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New models? Meh.....

25K views 198 replies 84 participants last post by  49erx2 
#1 ·
Don't get me wrong,my they look great, I'm sure they will ride brilliantly and be amazing. But my 2005 was built in Britain, has carbs and the pain and pleasure that goes with that, looks like an old retro bike. I've tweaked it and nurtured it. It always gets lots of looks and comments - "what year is it?" - thinking it's older than it is.

My Bonnie is a retro classic, not the fastest or most powerful bike, and that's why I love it. I love the look of the new models, but they're different bikes, not even modern classics, just modern - I can't picture Steve McQueen on one....

Nuff said - bring it....;)
 
#4 ·
What makes you think for 2 seconds that younger, non-bearded types will give these a 2nd look vs heading straight for the newest ST-R's? :rolleyes:
 
#9 ·
The 2016 Bonneville line-up is exceptional. So much so, the presentation has so far muted the mob of angry villagers holding torches and pitchforks that were ready to chase the "water cooled monster" back to the factory in Thailand. Sure, you'll have a few past owners resenting the new bikes but that will be based in envy rather any realistic major flaw on the part of the new line. That envy is actually a good thing. That means the company, rather than falling behind, is moving forward and not only enduring but is also triumphant. What better way to move forward than on a great new stylish well designed line of bikes. Nice job, Triumph!
 
#102 ·
The 2016 Bonneville line-up is exceptional. So much so, the presentation has so far muted the mob of angry villagers holding torches and pitchforks that were ready to chase the "water cooled monster" back to the factory in Thailand. Sure, you'll have a few past owners resenting the new bikes but that will be based in envy rather any realistic major flaw on the part of the new line. That envy is actually a good thing. That means the company, rather than falling behind, is moving forward and not only enduring but is also triumphant. What better way to move forward than on a great new stylish well designed line of bikes. Nice job, Triumph!
No envy here, I prefer the look of my 09 Scrambler to any of the new models. I would certainly like more power but at what cost? The new engines, 900 & 1200 don't look as nice IMO and while Triumph have improved the asthetics in certain areas they've made them worse in others. Really apart from indicators/tail light the only asthetic improvement that couldn't easily be done to the 865 efi bikes is the smaller tank on the Street Twin.

To be honest the 1st time I saw the new bikes I thought they looked ok but looking closely at them the radiator is brutal, the engine covers look like they came off a Harley, the dummy carbs/air filter are woeful on both the Street Twin and the T120 (can't decide on which one is worse), and as for the mesh insert on the gearbox sprocket cover, what's that all about? Finally the colour choice, Red, Silver, Red & Silver, Black (ok Graphite), Black and Black. Somebody buy the designer a full set of colouring pens please.

I accept that to increase the performance while reducing emissions they had to increase the engine capacity and adopt water cooling resulting in the inevitable radiator and bulkier engine but the general styling could be a lot better.

For all the changes Triumph have made based on surveys of what current owners wanted people will still try to improve things. It might not be lights and indicators which ironically were easy to change (fancy trying to easily change the engine cases or hideous dummy carbs/air filter on the new models? good luck with that) but they will be modified.

That said I understand why Triumph have made the changes they did, they need to move forward and compete on paper with 'retro styled bikes from the competition, I'm sure they'll sell just fine but not to me.

Don't assume that people prefer the earlier models because they're envious, personally if I wanted a new one I'd buy it, I won't because i don't.
 
#17 ·
I agree! It's hard to come up with one way or the other just by a few pictures. A little premature for that either way and I do want to see this bike up close with my own eyes. I do know one thing that bothers me about it and will make final decision when I am up close to it but there are some fittings on this bike that just simply don't fit or go with it. It seems the space age battles with the classic age or a Bonnie T100 got it on with a S3 on one drunken night.

Another thing that I am disliking a lot from pictures (could change up close) but those are the copy feelings. Fake Amal carbs, air filters, timing cover, primary...where the T100 had it's influences this bike just flat out copies...feels a bit gimmicky to me.

My two cents that isn't probably worth 1 cent to most...
 
#11 ·
Excellent looking bikes. And I agree the technology part is a very welcome upgrade. That 1200cc motor has got to feel awesome rolling through the gears. An observation not complaint: why is the rear caliper still on the bottom ? Mine gets full of road junk and needs good cleaning periodically. Just wondering....
 
#14 ·
I stopped by my nearest dealer yesterday and asked about the big release, saying that Triumph had sent an e-mail announcing the new bikes.

