Triumph Bonneville T100

Over the decades, the Triumph Bonneville T100 has served as the prime inspiration for many other neo-retro roadsters, with it easily being the most old-school roadster on sale in the market. The old-fashioned motorcycle looks so elegant that despite it having old-looking bits from a bygone era, it doesn’t feel outdated, but premium and desirable in every sense. 

The front fascia of the Triumph Bonneville T100 is easy to the eyes, with the motorcycle having a simple-looking rounded halogen headlamp, which sits within a blacked-out hemispherical housing accentuated by silver outlining. The headlamp here is flanked by rounded amber turn indicators, just like motorcycles from yesteryears, which are also placed within blacked-out housings. The front rounded fender is devoid of visual drama and looks neat while being accompanied by a chrome supporter which is attached to the front fork protectors at the bottom. 

The Triumph Bonneville T100 looks plain and classy from the side, reminding you of the traditional roadsters from the past. The round-themed fuel tank here chrome insignia featuring the brand’s name on the outer edges and rubber knee pads over the inner edges. The current version of the Bonneville T100 gets a blacked-out theme for the spoke wheels and twin-cylinder engine, while the twin exhaust pipes emerging from the engine are finished in satin chrome.

The trapezoidal side body panels below the rider’s seat have rounded edges, with the motorcycle getting a long and almost flat seat. Towards the rear, the Triumph Bonneville T100 doesn’t get much to talk about, with the motorcycle having a simplistic rounded rear fender. While this fender comes attached with the all-halogen tail lamp cluster and turn indicators at the back, it misses out on pillion grab rails.

The Triumph Bonneville T100 has been equipped with chrome-finished rearview mirrors, a handlebar and a twin-pod instrument console, which has analogue dials for the speedometer and tachometer, and twin LCD screens for fuel gauge and MID. Despite being a simple-looking motorcycle from every angle, the Triumph Bonneville T100 is high in quality with tight fit and finish levels.  

Based on a simple and uncomplicated tubular twin cradle steel frame, the Triumph Bonneville T100 exhibits simplicity even in the rest of its mechanical setup. The retro roadster has a conventional suspension setup of 41mm telescopic forks at the front and twin coil springs with adjustable pre-load at the rear. Riding on 100/90-18 front and 150/70 R17 rear tyres, the Triumph Bonneville T100 has been equipped with a single 310mm disc at the front and a single 255mm disc at the rear for halting duties, with its low seat height of 790mm enhancing its rideability for even new and shorter riders. 

Beneath the simplistic design, the Triumph Bonneville T100 packs in a surprise in the form of a high-torque four-stroke, parallel-twin, 900cc engine, which is liquid-cooled and operates on a 270-degree firing interval. Paired with a 5-speed gearbox, this engine delivers a maximum power output of 65 PS and a peak torque output of 80 Nm.

Besides having a dual-channel ABS as standard fitment, the Triumph Bonneville T100 also gets a switchable traction control to keep the rider on his toes.

Being an expensive and premium motorcycle, the lack of many modern comfort, convenience and safety features in the Triumph Bonneville T100 might be a deal-breaker. However, only the purists know the worth of the Bonneville T100, which remains one of the classiest retro roadsters on sale today despite being too functional in its design and mechanical approach.