Monday's Motorcycle: Triumph Bonneville ? Mad Ogre

10 June 2012, 4:04 pm

The Saturday evening friends gathered to watch some awesome Motorcycle Racing. ?Before the races, we sat around a table and talked bikes and riding and all of us have some different points of view? but we all agreed on one thing. ?Triumph. ?No matter what kind of Biker you are? you have to nod that Triumph owns Cool. ?So in honor of The Triumph Accord, Monday?s Motorcycle will be the coolest of all Triumph Motorcycles. ?The Steve McQueen Edition Bonneville.

I love sport bikes, and Cafe Racers? but there is something about the Retro bikes that are just epic cool without even trying. ?Now, The Bonneville isn?t really Retro? because it?s never really changed it?s what it is. ?Coolness, now Personified by the Crowned King of Cool, Steve McQueen.

Steve McQueen was no spoiled Hollywood Brat Pack wuss. ?He was the real deal and he didn?t play any characters that did things he didn?t do every day in real life. ?He insisted on doing that epic motorcycle jump in The Great Escape, one of the best movies of all time. ?That?s right, watch that film and know Steve wanted to do that jump himself. ?He rode Motorcycles like a complete Nutter, then when he was done with that, he raced cars, satisfied women with a glance and a grin, and just wrote the book on Coolness. ?I have a signed copy? if your not cool enough, you can?t be given a copy of your own. ?You don?t ask for it. It just shows up one day? the day you are deemed worthy. ?The book only has one page inside the thick leather and oil stained cover. ?It?s a picture of Steve, sitting on that Triumph.

The Bonneville is no hotrod. ?It?s stats are rather moderate by modern standards. ?But that?s no bother.

Type		Air-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin, 360? firing interval
Capacity		865cc
Bore/Stroke		90 x 68mm
Fuel System		Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI
Exhaust		Stainless steel headers, twin chromed silencers.
Final Drive		X ring chain
Clutch		Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox		5-speed
Oil Capacity		4.5 litres (1.2 US gals)
Chassis, Running Gear and Displays
Frame		Tubular steel cradle
Swingarm		Twin-sided, tubular steel
Wheel	Front	36-spoke 19 x 2.5in
	Rear	40-spoke 17 x 3.5in
Tire	Front	100/90 R19
	Rear	130/80 R17
Suspension	Front	Kayaba 41mm forks, 120mm travel
	Rear	Kayaba chromed spring twin shocks with adjustable preload, 106mm rear wheel travel
Brakes	Front	Single 310mm disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper
	Rear	Single 255mm disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper
Instrument Display/Functions		Analogue speedometer and tachometer with odometer, trip information and clock
Dimensions and Capacities
Length		2230mm (87.7in)
Width (handlebars)		740mm (29.1in)
Height without mirrors		1100mm (43.3in)
Seat Height		775mm (30.5in)
Wheelbase		1500mm (59.0in)
Rake/Trail		28?/110mm
Fuel Tank Capacity / Efficiency		16 litres (4.2 US gals)
Wet Weight (ready to ride)		230 kg (506 lbs)
Performance (measured at crankshaft to 95/1/EC)
Maximum Power		68PS / 67bhp / 50kW @ 7500rpm
Maximum Torque		68Nm / 50 ft.lbs @ 5800rpm

Okay, now if you want to submit your own point of view in the comments? Please do so. ?And while I respect your opinion, even though it could very well be wrong? I appreciate the discussion. ?Since Steve McQueen was the Coolest Human to ever walk the Planet, and Triumph being the coolest Motorcycles? The Steve McQueen Bonneville is then by default The Coolest Motorcycle to ever Ride on the Planet.
However also by Default, the bike you are currently riding is also the Coolest Motorcycle. ?So enjoy your Ride?

If you disagree about the Steve McQueen Bonneville ? here?s a list of all the reasons your argument is invalid:

1958Trackdown?(TV series)
Josh Randall ? Bounty Hunter / Mal Cody / Wes Cody 1958Climax!?(TV series)
Anthony Reeves / Henry Reeves

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