2009 Triumph Bonneville Review

Introduction

Starting 2009, the Triumph Bonneville enters a new era of performance, style and nostalgia by diversifying their range in a way that was as desired as it was anticipated.

Their classic model is now the Bonneville T100 so this features spoked wheels, ’peashooter’ style exhaust silencers, two-tone paint as well as chrome engine covers and black instrument surrounds in a wonderful attempt of retaining the original Bonneville look.

The New Bonneville is, obviously, new for 2009 and gets a pair of 17” cast wheels, Thruxton-like exhaust and short style fenders to enhance the sporty look. Also, the riding position is slightly different due to a lowered and narrowed seat, but this modern interpretation of the Bonneville still retains the classy lines and distinctive features that made this name famous.

Apparently, the 2009 Bonneville SE looks simply like a two-tone painted New model, but it’s really more of it than just that. Apart from the New Bonneville, the SE features matching speedometer and tachometer set, chromed Triumph tank badge and a modern overall appearance.

2009 Triumph Bonneville SE

The central piece of all these bikes is Triumph’s unmatched 865cc, air-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin, 360 degree firing interval engine which, starting 2009, gets fed through a Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection system. Triumph was needed to design the fuel-injection system in order for the bike to meet stricter and stricter environmental regulations so they retain the same riding feel by tuning the motor to develop 67bhp at 7,500 rpm and 51ft.lb at 5,800 rpm, which is as close as possible to the previous model year’s performances.

In what concerns the dimensions, the bikes are also slightly different. The New and SE models are both shorter and a little bit wider than the T100 model and feature a 27 degree/106mm rake and trail instead of the Classic model’s 28 degree/110mm. Also, the new Bonneville features a 3.5 gallons tank instead of 4.2 gallons on the other two models.

Very often, the Bonneville name says it all and it’s all because of the great heritage that this model provided Triumph and the entire motorcycle industry with.

2008 Triumph Bonneville History

As for 2009, the Bonneville shows that aging is in Triumph’s benefit as the innovative minds behind the name are constantly working to develop new technologies through which past is made present again.

Competition

2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Low

Meanwhile, Harley-Davidson lusts at a piece of Bonneville’s pie and offers three specific models from their Sportster family so that they’ll satisfy their tastes. The 2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Low, 883 Custom and Iron 883 are all slightly different interpretations of virtually the same idea despite the chopperesque look. They’re all built around the 883cc, air-cooled, Evolution V-twin engine that is capable of as much as 55 ft.lbs of torque from as low as 3,500 rpm thanks to the electronic sequential port fuel injection.

2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Custom

None of the three Harleys weighs less than 548 lbs so the Bonnevilles should be more agile thanks to their more than 100 lbs lighter weight. The price for the Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Low starts at $6,999, the one of the Custom at $7,999 while Sportster Iron’s price has a $7,899 starting point. Now, that’s in the Bonneville pricing range, but the small difference of styles is sure to make the difference.

2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883

Exterior

2009 Triumph Bonneville T100

Ever since the Bonneville was launched 50 years ago, the whole deal about it was the unique design as well as riding feel and, as we all know, these two are strongly related. Amazing refinements and a comfortable seating position made the Bonneville THE bike to ride in the 1960s, especially is you lived in England.

Modern days bring modern requirements and the bike keeps on going strong even though it looks pretty much like it did back in the glory days. Yes, we’re referring to the 2009 Triumph Bonneville T100, the only current model that retains the original classic lines. Everything looks just right about this motorcycle starting with the standard spoked wheels, the fenders which are wrapped around the tires as well as the retro exhaust and the two-tone color schemes available for the 2009 model year: Jet Black/Fusion White, Forest Green/New England White, Claret/Aluminum Silver.

2009 Triumph New Bonneville

Also a result of modern requirements, the 2009 Triumph New Bonneville is what we like to call a modern retro. This is the kind of bike that replaces the standard spoked wheels with 17” cast wheels wrapped in sharpened fairings and featuring megaphone style silencers. The mechanical parts are matt black painted while the colors available for it are Jet Black and Fusion White.

The 2009 Triumph Bonneville SE undergoes pretty much the same transformation if we take the T100 model as base only that this bike features polished alloy engine covers while the engine remains blacked out. The color schemes available for the Special Edition model are Jet Black and Pacific Blue/Fusion White.

Looking at the big picture here, Triumph uses every occasion that it gets in order to remain on top of riders preferences and the three 2009 Bonneville models are simply built for that specific purpose.

2009 Triumph Bonneville SE

2008 Triumph Bonneville Test Ride

Because the bike’s engine is now fuel injected and there are also two brand new models, last year’s test ride might not sound like much, but considering the fact that the engine delivers the same performance figures, the difference shouldn’t be striking. We can’t wait to get hold of one of the New and SE models and come up with the real thing.

Price

Triumph faces the American competition with a great marketing strategy standing in front of the 2009 upgraded Classic, New and SE models. So the MSRP for the 2009 T100 model starts at $8,799, the one for the New Bonneville starts at $7,699 and the Special Edition 50th anniversary model MSRP starts at $8,399.

