Featured Aren't Bonnies Wonderful

Hi all, as the title says - Aren't these bikes just plain brilliant!

I received my first one just over a week ago, a 2001 790cc model with added Norman Hyde Toga exhausts and suitable carb jets installed. On Tuesday, she was joined by a Cream and Gold 2014 T100. I have ridden many bikes during the last thirty years but these are the first Bonnie's for me and boy it is like 'Coming Home'.
I just feel more at home on these than on any bike I have ever ridden and, wrapped up in my replica RAF Irvin flying jacket, I have found the real me! I think I must be a re-incarnation of some late fifties/early sixties rocker! Heading off up the road I just suddenly realise that I am in my own little heaven and having a blast just existing on these machines.

 

It's funny, I remember as a kid my dad telling me about him and his mates with their Triumphs and the 'must-have' Military Surplus Irvin jackets, fur lined Air Crew boots(with the turned over tops for that white bit that folks always imitate with white socks) and white silk scarf. I don't think I'll go as far as the white scarf but I would love a pair of boots in the air crew style. I see you can buy replicas on Ebay but they ain't cheap and I would rather they had modern(ish) commando pattern soles. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW2-RAF-...098703?hash=item365482e60f:g:J2MAAOSwvApaDGXR

 

They do indeed @MadMrB although they only list up to a size 11 as available where I have size 12 plates of meat.

 

You know Jez, maybe it's the Norman Hyde Toga exhaust and carb jetting or something to do with the geometry of the bike (She is a different shape compared to my 2014 T100) but the 790cc actually feels livelier on the road than the fuel injected 865cc. I certainly don't feel that she is lacking in any way as you would believe from the MCN review of the 790's. The 865cc feels a little sedate and cruiser'ish. Perhaps this would change with different exhausts etc. but I think I like her the way she is and there is a deeper 'beat' from the stock exhausts compared to the growl of the 790cc.

I have to admit that there is another green and silver 2001 790cc (without the union jacks) for sale on fleabay at the moment with fifteen thou on the clocks, hard plastic panniers and screen for three and a half thousand notes that, if I had the money spare for another road bike (I'm plotting the acquisition of some form of off-roader), I would be sorely tempted to snap up. OK it's superbikefactory that are selling it but, from the photos, you can see the bike has had at least one loving owner.

 

@MadMrB Looking more closely at those aircrew boots on fleabay and sofmilitary and, in particular reading the language of the text on the fleabay listing, I suspect that they aren't all they are cracked up to be. I think they are not of UK origin and may not be as good quality as they look.

 

Sorry @Alatamoc I think I may have given the bike a bit of a sales boost in general as they seem to be disappearing off fleabay quicker than they are coming on at the moment
Was out on the 790 Bonnie tonight even though it was drizzling and orrible. I just had to put some miles on her.
I can't deny that the Enfield trials keeps rattling around my brain too, it is a cutie and does inspire me to do some off-roading as there are miles and miles of forestry roads that start about 200 yards from my front doorstep that could give me some serious winter fun.

I did wonder about grabbing the 790 Bonnie for sale at Superbike factory and converting it to trials but I think that might be a bit nuts and probably work out costing more.