I like the old and the new and I have both. I like that the new Bonnevilles are built well, very reliable, I can let it sit for a month or two and go out for a ride without worrying about the mandated E10 gas that we have fouling the carb since it's fuel injected, and it is great on the freeway. I like the older T100R for riding out on winding two lane blacktop (but not so much on the freeway). It's a much more visceral feel, louder (even with stock silencers), light and nimble, so much fun and gets noticed more. The TR6R or T120R (650) is somewhere in the middle. A little larger and feels pretty good on the freeway, has more power for the backroads, but not as much fun as the smaller 500s. P.S. My T100 Bonneville has a 506 lb wet weight, the Street Twin has a 476 lb wet weight. Street Twin sounds a little nicer to me in this regard but like you say, it would be nicer if they dropped another 50 lbs somehow.
I'm with you, I like the classics. It's a different experience, both riding and owning a vintage bike. I currently have 2 motorcycles, a 1964 Triumph TR6 and a 1975 Honda CB750. I had a 2017 Moto Guzzi V7iii for a year but when I had to thin the heard because of space issues it was the Moto Guzzi that went bye bye. Its nice to have one modern bike in the collection to take on longer road trips, but for cruising around a town and day trips, the two vintage bikes have been great. Plus it's been fun learning to do the maintenance and make upgrades to the bikes (like tossing the points for electronic ignitions.) With all the videos on CZcams these days, anyone can learn to work on these old bikes, at least when it comes to basic maintenance and carb cleaning and tuning. I started with the Honda CB and learned the basics before picking up the old Triumph, which was a good way to do it. An old Honda CB is a great starter bike if you want a vintage motorcycle, they're super reliable with lots of parts and support available.
Couldn't agree more! Yesterday I replaced the fork gaiters on my triumph and it was actually more work than you'd think, but now I know how to take the front wheel of, unhook the brake cable etc. It's all learning and it's all fun if you have the right attitude and seriously, everything is on CZcams! The communities around these bikes, specifically on forums are SO helpful, I've experienced so little toxicity and everyone is willing to help
@@bartmotorcycle I almost mentioned that torn fork gaiter in my comment. Glad you replaced it. I had my 64 TR6 forks apart for the first time a few weeks ago. I needed to replace the fork seals and fork springs so decided to put new gators on while I had it apart. I also put new brake shoes on the front hub, along with new wheel bearings. Took way longer than I thought...this bike doesn't like to come apart. When all was said and done I had to go back and take the forks off a second time because oil was leaking from the threads where the fork seal holders screw onto the bottom part of the fork. I used plumbers sealing tape to fix the problem. It's satisfying doing this stuff yourself, especially when you've never done it before. The Lowbrow Customs English 101 videos on CZcams have been very helpful, along with a few other places like the Bonneville Shop and Rabers.
Where the old Triumph twins is the fact that it's infinitely rebuildable and you can rebuild them forever the valve adjustment is very easy to do changing oil is very easy to do everything is very easy to do on it from kick-starting it to riding it and in ten years see how much the new bike is worth compared to the old classic
Hi I'd ont think any of the major manufacturers make a bad machine but if you depend on your bike for daily transport a new tech bike is what you are looking for however owning an old tech bike is a love affair you have to go through a period of time to make friends with it to really appreciate and understand it and the older machine will require more maintenance. Having ridden many new and old bikes I know which I prefer. Great vid keep up the good work
380 lbs wet! That is fantastic! And it looks great and sounds MEAN. Cleaning chrome and more hassles aren’t for me though. I see 2001 and up T100s for sale for as low as $3500 in my area.
I had the Daytona model twin carbs, and Tank rack, bought new in 68 traded in in 71. Loved it, Toured Southern Ireland on it in 69, from the east of England where i live. Several hundred miles in the saddle that holiday.
Had 2009 Thruxton as a daily ride. Keeping the chrome tidy in the winter was no fun. My 68 t100c I ride once a week & love kick-start, the sound & effort you have to put in. Lot of vehicles lost that sound & smell through the 70s, just brings back the memories modern bikes can't get close to.
