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Bonneville Black
New for 2008:
AUTHENTICITY WITH MODERNITY
A true roadster in every sense of the word, the Bonneville
matches classic British style to 21st century technology.
This pairing of authenticity with modernity has led
the Bonneville to become an icon in its own right
with several designers, such as Paul Smith and Patrick
Cox, creating their own signature tank designs.
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 (52ft.lbf) 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/30.5inches)
and similarly low centre of gravity, unchanged for
2008, make it a manageable motorcycle 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.
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