Tuesday 6th December 2016

2017 Triumph Bonneville T100: PH2 review

Triumph's small capacity Bonneville is back in black (and colour if you fancy!)

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Somewhat strangely considering the popularity of Triumph's Bonneville range, the new T100's arrival in dealers has been rather muted. Personally, if I had just released a totally new version of one of my most enduring and popular bikes I'd be shouting it from the rooftops, but Triumph seems more intent on pushing the new Bobber than the T100. Whatever the reason, for the first time since the Bonnie was re-released by 'Hinckley' Triumph 15 years ago, it has received a complete, ground-up, revision. And importantly, this isn't just a Street Twin made retro, it is a whole new small capacity Bonneville model. So what have we got?

Black too sombre for you?

Thinking big, staying small
The T100 is effectively a smaller engined T120 model rather than a restyled Street Twin, and this is key to its purpose in life. By fitting the Street Twin's water-cooled 900cc engine into the larger capacity T120's chassis, Triumph has created a retro bike that not only looks great, but is accommodating and far more manageable (11kg lighter) than the 1200 thanks to its smaller engine. And it's also £1,500 cheaper. What Triumph has created is a 'lightweight' T120 in terms of both price and performance while retaining the bigger bike's classical looks. Personally, I really like this thinking and while the Black model with its dark features is a touch muted, the two-tone model with its chrome is a really pretty bike. And, importantly, one that can also be restricted for A2-licence holders. But is it really that different to the Street Twin? Surprisingly, yes it is.

A bit of Bonnie spirit
I'm a big fan of the Street Twin's parallel twin motor as it has a real spirit, spirit lacking a little from the T120 model. I know the T120's wide spread of torque suits its relaxed outlook on life, but I find it a touch too lethargic for my tastes and I actually prefer the Street Twin's motor. With the T100, you get that lovely peppy engine wrapped in the T120's gorgeous looks and traditional riding position, a very appealing combination. Compared to the Street Twin the T100 is more practical thanks to a larger tank and it has better ergonomics too, making it a much more pleasant bike for cruising around on. Which is good news because, if you push the T100 hard, you very quickly discover that while its chassis and suspension are miles better than the old air-cooled bike's units, the ground clearance is even worse. Is that a turn off? Not really; if you want to push on a bit buy the Thruxton or Street Cup versions, as Bonnies are about enjoying the ride at a more refined pace. And thanks to the parallel twin water-cooled engine, you will certainly enjoy the journey on the T100.

There's a two-tone option as well

While the water-cooled Street Twin motor actually makes less power than the air-cooled one, it doesn't feel lacking thanks to an improved torque curve. True, 54hp with 59lb ft of torque isn't exactly knee trembling, but it suits the bike's character and also comes with a full electronics package that includes traction control (fairly pointless), optional heated grips (excellent), optional cruise control (not for me) and, more importantly, ABS. Yep, at last the small capacity Bonnie has ABS, which is needed as the brakes remain terribly wooden and fairly weak. At least you can now simply grab them as hard as you can without worry even if the road is wet...

One for the road
The T100 is a deeply captivating bike; not only it is miles better in terms of styling, ergonomics and technology than the old air-cooled Bonnie, it is also in many ways a nicer bike than the T120 it is based on. If you are looking at taking a pillion then the T120 is certainly the better bet due to its extra grunt, but if you ride solo and just want a great looking retro that has Triumph on the tank, is light to manoeuvre and will do around 75mpg, then the Bonneville T100 could well be for you.

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2017 TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE T100
Engine: 900cc SOHC parallel twin, water-cooled, 8v
Power (hp): 55@5,900rpm
Torque (lb ft): 59@ 3,200rpm
Top speed: 100mph (est.)
Weight: 213kg (dry)
MPG: 75 (claimed)
Price: £8,300 (£8,600 two-tone)

[cooperd5]

Looks terrific that, wouldn't mind one as a summer bike

[crofty1984]

Why hasn't John Bloor been given a knighthood yet?
What he's done with that company is amazing, especially seeing as the factory burned down just as they were starting to make a name for themselves. I'm thinking of getting a Daytona to go alongside my (Meriden-built) Bonneville.

[Prof Prolapse]

Sorry, I know it's allegedly better value, but I don't get why people would pay £8,300 for this?

For that money you get quirky British built bike which is slightly st at everything, or for about £3,000 less you can walk into a Jap bike dealer and get something objectively superior in every way. It might not be as stylish (whatever that means), but is that really worse than looking like you're a hipster/trapped in fking time warp?

It's just creating yet another class of sad desperate motorcyclists who like to play dress up at weekends isn't it? This time donning their "retro" Bell helmets and brown vintage leather jackets...

[casbar]

I read in one mag that the Bonny is now built in Thailand, so not sure how they can say British built now.

[ash reynolds]

Prof Prolapse said:

Sorry, I know it's allegedly better value, but I don't get why people would pay £8,300 for this?

