How the greatest motorcycle of all time died and came back to life...

Рет қаралды 79,708

Жыл бұрын

The Triumph Bonneville was and is one of the greatest motorcycles of all time. Here's the story of how it came to dominate the 1960s, die off in the 70s and 80s, and then make one of the greatest comebacks in motorcycle history.
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Пікірлер: 156

@juancardenas3019 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video. I’m seventy three years old now and had a 1967 Bonneville in 1969. After getting married, sadly stopped riding. When I turned 45, I could not take it anymore and got a nice 1974 Daytona that I bought on an impulse. Then as if to make up for lost time, I bought an A65 BSA and during the next few years, all kinds of bikes, American and Japanese, all classics. Finally I got a beautiful 1968 Bonnie in 1998. I sold the rest of the bikes. I still own that bike! I know every detail of it. Fix anything that goes wrong, have every conceivable special tool for it, original literature, and it works perfectly. Still, I go to motorcycle dealerships to look at everything new. But my bike is the Triumph. So many memories! Keep up the good work!

@erickriebel4366 10 ай бұрын

EXCELLENT STORY. CONGRATULATIONS. 73 STILL GOING WITH A GREAT BIKE. GOOD FOR YOU ❤

@fearsomename4517 Жыл бұрын

Proud to say I've owned a '67 Bonnie, original paint '49 Tiger. I restored a '50 Thunderbird, won 1st place at Mid Ohio. Legendary motorcycles.

@glenminnick3724 9 ай бұрын

Right on my man! My '75 commando won a trophy in 1996 @ a local show. My first Triumph was a trophy i bought in 1976. Currently on an '09 Bonnie. Own a jap sport bike as well. Ride on !

@Jay_Speed Жыл бұрын

I wished they brought back a 500cc twin with the weight of old times but the reliability from now.

@redmille1000 Жыл бұрын

It’s so refreshing to see an American that appreciates all motorcycles and doesn’t think the world begins and ends with Hardly Movingsons!

@mishko01 Жыл бұрын

I have been riding for 48 years, and until recently had never thrown a leg over a Bonneville, sort of dismissed them not entirely sure why. Two years ago a friend bought a used 2011 Se FI model that he lent me for a few hours. To say that I was shocked by its charm would be an understatement. I'm a convert and an owner of an air-cooled 2015 Se today and likely for the remainder of my riding years.

@ThreenaddiesRexMegistus Жыл бұрын

It is a credit to Edward Turner that these lasted through all the iterations until the closure of the Meriden factory. I have a 1982 T-140 which still rides nicely. It is also quick off the mark and still capable of the “ton” if you’re reckless enough. It also rattles and leaks but I love it. Pure joy on a country road!

@PeterDad60 10 ай бұрын

Still own my 1976 Triumph T140V Bonneville 750 which I purchased new based upon her specifications in January 10, 1977. She raced and won against every street motorcycle made if they challenged her. Her consecutive winning streak went on all the way to around 1992 when some trouble maker vandalized her at a bar and that night when racing yet again the left footpeg came off and caught in the chain and got stuck in the drive rear sprocket. That had the effect of pulling the engine to the left, snapping a motor mount to frame gusset and she never handled the same so i stopped racing and purchased a new H-D Sportster 883 Deluxe. She was now 25 years old and was getting long in the tooth so that's another reason why I retired from racing on the streets. I still have her and she's about 25 feet away from me. My Triumph changed my entire life. - Peter age 73

@PeterDad60 10 ай бұрын

My point was that the man making this video is very ignorant about the 1970's Triumphs and he miscatorized them completly. My 1976 Triumph T140V Bonneville 750 is a brilliant motorcycle that not only had very few problems but was actually the fastest over the road street motorcycle of it's time. The engine was strong enough to play the game but the handling was outstanding and allowed my Triumph to win the game (road race) every time. I'd say a winning streak from January 10, 1977 to sometime in 1993 a span of 16 years is significant proof that Triumph made a great motorcycle.

@johnhudghton3535 2 ай бұрын

Currently own a 2017 T120 Black. It needed upgrades to suspension, now it is almost perfect.

@philipcaseyacalloway204 Жыл бұрын

I bought my t120 last year because it looks old but has all the the modern stuff.

