My chin was hard on the fuel cap and my knees were tight up again the cylinder heads, bum far back on the seat and arms, elbows and feet tucked in as far as humanly possible. My eyes darted between the road surface ahead and the large speedometer rising up in front of me in a quest to get that big needle as far around the clock as possible. Then, that magical moment arrived as my frantic brain came to the conclusion that this is most certainly as fast I’m ever going to get this particular motorcycle to go, and I rolled off the throttle with a grin, like for once I’d won more than R10 on the Lottery. The end result was an indicated 185km/h from this latest incarnation of, arguably, the most famous model name in motorcycling – the Triumph Bonneville. Now I felt ready to take on the Bonneville Salt Flats for another momentous top speed run, well sort of because I was actually just outside Jo’burg, but one can dream and imagine, right?
This is how this type of ‘retro’ styled motorbike grabs you, so much more so than any modern equivalent and I absolutely love them. You can invent and live in scenarios that only names like Bonneville can evoke but, not only that, this is one superb motorbike even though we’re living in 2016.
Triumph, with their new 2016 parallel-twin range, are possibly the best choice of the retro brigade at present, and I’m sure Ducati, Moto Guzzi and similar options will disagree but none of those have their heritage born from the Salt Flats in Utah, so there.
So to enforce their debatable supremacy in this market Triumph have changed their 2016 model line-up to accommodate a new liquid-cooled, eight-valve, SOHC, 900cc engine and named the bike a very unflattering Street Twin, which is the worst part about the bike. I’d much prefer something a little tastier on my side-panels thank you, maybe just plain ol’ Bonneville 900 would have looked better, what do you think?
Anyway, the engine is new but still retains the 270-degree crank that delivers that gorgeous thumping parallel-twin sound so associated with the 1960s, albeit with dual balancer shafts to smooth out those awful original 60s vibrations that felt like you were having an orgasm in an earthquake, I’d imagine, because I have had the pleasure of both but unfortunately not at the same time.
This new engine won’t shake your world if you’re searching for horsepower seeing as the Street Twin has only a claimed 55 of them, which doesn’t sound much from 900cc but it will get you to 185km/h in ‘salty’ mode. Instead Triumph call this their HT (high torque) engine that makes a considerable 80Nm from as low as 3,250rpm and that’s 18% more than the previous 865cc engine from last year. It also makes 22hp more between 2,750-4,750rpm, which makes for one peach of a motor in this very attractive retro package.
I say attractive because no one I came into contact with disliked the timeless styling and superb finish of all the components wrapped around the ‘old-school’ frame and I agree, pretty bike or what? And if you don’t like what you have you can delve into Triumph’s enormous range of over 150 accessories for this bike to make it into what you fancy, or, there’re Inspiration kits that instantly, well with a few workshop hours, turn the Street Twin into a Scrambler, Flat-tracker or Urban style bike, if you prefer those. Personally I’d leave it as it is, wouldn’t you? But have a click on www.triumphmotorcycles.co.za whilst your kids are irritating you and discover the vast options now on offer.
So it looks sweet but is it a sweet ride you ask? Oh yes, and them some folks! Easy to ride and live with is an understatement. The clutch action (with slip-assist to prevent rear wheel lock up, possibly due to an inexcusable heavy uncoordinated foot action) is so light a moth with a broken leg could pull it in. The same goes for the throttle-by-wire (no cables), as well the five-speed gearbox action which has similar attributes. Combine this with a very low 750mm seat height and the Street Twin is perfect for old and new riders no matter what age. It’s never intimidating to ride but ride it hard and the Street Twin is rather exciting and ‘fizzy’ in a true Bonneville fashion and did I mention, I think I did, that it sounds absolutely brilliant.
If you desire more volume from your Street Twin though you could buy replacement silencers, which look the same, made by Vance & Hines from Triumph’s book of temptation but I was quite happy with the stock system. But if you like the TV volume so high that the neighbours can hear it, then you’ll probably go for the Vance & Hines concert, nothing wrong.
Even at 198kg (dry) and due to its very low seat height and svelte 12-litre petrol tank (if you’re a huge dude then this bike might not be for you), the Bonneville 900 (much prefer that name), handles nicely helped by the new Kayaba suspension set-up. I did find the rear twin shocks a little soft when pushed hard but for everyday riding I don’t think anyone will really complain and I’d imagine there are more performance orientated options in their new catalogue, if you want them. Either way the 900 is a joy to lob around; it always had a reassuring, planted feel on the road and the Nissin single caliper up front and 310mm disc was equally commendable, for a single disc that is.
So if you’re after something that’s timeless, but modern, then I couldn’t recommend the Street Twin at R129,000 more. Look, it does have 2016 electronics in the form of traction control (on or off – nice), ABS and the usual digital information but it’s the heart and the heritage of the Street Twin that attracts you and one soon falls in love with the simplicity and ride ability of the new 900; a real motorcycle and not a rolling computer, if that makes sense? Now where’s the salt?
Also go to www.triumphmotorcycles.co.za to locate your nearest dealer for a test ride.
