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So who is making the jump to the Street Tracker?

8K views 61 replies 36 participants last post by  leftarmlogan 
#1 · (Edited)
I'm a little behind on this one. I had heard the rumors for the last year or so but haven't really been keeping up on all of the developments and spy pics. But after just getting back from my second long tour this year on the Thruxton (2500 miles down through the Blue Ridge Parkway to Deal's Gap and Skyway and back) I randomly searched out the specs in anticipation of the big 10/28 unveiling. Good lord...

1100cc (maybe 1200?!), liquid cooled, dual disc brakes, Brembo calipers, Ohlin suspension front and rear, and it looks like THIS:



I MUST POSSESS THIS MOTORCYCLE IMMEDIATELY! I love my Thruxton to death, but I will find a nice farm upstate for it to run around all it wants. Does anyone know when these things will actually ship to dealers? I'm assuming the 28th is just the official announce date. Would they really start shipping these in the winter?
 
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#3 ·
I Don't understand why Triumph went for a bigger engine. Don't we already have the Street and Speed? Yeah, one has a retro look, but right now they don't compete in performance.

Better suspension and updated look is a different story but a bigger engine?

This will sound weird but one of the most appealing features , at least to me, was adequate power, not one that can compete with a liter bike. Bonnies are to enjoy the road with no rush.

Am I missing something?
 
#8 ·
It seems that Triumph is looking to tier up their classic line. They will still be making the 865cc Bonnie (although it will have ABS and be liquid cooled) which will probably still sell for around $8000-$9000 and it seems that the Tracker will replace the Thruxton, probably priced somewhere around the $14000 that the RnineT goes for. The next step up would be the Triple line, but I still think the Tracker maintains enough of the classic aesthetic to have a big market. I, for one, have been on the cusp of selling my Thruxton for a while now because it just doesn't have enough power when I really want to open it up, but I still love how it looks. This, to me, is the absolute best of both worlds.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Geez, I hope they offer brushed engine covers and not just chrome or black. The specs are on par with my Ducati GT1000 which -honestly- offers classic styling with sport bike-like performance. I for one, want a new 16 Bonnie.

/M
 
#6 ·
Geez, I hope they offer brushed engine covers and no just chrome or black. The specs are on par with my Ducati GT1000 which -honestly- offers classic styling with sport bike-like performance. I for one, want a new 16 Bonnie.

/M
In the picture there it looks like the covers are brushed. It's just the sprocket cover that's chrome. That would be strange so it might just be a random sprocket cover on the bike. I wouldn't imagine they'd sell it with two-tone covers.

I also thought it resembled at GT1000 a lot. Although with a larger engine and more HP.
 
#11 ·
Not me. I just bought a Scrambler. I will buy one used in few years down the road, so:
1. I don't have to pay first owner premium. It is a a toy afterall.
2. Triumph works out all the quirks.
3. Aftermartket support for new Bonneville catches up with the current 865 models.
 
#17 ·
I said it in another thread - It's still a guess as of now, but based on the pictures it looks like everything up top is sticking with the current Bonneville standard parts meaning any mirrors, bars, gauges, etc you would want from an after market dealer would fit. Same seems to go for the foot pegs and even, it would appear, for the exhaust. The indicators are different so I would be surprised if the standard FEK's and the like would fit, nor would I assume you could slap a Bonneville ARK in to pull the airbox, but with 1200cc why would you need to? Half of what most of us do to these bikes has always been to rev up the 865cc engine, improve the terrible stock suspension, and make it not sound like a Vespa. It would appear that Triumph heard and did all of that for us. Even the headlamp seems to be the same so your old flyscreens and windshields should fit. Again, there is a lot of conjecture going on here but based on the pictures I don't know what aftermarket gear you wouldn't be able to bolt onto this bike.
 