@littleshopofelectrons4014 Жыл бұрын

When I was attending high school one kid had a brand-new 1969 Bonneville that his parents bought for him. Everyone was in awe of it. I had worked up to a Yamaha 350 but from a desirability point of view, it couldn't hold a candle to that Bonneville. The silliest thing that Triumph did for a while with the new model was to use fake carburetors that were actually fuel injectors. Fortunately they have done away with the fake-carburetor look.

@theien5929 Ай бұрын

Former 1967 Daytona 500 rider here. Best ride I ever had. The most beautiful machine I ever owned. The bike had mechanical and electrical issues I had to stay on top of, but the effort was well worth it.

@geneahart5607 Жыл бұрын

Hope Triumph goes forever!

@frankmarkovcijr5459 Жыл бұрын

In the 1960s you could buy a second-hand Vincent Motorcycle for $600. I know a guy who bought one in the old days and now he is surprised that the bike is worth more than his house.

@frankmarkovcijr5459 Жыл бұрын

I have a 1973 Triumph Daytona. Being a 500 it naturally vibrates less than a 650. Outside of my Airhead BMWs my Daytona is the only British bike that is comfortable on the freeway. Keeps up with traffic and more nice and smooth.

@vegasmike Жыл бұрын

my 1200 Thruxton runs great on the Freeway, Motorway. 😒

@frankmarkovcijr5459 Жыл бұрын

@@vegasmike if a 1200 Bonneville liquid-cooled modern-day motorcycle could not go on keep up on the freeway I would get another bike. But it's something different when you have a vintage bike with low horsepower.

@GeorgesCanadianVentures Жыл бұрын

Excellent narrative! Thank You...

@deepwoods_dave7368 Жыл бұрын

I’ve yet to own a Triumph, but I currently own two BSA’s. A ‘64 Lightning Rocket and a ‘68 Royal Star. Fun bikes.

@sportmuaythaiv1045 Жыл бұрын

I owned 1968 BSA650 Hornet which was similar to the Lightning, and Triumph Bonneville. I love the handling of British bikes of yore, and their light weight. I now own 765 RS, and simply love it. I feel that the 750 Hornet would be a Triumph Bonneville beater, with light curb weight, and larger gas tank. Things I appreciate are fuel injection, electronic ignition, Disc brakes, slipper assisted clutch, and ride by wire throttle. I can live with kick start.

@chasebergeron9072 Жыл бұрын

Right when I get off for lunch. Perfect.

@Durianlover69 Жыл бұрын

At 8? Shit man your lunch is my breakfast.

@chev39rsh 5 ай бұрын

Still have my 79 Bonneville. Put soft saddle bags on it soon after I bought it to carry oil noticing how it liked to drink it a bit. Always traveled with a quart in the bag and a rag. Paid attention to loose bolts and kept rain gear on board. Still my favorite machine. Has its first oil leak on the front push rod tube. At this point of age both me and the machine don't care. I think the candy apple red, black flash and gold pin striping is one of the finest iterations from any year. I do not see too many of those "reliable" old Japanese bikes out there, so I think you can put that comment to sleep.

@WOLFIE-96B-UK Жыл бұрын

In 1977 I bought a Silver Jubilee Bonneville, a special brought out for the Queen's silver jubilee.

@jb4688 Жыл бұрын

I owned a '71 TR6 and a '74 Trident...both great bikes...

@droidster888 Жыл бұрын

Great video, thanks for your effort! I’ve owned several old school Triumphs, one being a 67 TR6C, what a fantastic bike! I now own a 76 Bonneville (just rebuilt the top end 😅) and a 2018 Street Scrambler. Comparing the old and new is pointless for me, they are so different in every way, but both a ton of fun to ride! Thanks again, ride safe!

@chrisheggie952 Жыл бұрын

Concise and accurate, I agree with your summations. My '96 Thunderbird is a big heavy lump of a thing compared with my beautiful old '69 T120 back in the seventies but it doesn't leak, it needs practically no maintenance week to week and it still manages to remind me every time that I am on a Triumph :) People actually stop to watch me go by which never happens when I'm on my Yamaha... a far superior bike!

@jackwood2328 9 ай бұрын

It's true about the Thunderbird. Do you find the engine mechanically loud even when there's nothing wrong with it?

