Rode a Bonnie in Florida

[FJ1100mjk]

Sometimes things just seem to work out. A Winter Storm Warning is effect for Minneapolis, and I finished a nice ride today in the Orlando area in sunshine and 80 degree temps. There is a god after all.



Florida is now another state that I can add to my list of the states that I have ridden in.

Haven't rode a Triumph in eons, and found the newer Bonneville to be well-suited (exception being a rock hard seat) for today's sedate and pleasant ride. Picked it up from a one man rental operation. Frank, who owns and runs Modern Classic Motorcycle Rental http://motorcyclerentalorlando.com/] [url]http://motorcyclerentalorlando.com/[/url] in Orlando, is a great guy, and his rental brand was a nice alternative to the Harleys that are also offered by others in the Orlando area.

Rode the Sugarloaf Mountain Road Loop Sugarloaf Mountain Road Loop Info then went east to the Atlantic coast on a Scenic? Highway 46 to Mims, then south on 1 over to Cape Canaveral, then down the coast further to Cocoa Beach, then finished the 200 mile loop back at the rental shop.

At Ferndale FL's Post Office prior to hitting Sugarloaf Mountain...



I can laugh at the cold. At least for a couple of more days.

[Firehawk068]

Good times Marty! 

Glad you are enjoying the weather down there in Florida. I'll be there at the end of March.

I've been wanting to try out one of the newer Triumphs.
The only British bike I've ever ridden was my neighbor's BSA, and that was confusing at first cause the foot controls were reversed.
With the drum brakes on it, you really had to plan ahead when slowing down.

Anyway, enjoy the sunshine!

[FJ1100mjk]

Good times Marty! 

Glad you are enjoying the weather down there in Florida. I'll be there at the end of March.

I've been wanting to try out one of the newer Triumphs.
The only British bike I've ever ridden was my neighbor's BSA, and that was confusing at first cause the foot controls were reversed.
With the drum brakes on it, you really had to plan ahead when slowing down.

Anyway, enjoy the sunshine!

Alan:

If I could swing it, I'd do a warm weather vacation every winter. Pretty nice. Did a Segway tour in St. Augustine too. First time on one, and I loved it. A lot of fun.

Currently 84 degrees, sunny, and a nice breeze. 20 degrees, and 10 inches of snow on the ground back in Minneapolis!

You'll be guaranteed great weather here at the end of March. Enjoy!

[Pat Conlon]

Good for you Marty. Bike rental is the best way to try new bikes, much better than short dealer rides.

So knowing now what you know, would you buy a Bonnie?

The 2016 Thurxton R's look like fun bikes.
http://www.sportrider.com/2016-triumph-thruxton-and-thruxton-r-first-look
Triumph's attention to detail is very good.

[FJ1100mjk]

Hi Pat:

It was great to put 200 miles on the Bonnie to see what it was like. Like I mentioned earlier, the seat sucked, but the bike did have some things that I liked. It was slim in the waist, and the mirrors didn't get fuzzy, at least up to the 75 MPH that I had it going on one highway stretch. I've owned I4s all my life, so these things made this rider happy. It also seemed lighter, and that was nice too. I suppose all these things are due to it being a parallel twin. Suspension was okay for the sedate riding I was doing. I liked the upright riding position and the standard (not clip ons) handlebars.

The power, or lack of it, was expected, but it would get up and go when prompted to do so. According to what I've read, the 2016 Bonneville is all new, but surprised that it will have less (55 vs 65) horsepower than the one that I rode. The guy did rent a Thruxton (and a Scrambler too), and I did give it some thought, but didn't want to be hunched over it with its low clip ons all day. All-in-all, it was fun riding for the day, but I wouldn't run out and buy a Bonnie. But that's just me. I think that I am more of a Speed Triple, or Sprint kind of guy if it came to owning a Triumph though.

Was out to eat tonight and looking out the window watching the spindrifts wafting across the parking lot in the 15 degrees outside. Currently in severe depression mode. Damn it!