2014 Triumph Bonneville T100 865cc

Triumph Bonneville T100-865cc, EFI- 2014.

Every generation leaves their unique stamp on history. An 'ICON'. Something so unique that it makes the present generation to wish they could have been a part of things gone by. The old is so iconic- that you want your new thing to look old-to mirror that icon as closely as possible. That's what the fuel injected, air cooled, 865cc Bonneville- T100 parallel twin with the iconic Bonneville pedigree to live up to, is all about and not. A time machine-with a twist. It's a double barreled machine with smooth pulling responsiveness, twin peashooter exhausts that burble with a mellow beat while idling-nothing like the near roar of its namesake. There's loads of bling -chromed engine covers, shocks, pipes, headlight, turn signal stalks, mirrors, it's all over! Black analog instrument cluster-speedo and tacho. Triumph logo on the seat, two toned paint job, spoked wheels, fork gaiters. You've got the idea by now I guess. Motorcycling the way it used to be. A way back machine -sixties style but with a bit of today's technology. I would have preferred ABS, Traction Control and dual discs up front as a standard part of the package on a 2014 machine. I guess I will have to ride it and live with it like I do with the older machines -nothing wrong there at all although I would still have liked the advantages of 21st century technology built into this machine to turn it into an icon in it's own right because even though it may try as hard as it does it comes no where near the charismatic Bonnie of old ! I'd like to think Triumph skimped on these along with standard stuff like a center stand and a lockable tank cap among others, to keep the cost down and not because of lazy engineering.

I've ridden the Bonneville SE base model with the 17″ wheels and does it handle beautifully! It's more like a modern bike but I'm fine with the more relaxed steering 19″ front found on the T100. If you've ridden a classic and like it, then you will be more than just fine with the T100 I just wish they would have kept the weight down .

The changes made to the Bonneville SE-base model that turned it into the T100:

17" cast alloy wheels become 19" (front), 17" (rear) spoked items.
Tubed tires 100/90-19 and 130/80-17.
Rake and trail are relaxed from 27°/106mm on the Bonneville to 28°/110mm on the T100. Taking away that sharp handling the the Bonneville is all about ( Brit classic bike are renown for their handling!).
Rear suspension travel is increased from 100mm on the Bonneville to 106mm on the T100
The wheelbase grows from 1490mm on the Bonneville to 1500mm on the T100
Wet weight increases from 225 kgs to 230 kgs.

The fuel injection makes the bike kind of jerky when you roll on the throttle after a gear change (maybe it's because I'm still running it in. If it keeps it up after the running in period I'll have to get the ECU remapped) -it's not like the classic Bonnie or Speed twin where you have to roll on the throttle a wee bit slowly after a gear change. A cylinder bore and stroke of 90 x 68mm makes this motor over square: the bore (width) of the cylinder is greater than its stroke (length). Over square engines excel at revving high and producing a lot of power for their displacement, at the expense of low-end torque.This baby likes the throttle to be whacked open! There's loads of engine braking when you get off the throttle though.It is a bit cumbersome in the parking lot but hop on it, get riding and you're smiling, almost instantaneously and you won't be stopping by the side of the road anytime soon because of carb problems !

Inside Triumph Motorcycles Hinckley Factory Photo Gallery

Engine type	Air-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin, 360º firing interval
Displacement	865cc
Bore	90mm
Stroke	68mm
System	Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI
Exhaust	Stainless steel headers, twin chromed peashooter silencers.
Final drive	X ring chain
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox	5-speed
Oil capacity	4.5 litres
Frame	Tubular steel cradle
Swingarm	Twin-sided, tubular steel
Front Wheels	36-spoke 19 x 2.5in
Rear Wheels	40-spoke 17 x 3.5in
Front Tires	100/90 R19
Rear Tires	130/80 R17
Front Suspension	KYB 41mm forks, 120mm travel
Rear Suspension	KYB chromed spring twin shocks with adjustable preload, 106mm rear wheel travel
Brakes front	Single 310mm disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper
Brakes rear	Single 255mm disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper
Instrument display and functions	Analogue speedometer and tachometer with odometer and trip information
Length	2230mm
Width handlebars	840
Height without mirror	1100mm
Seat height	775mm
Wheelbase	1500mm
Rake	28º
Trail	110mm
Tank capacity	16 litres
Wet weight	230 kilo
Max power	67 HP @ 7500 RPM
Max torque	68 Nm @ 5800 RPM
Fuel Consumption	18-21 km/l
Grin factor	9/10
Color	Cranberry Red/ Black