With retro lines and top-drawer hardware, the nostalgic Bonneville T100 is an attainable motorcycle that captures the essence of a modern classic
Triumph Motorcycles last updated its Bonneville T100 platform ahead of MY2021 with a host of goodies that carry straight over into MY2023. This newest generation is more powerful and lighter than its forebears with quicker spool-up times to boot, which makes for a sportier Bonnie overall.
New colorways dress up the T100 line, and for this year only, the factory also offers up a limited-number Chrome Edition that brings some extra bling to the table. Classic lines draw inspiration from the bona fide Bonnies of old for a genuine sense of nostalgia that's all part of the standard equipment package.
The Bonneville T100 first rolled in 1959 and persisted until the mid-'70s as a family line. They disappeared for a while before a triumphant return to the markets in 2002, which was also the 100th year anniversary of the Marque.
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The factory took steps to maintain the well-established look of the T100. Because of that and a classic parallel twin complete with the old-school heart-shaped gear cover and peashooter exhaust. Cooling fins ring the jugs, and while they undoubtedly shed some of the waste heat, the bulk of that work falls to the engine water jacket and radiator. I'm a little disappointed; the throttle bodies aren't disguised as one of the old mechanical-slide carburetors, and I know they could be, it's just a matter of throwing 'em on.
The 2023 Triumph Bonneville T100 produces 64.1 horsepower and 59 pound-feet of torque. Horsepower maxes out at 7,400 rpm, but torque comes on lower at 3,750 with a considerable grunt from the 2,000 mark. Bore and stroke mic out at 84.6 cc and 80 mm respectively with a 900 cc displacement and a hot, 11-to-1 compression ratio that will probably prefer top hook road champagne.
Up top, a single over-head cam times the eight-valve head to keep the top end simple and light. Like with many of Triumph's smaller machines, it can be set up to be A2 compliant, and once the license allows, it can be quickly shifted back to full caffeine at any factory-authorized service department.
Power flows through a torque-assist clutch that delivers a light lever pull and provides some backtorque mitigation to prevent rear wheel hop on downshifts. A five-speed transmission and O-ring chain complete the drivetrain, and a traction-control feature completes the electronics. Wrap this all together for a Bonneville T100 top speed of 115 MPH.
Liquid-cooled, 8 valve, SOHC, 270° crank angle parallel twin
Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection
Brushed stainless steel 2-into-2 exhaust system with twin silencers
Wet, multi-plate torque assist clutch
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Triumph enjoys a long history and is able to draw on that experience for the Bonneville designs. Easter Eggs include the strutted front fender, tank kneepads, tank emblems, bench seat, and blackout treatment all around. Except for the Chrome Edition, it has parallel coach stripes, one narrow and another wide, in chrome right down the middle of the paint for a striking effect.
Dual instrument gauges follow a round cyclops headlight with analog needles for the tach and speedo. It's running idiot lights for much of what's left. LCD screens in each clock face cover the higher electronic functions.
The 3.8-gallon fuel tank's teardrop profile is another historical goodie, right along with its knee pockets, complete with kneepads, that have long been ubiquitous throughout almost the entire lineup. Flip-up passenger footpegs join the bench seat to accommodate a passenger right off the showroom floor. A blackout rear fender mounts the rest of the gear in the rear with LED tech for its high visibility and low power requirements.
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Tubular-steel members make up the Bonneville T100 frame with one-into-two downtubes and a double cradle that completely supports the engine rather than using it as a stressed member as with so many bikes nowadays. A yoke-style swingarm finishes the bones for the strength and rigidity inherent in its design.
The steering head sets a rake angle of 25.5 degrees with 4.1 inches of trail to give this Bonnie its legendary nimbleness. A set of 41 mm forks float the front end on fixed variables, but out back, the dual coil-over shocks at least have a spring preload adjuster that lets you dial in for that passenger or cargo weight.
Laced wheels reinforce the antique looks of the T100 in an 18-inch diameter and 17-inch diameter on the front and rear respectively, and are shod in a 100/90 and 150/70 rubber. The brakes are Brembo with a single, 310 mm front disc and two-pot caliper up front, opposite a 255 mm disc, single-piston binder out back. It has a stock ABS feature all around for another little bit of built-in traction insurance.
Tubular steel, with twin cradles
Twin RSU’s, with pre-load adjustment
310 mm floating disc, Brembo 2-piston axial caliper, ABS
255 mm disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper, ABS
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The 2023 Triumph Bonneville T100 costs $10,995. That's for the high-gloss Jet Black finish. If you fancy the two-tone Meriden Blue / Tangerine or Carnival Red Fusion / White, you'll have to cough up another $500. As for the Chrome Edition, it comes only in Cobalt Blue and fetches $11,495.
Twin dial analog speedometer and tachometer with LCD multi-functional displays
Jet Black, Lucerne Blue/Fusion White, Cardinal Red/Fusion White
Jet Black, Meriden Blue/Tangerine, Carnival Red/Fusion White
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There is no shortage of models vying for the same slice of the market, but I have a few that may be on the same short-list as the T100. The force is strong with Kawasaki's W800 that could pass for a cousin to the Bonneville, but it brings its own antique engine delightfulness to the table with an external drive shaft to power the valvetrain. Seriously, the look is spot on, but the engine is smaller with only 46.4 pounds o' grunt. Naturally, the price is the tradeoff and so the W800 rolls for $9,999.
In a higher tier, we find the Ducati Scrambler Nightshift that rocks lots and lots of blackout and a similar flyline due to the teardrop tank and bench seat they have in common. Ducati ups the ante with corner-sensitive ABS and a pair of Riding Modes that add to the Traction Control to complete the package. Power from the 803 cc lump clocks in short at 48.1 pound-feet. Again, price is a factor as the Nightshift rolls for $12,195.
“This bike is almost perfect; I would have preferred the aforementioned carburetor camouflage, but what are ya' gonna' do? Seriously, this is the quintessential British cruiser. It hits all the right high notes with a heaping helping of nostalgia on top.”
My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “The 2021 update put the T100 performance right in line with the Street Twin, so that doesn't disappoint. It has better handling than before, so overall, it's a nicer ride.”
The compact size, comfortable riding position, and manageable power delivery lend themselves to entry-level-friendly riding on the Bonneville T100.
The Triumph Bonneville T100 carries a 900 cc parallel-twin engine.
The 900 cc parallel-twin engine in the Triumph Bonneville T100 produces 64.1 horsepower and 59 pound-feet of torque.
Top speed of the Bonneville T100 is 128 MPH.
TJ got an early start from his father and other family members who owned and rode motorcycles, and by helping with various mechanical repairs throughout childhood. That planted a seed that grew into a well-rounded appreciation of all things mechanical, and eventually, into a formal education of same. Though primarily a Harley rider, he has an appreciation for all sorts of bikes and doesn’t discriminate against any particular brand or region of origin. He currently holds an Associate’s degree in applied mechanical science from his time at the M.M.I.