#12 ·
Been waiting to see this bike for three years. Hope it's worth it - if they ever arrive....
The present Bonnie's are really nice & a pleasure to own & ride. Most people love them, despite the low budget suspension & mediocre performance. Triumph did a great job making them better than the sum of its parts. I'd expect most sales of the "Street Tracker" to come from existing Bonnie owners like me. I'll give it a very close look, but it'd better be 2 cuts better in every way for me to make the switch. Still can't get by that name though...
 
#13 ·
The bike in the picture could just be a prototype, or "Mule" for development work. It doesn't mean the bike that hits the showroom is going to have ohlin suspension or brushed engine covers or etc.... Also, the pix bike engine doesn't look large enough to be an 1100.

Likely just a test mule for testing any of a whole host of things.
 
#15 ·
The rumors are pretty much substantiated at this point. Might end up being an 1100 but the big announcement on 10/28 is almost certainly going to be about this bike. The David Beckham photo shoot also points to it. That also included the Ohlins suspension. It's all conjecture for another 2 weeks but it seems like a pretty safe bet.
 
#18 ·
Water cooled = no thanks. If I wanted a Honda Shadow I'd buy one and call it a day (and save a lot of money in the process). Personally I don't care if the water cooled Bonneville will be able to 'hold its own' against some random Japanese bike- I don't anticipate racing anyone and for my purposes that sort of power is beyond overkill. Heck, a bog-standard Bonnie is probably at the upper limit of what I both want and need out of a motorcycle; if I thought long and hard about it, a Royal Enfield would probably fit the bill for my purposes. Triumph is getting my new bike business because of the current Bonneville, and if they pull those from the lineup before I'm ready to purchase I'll be shopping the secondary market- or buying a motorcycle from another maker. If they want to replace the air cooled Twins, that's their business (I personally think that would be a mistake, but whatever) but at least wait until I've bought mine!
 
#21 ·
Triumph is getting my new bike business because of the current Bonneville, and if they pull those from the lineup before I'm ready to purchase I'll be shopping the secondary market- or buying a motorcycle from another maker. If they want to replace the air cooled Twins, that's their business (I personally think that would be a mistake, but whatever) but at least wait until I've bought mine!
But from the sound of some of the replies on this thread and others about the new Bonneville, you may have a lot of low-mileage air-cooled Bonnevilles and Thruxtons to choose from on Craigslist or Cycle Trader soon enough.:grin2:
 
#19 ·
Not me. I'm happy with my T100 and Thruxton. In fact, I sold my Street Triple to buy my used Thruxton and don't have any regrets. I might be over the hump in my riding career for wanting faster, more power etc. it just appeal to me like it did in my 20s & 30s. I'm having a ball on my porky 60hp retro style bikes.

Still, I am excited for everyone else who's excited about these bikes. I think it's great that Triumph could be "evolving" the Bonneville line to be more competitive with BMW and whoever else. More choices are a good thing if there are enough out their who want them.

And really, I have to believe that the folks at Triumph have done their homework and know their market. I've probably filled out a survey from them at least once a year from 2009 to date. For every Triumph customer that thinks the current air-cooled variety are good enough or great, there's probably an equal number wanting "more" of everything, but in Bonnie form.

Like I said, I'm eager and happy to see what the bigger-engine, more-powerful etc. Bonneville ends up being, but those aren't qualities I feel are lacking with my current bikes or the kind of riding I prefer these days.
 
#20 ·
The trade publications are reporting that the current generation air/oil cooled 865cc twin will still be in production as an entry level bike in some form or another. Too profitable to drop.

I would not be surprised if the mag wheel base Bonnie, Scrambler and Thruxton are still around in 2016. And I can see the T100 being dropped in it's 865 trim in favor of a deluxe water-cooled twin. The Thruxton being dropped once a Street Tracker/Cafe Racer version is released. I can't see the logic of having a 865 Thruxton and a 1100 Tracker offered at the same time.

Just speculation folks... no inside knowledge.