@chrisheggie952 9 ай бұрын

Yes, at idle and when riding down low from around 1800 to 2800 revs it feels fine but sounds like a tin can full of nuts and bolts then it just clears its throat and gives the most glorious roaring sound!@@jackwood2328

@user-ho4nw5sf3w 2 ай бұрын

I had a 72 Bonny. Great bike. Had a time with the goofy foot shifting. Own a 2002 Bonniville America. Love it.

@nekot9274 Ай бұрын

I always wished to have a bonneville, but as I only have the A1 licence, I ride a XSR125...still very happy!

@LaminarSound Жыл бұрын

Absolutely love my 2019 Street Twin. My first bike. Just glorious. ❤

@nickaxe771 Жыл бұрын

Great vid....I own a 2020 T100....just the latest version of a Triumph Bonnie. Not all will agree.....but thats how things evolve....and to be allowed to be sold in today market.

@johnsimpson6457 Жыл бұрын

I started racing a Triumph cub in 1962 than purchased a new Triumph 1962 TR6. Now have 2020 Triumph Street Triple R

@ravenfeather7087 Ай бұрын

The old Triumphs were sweet. I didn't have one but remember them well. Instead I bought a BSA Firebird Scrambler 650 that came parts in cardboard box. I put it back together under the tutorship of an expert. A very fun bike. I remember coming home from a pub in the middle of the night riding sidesaddle on a dark Summer night. It was dark because of the famous electronics by Lucas. No headlights. And one 25 mile trip was all I could do because I needed to get home to charge the battery. The most undependable of any machine I ever owned. But oh those pipes.

@robertbruce1887 8 ай бұрын

Excellent documentary about the history of the Triumph Bonneville.

@littlearsehole75 Жыл бұрын

Just before a career-ending accident, I Flat Track raced a Norton framed 650 Bonnie. They called them Tritons.

@kens.213 Жыл бұрын

I owned a 63 TR-6 and later a 69 Bonneville. The TR-6 was nice, but the speed and handling of the Bonneville was ahead of the TR-6, and not by a little. Vibrations on the TR-6 made it difficult to ride for more than an hour at a stretch. Both were great bikes.

@robertruark4051 Жыл бұрын

In about 1985 I purchased a 79 Bonneville special. The old girl had been neglected by the previous owner. I had to rebuild the top end not a very hard project. I cleaned it up and put some large-diameter tt pipes on that girl and she was loud and proud. It turned out to be one of the most dependable bikes I've ever owned. I put a lot of happy miles on that beast.

@xorbe2 Жыл бұрын

My favorite to look at is the latest chrome edition Thruxton. Though I opted to keep my Speed Twin for ergos.

@BilgemasterBill Жыл бұрын

I've owned a couple of Norton twins, an old ex-police Commando 750 and one of those factory hybrid "Desert Sled" Model N15CS monsters--basically an Atlas 750 motor jammed into a rugged Matchless frame that I still have, and even a little BSA Victor 441 single. But even a confirmed Norton fan and recidivist like me must acknowledge that those '50s and '60s Triumph twins might well be the most lovely bikes ever made. They're clearly the ones I first fixated onto as a kid as _"what a motorcycle should look and sound like."_ Rather like a baby duck "recognizing" the first thing it sees as its mother, even to this day as a geezing eldster, I still assess the "motorcycleness" and desirability of a bike by how much or little it resembles an old Triumph. That said, I do adore my elderly Royal Enfield Bullet 500 single. Though screwed together in India in 2005, basically designed in the late '30s and virtually mechanically unchanged since 1954, it's undeniably an engineering fossil and basically your Grandaddy's ride. It too has its primitive equestrian virtues. But I'd give any old Triumph with one of those "bollocks-lopper" racks on the fuel tank a good home if one came my way in my price neighborhood--the one with all the broken malt liquor bottles, used condoms and crack baggies littering the sidewalks and gutters.

@frankmarkovcijr5459 Жыл бұрын

The MC n bike of the Year award was the kiss of death. Shortly after anybody wins the fight of the Year award that go right down the tubes. Look it up I'm not making it up.

@TheOverisel Жыл бұрын

Nice video. You should do a video on the Yamaha XS650 Twin. It's been described as a British 650 twin but with none of the problems.

@chrislye8912 4 ай бұрын

I love my 72 Daytona, and I have an 03 Bonneville, but I have always wanted a Meridian Bonny..

