Triumph Bonneville T40

Overview

Triumph recently launched the Bonneville T40 in India. It is the brand's all-new 350 cc modern-classic motorcycle that brings the iconic Bonneville name to a more accessible segment. The bike is available in three variants: T4, T40, and T40 Black. It is powered by Triumph's 350 cc TR-Series engine and combines classic Bonneville styling with modern technology and rider aids. 

Design

The Bonneville T40 follows the same retro design philosophy as the larger Bonneville models. It gets a sculpted teardrop fuel tank, round LED headlight, long mudguards, traditional engine fins to mimic an air-cooled motor, twin rear shocks and spoked wheels. The overall design is inspired by the classic Bonnevilles from the 1960s. The fuel tank is one of the biggest highlights, with flowing lines, rubber knee pads and hand-painted pinstripes on the two-tone versions. The round LED headlight gets a distinctive DRL signature, while the engine features machined cooling fins and brushed aluminium covers for the fuel injector.

The T40 gets front and rear spoked aluminium rims, while the peashooter exhaust and twin-shock setup further add to its classic appearance. The T40 is available in three colour options: Aegean Blue and Fusion White, Meriden Blue and Tangerine Orange, and New England White and Jet Black. The T40 Black gets Matt Pewter Grey and Matt Phantom Black paint, along with blacked-out components. The T4 on the other hand, looks exactly similar to the T40 range, but is affordable in some very minimalistic colour options: Phantom Black, Carnival Red, and Competition Green.

Engine, Mileage & Performance
Engine

The Bonneville T40 is powered by a liquid-cooled 350 cc single-cylinder TR-Series engine. It gets a revised cylinder head and a dedicated engine tune developed specifically for the Bonneville. The engine produces 29 PS at 7,000 rpm and 31.2 Nm at 5,500 rpm. Triumph says the engine has been tuned to deliver more torque lower down the rev range, resulting in a relaxed and torque-rich power delivery. The engine also gets a lower idle speed and a distinctive exhaust note, with the peashooter silencer adding to its character. 

City & Highway Performance

The T40 should be well suited to city riding, due to its strong low- and mid-range torque and upright riding position. The different riding modes should also allow riders to adjust the bike’s response according to conditions. 

On the highway, the 29 PS engine should offer enough performance for comfortable cruising, although the relaxed engine tune means the T40 is more focused on easy-going riding than outright performance.

Gearbox

Triumph has not revealed detailed gearbox specifications for the T40 yet. However, the dedicated Bonneville engine tune and the six-speed gearbox should combine well to deliver smooth and accessible performance.

Features
Convenience Features

The biggest feature highlight is the new 4-inch circular TFT console. It gets a Heritage Mode, which gives the screen an analogue-style appearance to suit the classic design (we love it!). The TFT also offers smartphone connectivity, including SMS/call alerts, music controls and full Google Maps mirroring through the Triumph Navigation App (we love this one too). Riders can save routes, add waypoints and import GPX files (which is a type of data file used to store GPS coordinates). Other features include cruise control, five customisable widgets, self-cancelling indicators and a USB-C charging socket. So yes, despite this Triumph being retro, it’s got all the makings of a thoroughly modern motorcycle, and we wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing the newer features on the Speed, Scrambler and Thruxton 400s. The more affordable T4 gets a slightly basic colour LCD console with smartphone connectivity, and turn-by-turn navigation. Along with this, it misses out on cruise control, and cornering ABS, rest everything remains the same.

Safety Features

The T40 gets five riding modes – Road, Rain, Eco and two customisable modes. These alter throttle response, ABS and traction control settings. It also gets lean-sensitive Optimised Cornering ABS and Optimised Cornering Traction Control. Emergency Deceleration Warning that flashes the rear light during heavy braking to alert following traffic.

Handling & Ride Quality
Brakes

The Bonneville T40 gets disc brakes at both ends with a twin-piston front brake caliper, a single-piston rear brake caliper, and braided brake lines. The cornering ABS should provide additional confidence when braking while cornering.

Handling

The T40 uses a modern chassis with lightweight aluminium rims, conventional fork setup and twin rear shocks. The 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel setup should offer a good balance between stability and agility. At 191 kg (kerb), the T40 is not particularly lightweight for a 350 cc motorcycle. However, its compact dimensions and accessible ergonomics should make it manageable at low speeds.

Ride Quality

The T40 has been designed primarily as a comfortable everyday motorcycle. Its upright riding position, bench-style seat and twin-shock suspension should make it suitable for daily commutes as well as relaxed weekend rides. A centre stand comes as standard, making parking, cleaning and chain maintenance easier.

Rider Comfort

The Bonneville T40 gets an upright riding position, with the handlebar and footpegs positioned for a natural posture. Its 790 mm seat height should be decent enough for most riders. An accessory low seat reduces the height to 770 mm, which should further make it more accessible for shorter riders. 

Pillion Comfort

The long bench-style seat gets generous padding, which should make it reasonably comfortable for the pillion. 

Prices and Rivals

The pricing for the Triumph Bonneville T40 starts at Rs 2,54,999, and goes up to Rs 2,79,999 (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi). The price of the T40 makes it the most expensive Triumph 350 cc bike in India.

The Bonneville T40 has joined Triumph’s growing 350 cc family soon alongside the Speed 400, Scrambler 400 X, Scrambler 400 XC, Tracker 400, Thruxton 400 and Speed T4. Its closest rivals are the Royal Enfield Classic 350, Honda CB350 and the Jawa 350.