For that money you get quirky British built bike which is slightly st at everything, or for about £3,000 less you can walk into a Jap bike dealer and get something objectively superior in every way. It might not be as stylish (whatever that means), but is that really worse than looking like you're a hipster/trapped in fking time warp?

It's just creating yet another class of sad desperate motorcyclists who like to play dress up at weekends isn't it? This time donning their "retro" Bell helmets and brown vintage leather jackets...

You're wasting too much energy on how some others might choose to enjoy themselves and it clearly affects you. Life's richer with some diversity. And no, I don't have one. Or anything like it for that matter.

[Prof Prolapse]

ash reynolds said:

You're wasting too much energy on how some others might choose to enjoy themselves and it clearly affects you. Life's richer with some diversity. And no, I don't have one. Or anything like it for that matter.

I didn't know the Dalai Llama had a PH account.

Wise man say, "diversity is indeed desirable, but a world where grown men don't buy motorcycles to help them play dress up is indeed, more desirable".

And no it doesn't bother me, I tolerate it just fine, but there is a difference between tolerating something, and not recognizing when something looks a dumb fking idea, and wanting to know more about the reasoning of it (if any).

[cpl_payne]

Prof Prolapse said:

And no it doesn't bother me, I tolerate it just fine, but there is a difference between tolerating something, and not recognizing when something looks a dumb fking idea, and wanting to know more about the reasoning of it (if any).

Are you genuinely curious or just looking for an argument? If it's the latter then I'm afraid you'll need to see Mr Barnard in room 12a.

My take on reasoning is that it's similar to motives for buying an old Mini, but without any of the spannering. It has all the right 'old school' looks, invoking all the nostalgia associated with 'simpler times', when 'men were men' and 'tally ho, old chap' and that, just without the actual downsides of the time, discarding the inconvenient truths about leaking gaskets, kickstarters and having to keep on top of the maintenance or risk being stranded at the roadside without a mobile phone. Kind of 'have your cake and eat it' type of thing

[Gixer_fan]

Each to their own, live and let live, etc but £8300 for essentially 70s tech? A good mark up there, but hey, good on them. What will the residual values be like? Just hope it's not all outsourced.
Mind you, no excuse for crap brakes. Single tiny disc and 2 pot caliper on 213Kg bike? Very poor..

[Prof Prolapse]

cpl_payne said:

Are you genuinely curious or just looking for an argument? If it's the latter then I'm afraid you'll need to see Mr Barnard in room 12a.

My take on reasoning is that it's similar to motives for buying an old Mini, but without any of the spannering. It has all the right 'old school' looks, invoking all the nostalgia associated with 'simpler times', when 'men were men' and 'tally ho, old chap' and that, just without the actual downsides of the time, discarding the inconvenient truths about leaking gaskets, kickstarters and having to keep on top of the maintenance or risk being stranded at the roadside without a mobile phone. Kind of 'have your cake and eat it' type of thing

I love a good obscure reference.. It's just banter, but it's still a genuine question, I honestly have no idea why someone would buy a Bonneville or similar at this price.

I don't think it's a fair comparison to be honest, I mean for starters do you dress up in overpriced matching period attire to drive your Mini?

There's also a difference between a classic made functional, and something made new which is inferior to it's cheaper competitors in all aspects but appearance (again, subjectively).

Also, would those "men that were men", not be quite likely to tell you to stop pouncing around, stop trying to buy an image, and spend your money on something that worked better?

[cpl_payne]

Prof Prolapse said:

I love a good obscure reference..

Glad to see I haven't caused any unwanted pericombobulation!

Prof Prolapse said:

It's just banter, but it's still a genuine question, I honestly have no idea why someone would buy a Bonneville or similar at this price.

I don't think it's a fair comparison to be honest, I mean for starters do you dress up in overpriced matching period attire to drive your Mini?

There's also a difference between a classic made functional, and something made new which is inferior to it's cheaper competitors in all aspects but appearance (again, subjectively).

Also, would those "men that were men", not be quite likely to tell you to stop pouncing around, stop trying to buy an image, and spend your money on something that worked better?

Hmm... as we're getting all philosophical (and there's fk all else to do at the moment anyway) would you not say that perhaps your attempt at comparing Bonneville to competition is not entirely fair? You appear to be disregarding the fact that many people choose the retro connection (real or perceived) as the main reason for choosing Bonneville, otherwise why not go for a modern-looking bike? You would not be trying to compare it to SV650 or MT-07, would you? That would be apples to oranges as both of those are clearly marketed at a different crowd of users, so saying 'looks aside' is a bit like saying why would anyone prefer I dunno... blondes to brunettes?

So, with that in mind the only truly retro Japanese alternative (if we define retro as 60's, not 80's) would appear to be the no-longer-being-made Kawasaki W800, while the stocks last.

[Mr2Mike]

Gixer_fan said:

Each to their own, live and let live, etc but £8300 for essentially 70s tech?

It's not "eesentialy 70's tech", it's current tech which has been cleverly engineered to made to look like it's old.