@pravinmurthy 10 ай бұрын

Triumph ❤

@ccrider8483 Жыл бұрын

In 1973 I bought a new Kawasaki 500 triple which was considered a pretty quick bike. Two friends each purchased a Harley Sportster XLCH (1000cc) and a new 650 Bonneville respectively. We used to drag race quite a lot and the Kawasaki was the quickest, but at the quarter mile the Harley would often catch and pass me right at the end if I did not do everything right. The Kawasaki 500 would pull really hard up to 70 mph and then kind of go soft allowing the HD a good chance at winning. I will never forget the fellow on Triumph said "man, you guys both pulled away from me the whole distance". I thought at the time the Triumph was a very pretty bike but it had it's share of quirky British bits from the 60s.

@sportmuaythaiv1045 Жыл бұрын

The Kawasaki 500 triple was extremely fast, straight line. On road around a lake, it would eat dust from the Triumph Bonneville.

@andymcneil7085 Жыл бұрын

Fabulous looking bikes.

@frankmarkovcijr5459 Жыл бұрын

A single- carb version of any of the British 500 or 650 twins with much easier to live with than the extra card was just kicked in a few extra parties at the top end. If they weren't synchronize properly they would cause a lot of vibration.

@caribman10 Жыл бұрын

What it needed, but the Brits were too dom to figure out, was a bigger single carburetor.

@KJs581 Жыл бұрын

Exactly right, while early on every few HP was paramount, later on when they were eclipsed for power, the single carb easier to look after. Anyone buying a later 750 twin (mid to late 70's) for a classic for the occasional ride, I tell them if they can get a Tiger etc in good cond, it is a good bet, as simpler. My BSA A10 (62 model) is a single carb 650. Once that Amal is set up properly, it looks after itself. Then again, my Triumph 1974 T150v (1,000 cc Hyde kit, but originally 750 triple) is the other extreme, and has three carbs, and they are larger than factory, (30mm instead of orig 26, for the 1,000 upgrade) and have no chokes. So half as complicated again as a Bonnie. But once set up and sorted they are fine. But I did ask Hyde's if anyone had fitted a large single carb to a T150/Rocket 3 (BSA equiv) and they said no, so....................... I have multiple SU's and CD carbs from my Jag/Triumph cars laying around, and could probably adapt one, but have never gotten around to it. Biggest hassle would be squeezing in a 1 to 3 manifold, but maybe doable. But out of my 4 bikes, one is a 2006 T100, so, a Hinckley Bonneville that I bought in 2008 - as in this clip above. I bought it to go riding over weekends with people on new bikes, cover a lot of miles in the Australian South West, and wanted something that I could just "get on and ride" and keep up with new bikes, but still have a sense of retro. While it is nothing like an old Bonnie (or the Trident) to ride, it does exactly what I wanted it to do. Easy to ride, handles ok, reliable. I rode that and nothing else until 6 years ago when I added a newer bike. In 2019, I rebuilt the BSA to as new (had sat since 1982) and currently rebuilding the Trident to as new. Keeps me amused.

@stanleylawson9015 Жыл бұрын

one has to ask about the awful radiators on all Triumph , Kawasaki and now the new BSA

@udaysingh9_11 Жыл бұрын

For now Royal Enfield is keeping ugly radiators at bay. Let's hope they keep it this way

@xorbe2 Жыл бұрын

Blame emission regulations

@udaysingh9_11 Жыл бұрын

@@xorbe2 true

@fonziebulldog5786 Жыл бұрын

If you know some way to cool down a modern day motorcycle engine without the radiator feel free to share your nollage who i could use on the Hayabusa and Street Triple.

@gypsydanger3765 Жыл бұрын

Thanks 🎉

@0HARE 2 ай бұрын

Wow, thanks for a great look back and review of the genre. I’ve been admiring Triumph motorcycles for a while, now. The Tigers, especially, have been on my wish list for years. Looking forward to taking delivery of a new Triumph Scrambler 1200 soon. All my motorcycle friends are itching to get a ride on it. Maybe that Tiger 1200 will come soon after the Scrambler. Let’s Ride!

@logangodofcandy 27 күн бұрын

My scrambler 1200 is limited to 112, but these old bikes do 100. Damn

@thomaslubben8559 Жыл бұрын

Great looking bike, and the resurrection of Triumph is a great story. Especially how they a a foot firmly in the modern classic as well as the modern performance camp. Worthy of a separate story. Also, for classes you should cover the R69S. Set cross country records in 1959 and 1968. Those stood a long time until broken by, depending on sources, a CBX, Suzuki GS750, and a BMW K75. Not all sources mention all these, curiously.

