New Triumph Bonnevilles

[BUFF]

Anyone here got one of the new generation Triumph Bonnevilles? I believe they have been making them since 2002. I have been seriously eyeballing them lately. Thinking of getting the T100 version. Very nicely finished, lovely paint and chrome.

I had British bikes as a youth, mostly Triumphs, 1968-1974 models. Still have the last one I bought, a '74 T-150V, mothballed down in the garage. Always loved the Bonnevilles.

The new ones have nothing in common with the old ones except the name and the country of origin. They are modern designs styled to look like the vintage bikes. The 2009 and 2010 even hid the fuel injection inside fake carburetors to keep the look.

I am curious to any ownership experiences, problems you may have encountered, things such as that.

 

[sipowicz]

I really like them...very cool looking bikes,,,unfortunately, the nearest dealer is around 40 miles away and I like having my service center close by....so I went with a BMW.

 

[DeathGrip]

I'll agree with Sip.,The dealer in Ft.Lauderdale closed its doors recently.
But they are cool.

DG

 

[Maddog 521]

I don't know about the new ones but I have a 68 Bonneville in the garage waiting to be restored. Buy the new one and enjoy it. I thought motorcycles were made to be rode. My Harley dealer is 168 miles from my house. I like it like that.

 

[crows]

They are assembled in Thailand now, and have been for a few years, if that matters to you. I have a '04 Thruxton, it was a bit gutless as it came new. With new after market mufflers, read free breathing and LOUD, removal of the stock air cleaner box, installation of pod air filters, and re-jetting of carbs, it's a totally different bike. No crotch rocket, but fun as all ...... If you are really interested, look up Triumph RAT on the internet. RAT (Riders Association of Triumph). Anything Triumph you want info on from 1902 to present day, great people with a lot of knowledge.

 

[BUFF]

For the last few years, the closest Triumph dealer was about 30 miles from my house. They also carry BMW. After spending part of an afternoon oogling them, I was amazed to discover a new Triumph/BMW dealer 2 miles from my house! Downhill, too, so I can almost coast to it if I can't get it started! It was opened and is run by mostly former employees of the older place. I guess they had a falling out.

I think the 1970 Bonneville was the most beautiful bike ever built. The new 2009 Bonneville T-100 had a paint scheme just about identical to it, a dark red with silver 'flashes.' I should have bought one then. This year's colors are black with white flashes and a dark green with white flashes.

They are also making what they call a 'Scrambler' version with high, side-mounted pipes like the old TR-6, a 'Thruxton' model that is styled after the cafe racers of the past, and a couple other Bonneville variants with cast spoke wheels and plainer paint.

Triumph U.S.A. has a decent web site. You can see all of this year's and last year's models with all the color schemes each offered.

Triumph Motorcycles - Bonneville T100 for example.

Poster geolpilot mentioned, in the thread on bike tires, he has a 2005 Bonneville. I p.m.'ed him for his experience.

 

[jag312]

I don't have a Bonneville, but I do have a 1999 Triumph Legend TT. I don't know the specific details of the Bonneville, but I can tell you what I don't like about my three cylinder Triumph.

1. Parts are expensive and not always in stock.
2. The middle spark plug required a special tool to remove and replace.
3. The air filter is a nightmare to replace.
4. It has an English electrical system.

I'm replacing the electronic ignition module with one made by Ignitech. The Triumph part is $800, and the Ignitech is $200. I'm also changing the coils to Nology coils.

The air filter on my bike takes about four hours to change. First you remove the auxiliary air chamber, then remove the three carburetors, then remove and replace the air filter ($70). Then you get to re-install, adjust, and synchronize the carburetors, and finally re-install the auxiliary air chamber. Hopefully, the Bonneville isn't as poorly designed.

However, with a Triumph you have the Triumph mystique. You will not see many others with a Triumph. When you ride a Triumph, the spirit of Steve McQueen is with you.

You might try going to Triumph Forum: Triumph Rat Motorcycle Forums

 

[crows]

Any variation of the Bonneville, T100, Scrambler, Thruxton, is highly reminicent of the old Triumphs in that they are easy to work on. It doesn't vibrate, and no Lucas electrical system. The engines are tough as nails. There is an abundance of after market goodies, both speed/performance oriented, and just look good stuff. The best I can say is that they are fun. I have no complaints. And yes I do have some knowledge about "old" Triumphs. I have a '78 Triumph I bought in '79 with less than 1000 miles on it, and still own and ride it.

 

[Evil One]

The only newer Triumph I have ridden is an 08 Thruxton.
Needed a power injection... but still an amazingly entertaining ride.
Its on my list.


Jim

 

[model70hunter]

I know where a early 60's Bonneville is stored. I tried to buy it 20 years ago. The guy is not mechanical and can never afford to have it redone. I would love to restore it. I'll ask him again the next time I see him.
A fellow who used to work for me 4 or 5 years ago has a Triump 3 cylinder (Trident?), it never gave him any issues. The last time we emailed he is still riding it. He really likes it.
On English electronics by Lucas, I have heard Lucas called the Prince of Darkness by Jaguar guys. They never gave me any issues in the Austin Healy 3000 I used to own, it must have been an XKE thing.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Pictures gents! Pictures!!!

WG840

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

On English electronics by Lucas, I have heard Lucas called the Prince of Darkness by Jaguar guys. They never gave me any issues in the Austin Healy 3000 I used to own, it must have been an XKE thing.

Why do you think Brits are accustomed to drinking warm beer? Obviously, refrigerators by Lucas.

 

[jag312]

This video gives you a taste of riding a Bonneville


YouTube - MANX 07 TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE

 

[TACC1]

Triumph's are how I went from elctronics tech to mechanic. Loved all the ones I had.
TACC1

 

[perrazi]

luca electrics are all equally as bad. had a couple of xke's through the years. learned more than i ever wanted to kow about lucas and su products.

 

[4406v]

I've had a few Triumphs including a '70 Bonneville.My last Triumph was a 1983 TSX 750 Bonneville,I had no idea when I owned it how rare the bike was.Triumph ceased production in the spring of '83 and mine was one of the very few shipped here before they closed up.It was Black with orange and red stripes it also had electric start.At a glance it looked alot like the Hondas of the day although there was no mistaking that Triumph engine and exhaust sound.

 

[sjmjax]

Triumph builds some interesting bikes.

It's also helpful to know how they are built.

For your enlightenment.....

YouTube - TRIUMPH ROCKET III - 21ST CENTURY MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURE

 

[rockquarry]

I owned a 1970 Bonneville about 1971-'72. Like two other British products I had in the '60's (XK120 Jaguar and a Triumph TR4), the 650 Triumph was designed for someone that liked to work on stuff and clean up oil leaks.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I don't know whether it's true, but I was told that the only thing that kept the English from ever manufacturing a television was that their engineeers couldn't figure out how to make it leak oil.

 

[310Pilot]

The problem with English vehicle electric systems in the U.S. is that, in general, we just don't understand Brithsh electrical theory - just hard to realize that, in those systems, electricity is conducted through smoke contained in the wiring, and it is far too easy to let the smoke out!