My first big bike was a 650 Bonnie, then a 750, then a Thruxton tuned 750 Bonny -then 3 or 4 XS650s. Bought another XS650 last year so I guess that says which I prefer.
Loved my Triumphs, but the XS is a Bonnie with all the
faults, endearing character traits, taken out.
I was at your place the day you got the 650 Bonnie, wiring connections held together with soggy fabric elastoplast lol.
Also remember the Thruxton, didn't you get that from George Fox?, certainly remember a 100mph blast down the Sandleford Link as pillion, can still feel my teeth rattling from that little jaunt.