Roadster – A Bonnie in Paris – Used TRIUMPH

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A Bonnie in Paris

Roadster - A Bonnie in Paris - Used TRIUMPH

Riding a Triumph Bonneville isn’t just about riding a nice motorcycle. It is also – especially? – the opportunity to feel the wind of the seventies blowing by proxy … Urban test.

Confusing, the Bonneville is in more ways than one. Its look first, faithful to the original of the 70s, does not go unnoticed. In the fire, it is not uncommon for a biker to initiate a conversation, beyond the traditional salute.

Because riding an 800 Bonnie isn’t just riding a nice motorcycle. It is also – especially? – the opportunity to feel the wind of the seventies blowing by proxy, while the oldest will undoubtedly be able to remember their first punk concert, their first herd of goats or quite simply their first millstone….

However, oil has flowed under the crankcases, because contrary to popular belief, the Bonneville of the 21st century – or any other modern Triumph – today does not piss more oil than any Japanese woman. !

Urban test in parallel with the Kawasaki W 650, Japanese imitation of the British original (read).

The location of the switch, at the top of the fork to the left of the headlight, is also very confusing … not to say completely absurd! At the beginning, it will therefore be necessary to carefully check that the keys are in your pocket before you move away from the motorcycle, under penalty of a big hassle (experienced!).

Nothing special about the commodos except the engine starter. European regulations oblige, the codes light up automatically on the two machines from the start. On the Triumph, the tachometer is optional (309 €). Neither the English nor the Japanese are equipped with a lighthouse call lever. It will therefore be necessary to play with the switch, very useful in these times of proliferation of radars..

The seat, very straight, surprises at the beginning but you get used to it very quickly. The rather hard saddle does little to encourage you to swallow thousands of terminals for days, but is largely sufficient in urban use. At the rear, however, the situation is more delicate. Unless you invest in a handle offered as an option (209 €), nothing is planned for the maintenance of a (e) passenger (e) except a vague belt in mid-saddle. Moreover, in the (vast) range of options, Triumph offers an even more radical solution to definitively settle the question of the duo: a single-seater saddle (259 €).

Also puzzling the position of the knees, which given the narrowness of the tank find themselves a little abandoned like disjointed puppets. Under these conditions, tightening the bike with the legs requires a real effort of willpower, while on the Kawasaki W650, the task is made easier by additions to the tank sides (available only on the T100 version of the Bonneville, as the account- turns). Finally, beware of splashing during the first filling on the Bonneville, due to the very shallow depth of the tank. !

Compared to the Japanese, Triumph scores points on the overall look, thanks in particular to the small round mirrors located just above the handles. It is certainly not cinemascope, but it is correct while at Kawa, the rectangular mirrors are downright ugly.

When braking, the two machines are equal. Slightly more progressive at the front on the Triumph (single 310 mm two-piston disc), the brakes do their job correctly on both machines.

The Bonneville engine delivers very nice music via its splendid "sausage" pots faithful to the original. Muffled and hoarse at the same time, the sound is an invitation to ride all by itself. But it is at deceleration that the Triumph’s mufflers express themselves best, filling the pilot’s ears with loud explosions as the last gases burn in the exhaust manifold. On this ground, the Triumph takes the advantage over the Japanese one and for a little, one would almost come to wish that all the lights turn to red, just for the pleasure of cutting the gas! Finally, after being burned once or twice on the prominent casing, the urban biker will be able to seize the interest of not riding with his ankles uncovered….

Of course, by picking up speed, the Triumph quickly shows its limits both in handling and protection of the driver. After 160 on the German motorway, the shoulders unscrew and the neck lengthens like that of a swan. Finally, if the weather gets in the way, wet surfaces and strong gusts of wind will get the better of your course! Under these conditions, the meter graduated up to 220 marks either an excess of optimism, or a tendency to SM style English education! In the end, the Bonneville turns out to be a good urban machine which very quickly makes you want to cross the periphery to go and test the departmental … But it will be for another time !

Triumph 800 Bonneville tech. Sheet

Engine
Type Air-cooled, DOHC, parallel twin
Displacement 790 cc
Bore x stroke 86 x 68 mm
Compression / valves 9.2: 1/4 per cylinder
Food Dual carburettors with throttle position sensor and heater
   
Transmission
Gearbox 5 reports
Final drive Chain
Clutch Multi-discs in oil bath
   
Cycle part
Frame Tubular steel
Front tire 100/90 R 19
Rear tire 130/80 R 17
Front brake 310 mm disc 2 piston caliper
Rear brake 255 mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front suspension 41mm fork without adjustment
Suspension AR Double combined adjustable in preload
   
Dimensions
Length 2250 mm
Width 860 mm
Height 1,105 mm
Saddle height 775 mm
Wheelbase 1493 mm
Hunt 29 ° / 117 mm
Dry weight 205 kg
Tank 16 liters
   
Performances
Max power 62 HP at 7,400 rpm
Max torque 60 Nm at 3,500 rpm
   
Commercial information
Guarantee 2 years, unlimited mileage
Colors Jet Black
Cardinal Red
Price € 8,100

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