New Triumph Bonneville T40 revealed

Triumph’s single-cylinder modern classics have been a great success, affordability through Indian manufacturing via partner Bajaj combined with the brand’s traditional quality and finish for a winning blend. And now there’s a Bonneville version, joining the existing Speed, Scrambler, Thruxton and Tracker.

It’s called the Bonneville T40 and includes some of the biggest changes yet to the platform’s engine, suspension and technology, the latter including cruise control, configurable rider modes, an all-new TFT display and cornering traction control and ABS. A new Bonneville may seem a strange bike to introduce such modern features but, as with all Triumph Modern Classics, it’s all been integrated discretely so as not to spoil the retro vibes.

The T40 uses a dedicated version of the 398cc TR-series single-cylinder engine, too. It has a new head and tuning for a torquey, more relaxed vibe appropriate to the Bonneville’s look. As such power drops to 32 horsepower from the 42 horsepower of the feistier 400s like the Thruxton and Tracker, peak torque remaining around the same at 36Nm and tuned for maximum flexibility.

Chassis-wise the most obvious change from the other 400s is the switch to a twin-shock rear end, the T40 running an 18-inch front, 17-inch rear wheel combo on authentic looking spoked wheels with aluminium rims. All-up weight of 191kg is a chunk more than the other 400s, too. But perhaps to be expected.

Two main versions will be available, the regular T40 in a selection of three two-tone finishes with chromed detailing, silver wheels and a brushed steel exhaust for a more traditional look. Clue in the name and all but the T40 Black opts for a more contemporary vibe with the engine, wheels and exhaust all blacked out.

The Bonneville certainly lands in an interesting class, sitting somewhere between Royal Enfield’s 350 singles and 650 twins in power output, more powerful than the Honda GB350S or Kawasaki W230 and a lot more sophisticated than BSA’s Bantam or Goldstar line-up. Pricing will be confirmed closer to the on-sale date in spring of next year but we’d expect to be around the six grand mark, and something of a step up from the other Triumph 400s.