Bonneville - authentic roadster. Jan 2008

Taking many cues from Triumph's history - the original was first manufactured in 1959 - the Bonneville has found real relevance today as an honest, simple and useful roadster that looks stunning as standard or can be personalised as desired. Triumph's own sixty8 range of accessories, including hand crafted laptop bags and iPod holders, have proved very popular, enhancing the Bonneville's status as a style statement.
The Bonneville's air-cooled, parallel twin-cylinder 865cc engine offers a simple, timeless look with modern engineering techniques. Both of the engine's 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, while twin balancer shafts provide modern day civility and refinement. Ninety percent of peak torque - a very healthy 71Nm at 6,000rpm - is maintained from around 2,500rpm through to the redline providing smooth and effortless 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 exhaust gases and have a very traditional look, as does the triangular engine cover and left hand side clutch casing.
The Bonneville's low seat height (775mm) and similarly low centre of gravity, unchanged for 2008, make it a manageable motor-cycle that all riders - ranging from those with little experience to those with lots - can appreciate. The tubular steel double cradle frame and box section swingarm are incredibly strong and the relaxed steering geometry allows composure at speed as well as ensuring the Bonnie needs only light input at the handlebars. The Bonneville's road holding, handling and stopping ability is crisp, composed and confidence inspiring. The braking set-up of single front 310mm disc and 255mm rear, both worked on by powerful twin piston calipers offers sensitivity and control. Three paint colours are available for the 2008 Bonneville; Aluminium Silver, Fusion White and the timeless Claret option. Also available is the subtle Bonneville Black - a Jet Black Bonneville complemented by a black engine finish. The Bonneville is a great way to cover the urban landscape thanks to its agility in congested city streets, while its perfect open road manners make it equally at home blatting down a leafy country lane on a Sunday ride out. It has a pedigree that few models can match plus a tangible credibility within today's motorcycling world. All of which makes the Bonneville as relevant today as it's always been, perhaps even more so.
Bonneville Engine: Air-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin, 360º firing interval. Capacity: 865cc. Bore/Stroke: 90 x 68mm. Compression Ratio: 9.2:1Maximum Power: 49kW at 7,200rpm. Maximum Torque: 71Nm at 6,000rpm. Fuel System: Twin carburettors with throttle position sensor and electric carburettor heaters. Exhaust: Stainless steel headers, twin chrome silencers. Ignition: Digital-inductive type. Transmission Primary Drive: GearFinal Drive: X ring chain Clutch: Wet, multi-plate Gearbox: 5-speed Frame: Tubular steel cradle Suspension: Front - Kayaba, 120mm travel, 41mm forks Rear - Kayaba chromed spring twin shocks with adjustable preload, 106mm rear wheel travel. Brakes: Front - Single 310mm disc, Nissin 2 piston floating caliper. Rear - Single 255mm disc, Nissin. 2 piston floating calliper
Updates for 2008:_ New 2008 colours: Fusion White, Claret