Top 5 things you'll love about the Bonnie...

The Triumph Bonneville is among the 10 models launched by Triumph Motorcycles in India. The classic Triumph may be the most affordable among the lot, but it is also the most iconic and dominated the motorcycle world in the 1960s. Now the modern Bonneville with a lot of the classic bits retained has been launched in India. We and here is a list of what you'll love about the Bonnie, and what you'll wish they'd changed.

1. It makes 68PS of power

In this day of 150PS, 300kmph motorcycles, 68PS isn't a whole lot of power. But when you ride the Bonnie, you'll discover it is, in fact, enough power for most of us. It makes the Bonnie quick and useable rather than frightening. Many of us like the idea of a terrifyingly quick motorcycle. Most of us, though, don't.

2. The low seat height

Let's face it, Indians aren't on average tall, leggy people. This makes riding the taller motorcycles ? and most of them are ? much harder for us. The possibility of getting your feet firmly flat on the ground at a traffic light is far more important to rider confidence than you'll believe. The Bonnie's seat is extremely low and getting your feet down is so easy that I'm convinced anyone could ride it.

3. The parallel twin

The engine doesn't generate much vibration but more importantly, it's a big motor making a relatively small amount on power. This allows it to run to the redline without ever feeling stressed or like it is having to work hard. So whether you're quick or calm, commuting or on the highway, the Bonnie feels unhurried, happy and like it could do this all day. This will make a tremendous touring motorcycle.

4. The way it corners

Given the relaxed steering geometry and the long wheelbase, you don't really expect the Bonnie to corner like a sports bike. And it doesn't. But what the long wheelbase does is exaggerate the sensation of cornering. Lean angles seem deeper than they are and mid-corner speeds feel higher too. This means new riders can enjoy what feels like a super-quick ride without really approaching the limits of traction. It's a great confidence builder and it makes the Bonnie that much more interesting to ride.

5. The fake carburettors

The throttle bodies shaped to look like carburettors are a cool little detail on the Bonnie. It makes the motorcycle look right ? like an old, but updated, British motorcycle, and it's little details like this that makes the bike such a nostalgic, evocative experience.

But what you won't like about the Bonnie is...

1. The fake carburettors

Throttle bodies masquerading as carburettors? Who thought this was a good idea? Motorcycles are about honesty and I think this deception is unnecessary. The Bonnie would be just as charming a motorcycle if you could clearly see the sleeker shapes of normal throttle bodies running into the engine.

2. The switchgear

It works but it feels cheap and made to a price. And I've seen all of the Triumphs and none of the motorcycles escapes this criticism.

3. The keys

The Bonnie places the ignition key on the left behind the indicator and the handlebar lock is a separate key that goes in to a slot on the headstock on the right. I can understand retro detail but this is an annoying way to live with the motorcycle. Plus, the handlebar lock is harder to operate than it needs to be.

4. The unlockable fuel tank cap

Yup, the stock cap is a chrome screw-on job that comes without a lock. Triumph is happy to sell you a lockable gas tank cap as an accessory but in India, the latter needs to be standard equipment. Abroad, generally motorcycles are stolen rather than fuel ? a whole different problem. Here? A gas tank cap without a lock is just asking for trouble.

5. The stock exhaust

The stock exhaust is quiet, as required by the law. But you always come away with the feeling that the motorcycle would feel a lot greater if it released a little more of the engine's voice. I haven't ridden the T100 which gets old-school pea-shooter-style cans (like the standard Royal Enfield exhaust) but I suspect they would look and sound just that crucial bit better than these.