I read something disturbing on the Triumphrat forum, a discussion of an ignition coil pick up that supposedly goes sour periodically, leading to difficult starts, stalling and eventually motor death and a trip to the dealer. Some suffer from it, others don't and those that do claim there is no known permanent cure. I found the discussion depressing, not least because owners of earlier Bonnevilles say the marque is going to seed. The moody authors make various arguments against Triumph's future including the fact that Bonnevilles are assembled in Thailand (engines still built at Hinckley, though), year '08 models are equipped with electronic fuel injection and carry plastic badges glued onto the new larger fuel tanks (built to accommodate the fuel injection pump). I've stopped reading the misery of how Triumphs are deteriorating to keep market share.
Personally I'm glad I'm riding the carburetted, air cooled 865cc Bonneville. I like the old fashioned relative simplicity of the vertical twin, and all too often EFI produces surging where the fuel injection system isn't as smooth as the older, less fuel efficient carburettors, which produce more pollution (marginally) and are thus less able to pass more stringent European "Euro 4" standards. The only issues I've had with the Vespa GTS have to do with the electronic black boxes that have been replaced under warranty. Fewer boxes on the Bonneville make this owner happy.
The Bonneville has turned out to be an excellent motorcycle, as most modern machines are. I like that it looks like a real motorcycle, that it looks the part as well as running superbly. It starts easily, assuming I remember to turn on the fuel and pull out the choke when the engine is cold. It rumbles along comfortably at 40mph in fifth gear and pulls cleanly all the way to the top, which I've tested to 95mph indicated, so far. 
In commute mode I have saddlebags for my waterproofs and odds and ends, a top case for my man purse, a helmet lock on the rack, fork gaiters to protect the fork seals and sliders, a Parabellum sport shield, a Loobman to oil the chain, and a loving wife who indulges my pleasure on two wheels.Nowadays I find my commute on Highway One has speeded up from my days of scootering...I've shaved my ride to Stock Island, 25 miles away, to 25 minutes instead of the usual 30. Passing cars on the highway is much simpler than it was with the Vespa, all I have to do is wait for the dotted yellow lines and then I wind the throttle open, no gear shifting, and I'm past. 
The new windshield means I feel no air pressure on me at 70 or 75 mph which is a comfortable cruising speed on the open road. I know now that this size of engine, at 66 hp, is barely stressed running at speeds that put the Vespa 250, at 22hp, at the top end of it's scale, and it makes for a smooth, controlled ride.
There is something fulfilling about the Trumpet, with its old fashioned style updated by the easy steering, the sure footed turns, smooth acceleration, absence of vibration, total lack of fuss. Its the Bonneville as it always should have been.
There is something fulfilling about the Trumpet, with its old fashioned style updated by the easy steering, the sure footed turns, smooth acceleration, absence of vibration, total lack of fuss. Its the Bonneville as it always should have been.