/M
 
#27 · (Edited)
I would not be surprised if the mag wheel base Bonnie, Scrambler and Thruxton are still around in 2016. And I can see the T100 being dropped in it's 865 trim in favor of a deluxe water-cooled twin. The Thruxton being dropped once a Street Tracker/Cafe Racer version is released. I can't see the logic of having a 865 Thruxton and a 1100 Tracker offered at the same time.
I'd think the 865 would be kept in the Mag-wheel Bonnie and the T-100 since it sells real well due to it's nostalgia factor. Maybe they'll have a T-120 or something of that ilk with the new motor. I could see dropping the Thruxton. No need to have two flavors of a 'performance' bike.
What I'm wondering is the swap of the Scrambler to the new motor to actually make it a scaled-down adventure bike.
Maybe they'll surprise us all.
Won't be jumping ship, but will be looking at component swapability.
 
#23 ·
I'm keeping my 13 EFI because it suits me, I won't be getting a liquid cooled Bonneville, I have two other very fast bikes,( non Triumph) seems a few here will may the jump, that's why companies develop new models. In months to come we will all be informed I wonder how many will find the 90?+- RWHP to be lacking and want 120-30-40 etc. already there are complaints about the suspension, until then I'm enjoying one of the best bikes I have ever owned.
 
#24 ·
I've been watching all of the information that's out there, which is understandably a lot of speculation and while the bike looks cool, and I really do like a lot of the bits they've been showing (like the tank, the suspension, probably more powah), I keep going back to two simple things, for me at least. I really enjoy my '14 Thruxton. It suits me, I've upgraded the suspension with RICOR bits up front, Hagons in the rear, better tires, a bit more power, some styling farkles like most people. It is just about perfect for me to rip up and down canyons at sub-insane speeds, as well as commute to work every day on. It's cost me about $11k with the bike and farkles over the past 16mths. It's what I wanted the Thruxton to be (though Ohlins would be sweet).

The prospect of a (speculated) 100hp Twin with all the bits that I've basically done already, plus ABS.. for $12-14k (again speculated), seems OK but then again...

...If I want to ride something fast, sportier, sub-liter insanity... I jump on the Speed Four, which cost me $1800 a couple months ago. Insanely cheap fun right there. It's light-ish, develops right about 100hp, is terribly flickable, wheelies if I'm not careful, can do 90 in second, corners like the Thrux could never dream of doing, and is a great go-to if I want to up my sportiness factor. It's also absolutely nothing like the Thruxton/Bonnie line. However, it does what the Thruxton doesn't when I want that different experience. The catch is it's undeniably NOT a Bonnie/Thrux, and is a completely different beast to ride.

So for $14k, I have two bikes that satisfy my needs, instead of one bike. So while I really like what I'm seeing out of this new twin, I don't think it's something I'd buy. At least not right now. I'm also skeptical that they'll make it weigh something reasonable, and that it's going to be pushing 600# wet. I've been noticing that weight is a huge deal for me with a motorcycle, and not just for when I'm jockeying the bikes around the garage. The lighter S4 is a dream in that regard. But riding is easier with the a bike that has less mass. Less tiring if you're hustling it.

The new Twins might be the cats meow and hopefully Triumph sells scores of them, but for me I'm really happy with two different bikes which satisfy almost all of my needs. They just need a used Sprint to keep them company in my garage, for my touring needs. :)
 
#25 ·
I totally get where you're coming from. Unfortunately I don't have the space for 2 bikes or I'd probably have a similar setup to yours. I've done some extensive touring on the Thruxton so I know it can handle that whereas something like a ST couldn't. I love that bike and nothing gets you more jealous looks at gas stations. But I definitely want something with some more zip. Even with Bitubo forks, Nitro rears, Roadmaster rubber, and all the bells and whistles short of over-boring the cylinders to squeeze every last HP out of her I still find myself pinning the throttle and waiting for her to catch up all too often. Not to mention constantly looking for that 6th gear. If I can only have one bike, the Tracker looks like it checks every box I'm looking for, even if it might be hair on the pricey side.
 