I'm with you... give me the classic bike! I had a 1959 BSA Rocket (until it got stolen). Now I ride a 2003 BMW R1200CL... I'd love to see a video on that bike!
love your channel just sub from UK great review fully agree with you and yes lets see what BSA have to offer once we see and sound not to mention handle
I have both a Meriden and a Hinckley tiger, love both of them. By the way how refreshing to hear an American not saying Awesome, cool or stoked in every sentence
The modern 900cc Triumphs are overweight and under powered, for a modern bike. 55Hp for such a heavy bike is very poor. Even after the much needed 10Hp increase in 2019, there was/is a need to lose 50lbs in weight,to make it a great bike. My 1200 Speed Twin is 95Hp and slightly lighter than the 900,so Triumph are more than capable of producing a very good 900. I just don't understand why they don't do it....? My other suggestion to Triumph, is to make a modern X75 Hurricane, using the fabulous current triple engine,in a package that resembles the swoopy and slim bodywork of the original, in similar orange and yellow paint scheme and styling etc. I'd definitely buy one! Great video,by the way.
I have a 1959 Steinway Model L "classic" piano. If someone offered me a brand new Model L for my "classic," I'd take the new one in a heartbeat. Sorry, my 1959 is "classic," but it's old, and the sound will never come close to the sound of a new handcrafted Steinway without a complete, very expensive restoration. I feel the same about the Triumphs. I love those 1960 models from when I was young, but, I saw the 2022 Goldline Speedmaster LE, and did not even think twice; I just bought it...
I know what you mean about the brakes on these old bikes I have a 1971 BMW R60 (drum brakes front & back) and honestly, don't go rushing up to any stop signs. Almost any new bike will be far more reliable than the old ones and they'll start first time every time too.
i felt this one so hard, i own a 99' ZR 7 with well over 70.000 km on it, it has a dent in the tank and i always say its an old rusty peace of crap.. but u know what its MY peace of crap. plus its still pretty fast :)
I have a 1971 Triumph T100P (P = police model) and this is very comfortable at 70 mph. Also I find the brakes are not a problem but mine is fitted with the later 2ls front brake. Personally I find the T100 Meriden Triumphs have the sweetest engines of the Triumph twins. Keep enjoying your T100 it's value will only go up. 👍🏴
There is lots to like about the old triumphs, like some old cars, they look good. But they are old and not very reliable, if you like tinkering then great! But for me I think the modern retro-style with all the better brakes gearboxes and general reliability sells it for me. Each to his own.
Hi. Have been watching and liking your videos for a while, just never gotten around to press the subscribe till now.. :) Do you by any chance know what those smaller side bags are called that I can see on the Street Twin? I have been looking to buy one for my W650, but I only seem to find those big cruiser saddle bags when trying to search for it, and I don't think those things looks good on a smaller classic looking bike.
Which is better? I'd guess it depends how you define "Better". Me, I'd take the old bike over the new any day of the week. The items that are held against the old bike is just what I love. BTW, I'd rather have an old MGB or Triumph TR than a new Mustang or Camaro, too.
The Street Twin has a aftermarket exhaust system by the sounds of it, sounds quite good actually, still can't beat the old T100 British parallel twin 'blat'
Would love to hear your opinion on the Royal Enfield 650s, as I think they‘re a lot prettier than the latest Triumphs and just look/feel so much more vintage.
I think a lot of the reason people prefer the newer bike out of this duo is the flat black paint style. I personally love the flat black and I think a lot of people do too! I wonder what an old bike would look like with that paint? Or is that considered sacrilegious to do to an old one?
I checked out the Royal enfield against the St.twin, on the face of it the enfield is a bargain! But I ended up paying more and getting the triumph, it just looked better put together and the torque and horse power were too much to ignore. I think the enfield needs to bring out a bigger engined model.
light and simple adds fun. some modern spaceships are basically just props for foolish fantasy. how often can you use 150hp, off a track?. and they are complex and heavy.
I,ve been reading up on bike stuff, it seems modern bikes are heavier, due to the emission demands, ie they have to increase engine size to to counter falling power figures stemming from the strangling emissions. If world governments get their way, you will be sat on a battery with 2 wheels. 🧐
the old one is nicer looking. the new ones are tailored to people who judge things by numbers rather than qualities. same with the harleys. in fact, the old one looks 'newer' (fresher) than the new one. of course, it's all opinion.
