TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE MARCH 2007

Taking many cues from Triumph's past - the original bike was first manufactured in 1959 - the Bonneville has found real relevance today thanks to riders looking for a simple, honest and useful machine that can be enjoyed to the full in standard form, or personalised and tailored to suit each individual rider's needs.

It's an easy to manage motorcycle, thanks to a low seat height of 775mm and similarly low centre of gravity. The tubular steel double cradle frame and box-section swingarm are immensely strong while the relaxed steering geometry provides composure at speed as well as ensuring the 'Bonnie' needs only light input at the handlebars.

All riders - from those with little experience to those with lots - appreciate the Bonneville's excellent open road manners and also its agility in jammed city streets.

The Bonneville's air-cooled, parallel twin-cylinder engine offers a simple, timeless look with modern engineering techniques and, for 2007, gets a 75cc increase in cubic capacity to 865cc, for improved mid-range torque. 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 6000rpm - is maintained from around 2500rpm 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 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 options, Jet Black, Goodwood Green, and Aluminium Silver are available. The extra option of the black engine finish with the Jet Black paint scheme, the 'Bonne-ville Black', adds a subtle alternative.

The Bonneville's a stylish way to cover the urban landscape and equally at home blatting down a leafy country lane on a Sunday ride out. It has a lineage few models can match plus a tangible credibility, multiplied by interest from designers such as Paul Smith. All of which makes the Bonneville as relevant today as it's always been, perhaps even more so.

BONNEVILLE SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE

Type: Air-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin, 360º firing interval

Capacity: 865cc

Bore/Stroke: 90 x 68mm

Compression Ratio: 9.2:1

Fuel System: Twin carburettors with throttle position sensor and electric carburettor heaters

Ignition: Digital-inductive type

TRANSMISSION

Primary Drive: GearFinal Drive: X ring chain

Clutch: Wet, multi-plateGearbox: 5-speed

CYCLE PARTS