@frankmarkovcijr5459 Жыл бұрын

The new Triumph has a complicated shim valve adjustment system that is a pain in the ass compared to simple rockers and adjustment.

@martincvitkovich724 Жыл бұрын

so is the VStar , Kawasaki 4's that I know of. Maybe they all do.

@StratfordWingRider Жыл бұрын

I’d love to you do a video on Honda Shadow / Sabre history - 40 year old bike series this year. It would be interesting to contrast this to Triumph

@davidmacphee3549 Жыл бұрын

You are really good at what you do!

@alexandrumarinescu53 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for yet another great video. I have a Scout Rogue, could you do a similar material on Indian, so I can understand better the heritage of my bike?

@jmcnoneofyourbusiness3553 Жыл бұрын

I have to admit that I'm a Norton Commando guy but these Triumphs are very nice and look great!

@mikerider58 Жыл бұрын

Hit the Thumbs 👍 up guys. This review is extremely professional 👏 I Don't know the guy who made this but l know a lot of work went into it. Thank you, extremely informative 👏

@theowaigel8588 11 ай бұрын

The Bonneville is just way cooler than any retro bike from other manufacturers, period. I love my Tiger 900 GT Pro, that is my travel bike for long distance trips. But my 2017 Bonneville Bobber gets surely more looks from others especially when I am sporting a Barbour wax jacket on it. Triumph did a lot of effort to hide cables, camouflage the EFI with fake carbs, hide the radiator between the front tubes of the frame etc. They are absolutely brilliant at this.

@Toast-ej2lr 23 күн бұрын

Wow, back in the day doing the ton (100MPH) was really something. Now bikes are doing that in first gear with 5 more to go.

@daveco1270 Жыл бұрын

I love the look of the nacelle headlight, but the regular chrome headlight is easier to live with. I agree with you, after 1970 the Bonneville started to lose its way. I don't love the looks of the oil in frame models. It's subtle, but they look different. I have a 1964 TR6 that's basically my daily rider. I love it. I haven't had that bike over 60mph though. I don't like to push it to hard. Did you ever do any videos with Mike aka the Mighty Garage?

@apexxxx10 Жыл бұрын

6:47 That’s Steve Mr ‘Cool’McQueen and his wife in San Francisco on a Triumph motorcycle.

@PaulRamone356 Жыл бұрын

German’s Horex motorcycles will be proud.

@hwy1310 Жыл бұрын

I have a 2019 Street Scrambler. People approach all the time when I’m stopped somewhere for gas or food, the 2 comments I get the most: 1 - “My Dad used to have a Bonneville back in the 60’s (or 70’s)” 2 - “I didn’t know they still made Triumph’s”

@frankmarkovcijr5459 Жыл бұрын

If I remember correctly the original 1959 Bonneville was called the cast-iron snail.

@martincvitkovich724 Жыл бұрын

8 bolt cracked head

@armandogonzales9304 Жыл бұрын

I ride a 2012 Triumph Bonneville T100.

@stevenwatsham5973 Жыл бұрын

I had a bonnie thruxton 864cc and I never really gelled with the thing.. I was pleased to see the back of it!.. It just never felt like the real thing and to my thinking.. The wheel base was too long..

@randolphstephenson 7 ай бұрын

After owning two Bonnie's and a mountain cub In the mid to late sixties I finally got my beloved 'TT Special'. After much heartbreaking unreliability from them all I traded the TT for a heavily used 1970 Hemi Roadrunner. No . I didn't hang on to either of them!? 😢. 😡😭

@davidpatterson9840 Жыл бұрын

BSA put together Umberslade Hall for R&D, but the best they could come up with was the oil in frame. And, the Triumph engine didn't even fit the first design! For some reason they would dream of upgrading the oiling system on the A65 to Triumph practice. I own a late '72 T120V. At least Triumph managed to lower the seat height by then. That bike is very reliable. I also own a late '72 Trident. The original development of the triples called for a disc brake. For some reason they called that off and we didn't get good brakes on either until '73. I have the later disc front end on both bikes. The 500s had a short stroke engine, of course they vibrated less. However, they also had a BSA type gearbox which could spell trouble (the last time i rode one it got stuck in fourth gear.) I've also had a '71 A65. If anything that short stroke engine vibrated worse than my Triumph.

