Bonneville T100 £4895

When it comes to modern classics, Triumph arguably boss the territory. Or at least, with the Bonneville’s heritage, they should do. In 2000 the reborn Hinckley factory recognised the enormous pulling power of the iconic Bonneville name and, having put sufficient distance between their new triples and the painful memories of the last days of Meriden back in the 80s, relaunched the Bonnie to huge success. Effectively pre-dating the current back-to-basics biking scene by 15 years, the Bonnie has charm, charisma and a genuinely air-cooled classic vibe coupled with modern chassis dynamics and build quality that makes it day-to-day useful in a way the Royal Enfield can only dream of. This bike is a 23,000-mile 2007 T100 Bonneville, and it’s in fine fettle for a two-owner, six-year-old machine. The 865cc parallel twin, running a 360° crank with twin counter-balance shafts (the pistons rise and fall as a pair, firing alternately, but generating the same primary vibes as if they were a big single) is, if anything, a bit too smooth for a bike with the presence of the Bonneville name – press the starter and the motor coughs into life so quietly and politely that it might not be running at all. The motor is livelier than it looks, punting out 63bhp at 7250rpm but delivering, say Triumph, 90 per cent of its torque from 2750rpm. It gives the Bonnie enough puff to get a fair old crack on in most road environments.

It’s not a hair-raising thrill every time you wind open the grip, but it’s willing enough to make a ride exciting with a steady, easily-managed power delivery. Fuelling is a bit fluffy from cold but, once up to temperature, throttle response is perfect. The Hinckley bike is a weighty beast, and takes some effort to push it around with its engine off. But get on the flat seat, settle into a simple, roomy, relaxed riding position with high-ish bars and feet spread wide apart by the engine’s bottom-end width, click into gear to slip quietly away, and feel how the Triumph’s low centre of gravity gives it a weightless, easy-going roll into corners. It’s solid, predictable and, on Avon Roadrider crossplies, delivers contemporary feedback and reassurance. Riding the Triumph too hard would be a mistake – you’d soon discover the limitations of ground clearance, then suspension, and followed by a lack of bite from the two-pot sliding caliper and single front disc. Smoothness is the key; exuberance a wasted effort. But the Triumph has enough refinement to make motorway cruising and longer trips more than viable, while on sweeping A-roads it’s in its element. And, as a compromise between an older age and this one, the Bonneville walks the fine line with distinction. Neither too dear to be precious, too fragile to be trusted, nor too sporty to be relaxed, it’s a useable, modern classic.