We gave you a sneak peak of the new Bonneville SE a couple of days ago, and now Triumph has officially introduced this model, along with a Speed Triple SE (pictured above). The changes are almost exclusively cosmetic (detailed in the press release below).
- Triumph launches Special Edition versions of the Bonneville and Speed Triple.
- Bonneville SE changes include a head-turning red frame, a distinctive new paint scheme, new headlight and a black pillion grab rail.
- Speed Triple SE features a blue frame, eye-catching tank stripes, color-matched fly screen, belly pan and seat cowl, plus extensive carbon fiber to complete the unique, premium look.
Triumph Motorcycles is excited to announce to special edition SE models of its iconic Bonneville and Speed Triple bikes.
The new Special Edition Bonneville – with its characteristic 865cc engine, retro chrome styling and cast aluminium wheels – boasts an array of enhancements to create a hugely distinctive bike. While the bold red frame and stunning paint job immediately catches the eye, there have been many other styling changes made to the bike.
The front end gets new front indicators and headlight (as per the Thruxton), while the rear end sees the addition of a black pillion grab rail and ‘bash’ plate. Contemporary black mirrors complete the new look.
However, it is the red frame and Matte Black and Cranberry Red color scheme which really grabs the attention. Not to be outdone, and with an eye on function and fashion, the Bonneville SE proudly sports a unique seat design comprising new stitching and vinyl covering.
The Special Edition Speed Triple is also based on the current model, powered by Triumph’s charismatic 1050cc three cylinder engine. Boasting a distinctive blue frame and swingarm, the Speed Triple SE comes in Matte Graphite with twin Matte Blue decals.
The special edition gets the lightweight treatment with carbon fiber front mudguard, side pods, tank cover panel and inner radiator panels. The color-matched fly screen, belly pan and seat cowl all come as standard, as well as neat finishing details such as a rubber tank pad and clear rear light. A new styled clutch, alternator and sprocket cover further enhances its distinctive makeover.
Finishing the dynamic look are blue wheel pinstripes, new styled mirrors and black silencer heat shields, handlebars and clamps.
Both new machines will be available via the U.S. Triumph dealer network from May 1, 2013. The Bonneville SE is priced at $7,999 while the Speed Triple SE will retail at $13,399.
Triumph lost me on the parallel twins when they started producing them in Thailand; had an ’05 Thruxton and wanted to replace it with a newer model, but I don’t see the point in owning a Triumph made in Asia.
Srsm: I’m not sure why you’re so worried about bikes made in Thailand. These manufacturers know how to implement the necessary quality procedures at all of their production facilities. Manufacturing is a global enterprise, and quality is no longer inherent in a given region more than any other. It’s not a Triumph, but I do have experience with Thai built bikes: I’ve owned a 2007 KLX250S for over five years, which was built in Thailand. It’s been an exceptional machine, If it weren’t for the “Made in Thailand” label, you’d never know it wasn’t built in Japan.
I’m with you Srsm on Triumph producing bikes in Thailand. NOT INTERESTED. I wounder what would happen to Harley-Davidson if they started making bikes in Thailand.
Unrelated. Fuel rationing coming to Egypt: http://al-shorfa.com/en_GB/articles/meii/features/2013/03/02/feature-01
Coming to your neighborhood, sooner than you expect. Electric bikes and 60mpg models looking better and better!
Completely unrelated, yes, but interesting nonetheless!
I think it would be a very interesting experiment in the US to provide a certain amount of fuel at a subsidized price and then charge a significantly higher price above that overage.
At the moment they are charging a significantly higher price across the board aren’t they?
If anyone is listening back in the the design and engineering departments at Triumph, why don’t you try the following. The new Triumph Bonneville models for America. A 650cc and 1000cc models with the same engine layout but incorporating the following changes.
Make the bikes as light as possible, between 350 to 450 lbs wet.
Install belt rear drive with tension idler, fixed axle no adjustments needed.
Install hydraulic lifters, no adjustments needed.
Shoot for a seat height of 26 to 28 inches.