Conclusion

2009 Triumph Bonneville T100

It’s really hard to abstain ourselves from saying that Triumph is actually rewriting history with the new Bonneville models, because that’s precisely what they are doing. The all-new 2009 modern interpretations of a piece of history are sure to catch on to the public and remain part of the Bonneville lineup a long time from now.

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SPECIFICATIONS

Engine and Transmission

2009 Triumph Bonneville SE Engine

Type: Air-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin, 360 degree firing interval
Capacity: 865cc
Bore/Stroke: 90 x 68mm
Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
Fuel System: Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI
Final Drive: X ring chain
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox: 5-speed

Chassis and Dimensions

2009 Triumph Bonneville SE Chassis

Frame: Tubular steel cradle
Swingarm: Twin-sided, tubular steel
Front Wheel: 36-spoke, 19 x 2.5in - T100; Aluminum cast aluminum alloy, 7 spoke, 17x3.0 inch - New Bonneville and Bonneville SE
Rear Wheel: 40-spoke, 17 x 3.5in - T100; Aluminum cast aluminum alloy, 7 spoke, 17x3.5 inch - New Bonneville and Bonneville SE
Front Tyre: 100/90 19
Rear Tyre: 130/80 17
Front Suspension: 41mm forks
Rear Suspension: Chromed spring twin shocks with adjustable preload
Front Brakes: Single 310mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Rear Brakes: Single 255mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Length: 87.8in - T100; 83.2 in - New Bonneville; 84.3 in - Bonneville SE
Width (Handlebars): 29.1 in - T100; 31.1 in - New Bonneville; 29.4 in - Bonneville SE
Height: 43.3in - T100 and Bonneville SE; 44.5 in - New Bonneville
Seat Height: 30.5in - T100; 29.1 in - New Bonneville and Bonneville SE
Wheelbase: 59.1in - T100; 58.6 in - New Bonneville; 57.2 in - Bonneville SE
Rake/Trail: 28 degree/110mm - T100; 27 degree/106mm - New Bonneville and Bonneville SE
Weight (Dry): 451lbs - T100; 440 lbs - New Bonneville and Bonneville SE
Fuel Tank Capacity: 4.2 gal - T100 and Bonneville SE; 3.5 gal - New Bonneville

Features

2009 Triumph Bonneville T100

Engine: The T100’s full-blooded and responsive 865cc parallel twin-cylinder engine delivers throaty acceleration, amplified by the mellow backbeat from its twin peashooter exhaust pipes. Maximum power of 68PS (67bhp) arrives at 7500rpm, with peak torque of 69Nm (51ft.lbf) delivered at 5800rpm.

Fueling: The T100 features a fuel injection system designed for clean running and to meet Euro 3 legislation. The retro styling remains uncompromised though, as the fuel injectors are cleverly concealed by throttle bodies designed to look like traditional carbs.

Exhaust System: A pair of chromed stainless peashooter-style silencers handle the exhaust gases and enhance the traditional appearance of the bike.

Fuel Tank: The T100 features a classically styled dual coloured tank, with hand painted coach lines, rubber knee pads and ‘60’s inspired chromed tank badges.

Brakes: The braking set-up of single front 310mm disc and 255mm rear, both worked on by powerful twin-piston calipers offers sensitivity, control and ample stopping power.

Chassis: The chassis – a tubular steel frame, 41mm telescopic forks and chromed twin rear shocks – offers secure road-holding, effortless steering and easy-going manners, just as you would expect of a bike derived from Bonneville heritage. It’s topped by a generous seat, with plenty of room for two.

2009 Triumph New Bonneville and Bonneville SE

Engine: The New Bonneville/Bonneville SE features a fuel injection system designed for clean running and to meet Euro 3 legislation. The retro styling remains uncompromised though, as the fuel injectors are cleverly concealed by throttle bodies designed to look like traditional carbs. Polished alloy side covers come as standard on the Bonneville SE.

Wheels: The New Bonneville/Bonneville SE sports stylish new lightweight 17” cast alloy wheels for 2009, creating an all new look and improving the bike’s agility and low speed handling characteristics.

Exhaust System: Stylish megaphone exhausts mimic those sported by the raciest bikes in the 1970s.

Brakes: The braking set-up of single front 310mm disc and 255mm rear, both worked on by powerful twin-piston calipers, offers sensitivity, control and ample stopping power.

Seat: The 2009 New Bonneville’s/Bonneville SE’s comfortable seat is 1.3 in lower than on previous models. Combined with a revised riding position, the Bonneville SE provides a more relaxed and accessible ride than ever before.

Chassis: The New Bonneville’s/Bonneville SE’s low seat height (29.1inches) and low center of gravity make it a manageable motorcycle that all riders – ranging from those with little experience to those with lots – can appreciate. The tubular steel double cradle frame is incredibly strong while offering light and precise handling.