Entry Level New Triumph Bonneville T100 and T100 Black

The entry level new Triumph Bonneville T100 and T100 Black have both been unveiled. The 2017 models have been created to appeal to new riders and be a more accessible route into Triumph ownership.

Like the rest of the 2017 Triumph Bonneville range (including the new 2017 Triumph Street Cup), power comes from a 900cc parallel twin tuned for more torque lower down and a better throttle response than the previous engine. And it also has better fuel efficiency, less emissions and a longer service interval.

The new Triumph Bonneville T100 and T100 Black also have a low seat height, and are lighter than the new Triumph T120. They also have a shorter wheelbase, rake and trail to make them easier to ride, along with standard equipment including ABS, traction control, torque assist clutch, and a ride-by-wire throttle.

The suspension on the new Triumph Bonneville T100 and T100 Black has been set up along with the chassis for a more comfortable ride. The aim is to encourage everyday riding, longer journeys and riding two-up.

That comes from a longer rear suspension unit and cartridge front forks. Both motorcycles also feature the Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tyres which are stiffer and have a new profile for the front, and a deeper tread on the rear specifically developed for the Bonneville range.

The other shared features include the traditional style twin clocks with an integrated digital menu to show fuel levels and consumption, service intervals, traction control settings and more, plus a USB charger under the seat, and an LED rear light to give modern safety within a classic design.

And despite being the entry-level models, both the T100 and T100 Black have access to the complete range of Triumph Bonneville accessories and extras if you want to spend more and tweak the bikes to your personal preferences.

So both bikes aim to follow the legendary 1959 Triumph Bonneville, in an accessible modern package which will have a dealer-fitted A2 licence kit available from Spring 2017.

 

2017 Triumph Bonneville T100

You might be wondering why the T100 and T100 Black are actually designated as separate models when it really comes down to your choice of paint and chrome.

The Triumph T100 comes with a choice of three classic paint schemes. There’s Aegean Blue and Fusion White with hand-painted coach lines, the Intense Orange and New England White which also features hand-painted coach lines, and rather confusingly, the Jet Black option.

So the decision between the T100 and T100 Black is basically a question whether or not you like chrome.

 

2017 Triumph Bonneville T100 Black

Ready to play spot-the-difference with the T100? There’s been a tradition for motorcycle manufacturers to produce more cost-effective ‘Black’ or ‘Dark’ models over the years. Who knew covering old bikes in Hammerite to save money would go on to be so influential?

The 2017 Triumph T100 Black comes in any colour you like. As long as it’s either Matt Black, or the same Jet Black as the T100.

The difference comes in the wheel rims, engine covers and the twin skin peashooter exhaust. Which are all matt black.

Well, depending on the angle you look at, but the silencer definitely has a matt finish.

Some of the other fittings also get a black finish, such as the headlight. Yet there is some chrome making an appearance on the suspension, and the clocks. Seems a bit of a shame not to have black levers and clocks to finish the darker style off.

 

2017 New Triumph Bonneville T100 and T100 Black Prices:

This is where things get a bit strange. It turns out that the 2017 Triumph Bonneville T100 costs from £8,300 on the road. And the 2017 Triumph Bonneville T100 Black also costs from £8,300 on the road. So the only difference really is whether you like your bits to be matt black or prefer colours and chrome.

Both the new T100s are £1500 cheaper than the T120 range with the larger 1200cc engine. They’re also £300 cheaper than the new Street Cup. But they’re also £500 more than the Triumph Scrambler. And possibly their biggest rival might actually be the Triumph Street Twin. It’s slightly more contemporary in terms of styling, but it’s also just £7,500, with the same 900cc engine, ABS, TCS, and a mix of black engine parts with a chrome exhaust.

It’ll be interesting to see whether the closer association to the traditional Bonnevilles works for the T100, or whether it ends up competing more with the Street Twin and Street Cup. And at least it doesn’t have the frankly hideous headlight bracket of the Street Twin which ruins the profile of that bike every time I look at it from the side.