2009 Triumph Bonneville SE Comparison

[DaveM]

The Bonneville moniker first affixed itself to Triumph’s 650cc Parallel Twin-powered T120 in 1959, a high-performance ride through the ‘60s that earned its classy moniker as a tribute to the land speed racing exploits of the British marque during the 1950s. A second Bonneville incarnation, dubbed the T140, upped displacement to 750cc but ended production with Triumph’s decline and near obliteration in the early ‘80s. The Bloor restoration of the historic English marque saw the Bonneville’s return in 2001, where it has since anchored the company’s Modern Classics.

Triumph expanded the Bonneville line by two additional models, with an all-new base model and SE version. The two join the long-standing Bonneville T100, which continues in the Modern Classic line, relegating its spot as the flagship to the new Bonneville. The new Bonnie varies from its T100 with smaller ergos and wheels, the hoops being two inches smaller and cast instead of wire-spoked. As for the difference between the base Bonneville and the SE, it’s cosmetic, with the SE sporting a tank badge, aluminum engine cases and a two-tone paint scheme with pinstripe, as well as the inclusion of a useful tachometer on the instrument console. All three Bonnevilles, as well as the entire 2009 Modern Classic Twins, are fuel injected for the first time to meet US emissions.

Read More - 2009 Triumph Bonneville SE Comparison

 

[CarlS]

A really good and accurate review.

 

[Lake]

I sat on one yesterday at the Motorbike Show at the NEC. First thing that struck me was the ultra thin seat, lowering the seating position considerably. I'm 6 foot and I thought it was too low - it was a common comment from others at the stand too. Secondly, the bars are higher and a lot further back than before. It makes for a cramped seating position for anyone of 'average' height but I guess if you are 5'4", it'll suit you fine.

A third, but minor point, is that they have changed the headlight from the old glass type with the beam deflectors lines to a modern sheet of what looks like blank perspex - it does not suit the style of the bike.

I think Triumph are confused with this bike. Is it for younger riders? Is it for short females? Did whoever designed the changes know that these bikes have a history? The bikes at the show looked as if someone with no knowledge of the marque raided the optional extra parts bin and went crazy. The Arrow exhaust does not suit the Bonneville, if fact it has an ugly kink to clear the sidestand and the finish of it looks totally out of place on such a bike (although it did look OK on the Thruxton).

One of the new Bonneville show bikes (the blue one) was laden with extras, including a £900 Arrow exhaust system - total overkill on that bike in my view and again detracting from the looks. It took the total cost of the bike up to £7,700 - silly money! The other bike had a perspex sprocket cover fitted, it looked totally out of place on a almost standard 'retro classic' bike and it is totally impractical. A good way to waste £52 though.

The limited edition two-tone T100 looked quite good, but again it had the new modern headlight lens that detracts from the looks.

I hate to say it but the bike of the show was the basic red Norton 961 - stunning, and out of all the new Nortons it would be my first choice.

Here's some pics...

T100 Ltd Edition (due March 2010?)

Optional extra laden Bonneville SE (£7,700) - note the Arrow exhaust sweep to clear the sidestand.

New Bonneville, tiny!

Current headlights.

Modern headlights as fitted to the T100 and new Bonnevilles.

Does this suit a retro bike, and how can you keep it clean?

Basic Norton 961.

 

[DaveM]

Thanks for the review on this lake and I am glad you included the pic of the Norton stunning looking bike. Have a look at this video in our gallery :y18:

[smg id=1223 type=av]

 

[Lake]

Thanks DaveM. The SE version of the Norton is a good bike by all accounts but for me the basic version (11k?) looks more like what it should, i.e. wire wheels, 'normal' forks rather than USD, not covered in carbon etc. Bearing in mind that the engine in both is the same unit the extra 5k is a lot of money for 'niceties'. In the flesh it looks even far better and the pictures don't do it justice. I overheard a couple of guys at the Norton stand saying that they also liked the standard version better and that the SE is too 'over the top'. Although I'm a fan of cafe racers the Norton one didn't do anything for me.

The Ltd Edition T100 was a very nice bike though, great colour scheme and it looks the part (apart from the headlight lens). I think that a lot of the Triumph optional extras for the Bonneville range isn't in keeping with the style and heritage of the bikes. The Arrow exhausts certainly looked good but would need to be on a rather highly modded Bonneville or moderately modded Thruxton to look OK. To be honest, they look daft on a standard bike, or at least I thought so.

One thing that did stand out at the show was that Triumph have the greatest selection of bikes, from Retros to Cruisers, Sports to Naked - something for everyone. They had no 'dolly birds' though!

 

[CarlS]

Great post, Lake. Thanks for the photos and the commentary. I agree with you; I think the Arrow exhausts look out of place on the Bonnie and I don't like the "modern headlight lens on the Bonnie either. I thought that clear sprocket cover was impractical when it came out in the 68 series of accessories. I do like that Norton!!!!!

 

[DaveM]

Well so far I have only seen pics of the SE but as you know you only get the real idea once you actually see it and sit on it. I have always wanted a Norton but even if I had that type of money for a second bike I would be hesitant to purchase at this stage. As I was when Triumph first made it's comeback. Yes Triumph is really starting to make a name on the market place with it's wide variety of bikes and I am sure we will still see great bikes coming out in the future.