MY2016 Triumph Bonnevilles: PH2

All the details on Triumph's five new Bonnevilles

"The is the future of the Triumph Bonneville, not a futuristic Bonneville." During the unveiling of its brand new Bonneville range, Triumph was more than a little keen to stress, while it had thoroughly updated the Bonnie, it had remained true to its core values. And you can understand its concerns - redesigning a bike as quintessentially 'Triumph' as the Bonnie carries with it a huge number of potential pitfalls.

Retro themes carried off with style

Why the update? Retro bikes are the current trend (Ducati Scrambler, BMW RnineT, Yamaha XJR1300) and with the Bonnie range equating to roughly 25 per cent of its sales, Triumph was in danger of missing the boat. So, four years ago, a team twice as large as any other ever assembled to develop a new bike was tasked with updating the Bonnie range with several key targets - improved finish, better handling, making the bike more capable and, finally, easier to customise. Here are the results....

While there are officially five new Bonnie models, these are basically two platforms based around two motors. The new Street Twin uses a 900cc parallel twin engine while the T120 and Thruxton models use a 1,200cc parallel twin with slight internal tweaks to alter its character between models. However, it gets a little bit more confusing than this when you start adding the various 'inspiration kits' and colour schemes, but more of those later. The headline details are that both engines are now water-cooled and the bikes are ground-up new models with basically no parts shared with the old air-cooled Bonnie bikes and some cutting edge electronics added.

Expect to pay around £8K for a Street Twin

The Street Twin
The Street Twin is the entry level Bonnie and takes over from the current model. Powered by a brand new 900cc parallel twin with a 270-degree crank and water-cooling, the Street Twin's engine makes 59lb ft of torque, which is 18 per cent more than the air-cooled motor. It has a ride-by-wire throttle and fuel injection system, allowing it to also come with traction control, but it is all hidden away in some fantastic 'fake carbs.'

The chassis is still tubular steel, but it has been overhauled alongside the suspension with ABS as standard alongside an immobiliser and LED rear light. As the Street Twin is going head to head with the likes of the Ducati Scrambler and Harley 883 models, Triumph has designed over 150 accessories and also three 'inspiration kits', which are basically kits that your dealer will bolt onto the basic bike to transform its look. The 'Scrambler kit' includes high level pipes and a bench seat, the 'Brat Tracker' kit is more custom styled while the 'Urban kit' is aimed at stylish commuters with a pannier and fly screen. The kits can also be mixed and matched to suit individual tastes. Triumph hasn't released power or prices for the bike or kits, however the base model should be around the £8,000 mark.

The T120 Black, in case you hadn't guessed

The T120 and T120 Black
The T120 models are targeted at riders who want an authentic looking retro Bonnie model, but with more performance than ever before. Using a totally new 1,200cc HT (high torque) water-cooled 270-degree crank parallel twin engine with a claimed 77lb ft of torque, the T120 models also have traction control, ride-by-wire and ABS, but add two power modes and heated grips into the package.

A lovely touch on the 1200 HT bikes (including the Thruxton models) is the twin-skin exhaust system, which hides a catalytic converter under the engine but manages to keep the smooth flow of the pipe from the motor to the exhaust can through its 'fake' outer skin. This neat feature, alongside the very cool 'fake carbs' and engine cover details are classy nods to the T120's heritage. The Black model is essentially identical in spec to the T120 but has black details such as the exhausts and engine covers. The T120 has over 160 accessories ready to go and also a 'Prestige' inspiration kit, which adds a four-bar tank badge, Vance and Hines silencers and other embellishments. Again, there are no prices or specs, but expect to pay around £9,500.

Track upgrades coming for the Thruxton...

The Thruxton and Thruxton R
If you want a Thruxton R, put a deposit down now. While it isn't limited production, its stunning looks will ensure it's in huge demand. Both Thruxton models take the T120 base but add on it to give the bikes a sportier attitude. They have the same basic 1200HT engine, but a 'high power' tweak that lightens the crank, ups the compression and adds a sporty fuel map (it is variable between sport, road and rain) gives the Thruxton models a claimed 82lb ft of torque.

Add to this some fantastic styling that includes 17-inch wheels for better handling, a cafe racer look with twin pipes and a Monza fuel cap and even the stock Thruxton is a head turner. The R model, however, is simply awesome. With Ohlins dampers, Showa BPF forks, Brembo brakes and a silver or red paint scheme, the R is destined to be the big seller. And it gets even better as there are well over 160 accessories including a 'Track racer' inspiration kit with a retro half-fairing and the 'Cafe racer' kit which is fairly self explanatory...

Once more spec details haven't been released, but expect to pay around £12,000 for the R and £11,000 for the Thruxton. And in a final twist, Triumph has developed a race kit for the Thruxton that is for competition use only and not street use. Does that hint at a new one make race series? Here's hoping...

The same but different and very desirable

First impressions
On first encounter you could be forgiven for thinking 'is this the new one or the old one?' However, when you get up close the attention to detail is light years ahead of the old bike, especially on the 1200 models.

The 1200s are just what owners have been crying out for. Not only are they physically larger than the current Bonnie, they are more powerful and that means they can be used as a proper motorcycle. The current Bonnie is charismatic but slow, wobbly and lacking creature comforts. The new 1200s mean it is now a bike that can be used on sunny Sunday rides, touring, two-up and just about anything you care to try. The 1200 engine moves the Bonnie from a basic lightweight to a proper motorcycle and has superb attention to detail not seen on a Triumph model before. The Thruxtons are sporty without being stupidly so and that should ensure they don't alienate older riders. To be honest, next to the R the stock model gets overshadowed as the R is stunning, but it is still a very classy machine with lovely details. But don't overlook the Street Twin either.

There are loads of Bonnie fans out there and with the Triumph name on the tank and the very well designed 'inspiration kits' and accessories, not to mention PCP finance plans, it will sell by the bucket load. Ducati reckoned its Scrambler would sell to young trendy types; it hasn't, it has sold mainly to Ducati owners wanting a relaxed alternative to their sports bike. Triumph's Bonnies will sell to trendy types - Beckham has already been pictured on one - as well as older riders or those just wanting a great looking machine with the Triumph badge on the tank.

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sandysinclair

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207 months