@666t Жыл бұрын

Slumberglade

@derf9465 Жыл бұрын

My teenage dad in the early 70's, had a 68 bonnie, rebuilt it to Thruxton spec, with lots of the fancy internals. His friends, one had a goldy he rebuilt in his bedroom in a two up two down in the east end after his dad died, his mum couldn't bring herself to tell him off. Getting it down the stairs was a mission I'm told. Another had the new mach 3. In a straight line the mach3 was lightning with it's flexy frame, in the bends the Thruxton had it. Especially when going to Johnsons cafe. Triumph didn't stand a chance against the Japanese. The British owners were too thick and proud

@felipedourado5721 Жыл бұрын

Back in 2016 I test rode one those water cooled T120 and It felt so modern, despite its looks, that the "aura" it should evoke, for my taste at least, was missing.The T120 felt a little "fake", as a total modern bike disguised as retro one. On the other hand, the previous 865cc version of the Bonnies could not have the same, lets say, sportiness of the Bonnies of the Meriden era, but they kept some sort of mechanical feel to them (character, or soul) that provided more sence of conection to the biker and his (or hers) machine. For being like that, for me, the 865cc ones felt more authentic. Fast foward to 2020, I test rode one Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and all that "pale" feeling I had riding the too modern T120 was erased! Now, with the RE I could reach what was I was looking for, previously, when I test rode the T120 - character and feel of mechanical conection to the metal steed I was riding and better handling too, since it was much more nimble than the somewhat sluggish Hinckley counterpart. Sure, that RE 650 could not be as fast, torquey or sophisticated as the Triumph T120, but it was a true retro bike with modern reliability. Best of both worlds - genuine soul and headache free! I guess that, for those reasons (I know I'll be severely criticized now for my "sacrilege") RE is making the best "Bonneville" of nowadays. All the best from Brazil.✌

@jfess1911 Жыл бұрын

For some of your older viewers, the Triumph twins just look like normal motorcycles. Even most of the Japanese twins of the late 1960's and 1970's (including my old CB360T) looked like that. For me, at least, it has been painful to watch some of the styling changes over the years. From the cruiser look that became popular in the 1980's to the more modern insectoid appearance popular for the last decade or so, a lot of motorcycles just didn't look right. Some of us welcomed the Triumph Twins because most of the other styles just didn't look like normal motorcycles to us. To be honest, though, I prefer the cleaner look of the Speed Twins to the more retro models. I seem to recall that I saw the Kawasaki W650 a year or so before the new Bonnevilles, though. I don't really remember how long it took Triumph to reestablish a decent dealer network in the US.

@browngreen933 Жыл бұрын

Well said. With a few exceptions modern motorcycles are incredibly ugly.

@martincvitkovich724 Жыл бұрын

@@browngreen933 especially the ones that look like they were made from an Erector set!

@russellparratt9859 Жыл бұрын

Some of the modern bikes look like they have been crushed between 2 cars. My pet hate are the pillion seats the size of an i-pad, sticking up in the air. They are only for people you hate, surely?

@jfess1911 Жыл бұрын

@@russellparratt9859 The high tails of many modern motorcycles remind me of cats in heat. The gap between the rear frame and tire is significantly greater than needed by the suspension. I would prefer a storage area or fuel tank under the tail.

@russellparratt9859 Жыл бұрын

@@jfess1911 On a more serious note, I can't see how the poor pillion passenger, sitting that high, can improve the handling. Surely a lower centre of gravity is better?

@philippehousset8290 9 ай бұрын

The story for the launch of the Bonneville is not exactly as you tell, the race department at Triumph had developed a racing kit that would improve the performance of the TR6 long before the Bonneville. It was Ed Turner who did not want to sell a fully assembled performance motorcycle because of reliability concerns. He finally agreed in 58 under the pressure of the two US Triumph importers at the time. This is how the T120 Bonneville could not even be found on the catalog when first shown to the public for 1959. Keeping the nacelle and valanced mudguards was again Ed Turner's idea for a speed bike, but not to the taste of the American buyers who did not like the style. For this reason, unsold 59 Bonneville left at the dealers in the US had to be painted '60 colors ( blue) and equipped with QD headlights to be sold. I am the proud owner of a '59 T120.