Install tach’s on all bikes, plus fuel gauge.
Install 1960’s style exhaust systems, for look and sound.
Install 1960’s style fuel tanks and improve current seat comfort.
Install hinged seat for easy access to battery etc.
Offer custom ordering details on line for add on’s to take to dealer.
Price the bike to sell and offer free financing.
Me, I’d lke a kick start and save the weight and cost of the electric. Just for the Bonneville.
It’s a good thing you can pick up an excellent condition Speed Triple with round headlights for less than half what they want for one with funny looking headlights on it. No wonder why (new) motorcycle sales are down while the number of people out riding has gone up.
-todd
The headlight revision of the ST reminds me of when Jeep tried that with their classic Wrangler when they brought out the YJ. Rectangular headlights were not appreciated by most, and Jeep returned to round lights with the newer TJ.
FUGLY! Not happening…
Really? Not just ugly but F*&king ugly huh?
I agree with him. This bike as always looked like it’s been in an accident. The back end is pushed forward, the frame is bent and the fairing fell off, leaving two misshapen headlights. What a mess.
It’s a hoot to ride though.
And I thought the Gladius was UGLY! The Triple has is beat by a long shot!
I care not one whit what performance it has. I wonder what formed the artistic views of anyone who actually pays money for anything as ugly as this god-forsaken pathetic POS.
The old 70s and 80s rat bikes were far more pleasant to view, regardless their cosmetic/mechanical condition. An early 70s CB750 chopper with raked fork blew the ST away, and the cb was butt ugly.
I believe the “Bonnie” would have be better served with wire wheels rather than the cast ones, perhaps with matching anodized rims. I know I’m in the minority, but I frankly REALLY like the Speed Triple.
Maybe they’ll stay away in droves. I have and will always root for Triumph, hope to own one, WILL own one, and it won’t be either of these. Used is okay for me. I’d love to see them upgrade the Thruxton to a good cafe bike,more power better bounce. The Bonnie might sell a little better, but I’d guess it’s about topped out. The good stuff could trickle down to it from the Thruxton.
Speed triple paint scheme does nothing for me. If retro is selling, go back to the original round headlights or smaller round headlights. Never liked that change.
Puke.
Understated.
agreed
Cheers, billy and Nomadak!
The Speed Triple’s headlight treatment is just so beyond ugly I can hardly stand to look at it. I just want to rip it off and stomp on it, run it over with a cage, crush it in the press that killed the first Terminator. Am I the only one that wondered how the Terminator’s clothing pressed through solid objects like steel bars? Movies with ridiculous events like that remind me of that head light.
Provologna,
It seems many (if not most) riders I’ve observed like the “classic” dual round headlamps most, but I’ve grown to admire the Speed Triples (old and new) for what I’ve interpreted as a bike designed with the idea of function-first, with minimal to no extras. A relatively comfortable bike that doesn’t sacrifice (much) out-right performance over its fully-faired stable mates, with the type of riding positions best suited for the track [or the young(er) riders without back/shoulder/neck issues like I’ve developed over a couple decades of riding (and occasionally crashing) them]. I look at these newer lights, and think “they’re likely more aerodynamic, and possibly throw out a slightly wider spread of light”. In this respect, I’ve grown to look at Speed Triples, as well as any other makes and models with a similar pure, function-first design, with quite a bit of respect (for the bikes as well as the manufacturers that dared to create and put them in to production), which has changed my opinion of many of these “strange”/”fugly”/”weird-looking” machines to that of someone that would like to own one. In my younger years, similar machines would have me simply dismissing them as one of the above mentioned (negative) names.
Although I’ve had the pleasure of riding many of them, I still haven’t (yet) added a Triumph to my stable. this is likely because I have yet to grow tired of my 2002 Honda RC-51 that I installed an LSL Superbike bar kit (raised the bars nearly a foot). Like the Speed Triple, I haven’t sacrificed performance (other than a tiny bit of aerodynamics) to have a bike I can easily ride all day. Much of its 50K plus mileage is from a 65 mile round trip commute from the Northern Virginia suburbs to DC. An extra tooth on the front sprocket, some semi-rigid luggage, and relatively few additional minor performance mods, and I have a bike I love as much as the day I got it, and other than a bad water pump seal, and a single blown fork seal (my fault for forgetting to clean them after riding through a construction area with lots of muddy water that subsequently dried on the inner tubes) normal maintenance.
