2005 Triumph reviews

I had been shopping around for several months looking for a nice "re-entry" bike, as I hadn't ridden in nearly 30 years (I'm 54). The Harleys didn't do anything for me and the metric cruisers all seemed the same. When I saw the new Bonneville, it was love at first sight. I felt immediately at home on the Triumph, and even at my height of 6' 1", the bike was not too short for me. This bike inspires confidence and has superb handling. It's plenty quick for me as well. The Bonnevilles are not cruisers and they're not the typical sport rocket either. They're not supposed to be either. What the Bonneville is is a really nice back-roads bike that can easily keep up on the freeway when necessary. I think the combination of retro styling and modern technology is a real winner. My only "ding" on the new Bonnies is that the tachometer is an option (which I added). I am planning on upgrading the silencers to Staintunes, removing the air injection and re-jetting to even out performance in the mid-range. While the new Triumph Bonneville may be a little more costly than some entry-level metric cruisers, I guarantee you'll get more compliments and smiles per mile on the Bonnie. Show less

I gave it 4/5 for quality only because I think they could have added better looking small hardware parts in many places. Some chrome washers and bolts, etc. Not a big deal but just a niggle of mine, and I've done much of that myself. Nevertheless, the bike is just about perfection as my tastes go. Engine is nice and torque-y, though could use a few more HP, which by the way was very easy to acquire by changing pipes to open the airflow more and re-jetting. Now it's as strong as I'd ever need. It's very smooth and as rock solid and stable as anything I've ever ridden all the way up to the ton mark, which is as fast as I'll go. Comfort is perfection, at least to my butt. The seat is as comfortable as a living room chair. And it's the same in that just like your living room chair you gotta get up now and then and stretch. But more than any bike I've ridden, I can stay on it for many miles without discomfort. But the look is what I just can't get over. If you haven't seen one in person, go to a dealer and look. But bring your checkbook because if your taste in bikes is anything like mine you will NOT want to leave without it ! Overall, it's a fabulous bike that turns heads and gets comments all the time. Pull up to a pack of Harleys and watch them do double takes. Then ride away with pride knowing you're unique as you wave goodbye to the lemmings! Show less

I love this bike it is perfect for someone who wants to start out. I had a Suzuki sv650 but it always wanted to drive at around 80mph. The Thruxton however feels more comfortable at 65mph. It feels like a sport bike, looks like a cruiser and gets compliments from everyone. I am very happy with this bike. The only thing is that you should remove the air injection kit right away it makes the bike run hot. The headers were so hot they were red at night. I removed the air injection right after the maiden voyage even the dealer recommends it be removed. Show less

Overall price is money well spent, easy to maintain and easy to fall in love with, has ample power and smooth response. When riding this machine you can easily lose yourself in the moment and just enjoy being one with the road, you choose the road and Triumph will take you there! Show less

I bought my bike in July with very low miles; In fact, I have doubled the miles since I bought it. You can see I am a big boy but this bike is so fast and built so well, no manufacturers out there compare in fun, even with a hand painted tank at that price. A friend on a Ducati 996, and me slammed down the Carolina interstate at 80 to 90 mph to Deal's Gap. There and back, it took 10 hours; this bike never slowed and my smile never came off my face. Make this bike your second or third bike but buy it for the fun factor. Test ride one it will make a believer out of you. It looks so good by itself; I hate to hang bags on it when I travel on long trips. I will be giving this bike to my grandson and he's only 5 now, I am not giving it up no time soon, come to think about it I'll buy him his own. For all you big boys - give this bike a look. Chris Show less

After 28,000 miles on my 2001 Sprint, I moved to the '05. Good bike. Much more power than the old one. 3 things that need improvement: hard starts when cold; roasting in the summer (if you get stuck in traffic it's horrible factory luggage system not to good for a costly option.
The best things are the: looks; headlights (best I've ever had on a motorcycle POWER (dyno'ed 111.4bhp at the wheels) Show less

O.K., so I have had a sports bike Honda CBR, and I have rode a VSTAR 650 and I have tested my friends' Harleys, etc., but this bike blew me away, the best way I can describe it is this:

It has the POWER of a sports bike
It looks like a cruiser
It rides like a gold wing

I have researched this bike for weeks and most of the reviews have been positive. I am not a "professional" reviewer but this bike makes me feel good, I would not hesitate to pull up next to any Harley, even the V-ROD This bike is a lifetime bike, meaning you will want to keep this bike for the rest of your life. The power is amazing - I almost lost control with the throttle, it handles great and it is true that although it looks intimidating, it handles great, and I can take corners like crazy! Show less

Where do I start? This bike has great power and torque to start with and the low center of gravity makes it so easy to bring the bike up from tight turns. The lower seat allows my feet to completely touch when stopped. Acceleration is mind boggling especially in first and second. I bought my Cardinal Red R3 the end of April 2005 and put 500 miles on it in one month just to have the dealership get the synthetic oil put in and check everything over. The only problem is the low fuel indicator light, which is supposed to come on with 1 gallon of fuel remaining; instead, it comes on with 3 gallons still remaining in the tank. They tried to reset but it's still not right. I'm planning on adding a fuel gauge and matching clock just to keep the symmetry. This ride has made male menopause a true pleasure to experience. The only inconvenience is people constantly stopping me to ask questions and take pictures. Such a small price to pay! Show less

After reading all I could find about the Rocket, I was hopelessly in love with the idea of having one. I had gone the route of the VTX 1800 and loved it. I'd gone to the trouble of adding pipes, breather and power commander and got it up to 94 hp. I wanted more - More cornering ability without dragging and more raw horsepower. It still had to be comfortable for both me and my wife. I sold the VTX and the next morning I called my dealer to see how soon I could get one. They said they'd have one ready the next morning. I love riding the twisties of N. Georgia and N. Carolina. I was pushing the VTX to its limits with scraping at every turn. The Rocket was made to corner and with the power it has, it slingshots out of the turns. I can't stay out of the throttle! What a blast! What instantaneous response! The bike is also very smooth. My wife has fallen asleep on the back of it... I'm going to have to Velcro her to me before I lose her! Maintenance wise, the Rocket has been flawless and getting stronger as it breaks in. Four months, almost 4,000 miles and it still brings a grin to my face every time I ride it. WHAT A BIKE! Oh... and the service was great at purchase. I can't yet speak for their service department since this bike has not needed it and that's a good thing! Show less

I bought my Triumph Rocket III approximately 3 months ago and man did I hit a gold mine. I have had so many Harley riders asking me about it every time I go out. The power is UNREAL. You truly feel like you're on a rocket. I am glad I made the decision to buy it. Show less