Topic Approved.

(Drumming fingers ) , sipping coffee...

HD has established itself quite nicely here with good network & all. Triumph is yet to come. If you want to wait then it's fine. Else, you can be part of HOG India.

Bonneville is not available yet, so no point discussing about it; though new keeps coming often, nothing is concrete until it is reality, until then all we discuss are hypothetical. For now you can realize your dream with Iron 883 which is available.

thanks guys ,

i`m still few months away from getting either , just started the process, so still open for all suggestions, ``Patience pays...The Vulture's virtue is patience and the bird always get it's food - Wise man saying``

would really like to hear from anyone who`s ridden a Bonneville !

cheers !!

ps keep em coming !!

Well if touring is your thing then the Bandit and the upcoming F650 GS are real contenders.

for poser value the HD 48 and the Street Bob are way cooler

thanks,
but bandit and 650 are not `my kind of bikes`
an 48/ Bob are a bit too big for my liking.

cheers !!!!

The Bonneville is a lighter bike, and better-balanced. The Harley is actually an older design technology-wise, and will not be as comfortable. The Harley weighs 35KG more than the Bonneville. Also, that V-twin has no balancer, so it runs quite rough, whereas the Bonneville's engine uses twin balance shafts for a much smoother feel and less vibration. Additionally, the Harley uses weird tire sizes: a 16" rear and a 19" front, which pretty much guarantees you'll be buying replacements from the dealer, where the Bonnie uses standard 17" tires which you can get anywhere. The Bonnie also uses a traditional chain final drive, so you can get replacements from the aftermarket, where the Iron uses a belt, which you again will have to buy from Harley (though the belt admittedly lasts longer and needs no maintenance other than tension).

The only possible upside to the Harley is that you can buy one now, where the Bonneville won't be available until October. Note that the first bikes Triumph sells here will have been built in the UK and shipped complete, so if you book early, you'll get one of the UK bikes from an established factory instead of an early-run bike from the India factory where quality process will still be shaky.

Frankly, were it me in your shoes, I'd wait for the Triumph. The Bonnie is enough of a "normal" bike that your impending wife may like riding on it, where the Harley is almost certain to be deemed "your" bike. I also dislike Harley because of my familiarity with its status as a poser bike in the US. As the saying goes there: Harley Davidson is a clothing seller with some really expensive accessories.

+100000 totally agree with you mate!!!

having ridden a bonneville, i would suggest you wait for it, its a classic bike and stylish as well, the retro feel to it is brillaint and the motor is good as well....but if u in a hurry go in for HD. when u buy a HD, you just dont buy bike its the experience you go for.

So weigh out the parameters wisely

The Mountain has summed up the comparison very well. I would add that the riding comfort on the Bonnie (vintage or modern) is probably one among the best in the industry and the HD 883 wont come close to it. The engine note of the Bonnie is also wonderful and I personally feel triumph makes some of the best value-for-money bikes today. Anyways I would suggest you wait till Triumph launches, do a test ride and then decide since it all finally depends on how you like it.

BTW, I must let you know that if you are in the range of the 6 ft height mark with long legs, the Bonnie may feel a lil small. But that does not mean 6 footers dont use the Bonnie. Its just that you have to find the right posture to adjust yourself on the saddle. When I say cramped it would be with a pillion when you wont have much place to move back on a saddle on long trips.

Even if you book Iron, it would probably take the same time due to huge waiting period. I have not seen a Bonnie (forget about riding), so can't comment on that. Iron 883 is a good bike to ride in both city and highways. What is your priority? Is it a refined city bike or a HOG family to ride along? Is it simple bike or one with endless customization options?

The comparative study by The Mountain is among the best I have seen yet.

For me though, there was never any confusion at all; I had zeroed in on the Bonneville right from the time the news broke. To be frank, I had wanted a much more powerful version of my Pulsar 150 Classic (wire wheels and round headlamp) on which my wife and I could do some serious touring and re-capture the carefree days when we were a young twosome. This wish has now been granted by Triumph.

I just so wish that Suzuki was getting in the Vstrom 650 before the Bonneville as to me, it is a more well-rounded bike. Yet, the Bonneville will do handsomely.

When I do get the Bonneville, my grandfather will be peeking from the heavens and nodding his head in approval - he had had an AJS twin, 500cc back in the early 1930's on which he was gated by HIS dad for overspeeding LOL.

@Sri. Congrats on booking the Iron.

Where does the Kwacker 650 fit in all this!!