My disappointment with the "New" Triumphs goes back some way, to the first air cooled Hinckley Bonneville in fact . . . My disappointment is mainly due to the unfortunate styling . . . When you think of the heritage Triumph had to call on, the somewhat botched styling of the first new Bonnie was inexcusable . . . What made it worse was that the Japanese Kawasski W650, embarrassingly for Triumph, was exactly right, even with the requirements of modern emissions regulations etc, the W650 looked more like a Triumph than a 60's original !! . . . The latest models are undoubtably much better styling wise but the Speed Twin is the least attractive in my opinion . . . Some details are ghastly, those strange headlamp supports and the weird shaped instrument binnacle just two of them . . .and why oh why will they not use the original Triumph logo ? . . .the Hinckley logo is just poor, now on its second iteration is has none of the flow or rightness of the first . . . Never mind - thankfully we still have a large stock of the originals from Meriden to drool over . . . I guess we should be thankful for that. .
I like the old and the new and I have both. I like that the new Bonnevilles are built well, very reliable, I can let it sit for a month or two and go out for a ride without worrying about the mandated E10 gas that we have fouling the carb since it's fuel injected, and it is great on the freeway. I like the older T100R for riding out on winding two lane blacktop (but not so much on the freeway). It's a much more visceral feel, louder (even with stock silencers), light and nimble, so much fun and gets noticed more. The TR6R or T120R (650) is somewhere in the middle. A little larger and feels pretty good on the freeway, has more power for the backroads, but not as much fun as the smaller 500s.
P.S. My T100 Bonneville has a 506 lb wet weight, the Street Twin has a 476 lb wet weight. Street Twin sounds a little nicer to me in this regard but like you say, it would be nicer if they dropped another 50 lbs somehow.
To me especially the “bulkyness” of the newer models is more “attractive” to me tho!
I'm with you, I like the classics. It's a different experience, both riding and owning a vintage bike. I currently have 2 motorcycles, a 1964 Triumph TR6 and a 1975 Honda CB750. I had a 2017 Moto Guzzi V7iii for a year but when I had to thin the heard because of space issues it was the Moto Guzzi that went bye bye. Its nice to have one modern bike in the collection to take on longer road trips, but for cruising around a town and day trips, the two vintage bikes have been great. Plus it's been fun learning to do the maintenance and make upgrades to the bikes (like tossing the points for electronic ignitions.) With all the videos on CZcams these days, anyone can learn to work on these old bikes, at least when it comes to basic maintenance and carb cleaning and tuning.
I started with the Honda CB and learned the basics before picking up the old Triumph, which was a good way to do it. An old Honda CB is a great starter bike if you want a vintage motorcycle, they're super reliable with lots of parts and support available.
Couldn't agree more! Yesterday I replaced the fork gaiters on my triumph and it was actually more work than you'd think, but now I know how to take the front wheel of, unhook the brake cable etc. It's all learning and it's all fun if you have the right attitude and seriously, everything is on CZcams! The communities around these bikes, specifically on forums are SO helpful, I've experienced so little toxicity and everyone is willing to help
@@bartmotorcycle I almost mentioned that torn fork gaiter in my comment. Glad you replaced it. I had my 64 TR6 forks apart for the first time a few weeks ago. I needed to replace the fork seals and fork springs so decided to put new gators on while I had it apart. I also put new brake shoes on the front hub, along with new wheel bearings. Took way longer than I thought...this bike doesn't like to come apart. When all was said and done I had to go back and take the forks off a second time because oil was leaking from the threads where the fork seal holders screw onto the bottom part of the fork. I used plumbers sealing tape to fix the problem. It's satisfying doing this stuff yourself, especially when you've never done it before. The Lowbrow Customs English 101 videos on CZcams have been very helpful, along with a few other places like the Bonneville Shop and Rabers.
Love your old Triumph.
I've always wanted a Triumph Bonneville!
Where the old Triumph twins is the fact that it's infinitely rebuildable and you can rebuild them forever the valve adjustment is very easy to do changing oil is very easy to do everything is very easy to do on it from kick-starting it to riding it and in ten years see how much the new bike is worth compared to the old classic
Vibrations is the key! The firing order changes everything!
