A modern day roadster with a tangible connection to the classic style of times gone by, the Bonneville mixes timeless British engineering with modern technology and thinking. The result is captivating.
Its air-cooled, 790cc, twin-cylinder engine offers a simple, timeless look with modern engineering techniques and materials. Both pistons rise and fall together – via a 360° crankshaft firing interval – so the classic feel and character of a British twin-cylinder engine is retained. To provide some modern-day civility twin balancer-shafts add refinement.

Thus the present-day ‘Bonnie’ maintains a mechanical link to its distant forbears of the ’60s, while at the same time providing a thoroughly modern engine with plenty of power. Its engine produces ninety percent of peak torque – a very healthy 60Nm – at 3,500rpm and maintains this figure through to the redline, providing smooth acceleration in any of the five gears.

Twin electrically heated 36mm carburettors feed the engine and are fitted with throttle position sensors. A pair of ‘peashooter’ style silencers deal with spent gases and have a very traditional look, as does the triangular engine cover and left-hand side clutch casing, both quintessentially Triumph.
The Bonneville is an easy-to-manage motorcycle, thanks to a low seat height of 775mm – 30.5-inches – and similarly low centre of gravity. The tubular steel double cradle frame and box-section swingarm are immensely strong and the steering geometry (rake and trail is set at 28°/110mm) provides composure at speed as well as ensuring the Bonnie needs only light input at the handlebars.

Thoroughly modern tyres – the front is a 100/90-19, the rear a 130/80-17 – and braking set-up of single front 310mm disc and 255mm rear, both worked on by powerful twin-piston calipers give thoroughly modern-day road-holding, handling and stopping ability. Two paint options, Goodwood Green and Aegean Blue, join Jet Black for 2005. The extra option of the black engine finish and Jet Black paint of the Bonneville Black adds a subtle alternative.

The Bonneville matches authenticity and tradition to the needs of modern motorcyclists, where, in an ever more complicated world, sometimes the simple things bring the most pleasure. The Bonneville is an uncomplicated – and very real – motorcycle that blends the old and new. It appeals because it looks, feels and sounds just as a motorcycle should. There’s nothing clever about that – but then maybe that’s the point.


Specification changes for 2005:
- New Aegean Blue and Goodwood Green paint schemes

Triumph Modern Classics

A range of bikes that evokes Triumph's rich and unique heritage. Not just in the legendary styling and timeless design of the classic lines, but in the strength of engineering and excitement of the ride.