's that 'character' thing again.

Retro bikes are often bought based on a good dose of the rider's personal taste, self- image, nostalgia, and perceived character of the steed. Of course performance, componentry, and comfort weigh in, but a good number of retro/ standard riders overlook significant demerits in those criteria if they fall in lust with a certain bike.

Bottom line is, as always, if you love a particular bike, don't waste time or create angst by comparing it to something else or rationalizing your decision to buy a bike by pointing out it's perceived superiority to the bike you didn't buy. I'll guarantee you there are Bonnie owners on forums flaming the 'fat, chromed, characterless' CB1100 right now. Hey, let's go kick their asses!

[the Ferret]

"can anyone who has some experience with both of these bikes give a comparison" Dvassino

I don't think anyone is saying the Bonnie isn't a perfectly fine motorcycle. I loved mine even with the flaws, because it was a beautiful motorcycle to look at, and with a proper set of pipes to make it sound like a Triumph, a beautiful motorcycle to listen to, but it just performed ok. It just could have been so much better (btw it performs a lot better than the V7 Moto Guzzi which is also in this class of motorcycles). However performance isn't the only criteria when choosing a motorcycle, cost, fit, feel, looks, proximity to dealership, and personal preferences all come into play. Like Capo said, many consider Hondas characterless.. rather vanilla. I ride with my brother, riding my old Bonnie, at least once every week, and I don't run off from him, we ride at the same pace, mile after mile, day after day. He prefers the Bonnie, I prefer the CB. He thinks the Honda is characterless lol. He thinks it's a beautiful motorcycle, but too good (if that makes any sense)

BTW I felt the same way about the 750 Nighthawk. A wonderful motorcycle that could have been so much more. The CB 1100 responded to all the issues I had with both bikes. If the OP had asked me to compare the CB to the Nighthawk you could have taken the comments I gave in my post about the Triumph and inserted the word Nighthawk. I think the Triumph and Nighthawk are very comparable, although the Nighthawks seat was better.

[redbirds_imp]

"can anyone who has some experience with both of these bikes give a comparison" Dvassino

I don't think anyone is saying the Bonnie isn't a perfectly fine motorcycle. I loved mine even with the flaws, because it was a beautiful motorcycle to look at, and with a proper set of pipes to make it sound like a Triumph, a beautiful motorcycle to listen to, but it just performed ok. It just could have been so much better (btw it performs a lot better than the V7 Moto Guzzi which is also in this class of motorcycles). However performance isn't the only criteria when choosing a motorcycle, cost, fit, feel, looks, proximity to dealership, and personal preferences all come into play. Like Capo said, many consider Hondas characterless.. rather vanilla. I ride with my brother, riding my old Bonnie, at least once every week, and I don't run off from him, we ride at the same pace, mile after mile, day after day. He prefers the Bonnie, I prefer the CB. He thinks the Honda is characterless lol. He thinks it's a beautiful motorcycle, but too good (if that makes any sense)

BTW I felt the same way about the 750 Nighthawk. A wonderful motorcycle that could have been so much more. The CB 1100 responded to all the issues I had with both bikes. If the OP had asked me to compare the CB to the Nighthawk you could have taken the comments I gave in my post about the Triumph and inserted the word Nighthawk. I think the Triumph and Nighthawk are very comparable, although the Nighthawks seat was better.

+1 to that. I really like the Bonnie but to me, the CB is far better. As for the CB being too good, after owning a Moto Guzzi Breva for nearly two years, you learn to appreciate "too good".

[rboe]

I test road a T100 two years ago, great seat, good ergos, uninspiring handling and motor. Especially the motor. This spring I took a gals Bonnie for a test ride (the cheaper one with only a speedo) and the motor was much better. After market pipes made that much of a difference. Smaller front wheel helped the handling. It was a nice machine and I was impressed.

I think the CB is made to a higher standard and one can nit pik the two bikes and I would not trade my CB for one. But the Bonnie is a nice bike, some friends have them and they do well by them. The only way you could go wrong with it, if it did not fit you or did not do the job you bought it for. And that goes for either bike (as evidenced by the used CB's on the market, while a great bike, it's not for everyone).

Frankly, I think it boils down to guys that like twins and those that prefer in line fours or just about any motor. I like any good motor.

[ChipBeck_imp]

Gentlemen,

I owned both as well. The Bonneville is a much smaller and lighter bike. I had a T100 in Lucifer Orange like Ferret's. The Bonnie is fun around town but it's lack of power is limiting. The CB1100 is a lot more comparable to the Triumph Thunderbird than the Bonnie. Comparing a Bonneville to the CB11 is like comparing a CB350 to a CB175. Cheers.

Chip

[the Ferret]

Rboe..it may have come down to you originally tested a 790 cc Bonnie with carbs and your gal pal had the newer 865 cc Bonnie with fuel injection