Hi guys. I decided to return to biking after a brief 28 years off. I'm currently riding a Honda Varadero 125 but have passed my test and am looking for something bigger. So far I have taken the Triumph Adventure bikes out on test (800, 1050 Sport and 1200 Explorer). My thinking here was all about comfort and these would certainly fit the bill. I live in the Yorkshire Dales and have some fantastic riding country on my doorstep which will be the bulk of my riding. I do however plan to venture further afield at some point, maybe a once year trip to Europe and this was behind the focus on comfort. That said, I love the look of theBonneville range and wonder if this could be possible on say a T120? Anyone had experience of longer trips on a Bonnie/any general feedback on the bike?
Good morning and welcome. I can't speak to anything longtime on a Triumph, being a newcomer to the brand myself. There are some really good people that will offer any kind advice you are looking for, so enjoy! And don't forget to always ride safe.
Welcome to the Asylum you should fit right in. You might be better putting this question On the Bonneville page. All I can say too help you is buy a BLACK ONE. Tucker
My only experience with the new generation was a 2012 America. I personally found it painful to ride over about 2 hours on that bike. I tried the gel seat and it didn't work. I also tried an air seat topper which provided a little relief. I moved to a Trophy SE because others said they were comfortable. I had the same problems, but could stay on a while longer (3-4 hours) before taking a break. I currently have a T-Bird Commander and I could ride it all day - not that I won't be stiff at the end I think YOUR own height, weight, age, ailments, etc. are going to dictate if you are comfortable on a particular bike. I also don't think you will know until you are able to ride it for 3-4 hours. Maybe a rental bike is the way to find out before you buy.
100 miles and then need a rest. No worse than the touring bikes of the past, more miles per week make it easier and seemless pants, no pressure points. Riding a new T120 standard seat.
A lot of people forget about what they themselves wear. When riding for several hours try cycling underwear (has extra padding) - it can help a lot with saddle fatigue. As the others have said try a bike for size for as long a test ride as you can blag. You can certainly tour on a Bonnie but it all depends on how well it fits you.
Welcome to the forum.I toured the south of Ireland last year,with no issues on comfort.I have the Street Twin and can say I had a very pleasurable ride over 5 or 6 days. The longest trip on the tour, being around 3 hours,with no aches or pains at all at the end of it.I bought the bike in August last year and that same month did the Irish tour with no complaints. I also find the seat easy to sit on ( no sore bum). At 5' 6'',short legs are the drawback,so this bike is right for me,what the adventure bikes you mention, probably does for you.Looking forward to the Scottish tour in May and West coast of Ireland in June.I hope you find your comfort bike and enjoy your tours....
For the longer journeys the 800 Tiger is the kiddy no question. I've done long trips on my T100 (like 3000 kms trip to UK in 2016) but it was a bit hard on the arse.
Hi and welcome. Agree with most of the previous posts. A T100/T120/Street Twins will definitley tour ok, the adventure bikes are built for touring and the thunderbirds will also eat the miles. You need to test ride until you find a bike that meets your needs. Wessa
Think I must be getting soft as well as middle aged! I rode my Honda Varadero 125 to the Triumph dealers in York (about an hours ride) so that I could test the T100 and T120. On the plus side, both bikes looked absolutely stunning, sounded amazing with the Vance and Hines pipes and were really easy to ride. On the downside, I could feel all the bumps in the road through the bars and seat (as thebiglad says - hard on the arse)! I was really hoping to fall for a Bonnie but the comfortable ride home on the Varadero makes me think I’ll be better suited to the comfort of the adventure style Tiger. Must also say how fantastic the guys at Triumph in York have been - multiple test rides and no pressure sell. Many thanks to all on the forum for the welcome and advice.
Feeling every bump through the handlebars and your butt on a new T100 isn't good. Have you considered/tried the new Bonneville Speedmaster? I've been all over Scandinavia, Germany, France and all around the coast of Spain on a Speedmaster and loved every comfy minute. Investing in a decent saddle definitely helped though.
Hi, I am over 60 and find my T100 (2017) very comfortable and not noticed any problems with the seat on a 3 hour ride earlier this week. Having said that I am also a keen road cyclist and so my backside is well trained
I ache whatever I ride! but I think my Tiger Sport is pretty comfy. I can do a tank of fuel before I need a break - but I do use an Airhawk too. I think I am going to have to try the 800 at some point but only for the lighter weight.
Hello, I live in Belgium and me and my best friend make a trip to France every year since 2005. He did it from 2006 - 2015 on a Bonneville 900 and bought him a Bonneville T120 Black in 2016, so in '16 and '17 he did it on that bike. To get there (and back home again) we NEVER ride on highways so we ride at least two days of 8 - 10 hours a day on the bike, only stop for gas, a quick bite and pee/poo. Never had any comfort problems, I have never heard him complain allthough he had a bad motorcycle accident in 2004 which 'gave' him a bad back. But of course after a day of riding everything starts to hurt.... I bought me a Thruxton R lately and we allready rode several days together for 5 to 6 hours: no problem. I am 59 and he is 61, but then again, motorcycle riding isn't all that much about comfort isn't it?
Hi and welcome to the forum. I have a Tiger 800 and a Bonneville SE. I used to have a 2004 Bonneville T100 and rode that to Germany and back. To be honest, after 2 hours riding across France my arse was so numb that I had to stop for 20 minutes and take a break. Having said that it didn't seem too bad on the way back (plus I'd already done a 2 hour ride down to the Tunnel). The SE is more comfortable and although I don't tour on that, I've spent a day riding it around and it's not too bad. Just had a new T100 as a loan bike and the seat is definitely more comfortable than the old Bonnevilles so I would imagine the T120 is good enough for long runs between fuel stops.
I have a T100, it was bought because I really like them and most of my riding is on the back lanes of the Peak District. It didn't take long to discover that it wasn't a particularly comfortable ride after any more than an hour in the saddle. I then swapped the seat for one of the earlier scrambler seats, a single seat with small built in rack as there seemed to be more padding. It made some difference but not as much as I'd hoped. I then replaced the rear shocks, not so much for the comfort aspect but to improve the handling, and that transformed the bike. Not only does it soak up whatever the road surface has to offer it is so much more comfortable. All that said it can be very personal, I have a mate who can sit on his all day with no discomfort what so ever......