Sales Manager was totally unaware and said "they didn't send me an e-mail".

This is a full line dealer with large inventory, including many labeled as 2016's.

I mentioned that the announcement was made at the event for dealers in London.

Response was "Oh, is that what the dealer meeting was for this year? It's difficult to justify the expense of that trip."

I know he's right.

So ... I know another major dealer who is all over the announcement and the introduction of the new bikes, but they're not all hard wired in.

Meanwhile, I am still curious about the weight and price.

If they stick to the $10/cc pricing model, these bikes may have msrps up in the $12K range, with discounting taking them down to around $11K.

Does anybody know either price or weight?
 
#15 ·
Don't get me wrong, I think they're great, I might even get one, just that I think we've seen the last of the retro classics (for now), which is not bad, our older classics will become collectible, and I'm happy.

I also think it's right that you can't go on making something that is trying to be old and modern at the same time, as you end up pleasing nobody, so the changes were necessary.

However I do want that new dark brown seat on the black model - I hope it fits the older models :)
 
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#18 ·
Personally, I'm loving the new line. It MIGHT just be enough for me to get off the pot, as it were. It has taken me a while to get the mine exactly where I want it, and I enjoy it immensely, but damn, 1200cc. :grin2:

As far as the Thai manufacturing, well, that's a pretty old issue. My T100 has been among the best, perhaps THE best, bike (among some 25) that I have owned.
 
#21 ·
I am extremely interested in the new Thruxton R, and will probably trade my Guzzi V7Racer Legnano for one. However, I am a bit put off by this statement from the Cycle World on line article describing, in part, the new Thruxton R engine:

." And both received a special, low-inertia, high-compression version of the new 1,200cc engine. Its 270-degree crank was lightened relative to that of the regular Bonneville and T120, for quicker throttle response"

Please say it isn't so ... a 270 deg crank? I don't want to sound like a Milwaukee mongrel...... on my classic Triumph!
 
#23 ·
Please say it isn't so ... a 270 deg crank? I don't want to sound like a Milwaukee mongrel...... on my classic Triumph!
I agree. The classic Triumph, or general British twin sound, was a bit special. This was largely due to the 360º configuration.

I imagine that with the inherently smoother 270º layout they could cut down on the size/weight of the balancer shafts and keep crankcase bulk down.
 
#22 · (Edited)
If I was in the market for a new retro bike I would pick up a faired Thruxton R in a heartbeat!

This bike blows the RNineT straight out of the water and likely at a cheaper price point too. I would say it looks to be about dead even with the old Duc Sport Classic which has been a benchmark of performance used by many here. Fit & Finish is certainly way better too, they look very polished.

The new bikes are gonna kick ass. Plain and simple. They come out of the box with a lot of the good stuff the aftermarket has been doing for the last 13+ years. Very hard to find a bike these days that's near perfect out of the box.


Don't get me wrong though, I love my '10 thruxton but let's face it, aside from the EFI it's a damn antiquated dinosaur lol. That has it's charm, but when I want to really put the hammer down on some twisty back road I have to resort to one of my Duc's.



Also, anyone who says Steve McQueen wouldn't be caught dead on one of the new bikes is an idiot. He was a racer through and through. Anything that makes you go faster is cool. Just the facts, and he knew that. I'm sure if Steve were around today he'd probably have a Pani Superlagerra and a new R1M in the stable too.
 
#24 · (Edited)
Don't get me wrong though, I love my '10 thruxton but let's face it, aside from the EFI it's a damn antiquated dinosaur lol. That has it's charm, but when I want to really put the hammer down on some twisty back road I have to resort to one of my Duc's.

Agree the Thrux blows the BMWaway in terms of style at least. I love the bubbly canopy on it.


The power is to enjoy, and I would like to have the 1200 R myself... but unless you are on a racetrack, the existing model is plenty fast enough.Just use all the rpm and throttle. That's part of the fun! You really can't go (much) faster than that. However it would be useful to embarass your friends coming out of a turn.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Might be different in Italy. Danbuc is from New Jersey - near me - and he said " back roads:" . Around here if you go over the ton everyday on back roads you will wind up dead or in jail. More power might be comforting overtaking cars when you have limited sight distance or for enjoying occasional "moments of glory" or just enjoyment of amazing power. All of which I endorse. But top speed on back roads??? Not needed.


