2012 Auto Expo - Triumph Bonneville
Triumph launched the Bonneville at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012 as expected but what really delighted us was the competitive pricing, but more on that later. The Triumph Bonneville dates back to 1959 and is named after the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah where motorcycles and cars regularly vie for land speed records. The look of the Bonneville is classically 'retro' but don't let its appearance fool you, the Bonneville received a complete update in 2001 and though it still looks like the original, under the skin it's completely modern.
The engine is an 865cc double overhead cam parallel twin developing 68PS of power at 7500rpm and 68Nm of torque at 5800 rpm, which Triumph claims should return about 18kmpl in the city. Triumph has been so thorough in retaining the original look that they have gone to great lengths to make the throttle bodies (fuel injection) look like carburettors. Drums have also been replaced by disc brakes front and rear.
The Bonneville, which has been priced at Rs 5.5 lakh ex-showroom Delhi, will compete with the Harley-Davidson Iron (Rs 6.50 lakh), the Harley-Davidson SuperLow (Rs 5.5 lakh) and the Hyosung ST7 (Rs 5.69 lakh) in both pricing and performance figures. On paper this motorcycle seems an ideal step in performance for the Indian market and we do expect it to be a good handler compared to its competition and a great bike for long runs but more on this once we swing a leg over one.
In its markets abroad it has three avatars; the Bonneville, the Bonneville SE (with 70's styling) and the Bonneville T100 (classic wire spoke wheels and 60's styling). They have also added a new Steve McQueen special to their stables. Will we see all these models at some point in the future? One thing for sure, with the very competitive pricing for the Bonneville, a number of people would be seriously calculating their finances to land this iconic classic.