Street 750 v Triumph Bonneville v Iron 883
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Impression that I have been gathering from various reviews of Triumph Bonneville is that it is a very capable machine with Classic British looks! Engine also is thoroughly modern and is an eager handler. Also those Pseudo carburettor looks of fuel injection system look cool. It's all Metal and not Plastic and Triumph's Heritage make it sound good. What I heard about brakes is that they are very capable; better than any comparable Harley! I have put a request for test ride of Bonneville at Triumph Delhi on Triumph's India site but get a reply that the dealer is still not geared up for that and is in the process of putting up his shop. And would contact me when he is done up running his dealership properly.
Only grouse is I am based in Punjab,India and dealer is in Delhi so for maintainence work I will have to schedule a trip to the Capital or incur additional expenses and call them at my Premises. A dealership at Capital of Punjab i.e. Chandigarh would have been better as compared to Capital of India.
Well I guess it won't have heating problems being a Parallel Twin unlike Street 750 whose rear cylinder is placed too near rider's thighs and thus would help to preserve Potency of the riders especially in Summers!
Only grouse is I am based in Punjab,India and dealer is in Delhi so for maintainence work I will have to schedule a trip to the Capital or incur additional expenses and call them at my Premises. A dealership at Capital of Punjab i.e. Chandigarh would have been better as compared to Capital of India.
Well I guess it won't have heating problems being a Parallel Twin unlike Street 750 whose rear cylinder is placed too near rider's thighs and thus would help to preserve Potency of the riders especially in Summers!
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There's already a thread about street 750 vs iron 883 u can go through that n for the record u already know street is better in all aspects compared to 883 except for build quality...
Coming to truimph well it's costlier than street ,n it's totally a different bike than street 750 ,if u ask me Bonny is a better but than street 750 ,it's very reliable bike n it's tested n proven for decades ,it's better in every aspect ...
So it all again depends n what exactly ur looking for n how much ur willing to spend...
Coming to truimph well it's costlier than street ,n it's totally a different bike than street 750 ,if u ask me Bonny is a better but than street 750 ,it's very reliable bike n it's tested n proven for decades ,it's better in every aspect ...
So it all again depends n what exactly ur looking for n how much ur willing to spend...
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agree with santosh here,
i have not ridden iron but i have tried the sportster version n didn't like it much. doesn't provide with you enough thrills.
bonny is a different bike compared to street and overall is a better bike i must say.
but if you are keen on the harley brand then street is the most suitable bike for indian climate and road conditions.
street 750 is bang for your buck.
with street 750 you are basically paying for that engine & brand name, and it delivers the performance.
i have not ridden iron but i have tried the sportster version n didn't like it much. doesn't provide with you enough thrills.
bonny is a different bike compared to street and overall is a better bike i must say.
but if you are keen on the harley brand then street is the most suitable bike for indian climate and road conditions.
street 750 is bang for your buck.
with street 750 you are basically paying for that engine & brand name, and it delivers the performance.
Puneet,
I have not ridden an iron883 as I was not interested. But I have taken back to back test rides on Street 750 and Triumph Bonneville.
If you ride a bullet you will at home in Bonneville. Handlebar position, feet position is very identical. There is a lot of power but in a very controlled and smooth manner. Ride is very smooth and easily maneuverable.
Power wise I felt both are similar though the Street felt more powerful. Also I liked the street suspension more (its ability to go on speed breakers and broken tar roads). Bonneville has better tyres (Metzeler I think) and definitely better brakes and longer seat.But then it is 2 lakh costlier and using this extra money I can buy all the accessories I want for street 750
I have not ridden an iron883 as I was not interested. But I have taken back to back test rides on Street 750 and Triumph Bonneville.
If you ride a bullet you will at home in Bonneville. Handlebar position, feet position is very identical. There is a lot of power but in a very controlled and smooth manner. Ride is very smooth and easily maneuverable.
Power wise I felt both are similar though the Street felt more powerful. Also I liked the street suspension more (its ability to go on speed breakers and broken tar roads). Bonneville has better tyres (Metzeler I think) and definitely better brakes and longer seat.But then it is 2 lakh costlier and using this extra money I can buy all the accessories I want for street 750
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544 Posts
Bonnies have always been more agile and better handling bikes that Sportsters. The Iron actually reduces the capabilities of the Sportster compared to some of the earlier models because it is lowered, meaning less suspension travel, harsher ride and even less cornering clearance. A standard 2004 Sportster (first year for the rubber mounted version) is a better bike in every practical way, but it doesn't look as cool I guess. Ergo the Iron. A Bonnie will run rings around any Sportster in terms of handling and braking except maybe the now defunct XR-1200 and offers more rider comfort. The perverse thing is that customers for these bikes so often shop more for image than for how well the bike actually functions and they seem willing to give up ride comfort and overall function for the sake of how they look. I don't get it.