Look - as I see it, there are three schools of thought; one group doesn't care about top speed at all. The second group goes 100% for top speed. I'm in the third group. I like speed and power but I realize that I am not going to ride realistically 100+ mph across the state. I ride at a good pace with occasional blast up to full throttle. The 865 Bonny does absolutely fine. More is better, yes. Necessary, no.
 
#27 ·
Overall, I am really liking the 2016 Bonnie models. I like the way they have kept "the look" while updating the technology in some meaningful ways. Still don't like the bobber all that much though. Can't wait to see what happens to the Speedmaster and America.
 
#28 ·
My Bonnie is a retro classic, not the fastest or most powerful bike, and that's why I love it. I love the look of the new models, but they're different bikes, not even modern classics, just modern - I can't picture Steve McQueen on one....

Nuff said - bring it....;)
Steve McQueen is your litmus test? I'm pretty sure he rode a Bonnie because they were the fastest and lightest bikes at the time. I'm also pretty sure today he'd be riding a Duke 690 or possibly a Ducati Scrambler and would have laughed at a heavy and underpowered "Modern Classic Bonneville."
 
#55 ·
This...plus no one under the age of 60 knows (or cares) who Steve McQueen was. Seriously, I'm 41 and I have ridden motorcycles since I was 15. I had to google him after buying my first triumph a couple years back (he died when I was 6).

With emission requirements and such, I'm not sure how much longer anyone will be able to mass produce an air cooled engine. ABS required next year on all Euro bikes as well...Triumph had to change, they decided to go big.

I think the new bikes look sexy has hell, but if you disagree, great! If the radiator kills it for you, go have a beer, your bike just appreciated. If you like the new bikes, go have a beer and dream about owning one. Everyone can win here...
 
#32 ·
I love sparking debate, even if I get called an idiot :) I didn't say Steve wouldn't ride one, just I couldn't picture it, because I have a romantic vision of old-school bikes and the good old days. But if I wanted to ride a bike that looked and behaved like a Guzzi or a Duc I'd have bought one of those in the first place. To me a Bonneville is an image, a feeling, a vibe, a way of life, not a collection of technology in a frame.

Keep bringing it..... ;)
 
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#33 ·
Ok, I agree.

However , devil's advocate. I dont need it. I like simplicity and I like having a basic good ole fashioned motorcycle.... and am pretty freaking happy with my lightly modified T100, cheap to buy, good ole carbs, basic electrics - simple to fix, reliable as dirt, fun. ..... no payments.

As much as I am as giddy as the next poster over the 1200 motor..., I am not paying $15k for one. And when I swing it onto a tar and chip 20 foot wide country lane, I dont need to go 140 mph. It's probably better for me that I can't.
 
#38 ·
I suppose I am in the same situation. I don't NEED it, and love mine. I am looking for another bike at the moment, but something that is completely different from what I have.

Damn, it is fun to think about, however.
 
#41 ·
I think the new lineup is awesome, and I'm impressed with all the thought and planning that Triumph put into them. They really seem to have done their homework -- listened to what current owners like about the bikes and what they say is missing, as well as looked at current technology and competition like the Ducati Scrambler and the BMW NIeRT or RNineT or whatever the hell they call it. My initial reaction is that now my bike is "obsolete" and "old technology" and I immediately want to rush out and buy the new one.

BUT -- I realize this will fade in a week or so, and I'll realize that yes, I still love my 2007 Goodwood Green Bonnie, it's still awesome and fun to ride. And I'll still get that thrill every time I see it parked outside waiting for me to hop on. And I will continue to ride it and mod it until it falls apart and then I'll get the T120 or whatever they will be selling in 2030, lol.

I agree with what others have said. Triumph is moving the Bonneville line forward. Keeping it current and viable. And that is good news for everyone, including us owners of the "last generation" technology. I want to be sure I have a Triumph Dealer and aftermarket dealers around for years to come, so I can keep my 2007 running! I hope they sell a gazillion of them!

Good for you Triumph!

-Dan
 
#44 ·
The current line was obsolete the day we bought the bikes, but we still bought them because they looked amazing and new bikes doesn't change any of that. If I were in the market for new classic style bike, I would consider the new line (assuming It is still affordable for a toy), but I am certainly not going to trade in my classic twin for the new Street Twin.
 
#42 ·
unless steve mcqueen's estate is cutting the check for my bike, I do not understand why it would matter.

McQueen wasn't riding "modern classics" in his day.

PS. like the new bikes, especially the thruxton r without the windshield. Better brakes, increase in performance & better suspension are all good things in my opinion.
 
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