km : Passing Lane

While we’ve been tinkering with our own Triumph twin (see Project Bonneville in the KM Garage ), Triumph has done some tweaking of its own to come up with an addition to the Modern Classic line. Despite being saddled with a name that evokes memories of base-model H-body Pontiacs, the Bonneville SE represents the first major design change since the introduction of the New Bonneville in 2001.

Unlike previous bikes with “special edition” suffixes, the SE is actually a distinct model. After 50 years of Bonnevilles, and ten years of current production, Triumph has conceded that a lower seat height option might be nice.

Around the Kilometer office, we joke that SE must stand for “Short Edition” as this version, like the new standard Bonneville, is almost an inch and a half lower than the ’01-‘08 Bonneville. Like all 2010 Modern Classics, the SE has an 865-cc parallel twin engine with dual overhead cams, EFI, and classic styling with mid-controls and a neutral riding position.

What it doesn’t have is a traditional ‘60s look. Ditching the wire-spoke wheels in favor of smaller 17-inch cast alloys, the new seven-spoke wheel design harkens back to the Lester Mags of the mid-to-late ‘70s. While most of us would rather forget what was arguably the worst period for British motorcycles, the retro 17-inchers do significantly improve the ride. Tubeless tires and smaller diameters mean less unsprung weight —eleven pounds to be exact. The lighter wheels make the bike feel quicker off the line and increase the braking power. In fact, since almost the entire weight savings is in the wheels, the reduced rotating mass gives the SE a level of agility we’ve never experienced with our own Bonnie.

These, plus the six mm shorter rear shock units account for the majority of the seat height going from 30.5 inches to 29.1. In addition, the seat is sculpted both down and inward — making it narrower where it meets the fuel tank — giving an even greater feeling of being closer to the ground than the numbers would suggest.

The benefit of this lower seat height is that the rider gets a better sense of having his feet firmly planted on the ground — even flat-footed in some cases. This makes it significantly more approachable to novices and smaller riders, particularly women. In a class traditionally filled with 25-hp dwarf bikes running asthmatic 250- and 500-cc power plants, the full-size Triumph is a relative missile with its 66 horsepower.

But the lower seat height also means it’s a bit cramped for the rest of us. That said, we still love the way this bike performs. The EFI is spot-on without a hiccup or stumble, and the traditional wide handlebars make it comfortable for around-town rides or commuting duty.

Triumph also offers a standard Bonneville featuring the same engine and chassis as the SE but with an all-black engine and decal-clad fuel tank, priced from $7,699. The SE delivers a bit more style with satin-finished engine covers, optional two-tone paint, an electronic tachometer, and chrome tank badges for $8,399.

If you have a few miles under your belt, and you’re over six feet tall, you’re probably better off with one of Triumph’s taller offerings like the T-100. But if you’ve been waiting for a first bike to come along with the perfect balance of classic looks, modern performance, and easy rideability, your bike has finally arrived.

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