[Wacky Racer]

Very nice but I would pay extra for the extra grunt of the new T120 Bonneville.

Personally, I think the 1969 version looks nicer..if you can cope with the oil leaks etc.

[Gixer_fan]

Mr2Mike said:

Gixer_fan said:

Each to their own, live and let live, etc but £8300 for essentially 70s tech?

It's not "eesentialy 70's tech", it's current tech which has been cleverly engineered to made to look like it's old.

Ok, maybe some aspects of the engine, electrics, electroncs and emissions. But the frame, swingarm, suspension and brakes (ABS excepted) ?

[W124]

It's an interesting argument. I suppose it's indicative of the kind of dead-end cultural impasse we seem to be trapped in. I blame Paul Weller myself.

[Mr2Mike]

Gixer_fan said:

Ok, maybe some aspects of the engine, electrics, electroncs and emissions. But the frame, swingarm, suspension and brakes (ABS excepted) ?

Are all perfectly adequate for the performance and typical owner. If you want posh suspension and brakes then the Thruxton R is available.

[crofty1984]

Mr2Mike said:

Gixer_fan said:

Ok, maybe some aspects of the engine, electrics, electroncs and emissions. But the frame, swingarm, suspension and brakes (ABS excepted) ?

Are all perfectly adequate for the performance and typical owner. If you want posh suspension and brakes then the Thruxton R is available.

Yeah, it's all new. The current incarnation made only MODERN bikes for 10 years to distance themselves from the "oh it's just a rehashed T140" accusations. Yes, the frame is traditionally styled, but you might as well accuse an R1 of having steam-train engineering because the wheels are round.

Smart move. I have an original late Bonneville (1979) and as much as i love it, even when it was new it was hopelessly outclassed.

[Prof Prolapse]

cpl_payne said:

Hmm... as we're getting all philosophical (and there's fk all else to do at the moment anyway) would you not say that perhaps your attempt at comparing Bonneville to competition is not entirely fair? You appear to be disregarding the fact that many people choose the retro connection (real or perceived) as the main reason for choosing Bonneville, otherwise why not go for a modern-looking bike? You would not be trying to compare it to SV650 or MT-07, would you? That would be apples to oranges as both of those are clearly marketed at a different crowd of users, so saying 'looks aside' is a bit like saying why would anyone prefer I dunno... blondes to brunettes?

No I think it's perfectly fair to compare any bike with any other bike. I think what's unfair is when people throw the word "Retro" at something as if suddenly exists in a class of it's own. It's still a new bike and it's still very poor value compared to other bikes when you look at it objectively.

This "retro" thing needs to be seen for what it is as well. At best it's grown men wanting something pretty and overpriced in their garage, at it's worst it's grown men playing dress up in some weird attempt at a lifestyle. Neither is something I have a lot of time for personally.

"To each their own" for certain. I just think it's a bit sad, but I'm know people would say the same about some of the things I think are cool.

[Mr2Mike]

Prof Prolapse said:

No I think it's perfectly fair to compare any bike with any other bike. I think what's unfair is when people throw the word "Retro" at something as if suddenly exists in a class of it's own. It's still a new bike and it's still very poor value compared to other bikes when you look at it objectively.

What other bike in it's class offers significantly better value? The Kawasaki W800 is a little cheaper but you get less power, no ABS and most importantly for some people, no Triumph badge.

[Prof Prolapse]

Mr2Mike said:

What other bike in it's class offers significantly better value? The Kawasaki W800 is a little cheaper but you get less power, no ABS and most importantly for some people, no Triumph badge.

It doesn't matter what class it is though.

The suggestion that something is better value, or higher performing, because someone has decided to arbitrarily say it belongs to "another class", so you can't compare it, is obviously erroneous.

My 17 year old CBR600F offers objectively poor value if I try and sell for £8,000. But if a deluded set of individuals start a niche for rotten mass produced Jap crap, and buy it, it doesn't cease to objectively very poor value.

[mcbook]

Prof Prolapse said:

Sorry, I know it's allegedly better value, but I don't get why people would pay £8,300 for this?

For that money you get quirky British built bike which is slightly st at everything, or for about £3,000 less you can walk into a Jap bike dealer and get something objectively superior in every way. It might not be as stylish (whatever that means), but is that really worse than looking like you're a hipster/trapped in fking time warp?

Surely this exists in all sectors of retail.

Why buy a Porsche Turbo for £150k when you can buy a Nissan GTR for £80k?

Why buy a Barbour wax jacket for £200 when you can get the same functionality for £50 with another brand?

Why buy an iPad for £500 when you can buy a great Android tablet for £250?

Why buy an Omega watch for £3k when you can buy a far more reliable Seiko for £500?

People place different values on different things. If you value pure functionality and don't like the way the Bonneville looks this bike isn't for you.

If you want a capable bike and you love the style/image/brand of the Bonneville, hand over the cash and enjoy yourself.

If all decisions in the world were made on purely objective judgements of functionality it would be a pretty horrid place.