#26 ·
I won't be getting one -- not anytime soon anyway. I'm very happy with my carbed, air-cooled, 856cc 2007 Bonnie. HOWEVER, I am very glad and excited to see Triumph advancing their product line. It means they won't become obsolete and go out of buisness. I want them to be around for a long time so I can get parts for my bike, and so my next bike can be a Triumph also, once I've run this one into the ground! So the more that Triumph can do to keep themselves current and popular and sucessful the better! In other words -- you should all go out and buy the new Bonneville, so I can keep riding my 2007! :)

-Dan
 
#32 ·
For less $$$$$ I can buy a used/new Street Triple to strip down to make it more retro and it will still handle better and probably make more power than this new "performance" Bonnie not to mention be much lighter. I'm not completely sold yet until weight and engine specs are released.

-Jake
 
#58 ·
Jake,
That's an interesting scenario...taking a Street Triple, stripping it and making it retro. Is this your idea or have you seen this done in practice? If you have a pic or two, would love to see where this has been done. I like the concept...in particular if the Streetie could change its foot controls and seat and make it more into a bonnie...but haven't seen it. Love the power/weight of the Streetie but not much in love with the riding position.
 
#34 ·
At 91 crank HP, it would have 26 more ponies than the 865.
If the new liquid cooling apparatus, ABS carp, dual disks and new motor doesn’t add more than 20 or 30 more pounds to the package, the new bike will be quicker than the 865.
However, regardless, of the bike’s actual delivered weight, the new twin will not be any competition to the Street, or Speed Triples. Rest assured. It will be just a little better performer than the 865.

The new bike is a modern classic.
Those who require multi-cylinder performance – look elsewhere.
 
#35 ·
About power-my T100 is not lighting fast nor is it tortoise slow but it surely cannot do this:


Even with the new added weight, this thing is doing a power wheelie. It's gonna have some ass. I don't think it'll have the pull of a street triple, but it looks like it'll walk the current twins easily-exact horsepower numbers aside.
 
#39 ·
All this debate about the relative performance compared to current Bonnie variants is tangential to the real issue as far as I'm concerned. Whether the new bike is substantially or incrementally better performing than the current Bonnie variants won't be the deciding factor for new bike buyers.

It's about whether the bike has the soul to carry the legacy of Triumph's heritage. Sure, it has to have decent power to keep up in a competitive market. But the real question is whether it is perceived as suitable successor to the reigning retro king.

People don't buy these bikes for outright performance. Too many better options for that narrow criteria. If the new bike continues to deliver on the magic of the current Bonneville experience combined with some improvements in power, ride, and eventual ability for customization, then I'd call it a success for Triumph.

Individual decisions for current owners to buy a new one will be all over the board. One common reason that we all bought the current Bonnie is the appeal of the classic design. Other attributes like power and handling played a role too, but to varying degrees. Must be because there are much better performing bikes in the market. Hence my original assertion, relative performance compared to the current bike is tangential to the success of the new model.


Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#44 ·
Yep..... I think you are missing something ha ha.

Their is nothing better than having a bike that looks like it can't keep up, handle as good and sticking it up blokes on sports bikes who can't ride them to their potential. So more power, better handling and brakes and a touch lighter......Ohhh yeah that is cool!

That's what so many people are doing to the exisiting Bonnevilles so now the question is....how much? Is it worth it or.....should we just modify our bikes...... Ohhhh the discussion!
 
#55 ·
I'm leaning this way, too.

I don't particularly think the Twins need more power or more displacement. I'd rather Triumph take the Twins in the Ducati Scrambler/Yamaha XSR700 direction (smaller & lighter) than go the other way.
 
#52 ·
I'm thinking that the 865 Scrambler will wave the flag for "Air Cooled Twins" fans. Moving forward, I think your mainstream bikes will go H2O cooled. At some point, Triumph will have to bow to the "Grim Reaper" of the EPA and conform, for the mainstream "Classic" bikes. Hence, the "Street Tracker" and it's iterations.

Cheers,

RD
 
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