SO, per the limited amount of information that's either been officially released or leaked, it looks to me, from a "big picture" perspective, that Triumph have revamped the entire Bonneville range based on these guidelines:
- EU emissions standards compliance (a "must do")
- a broader range of choices between models in styling, power, performance etc. (perhaps in response to the fact that the air-cooled lines are only notably differentiated by wheels, handlebars, foot controls, and the pipe and crank on the Scrambler)
- varying price points (clearer perceived values for customers)
- a broader range of OEM styling and performance options (FINALLY capitalizing on the aftermarket parts success by others for their former range)
Now, it seems many don't agree where Triumph has landed with any of these points (power & price, namely), and many of us armchair motorcycle designers have a lot of strong opinions of what should or shouldn't be with these current models. I get it. I have my own criticisms as well.
That said, when you look at the ENTIRE range of Triumph motorcycles, I think it's safe to say this new line is well-placed to compliment the other Triumph segments. As much as I personally would love a Thruxton that weighs as little as a Street or Speed Triple and goes just as quick and as nimble, I'd bet that the target audience--the LARGER part of it--for these retro-styled bikes, doesn't put performance over styling and the image the modern classics project.
Yeah. There. I said it. But as a former Street Triple owner, and former owner of Japanese sport bikes, I think I can say with authority that if one is looking for these new modern classics to be the magic intersection of retro/heritage styling, high performance, and value pricing, then you're hunting for a unicorn.
You want speed and the bragging rights of owning British Iron? There's a new Speed Triple coming out next year too. Why develop a Thruxton to compete with that and cannibalize sales? I know, someone will inevitably say,"Hey, it's about CHOICES! Why shouldn't we have the choice of a Speed Triple in Thruxton clothing?". To me, it's a matter of product distinction between the ranges, and Triumph, like other motor sports and automobile companies understand this. It's simple behavioral economics.
Others have brought up the Yamaha Triples, the Moto Guzzi Griso (test rode one--loved it) and former Ducati Sport Classic range as comparable bikes that these new bikes should have "bested" or match.
Well, the Yamahas seem nice and I hear great things about them, but they're more utilitarian in spirit, and not really "lifestyle" product that has the same brand appeal of the Bonnie range (and has the $$$$$$ that comes along with the t-shirts, belt buckles, baseball caps etc.). The Griso is nice, but has never been a big seller. The Ducatis? Dead as a model range.
Still, I'd bet--seriously--that Triumph sells a ton of these new bikes compared to any of the others mentioned above. It seems there are many here who feel burned, betrayed, or just plain disappointed by this new line of bikes, but hey, as they say,"you can't please everybody".
And frankly, I don't think Triumph needs to please everyone; they just need to make enough existing customers and more importantly, NEW ONES, excited enough to buy any of these new models, and have happy enough an experience owning them.
I may not be one of them, but I'm not so blind as to see that they're more on-track to meet that goal than not.