Desert tortoise, I agree with you. I am not too much into chrome, looks, etc. I had set my eyes on bonneville as it is such a beautiful allround bike with diminitive looks which is what I love. But test ride of street 750 changed everything for me. Only problem is I was given a waiting period of 6 months
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This is piss-poor marketing on Harley's part to have customers waiting for bikes they want to buy now. Customers will rightly tell Harley to eff off and go buy something else if Harley can't cough up motorcycles to buy, then the marketing idiots at Harley will say, "well, it wasn't the bike our customers want, crank up the production of slammed airhead twins boys". Part of the company has vision but the other part has their heads stuck so far up their rectums they will get whiplash if they ever pull them out.
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Well heres my 2 cents.
I got a chance to test drive both the street and the bonnie.
The street certainly feels powerful and fast, but its brakes lack punch. I'm no speedster, but a fast bike with "drum like" braking is definitely a No. The wirings isnt much of a concern for me, but the hard compound mrf zappers are, they aren't grippy against concrete road especially in the rains. On tar roads I'm sure they will do fine. Suspension on the bike is definitely great especially when u have potholes the size of crators. Looks is great, but would look small for a person with a more broader figure. Glad im only 5'8''. Build quality is average and although the bike isnt gonna crumble while driving, its certainly not expected from the Harley clan.
In any case, I was planning on booking the 750, but with flaws and lack of thought in terms of safety, I've taken a step back. Once Harley does look into it, i'll prolly book one.
Btw somehow I feel the folks at harley really dont know much or are trying to just sell. One of the folks there told me that they are gonna fit michelin tyres in a yr (post sharing my feedback), while another said there is no such news.
Now the bonnie, im not exactly a classic bike fan, but when I drove the bonnie, it was like a 15 min peak I to heaven. It is very refined, with no vibrations, excellent build with a nice throaty purr. Brakes are far better and the tyres too, metzeler. Torque is on the higher side, could easily go as low as 45...50 and still accelerate on 5th gear. The 750 did have trouble in the 3rd gear. The price however is a bummer. Here in India it costs more, but if harley do not put their act together, im jumping on the bonnie.
Btw drove the iron 883 as well, looks harleys wins hands down. Unfortunately thats their only win.
I got a chance to test drive both the street and the bonnie.
The street certainly feels powerful and fast, but its brakes lack punch. I'm no speedster, but a fast bike with "drum like" braking is definitely a No. The wirings isnt much of a concern for me, but the hard compound mrf zappers are, they aren't grippy against concrete road especially in the rains. On tar roads I'm sure they will do fine. Suspension on the bike is definitely great especially when u have potholes the size of crators. Looks is great, but would look small for a person with a more broader figure. Glad im only 5'8''. Build quality is average and although the bike isnt gonna crumble while driving, its certainly not expected from the Harley clan.
In any case, I was planning on booking the 750, but with flaws and lack of thought in terms of safety, I've taken a step back. Once Harley does look into it, i'll prolly book one.
Btw somehow I feel the folks at harley really dont know much or are trying to just sell. One of the folks there told me that they are gonna fit michelin tyres in a yr (post sharing my feedback), while another said there is no such news.
Now the bonnie, im not exactly a classic bike fan, but when I drove the bonnie, it was like a 15 min peak I to heaven. It is very refined, with no vibrations, excellent build with a nice throaty purr. Brakes are far better and the tyres too, metzeler. Torque is on the higher side, could easily go as low as 45...50 and still accelerate on 5th gear. The 750 did have trouble in the 3rd gear. The price however is a bummer. Here in India it costs more, but if harley do not put their act together, im jumping on the bonnie.
Btw drove the iron 883 as well, looks harleys wins hands down. Unfortunately thats their only win.
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Very good post don.cheriyan. Very informative. Thanks.