Since you are a vintage Truimph enthusiast I have to give you credit. It’s a good honest comparison. Thanks
Hi
I'd ont think any of the major manufacturers make a bad machine but if you depend on your bike for daily transport a new tech bike is what you are looking for however owning an old tech bike is a love affair you have to go through a period of time to make friends with it to really appreciate and understand it and the older machine will require more maintenance. Having ridden many new and old bikes I know which I prefer.
Great vid keep up the good work
Styling for me goes to the ‘68. I am far and away a modern bike person but your bike, that colour, the lines. Wins it every time.
I had a '67 that I loved ,but LUCKY if I could go a thousand miles without something else going wrong. Sorry, but I don"t miss it.
Same here
380 lbs wet! That is fantastic! And it looks great and sounds MEAN. Cleaning chrome and more hassles aren’t for me though. I see 2001 and up T100s for sale for as low as $3500 in my area.
I had the Daytona model twin carbs, and Tank rack, bought new in 68 traded in in 71. Loved it, Toured Southern Ireland on it in 69, from the east of England where i live. Several hundred miles in the saddle that holiday.
Had 2009 Thruxton as a daily ride. Keeping the chrome tidy in the winter was no fun. My 68 t100c I ride once a week & love kick-start, the sound & effort you have to put in. Lot of vehicles lost that sound & smell through the 70s, just brings back the memories modern bikes can't get close to.
The new ones look tough the old ones look elegant. Both look good. I do like my see through, bare and sparse, narrow 79 Triumph.
Thank you for your channel. I’ve been binging. There’s a t100c for sale in my area right now. Anyways. Continuing research at 1am now.
I'm with you... give me the classic bike! I had a 1959 BSA Rocket (until it got stolen). Now I ride a 2003 BMW R1200CL... I'd love to see a video on that bike!
love your channel just sub from UK great review fully agree with you and yes lets see what BSA have to offer once we see and sound not to mention handle
I have both a Meriden and a Hinckley tiger, love both of them. By the way how refreshing to hear an American not saying Awesome, cool or stoked in every sentence
The modern 900cc Triumphs are overweight and under powered, for a modern bike. 55Hp for such a heavy bike is very poor. Even after the much needed 10Hp increase in 2019, there was/is a need to lose 50lbs in weight,to make it a great bike. My 1200 Speed Twin is 95Hp and slightly lighter than the 900,so Triumph are more than capable of producing a very good 900. I just don't understand why they don't do it....? My other suggestion to Triumph, is to make a modern X75 Hurricane, using the fabulous current triple engine,in a package that resembles the swoopy and slim bodywork of the original, in similar orange and yellow paint scheme and styling etc. I'd definitely buy one! Great video,by the way.
I had one of the new Bonneville's and it was a great bike but the old Triumphs just have more soul and sound so much better.
I have a 1959 Steinway Model L "classic" piano. If someone offered me a brand new Model L for my "classic," I'd take the new one in a heartbeat. Sorry, my 1959 is "classic," but it's old, and the sound will never come close to the sound of a new handcrafted Steinway without a complete, very expensive restoration. I feel the same about the Triumphs. I love those 1960 models from when I was young, but, I saw the 2022 Goldline Speedmaster LE, and did not even think twice; I just bought it...
I know what you mean about the brakes on these old bikes I have a 1971 BMW R60 (drum brakes front & back) and honestly, don't go rushing up to any stop signs. Almost any new bike will be far more reliable than the old ones and they'll start first time every time too.
i felt this one so hard, i own a 99' ZR 7 with well over 70.000 km on it, it has a dent in the tank and i always say its an old rusty peace of crap.. but u know what its MY peace of crap. plus its still pretty fast :)
I have a 1971 Triumph T100P (P = police model) and this is very comfortable at 70 mph. Also I find the brakes are not a problem but mine is fitted with the later 2ls front brake. Personally I find the T100 Meriden Triumphs have the sweetest engines of the Triumph twins.