@stanza77 Жыл бұрын

Great content , now please do Honda VFRs

@frankmarkovcijr5459 Жыл бұрын

Triumph did not compete against the 4-cylinder Japanese bikes with the Bonneville twin they competed with them with the three-cylinder Triumph Trident and the BS a rocket 3. The English bikes had handling. Japanese motorcycles of the time would wiggle down the road. Frame technology that they had was not up to the power that their engines produced which is why there were accessory frame kits to address that problem like Rickman.

@frankmarkovcijr5459 Жыл бұрын

Once you get to be number one the only place to go from there is down. All of the Great British motorcycle car companies, Matchbox, Corgi, all their toy train manufacturers everybody sank like a concrete submarine. We are in the same boat. We used to make everything and now we make nothing. Once you hit the top there's nowhere to go but down.

@williamwoolcock Жыл бұрын

In the early 70s I got a basket case TR6. What the hell is Brittish Whitworth? It lost me at "anneal the cylinder head." No wonder Honda came along, I loved my 450- in metric.

@stevelawrie9115 11 ай бұрын

Triumph learned from the Japanese how to produce a bike that split the crank case horizontally. That's major.

@nhancao4790 Жыл бұрын

Modern Triumphs have become very popular in my country. I would take a Triumph over a Harley or a BMW any day.

@jagadeesanmuthukrishnan6390 Жыл бұрын

Maybe you can try Royal Enfield ‘s 2008 thunderbird or 90’s thunderbird

@jagadeesanmuthukrishnan6390 Жыл бұрын

PLs review

@pz6316 Жыл бұрын

I knew quite a few people who had mid 70 650s and all but one blew 2nd gear

@elijames3041 Жыл бұрын

I like the bike

@raulsalanaranjo6565 Жыл бұрын

Triumph does already build the speed triple, that is very, very fast, like the bikes from the past. And the Tiger, that has some real off road capabilities. There are modern bikes that represent the old ones in their spirit, and modern bikes that just look like the old ones. Where’s the problem?

@russellparratt9859 Жыл бұрын

Royal Enfields seem to be the closest in concept to the 1960's Bonnevilles. Can anyone comment on the handling differences between these 2 models?

@teebird435 Жыл бұрын

You forgot to mention the Bonneville America ?

@pickoftheglitter Жыл бұрын

I didn't know the old models from Triumph had brake and gear shift pedals on the wrong side (I mean: wrong respect the today standard). For those who today own an old Triumph model and also a modern bike, it must be quite confusing (and dangerous) I guess...

@bartmotorcycle Жыл бұрын

Yeah it's quite a in process to get used to but now I can go back and forth fine. Honestly even though I spend almost all my time on a bike with the shifter on the right side, left feels best. Though braking with your right hand and left foot feels oddly complex and fun

@frankkemble2103 Жыл бұрын

The new Hinckley Triumphs are built by an entirely new and separate company. John Bloor bought the name but not the company. The deal was that he had to change the logo which he did but cunningly, only very slightly. I own two old Triumphs and one new Triumph but make no mistake, they are not built by the same company and could have just as easily been called something entirely different. It's time people realized that there is no connection.

@mattgoodmangoodmanlawnmowi2454 Жыл бұрын

As if Norton was a lesser bike. My 600 Orrin Dominator built with Domiracer parts tore up 759 Bonnevilles. Off the line AND top end. But today I have a 10.5 second Triumph stage 1 triple. Norton lost it’s way. Hinckley Triumph found theirs. But please. Norton ruled the 60s.

@Provocateur3 Жыл бұрын

Did Triumph ever dump those "world famous" Lucas™ electrics?

@martincvitkovich724 Жыл бұрын

why mess with perfection?

@Provocateur3 Жыл бұрын

@@martincvitkovich724: But did they?

@666t Жыл бұрын

Joseph Lucas Prince of Darkness, 3 position switch, dim, flicker and off. When talking about electric starting Turner said he hoped Lucas wasn't making them

@frankmarkovcijr5459 Жыл бұрын

What do you think about the Chinese copy of the Bonneville?

@girthquake9655 Жыл бұрын

I wanted to jump on a triumph 1200 but... I think the Honda cb1100 would be a better choice for the money.

