Retro Triumph gets the right feel
MOTORCYCLING is an intensely physical activity, which is part of the attraction for most riders. Inevitably a big part of why we like or don’t like a particular model comes from unquantifiable seat-of-the-pants input, loosely termed ‘feel’. And in those terms Triumph has got it absolutely right with the 900cc Street Twin, the base model in its new-for-2016 liquid-cooled Bonneville retro range.
Ignore the single ride-by-wire throttle body and the tall narrow radiator between the frame downtubes (yes, the 2016 twins are liquid-cooled, for the first time). Forget about the slightly plasticky speedometer housing and the absence of a rev-counter (real Bonnies always had ‘em), just focus on the turn-in point for the next corner and ride the bike like it was meant to be ridden - with style.
The short, cobby fuel tank places the rider’s weight well forward and the narrow cylinder head lets you tuck in, leaning slightly forward to the wider-than-expected handlebars and putting more weight on the front wheel than most of today’s riders are used to.
Factor in a low (750mm) seat height, a 1439mm wheelbase nearly 50mm shorter than the outgoing 865cc Bonneville - and genuine, original 1970s Pirelli Phantom SportComp tyres (back in production from this year specifically for the retro market) and you have a recipe for the quick-steering motorcycle that’s remarkably agile for its size, superbly and very accurately responsive, just a little twitchy near the limit (as it should be) but above all, a motorcycle that talks to you.
It feels smaller than it is, much lighter than its 217kg kerb weight, and it buzzed through our test handling section at 122km/h, where 120km/h is the pass mark for a modern sports-bike. Even the brakes, budget-bin Nissin twin-piston callipers at both ends, feel quite capable of handling anything the frame and engine can throw at them.
As does the Kayaba suspension, devoid of adjustment except preload rings on the dual rear shock. It was harsh and choppy on our bumpy test section but handled everything else with aplomb, including our performance testing.
The new bike’s 900cc parallel twin sounds and feels like a V-twin. It’s been tuned for midrange; the factory quotes peak power of 40.5kW at 5900rpm, 9.5kW less than the previous Bonneville.
But, and this is a big but, torque is up from 68 to 80Nm, all of which Triumph says is on tap at just 3230rpm. The new bike certainly feels as if it has plenty of midrange muscle, although it is a little short on top end for a 900cc fuel-injected twin.
It went up to about 140km/h very smartly indeed, seemed happy to cruise all day at that speed, and topped out just past the 170 mark (true speed).
Fuel consumption over a week of mixed riding averaged 4.9 litres per 100km, rising to 5.2 during performance testing, remarkably close to that recorded by British magazine Motor Cycling when it tested the original T120 Bonneville, 55 years ago.
Odious though they may be, comparisons with that 649cc Bonneville are inevitable. The original was good for only 34.5kW, but it was also 34kg lighter at 183kg wet and had a slightly higher top speed of 177km/h in standard trim.
What it did not have was the durability of a liquid-cooled engine, an electric starter, traction control (which is switchable for soft roads) disc brakes with ABS and a side-stand carefully placed exactly where it should be so you can operate it without having to look down.
Add these very welcome amenities to the unmistakable ‘feel’ of a classic British twin and you have a recipe for very classy commuter, and a stylish weekend cruiser, that’ll suit everybody from bornagains who can remember the 650 Bonnie but could never afford one to younger riders attracted to the style and flair of the growing retro movement.
With a weight of 217kg and a pricetag of R129 500 it’s not going to be your first bike, but it may very well be the one you keep.