Here we go again. Triumph just released their 2015 Triumph Bonneville Models at the Intermot show. If you were expecting something exciting from Triumph with the new Bonneville lineup, well maybe next year.
Warning: This is an editorial and expresses only my opinions. While I consider myself a Triumph fan, they need to get their act together if they want to sell bikes.
Edit: If you’re looking for a preview of the 2016 Bonneville models, click here, or better yet the kick ass 2017 Bonneville lineup.
2015 Triumph Bonneville Models
So in addition to the standard Bonneville lineup which includes the following:
- Standard Bonneville
- Bonneville T100
- Bonneville T100 Black
Triumph is offering us 3 new “special edition” Bonneville’s for the 2015 model year. These include:
- Bonneville Spirit
- Bonneville T214
- Bonneville Newchurch
While the standard Bonneville’s have remain unchanged for the 2015 model year, the new special edition bikes have upgrades across the board. These include upgrades to the suspension, engine, chassis, and tires.
I’m just kidding, they actually have upgrades to, well nothing really. Unless you want to consider the cool paint schemes and a few well placed decals, it’s the same old Bonneville.
Let’s take a quick look at the new 2015 Triumph Bonneville Models. Not going to cover them in depth, you can get that information over at Motorcycle.com – 2015 Triumph Bonnevilles.
Bonneville Spirit
Same old Bonneville, but you get the Sprit Blue/New England While paint scheme on the tank and rear fender to go along with the blacked out rims and engine covers. Lets not forget the white stitching on the seat cover.
Bonneville T214
Here we have the new T214 Limited Edition Bonneville – only 1000 of these baby’s will be made worldwide. In addition to the same engine, suspension, you get the hand painted Caspian Blue/Pure White color scheme completed with a red/white checked decal. Again you’ll notice the detailed blacked out rims to go along with the matching engine covers.
Bonneville Newchurch
The Bonneville Newchurch is the sharpest looking bike of the three in my opinion. Here you’ll find the standard Bonneville completed by the hand painted fuel tank in either Cranberry Red/Pure White or Sapphire Blue/Pure White again with the blacked out engine covers. You also get the blacked out 7 spoke rims featuring a hand painted pinstripe.
2015 Triumph Bonneville Model Summary
So there you have it, once again a new model year that features nothing but new paint schemes, lipstick on a pig.
Triumph needs to take a page from Ducati and their innovated roll out of their new Scrambler model. Instead of slapping new paint on an outdated platform, they need to fine tune the entire Bonneville lineup. How about something like the following for the 2016 model year:
- Anti-Lock Brakes
- Upgraded Suspension
- Reduce the Weight
- Add a 6th Gear
- Upgrade the Cockpit
Let me know what you think. What would you have like to see in the 2015 Triumph Bonneville Model year, or are you happy with the changes for the year?
BTW – Same old story with the 2015 Triumph Thruxton ACE Special Edition that was recently announced…
Interested in following the latest Triumph news? Check out Tuesday’s Triumph, my latest attempt to aggregate the latest news related to Triumph.
Couldn’t agree with you more. Yes the new paint scheme with Newchurch looks the best, but the suspension +ABS + reduced weight and an additional 6th gear would make it Perfect !!!
I forgot about the 6th gear, that’s a good one. I’ll add that to my list 🙂
Bonneville ” Rushmore” ( just kidding” ). How about a water cooled twin () about 1000c)
The Bonneville TW1000 . Kind of a lighter sports oriented version of the current Thunderbird Storm. It would have double disc brakes (up front), mid placed shifter and
brake, adjustable suspension, and weigh about 400lbs. Now that would be a 21st century Bonneville!
I’ll take one of those please!
How about a SuperBonneville The big twin from the Adventure in a big to scale Bonneville,Fuck the cruiser polishers make it a big Bonneville.Us manly guys would love it and the little folk can ride the small Bonneville.When I made a hundred fifty mile ride to see the rocket 3 I walked into the shop took one look at it called the dealer over asked if they shot the San Juan guy that designed that.
I like the Bologna Style Mufflers on the Bonneville 214. What does the numbers stand for? Although on all 3 Models shown – I hate the Blacked out Motors and Rims. I want Chrome or Polished Aluminum. I want “Bling”!!!
Ha – I kind of like the blacked out look better. Never been a big fan of chrome.
The 214 represents a land speed record 214 mph set back in the 50’s. Something like that anyway…
I have a 2014 Bonnie and anti lock brakes and a 6th gear would be a huge improvement.
Amen Brian!
If Moto Guzzi can do ABS and 6 gears on the retro V7 then Triumph should be able to manage it too. I’d be in the line to buy one.
Possibly on the 2016? I’m not sure I’d take that bet.
Looking at buying a bonnie very soon. I’ve found a 2015 new church for sale online and I wonder if you can tell me whether it has the same frame as the t100? I understand the t100 frame is slightly larger than the bonneville street twin, which I tested and found a bit small (I’m a tall guy) whereas the t100 seat height and frame felt much more comfortable. Thanks for your help in advance!
Good question Tim, and I’m not positive on this. I believe the New Church is based on the SE frame not the T100. Hopefully someone else can provide a definitive answer.