Just registered to the forum, and apologies if already someone posted somthing similar...just passed the license test and looking to buy my first big motorbike,after many years on a vespa. like both bonnie t100 or tiger 800. the bonnie look probaly is my favorite. but i cannot decide. planning to use the bike two days a week for a commute to work 55 miles round trip, with occasional long trip of 500miles, as friends of mine are already planning for this summer. at the same time i would like to use the bike in rainy days, etc.. which makes me concerned if i were to buy the bonnie, due to all that crome, etc... the tiger probably more suitable. the feeling is that if i get the bonnie maybe i would keep it longer, something nice to see when you open the garage in the morning. but the tiger , then i see it very comfortable , high sitting position looking above queing traffic, etc...looking from someone with experience on both bike whether in the uk wheather the bonnie is not suitable and i will waiste money. buy second hand of course.. but they seem to hold the values. whereas i am seeing many tiger for sale at close 24k mileage somehow, probably due to expensive service coming? any suggestions would be great. thanks
I've got both at the moment, bought the Tiger and am selling the Bonnie. I would say it's a no brainer, go for the Tiger. The Bonnie's great if you do shorter mileages, want a nice looking Sunday bike and will do most things at a push and it is fun to ride, but for commuting AND long journeys, the Tiger wins hands down.
Hi and welcome.... You need to go and test ride both bikes to assist you in making your decision. As you have mentioed both the bikes will do what you want them to do, but the tiger is likely the easier for cleaning etc..... The bonnies are brilliant and will provide you with years of smiles. You will gets loads of suggestions, but only you can make the decision. Wessa
thank you both tcbandituk and Wessa for the comments. i cannot have both unfortunately. just concerned that with the bonnie i will ride less , in particular if the weather is not good.
You are not clear if you speak air or water cooled Bonnie and your budget ....... a Tiger needing a 24k service is for pricing discussion with the seller whether private or trade. Well I cannot speak for the Tiger but I use my Bonnie in all weathers merely avoiding rather than ignoring rain - if that makes sense. Hosing it off is the best way to suppress corrosion from salt. I actually think that over time they will suffer equally - but not badly - from powder coat worm on the engine casings. The chrome has held up ok. It is a matter of personal choice/taste as much as anything. The Bonnie is maybe a bit more customisable. The Tiger seems more versatile but if I had one I doubt I would use it any differently. My Bonnie comfort was utterly transformed by a new seat. It has a medium screen too. Ultimately other folks’ opinions are just that. If you struggle to decide score each bike out 10 against: Looks/style Performance Economy Residuals ......you decide the criteria important to you - then tot up the points. If you need a tie breaker weight the single most important criterion highest. I prefer retro to pseudo Ewen! We tend to imagine longer trips in middle age than we actually conducted in our youth!!
BTW, I found the Bonnie (well the older 865 I have anyway) is actually easier to clean than the newer bikes, there's less nooks and crannies to clean with the more simple bike
thanks all . budget is not high, around £4500, hence tigers with 24/30K mileage . and bonnies i have seen mileage is not consistent.. the new bonnies i think are water cooled? but not sure what is better.
I can sell you my Bonnie for that more or less But seriously, quick question, how tall are you? I found my Bonnie was fine for shorter distances, but for longer distances like the GMU last year (forum meet up in Wales), it's a tad compact for me, even with the taller King/Queen seat. For info I'm 5'11" , if you're a bit shorter it'll probably be fine.
Good morning and welcome in. I agree with Wessa, in the end only you can make that decision! I do think you will be happy with either bike.
I had the same conundrum two years ago and rode them both back-to-back (both new models). Loved them both but as I knew I was getting it for weekend fun I went with the T100 and I don't regret it. As the others have already said you need to try then both as well.
Hi Mau, I've ridden both and they are both great machines. I had my 2010 T100 for about 5 yrs and didn't lose a penny on it when I sold it. It was a beautiful bike to look and I took great pleasure in modifying it to make it MY Bonny. When I was planning to do longer runs - 500 mile days over perhaps 10-14 days - I borrowed a Tiger Xrx 800 and I have to say I found it one of the best bikes I've ever owned, for covering distance easily and comfortably. However for me it's not a 'heart and soul' bike. It's really good at transporting you economically and efficiently, but it's not a bike you'd feel like parking in yer lounge, so you can look at it through winter - if you get what I mean?
thank you all. great comments. Sure i will try them both, but with the comments i am almost shifting more towards the bonnie...will have to make the decision . but as "Thebiglad" said, i would like to open the garage and smile ! both bikes will do that, but for different reasons perhaps. will let you know.
I originally had as my first big bike a Bonneville T100 - lots of chrome and spoked wheels - exactly what I wanted and the reason I got into biking. Loved the bike, no problem with long runs (went to Germany and back) - but you might want to look at an alternative seat - the original one was not comfy after 2 hours. No question, they are a bugger to clean and look really sh*t when dirty (in a way that the Tiger doesn't) Lucky enough to have both a Tiger 800 and a 2012 Bonnie SE so can choose between them depending on weather and where I'm going. Practically, the Tiger is the one for touring and it will do everything you ask of it - it's also fun to ride. The Bonnie is the looker and the fun bike but don't discount it's touring capabilities. Try both and make your choice - either way you won't be disappointed.
Another point for the Bonnie is you can get a lot more 'custom' bits, which are reasonably priced and normally easy to fit, to make the bike 'yours'. Not something you can do with the Tiger really.
Hi Steve, thanks . but it sounds like that the bonnie was not enough , and yu also got the Tiger. unfortunately i can only have one bike..so perhaps the tiger will be more of a sensible choice. thanks.
