[mandrake_the_mollusk]

Re: How much?

MSRP $7495. After initial demand is met most Triumph dealers sell a bit below MSRP especially if you haggle, so street price should be ~$7K. For that you get more hp than 600-class V-twins, certainly world-class (if not the very best) sportbike handling, as well as the oldest most historic motorcycle marque on the planet (well, if you ignore the fact they went belly up once). YES older than H-D. And you sure won't see yourself coming and going. Like the other post said, where else you gonna get that? It's gonna be a hit even if certain styling features are well, controversial. Probably all for the better in the naked streetfighter niche --the worst thing you can do is look too conventional.

 

[mandrake_the_mollusk]

Fan maybe but you don't follow the charts...

for all it's faults the TT600 is one of Triumph's best-selling bikes. Never mind that it's a tad overpriced and underperforming compared to the best from the Big Boys. It's got more character in its killswitch than all of them have put together. Have you ever seen a Monster Dark? Your idea of "unattractive" (and maybe mine too) simply doesn't phase the target audience here. As for the Bonnie it seems they're trying to invite the aftermarket (they learned from the T'bird there's no point in providing gorgeous peashooters everybody is going to remove). This is a good sign since by inviting 3rd parties to support it they must intend to run the Bonnie a long time --they've got to know that's a big big factor in long-term sales of bikes that stay around.

 

[mandrake_the_mollusk]

Your point misses the point though...

People who want a bargain performer will buy the SV and do a few mods, yes. Good deal.

But as far as "embarrassing" a Speed4, impossible. Even if it loses the race! You see, some people are *embarrassed* to ride a Japanese motorcycle. I'm not saying should be, many are posers, but they are. It's kinda like wearing jeans from Walmart even if they are better and cost less. But even worse cuz you can't say you got it just to do yardwork, and the label is even bigger. Riding a Triumph, Guzzi, Ducati, Beemer, Aprilia, Cagiva etc you name it, you got class, panache, style and all the ladies wanting a ride on it --even if you don't go quite as fast ;-)