As far as the issue you have with the “Liquid-Metal” Terminator from T2 (I’m assuming that’s the one to which you’re referring), you might want to check out the movie again, because the explanation is simple: he/it was never wearing clothing, as it was just another part of his “morphed” liquid metal structure. The only solid item was the real gun he was holding, which got caught on the bars for a moment as he manipulated his semi-solid body “through” them. And by “through” the bars, it would have technically been around them, as his body was simply “flowing” through the gaps between the bars. If I recall correctly, during the movie, it was even briefly discussed that his body may have had small solid parts (like his CPU) within, but he was able to manipulate the location of those internal parts as needed.
Sorry to geek out and be so wordy, but it’s kinda my job, so it’s difficult to turn it off sometimes.
Stay safe, and have fun, fellow riders!
~Don
The second terminator took on the appearance of an individual it came in contact with. The clothing was made of liquid metal just like the body.
Finally. Bonneville. A bike with some daylight through the mid-section. One could squat on one side, and read a newspaper on the other side, peering above or below the carb where there is plenty of open space. Few plastic covers, few gizmos crammed together in an array of complexity. The bulbous air intake cover could be trashed and screw on a neat little K&N jobby. Retro. Like it.
Uh, those are throttle bodies, the Bonnie is fool infected.
Ducati wore the “dark” matte look out 10 years ago
I love triumphs. These two are ugly
+1, the Speed Triple is particularly hideous.
The Speed Trip ain’t for looking at — it’s for riding.
Is there some rule that prohibits a great bike like the Speedy from looking good? Must be!
14k for a s3, no thanks
The Bonnie doesn’t need twin disks in front because they aren’t fast at all and the single disk is adequate. I had a new 2010 Triumph Scrambler and it had the same setup being basically the same bike and the low to mid range power was fine but after that it felt like a 305 Superhawk but not as fast.
Now the speed triple is a hottie:)
i will gladly race your Super Hawk with my Triumph
It looks like the headlights on the Speed Triple has a funny hat.
I realize this whole thing is cosmetic, but this is funny looking.
I truly like the Bonni in the black & red. Wish they would put the twin discs on the front and maybe put the old adjustable suspension that came on the 99 t-bird sport. But otherwise it’s pretty nice.
I expected to be wowed by the ST’s looks, but paint or not, I am underwhelmed. I can’t quite put a finger on why either.
Oh well, at least it will run like a raped ape. Good enough for me!
The CTX700 starts at 6999. Might have the same result anyhow. The CTX700 and Bonneville aren’t really meant to appeal to the same demographic. Triumph has done a great job going after the nestalgic buyer, while the new Honda is clearly aimed at the nintendo generation.
Whats up with the dull paint?I thought that was a Harley thing?If im going to pay $13,000+ for a speed trip I would sure like to have some nice shiny paint to clean and polish and stare at for those times im not out riding.
I don’t know why this color paint costs so much more than the regular color paint.
re: “I don’t know why this color paint costs so much more than the regular color paint.”
for the same reason one smart phone cost more than another smart phone… ie. because you desire it. in car world bmw calls this desire “frozen paint”
and they know you’ll come off the dime to the tune of $5 grand for the privilege…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fZUzvhhyGR8
That red frame makes the bike look cheap. Pass.
I would love to see a Thruxton in the Bonny colors.
Hmmmm, CTX700 for 7799(base) or the Bonny for 7999? I know it’s an apples to coconuts comparison, but still, the Bonneville seems like so much more bike for nearly the same dollars. If I just walked into a bike dealer and saw these bikes side by side, and did not need any of the ‘practicality’ features of the Honda, I know for a fact which one I would ride away on.