@trippontwowheels Жыл бұрын

Fall? 🙂

@peterford9369 Жыл бұрын

I know. My old 75 CB 750 had more HP than my 2005 triumph t100. Triumph seems to have to go really high CC s just to get HP compared to Japanese smaller 4 cylinders. But it's ok. Speed isn't the only true reason to ride. Look and style is important too. But just riding and reliability is the main thing to most rider's.

@logangodofcandy 27 күн бұрын

European emissions are insane and will soon make motorcycles illegal. That's why this crap is happening.

@derf9465 Жыл бұрын

In Sammy miller's motorcycle museum in Hampshire the UK there is a 2 stroke triumph engine...... Only a prototype, too late for the Japanese onslaught.

@michaelbrett3749 Жыл бұрын

The T120 models starting around 2016 are the best looking bikes by far. They finally made a perfect rendition of the original 1969/70 Bonneville arguably one of the the best looking bikes ever made. I am extremely happy with my 2019 version. Now roll on the time to get the ultimate machine the Rocket......wow what a fabulous looking machine all sold out for 2023

@kasperkjrsgaard1447 Жыл бұрын

The old T 120 may have been a bit special, but when the T 140 was introduced it wasn’t more than an updated design of a former fine bike. Certainly nothing iconic. It was a bike that once were something special but stayed too long. The new Bonnevilles are fine bikes but certainly not anything special.

@jeffzekas Жыл бұрын

My dad rebuilt his classic Triumph Bonneville and 2 months later the motor blew up. After that he never bought another British bike.

@davehoward22 2 ай бұрын

10:00 british paper trying to big up the home bike market 10:20 again

@cheapandi1243 Жыл бұрын

Next Kawasaki Z1 and why they're so popular in drag race scene. kinda bored watching you talking about Bonneville or CB750 over and over again

@Granto-ni9qw Жыл бұрын

The new T100 is a disgrace what triumph have done to it all the black on it 😢

@caribman10 Жыл бұрын

The real elephant in the room here is that not that much really needed to be done to make Triumphs in the 1960s really rideable. Triumph just didn't give a damn enough to do any of it. Decent, service-grade electrics were available. Royal Enfield static-balanced its crankshafts. The last 10% of what was needed was just not done, and it killed the company - and was followed by most of the British motorcycle AND car industry, for the same reasons. They just wouldn't do what was needed. And let me not get started on the fact that British cars had standard disc brakes long before others, but British bikes? Naah.

@johnmathew1203 Жыл бұрын

MCN is very biased towards triumph and other british brands

@UncleWally3 Жыл бұрын

Aside from saving a few pennies, why do the real classics have beautifully sculpted fuel tanks and modern “classics” punch out cheap looking pinch-welded tanks?

@ccrider00 Жыл бұрын

Old triumph bonnie so much better looking than new 💩 Ones!👎😱🤮👀

@news603redux Жыл бұрын

I'm still waiting for an explanation as to why Triumph could make beautiful, seamless gas tanks on my five Meriden Trumpets and yet now are selling poor copies with that disgusting seam on the bottom. Triumphs should not look like Japanese bikes, especially at today's prices. There's also no mention of Lucas {Prince of Darkness}, the downfall of everything British on wheels.

@MrLeslloyd Жыл бұрын

Explanation?those old tanks were welded,usually oxy,economics rules.

@news603redux Жыл бұрын

@@MrLeslloyd If Harley can make tanks w/no bottom seam, so can Triumph. Sportster Evos were cheaper than almost all new Triumphs. They're not exactly giving these bikes away today.

@MrLeslloyd Жыл бұрын

@@news603redux no arguments from me,i was all for the old look when bikes started coming out with seams,i guess if guys stopped buying them they would revert.There's some you Tubes on them making these new tanks,seems it only takes less than a minute to roll the complete seam,so i guess Triumph figure more money in there pockets,just saying.

@news603redux Жыл бұрын

@@MrLeslloyd Yup. The old tanks were a thing of beauty, smooth bottom, perfect proportions, everything. The new ones are bulbous and the seam looks cheap. Royal Enfield is doing what Triumph should be doing for half the price.

@markkulyas2418 4 ай бұрын

If Triumph could only get rid of that unattractive pinched seemed fuel tank on the new Bonnevilles, it just cheapens and ruins the whole look of the bike.