I don't think I have ever owned a bike for less than a year! After my final ride on the Royal Enfield Meteor 350, north across the Cotswolds to Stratford-upon-Avon, I collected my brand new Triumph Bonneville T100 from Blade Motorcycles!
Although I had test rides on the T120 and the T100 a few weeks ago, my first ride on my own bike was slightly marred by my unfortunate trip up a stair in the local fish and chip shop, throwing my fish and chips up the wall!!
But that embarrassing experience aside, the difference between the two bikes was apparent from the get-go! The Bonneville T100 has a rev counter so I was able to limit the engine speed to below 4000 revs but still drive at 50-60mph whereas the Meteor's maximum speed while running in is 40mph!
Ironically the bikes are similar except for that extra bit of punch that the T100 has. Both sound beautiful but the rumble of the Triumph is even more appealing. Both bikes are perfect for bimbling around the Cotswold country lanes but only one is suitable for hitting the motorway (interstate) across the Severn Bridge after a day in the Welsh mountains.
The Triumph Bonneville T100 is comfortable and, unlike the T120 which has a tendency to be over torquey at low revs when it can be snatchy when pulling away, the T100 is supremely smooth.
Time will tell....of course I swapped bikes at the wrong time of year but hope to get a few decent rides in before winter sets in!
RobLittleUK
24 сен 2022
