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The Bonneville is Triumph's most iconic model, whether retro or modern. The latest Bonneville is stylish with plenty of retro design cues, and its excellent build quality adds to the appeal that has made the bike a favorite for many riders across six decades. One can argue that the bike has attained an immortal status, having set the standards for classic bikes since its launch.
For some people, the 1970s are the best years for the Triumph Bonneville. However, after a series of improvements, the current generation of Bonnies is at the highest point of its evolution. In a fast-paced and ever-changing motorcycle industry, Triumph has managed to maintain the iconic status of the Bonneville, which is evident with the increased demand for the bike. So, what does this modern classic offer to the ever-growing global legion of bike fans? Here's our take.
10 Lightweight And Excellent Handling
Triumph Bonneville bikes are known for their neutral, easy-handling, and delightful riding experience. The new generation Bonneville comes with a significant drop in weight thanks to a revised engine and new, lighter 32-spoke aluminum wheels that make it agile with fast direction changes.
At higher speeds, the Bonneville is predictable with a relaxed throttle and very comfortable. A generally narrow physique makes threading the bike through slow traffic a breeze, making it a great city ride.
9 Responsive High Torque Engines
Bonneville engines are developed to produce high torque that is responsive and usable on the low end. The iconic 900cc twin on the T100 comes with a light crankshaft, torque-assist clutch, and balance shafts for reduced inertia. The bike's cam profile helps give a better spread of torque, resulting in a more responsive engine.
Triumph's ride-by-wire throttle system works with an advanced fuel injection system to give immediate responsiveness. Also, a sensitively designed liquid cooling ensures the bike exceeds emission requirements while having excellent fuel economy.
8 Sound Of The Parallel Twin
Few bikes ship with a stock exhaust sounds as good as the Bonneville. The parallel-twin sounds mingle together in a symphony that produces a deep and rich sound. The engine goes about its business lazily and doesn't sound like it's working too hard for the progress it makes, resulting in a purist sound.
The 270-degree crank gives the bike a little roughness and some vibration, resulting in a V-twin-like sound.
7 Big Bike That Blends In
The size and appearance of most bikes in the 900cc plus class more often pull a crowd whenever they go. Think of fairing clad sportbikes, fancy naked bikes with catchy styling or the loud cruiser bikes with exaggerated handlebars. The first reaction by the average motorcycle enthusiast is to sit on it. However, the Bonneville is a whole different animal that will go about its business inconspicuously.
Despite its monstrous underpinnings, the Bonnie is a bike likely to blend among the boring small cc bikes, and only a person with appreciation and respect for this type of bike will ever come up to you and chat about the bike.
6 A True Modern Classic
The Bonneville excels at selling nostalgia to the rider who had never experienced the Bonnies of old. The Current generation of the bike carries the beautiful and timeless character that inspired the first Bonneville bike back in 1959. It is much evolved with modern capabilities and performance, which removes its predecessors' uncool trying too hard vibes.
The Bonnie is a true piece of culture, and classic aesthetic cues are present in the form of spoked wheels, chrome accents, indicators and taillights, and badges.
5 Practical Tech Features
Compared to the standard technology packed into modern Triumph bikes, the T100 doesn't have an extensive electronics suite, only the usable features that make for an uncomplicated riding experience. Most notable features include the ABS, torque-assist clutch, switchable and basic user-selectable ride modes. Also, a USB charging port is tucked conveniently beneath the seat.
The Bonneville T120 packs a host of higher specification technology, including cruise control and enhanced Road and Rain modes. A switchable traction control adds up to the latest technologies that make the bike responsive and unobstructed ride without interfering with the bike's classic styling.
4 Two Different Trims
The Bonneville comes with two very capable choices; the T100 and the T120. Both bikes share the same frame and a liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine layout. More features are shared between the two, but the T120 comes with a little bit more of everything.
The T120 comes with a bigger 1200cc engine producing 80hp compared to the 64hp generated by the 900cc motor in the T100. Also, it ships with one extra gear over the five gears in the T100. For an extra 1400 bucks, you can trade the lighter and more approachable feel offered by the T100 for more power for the open road in the bigger sibling.
3 Comfortable And Easy To Ride
The Bonneville is as comfortable on the streets as it is on the open highway. This can be attributed to the super-smooth throttle response, relaxed riding position, and a soft seat with plenty of accommodation. The fairly low seat height and friendly ergonomics make it accessible for short and inexperienced riders.
The T100 produces just 64hp for a 900cc bike, meaning it is under-stressed and extremely easy to ride. Additionally, the refined power delivery makes the bike easy to control and ride. It is less snappy and less scary than, say, a 600cc sportbike. That said, it can be a good choice for a first bike, which is unlikely to be true of any other high cc bike other than a Harley-Davidson Sportster.
2 High Service Interval
Motorcycles require more frequent servicing, with many models needing a mechanic's touch every 2,500 to 4,000 miles. However, the new generation Triumph Bonneville has a factory-specified high service interval of 10,000 miles.
Bonneville's higher service interval means you will make fewer visits to the mechanic, hence helping keep the ownership costs low. That is, if you run the motorcycle under normal conditions. Severe operating conditions may require frequent servicing for certain items on the bike.
1 Highly Customizable
A good custom job requires the right donor bike, and some bikes seem to carry the DNA to do that job. Since its release in 1959, the Bonneville has been the donor bike for many a café racer and scrambler build. With 46 different model years to choose from, the bike offers both modern and vintage donor platforms, and its contribution to the rise in the culture cannot be stressed enough.
Many celebrities and common folk alike have been seen riding custom Bonneville bikes. One great example is David Beckham, who filmed a documentary for BBC while riding customized Bonneville T100 bikes through the Amazon.