Don,
Our observation is quite similar with respect to bonneville and street 750. Only difference is that I found the drivability of street 750 to be quite good. It could easily take off without any drama from 45kmph at 5th. Btw I took the test drive in Bangalore. Only reason why I chose street over Bonneville is the price difference. With this extra cash I can all the tyres, riding gear, accessories and still pay for maybe 3 years of gas
Our observation is quite similar with respect to bonneville and street 750. Only difference is that I found the drivability of street 750 to be quite good. It could easily take off without any drama from 45kmph at 5th. Btw I took the test drive in Bangalore. Only reason why I chose street over Bonneville is the price difference. With this extra cash I can all the tyres, riding gear, accessories and still pay for maybe 3 years of gas
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I agree...the street feels more nimble and fast, extremeley light too. But certainly did feel knocking at low speeds and high gears(3rd gear especially), something non existent on triumph.The pickup on the triumph was very torquey and felt butch, while the street took a bit more effort, although it certainly was light on the handle once it got there.
I think although expensive, the truimph makes up with superior braking, tyres (safety first) along with build quality and trust.
In any case, I too am confused (more like a mental war) on which to chose. But the more I research, and the more I listen to harley and they're carefree and 'not so concerned attitude'. I'm leaning towards triumph. If I am going to invest in a bike, I want to make sure that whichever it is, promises ride quality, safety and driving pleasure. Not to mention, after sales servicing and no 'BS' talk (getting that already from some of the salesmen).
Once HD fixes their pain points on user feedback, I'll surely book myself one.
I think although expensive, the truimph makes up with superior braking, tyres (safety first) along with build quality and trust.
In any case, I too am confused (more like a mental war) on which to chose. But the more I research, and the more I listen to harley and they're carefree and 'not so concerned attitude'. I'm leaning towards triumph. If I am going to invest in a bike, I want to make sure that whichever it is, promises ride quality, safety and driving pleasure. Not to mention, after sales servicing and no 'BS' talk (getting that already from some of the salesmen).
Once HD fixes their pain points on user feedback, I'll surely book myself one.
If you can afford the significantly higher triumph price , then it is triumph without a doubt . Proven durable engine and bike compared to a completely new entrant ? Guess who wins. For me it is the price that becomes the deal breaker when looking at the bonnie .
Btw if you are open to sportsbike and the associated rider ergonomics , you might want to look at ninja 650 . Priced right between bonnie and street and a very good bike for those who are into such rides. It is not a complete crouched posture like sportsbike but more upright(like CBR ) and marketed as sports tourer .
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I know the price is definitely the deal breaker...more of a dream killer
.Im definitely not the sportster kind (dont have the looks for it too...)...I like pleasure driving which is where the Street really caught my fancy and I went hoping into the showroom like a toddler ready to pounce on a lolipop.
I have time on my hands, if harley does fix these small issues, ill grab it without a doubt, else save up for the bonnie (the wifes not gonna like it ...eheheh).
Bonneville no doubt is a better choice. Even my wife liked it better. In street 750 pillion comfort is very less. Seat is smaller and also rear pegs are quite high.
My grouse against Ninja 650R is that apart from poor pillion support (foot pegs set higher and slanting seat), it has poor ground clearnace especially when two up with luggage. If Kawasaki had launched Versys 650 or even a KLR650, I will buy it any day. Anyways we Indians have to buy from limited choices.
It's nice to read view points of all of you. Bonneville seems to be the preferred choice if money is no bar. Yes in India we are short of choice and one company that is especially missing is Ducati with it's Monster 795. For those who don't know about this very Monster especially those not from Asia, it is built for Asia Monster from Ducati with Frame and Wheels of Monster 696 and Engine from 796. It's bang into Bonneville and SuperLow price range with no cost cutting. Rumours say Ducati would be making a relaunch in India by mid 2014 giving one more choice and very capable one.
So Street 750 taking it's own sweet time to rectify the glaring defects seem ok to me. In the meanwhile if Ducati launches then nothing comes near a Monster- an iconic Bike! Currently I am given a delivery date in June.
A comparo with Monster would be highly regarded.
So Street 750 taking it's own sweet time to rectify the glaring defects seem ok to me. In the meanwhile if Ducati launches then nothing comes near a Monster- an iconic Bike! Currently I am given a delivery date in June.
A comparo with Monster would be highly regarded.
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128 Posts
Hmmm @Puneet ,u better do a research on Ducati dealership issues and after sales service issue ,later u won't even consider the monster...
If u have a big fat wallet ,bigger than the wallet if u choose to buy Bonny u can go head n only if u stay in Mumbai that is ,only showroom in india ,I guess I need not go into details just check ownership threads in other forums u will be shocked by there experiences which made them sell the bike ...
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I remember Desert.tortoise mentioning about having Bank sized pockets if ur gonna own the Ducati.
But yes, the monster sure is a real beauty. A complete drool for the speed lovers!
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