The 2014 range of classic-model Triumph Bonnevilles are cleaner and greener, yet louder.
The new batch is just arriving in Australia from Thailand and they’re all Euro 3 compliant on emissions.
While there has been no change to the 865cc parallel-twin engine, the new exhaust system has been redesigned and is actually louder.
Now, you would expect that a cleaner exhaust would be more restricted and therefore quieter, but Triumph has pulled off a minor miracle and won’t Trumpy fans be happy about that.
Triumph technical officer Cliff Stoval says this has been achieved by removing the catalytic convertor from inside the muffler.
Instead, they reach Euro 3 standards by increasing the size of the secondary air, remapping the engine and improving the throttle body.
“The standard muffler is louder, but riders will also be able to put on the even-louder factory aftermarket mufflers and still be compliant on noise and emissions,” he says.
The only changes to the engine are aesthetics with barrel blocks and cylinder heads now featuring machined cooling fins and black oil cooler lines to minimise the look. Power and torque remain at 50kW and 68Nm.
There are no changes to the suspension or mechanicals, either, and they still don’t come with ABS.
Thanks to Triumph buying the company that supplied their seats, the new Bonne benches are fitted with a 3D foam which is more comfortable than the previous standard seat and doesn’t heat up as much as the gel comfort option.
T100The rest of the 2014 Bonneville updates are cosmetic. The base model gets new tank decals and comes in black, silver, white and blue.
T100 comes in white/gold and black/red with a grab rail and chain guard as standard equipment, while the very handsome T100 Black has black paint on the wheels, handlebars, suspension components, mudguard stays, mirrors, grab rail, you name it.
Thruxton has new aluminium wheels, a sportier riding position, chrome chain guard, adjustable rear suspension, colour-matched fly screen and comes in black and green.
Scrambler features more black on the oil cooler lines, handlebars, wheel rims, hubs and rear master cylinder reservoir cover. It comes in blue and silver/red with a redesigned seat, anodised bash plate and an embossed Triumph logo at the back of the seat.
Triumph Australia spokeswoman Sue Boyce says there are no price changes on the new models which are arriving now. She says the 2014 Thruxton, America and Speedmaster are still a few weeks away.