Keep enjoying your T100 it's value will only go up. 👍🏴
Sorry it's "mine is fitted with the later 2ls front brake" apologises 👍
only gearbox problem I have is finding neutral, reworking the clutch this summer will try to cure that
That's why I got the intersepter it still has a cable throttle
There is lots to like about the old triumphs, like some old cars, they look good. But they are old and not very reliable, if you like tinkering then great! But for me I think the modern retro-style with all the better brakes gearboxes and general reliability sells it for me. Each to his own.
Hi.
Have been watching and liking your videos for a while, just never gotten around to press the subscribe till now.. :)
Do you by any chance know what those smaller side bags are called that I can see on the Street Twin?
I have been looking to buy one for my W650, but I only seem to find those big cruiser saddle bags when trying to search for it, and I don't think those things looks good on a smaller classic looking bike.
Which is better? I'd guess it depends how you define "Better". Me, I'd take the old bike over the new any day of the week. The items that are held against the old bike is just what I love. BTW, I'd rather have an old MGB or Triumph TR than a new Mustang or Camaro, too.
Definitely the new one, the 270/90 firing has Balls
I have the 2018 model. Had a 62 model. I cuss no more now.
The Street Twin has a aftermarket exhaust system by the sounds of it, sounds quite good actually, still can't beat the old T100 British parallel twin 'blat'
Only Enfield really gets it when it comes to modern retro styled bikes.
Would love to hear your opinion on the Royal Enfield 650s, as I think they‘re a lot prettier than the latest Triumphs and just look/feel so much more vintage.
It’s about what you appreciate. I can see be attracted to both of course.
I think a lot of the reason people prefer the newer bike out of this duo is the flat black paint style. I personally love the flat black and I think a lot of people do too! I wonder what an old bike would look like with that paint? Or is that considered sacrilegious to do to an old one?
Id love to see that actually. The old triumphs didn't come in gloss black either but I've seen them painted black and they look amazing!
The main difference is you ride the old bike, new ones you just sit on🤔
Have both, simple👍👍
You should upgrade to the twin leading shoe break the what are my TR6 Burns rubber stopping
I checked out the Royal enfield against the St.twin, on the face of it the enfield is a bargain! But I ended up paying more and getting the triumph, it just looked better put together and the torque and horse power were too much to ignore. I think the enfield needs to bring out a bigger engined model.
light and simple adds fun. some modern spaceships are basically just props for foolish fantasy. how often can you use 150hp, off a track?. and they are complex and heavy.
Hey bart test ride a 2021 royal Enfield intersepter
Your old bony is way way wayyyyyyyyyyyy cooler
The old one sounds thin.
Twist the new one WOT through the gears, lol.
I,ve been reading up on bike stuff, it seems modern bikes are heavier, due to the emission demands, ie they have to increase engine size to to counter falling power figures stemming from the strangling emissions. If world governments get their way, you will be sat on a battery with 2 wheels. 🧐
Looks like a cl350 dads bike.
the old one is nicer looking. the new ones are tailored to people who judge things by numbers rather than qualities. same with the harleys. in fact, the old one looks 'newer' (fresher) than the new one. of course, it's all opinion.
The old Triumph looks better!! New one should be reliable
all black bike looks like it was in a fire. kick starting in flip flops is good way to develop chronic plantar fasciitis. obviously not a runner
My disappointment with the "New" Triumphs goes back some way, to the first air cooled Hinckley Bonneville in fact . . . My disappointment is mainly due to the unfortunate styling . . .
When you think of the heritage Triumph had to call on, the somewhat botched styling of the first new Bonnie was inexcusable . . . What made it worse was that the Japanese Kawasski W650, embarrassingly for Triumph, was exactly right, even with the requirements of modern emissions regulations etc, the W650 looked more like a Triumph than a 60's original !! . . .
The latest models are undoubtably much better styling wise but the Speed Twin is the least attractive in my opinion . . .
Some details are ghastly, those strange headlamp supports and the weird shaped instrument binnacle just two of them . . .and why oh why will they not use the original Triumph logo ? . . .the Hinckley logo is just poor, now on its second iteration is has none of the flow or rightness of the first . . .
Never mind - thankfully we still have a large stock of the originals from Meriden to drool over . . . I guess we should be thankful for that. .
Only Enfield really gets it when it comes to modern retro styled bikes.