Triumph finally revealed the new Bonneville at Munich last year after nearly ten years since the rebirth of the company name. The unveiling marked an important point for the factory that has done so much to put British motorcycles back on the map. It’s been an eagerly awaited model since the Triumph concern first opened the doors of the Hinckley factory and started building the new modular range of modern motorcycles. The Bonneville name was once one of the strongest brands in motorcycling and the years that have passed since its heyday have done little to diminish its shine. Triumph was duty bound to bring the name back, however the factory had to get it right on its first shot. Get it wrong and they’d quickly alienate a huge following of dewey-eyed nostalgics with check books at the ready for the return of the bike that was once King. The Bonneville is back, but did the factory get it right?
From the outset, Triumph’s intention with the Bonneville was to produce a machine that combined the old model’s timeless appeal with modern technology. Triumph wanted authentic styling, which had to include a parallel twin engine and to replicate as much as practically possible the feel and sound that forged the original Bonneville legend. This meant using, for example, a 360-degree crankshaft (pistons rising and falling together) and a twin-shock rear suspension system.
The Triumph Bonneville 865cc DOHC parallel twin starts easily with the push of a button thanks to electronic fuel injection. You wouldn’t know the Bonneville feature EFI, thanks to the faux carburetor (complete with choke-like fast-idle knob) keeping the retro look authentic. Through low-slung megaphones pipes, the engine idles surprisingly quietly. But click it into gear, ease out the clutch, and the smooth low-end power sets you on your way.
A quick ride through Topanga Canyon took us from valley to ocean, and was my first taste of the Triumph Bonneville SE off the suburban streets and freeways. It moves easily through turns. Riding casually, it feels light and responsive, and the relatively narrow 17-inch Metzeler MEZ4 tires are fully predictable. As we came upon my favorite section of the road, through undeveloped state parklands, I felt thrown back in time aboard this tribute to a 50-year-old legend.
Once we hit Pacific Coast Highway, we stopped to fill up the bikes for our journey down the coast. The Triumph Bonneville has an old standard designed gas cap (no locks here) and runs on regular (naturally). Spin the tripmeter back to zero (with an old-fashioned knob) and we were on our way again.