Fancy a Bonnie on a budget? Here are some of my favourite used options out there!

There’s a story that a journalist went to Triumph’s Hinckley plant and somebody at the factory was careless enough to leave one of the pre-production 790 Bonneville prototypes parked outside.

Related: Retro riding gear buying guide

The hack just walked past it, mentally cataloguing it as a nice old Bonnie and missed out on a scoop. Triumph were delighted, though, because it meant they’d got the styling right. And they had.

Read on for our expert guide to bargain used Bonnevilles!

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MCN Recommended: 2008-2011 Triumph Bonneville 900 T120 – £3500

MCN’s Top Pick

Spec:

• Power 865cc
• Engine capacity 67bhp
• Seat height 751mm
• Kerb weight 205kg

How good does this generation of Bonnie look? In 2008, Triumph switched from carbs to fuel injection but the 2009 T120 doesn’t look much different from previous models because the FI throttle bodies were cunningly disguised as carburettors, which was a neat trick by Triumph’s design team. The power is just enough to satisfy, giving a top speed of around 120mph (or pretty much what the original Meriden 650cc T120 would do, albeit at the risk of involuntary engine disassembly) and plenty of torquey grunt for overtaking. Modern-sized alloy wheels were offered for the first time on this incarnation, and the new 17in size front (the earlier Bonnies, except the Thruxton, had a 19-incher) vastly increased the choice of tyres. Fundamentally, it is a comfy sit-up-and-beg Bonnie in a Thruxton state of tune, which is a nice combination and offers plenty of fun without too many aches and pains.

Bonneville T120 used buying advice

The T120’s finish is generally sturdy, but unlacquered engine cases need constant polishing. Look out for general wear and tear on consumables.

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2011-2018 Triumph Scrambler – £4999

The Great Escaper

Spec:

• Power 865cc
• Engine capacity 54bhp
• Seat height 825mm
• Kerb weight 205kg

Triumph dug deep into their back catalogue and produced this stunning giant trail bike, with all the correct visual cues: plenty of ground clearance, big bash plate, wide bars and a gorgeous-looking upswept twin exhaust. Dynamically, it’s less impressive. The 270 degree crank (from the US cruiser-style models) simply doesn’t suit it, the steering is vague and worst of all, the power from the engine, never massive anyway, was cut by 12bhp.

Triumph Scrambler used buying advice

It got fuel injection in 2008, so that’s a better choice. Misfiring can be traced to HT leads and/or plugcaps. There are the same corrosion issues as with other Triumph twins. Think twice before actually taking it off road; at over 200kg it’s not very light on its feet over the rough stuff. High-level pipes can singe textile trousers leaving unsightly marks.

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2002-2016 Triumph Bonneville 790 – £3699

The First Of Its Kind

Spec:

• Power 790cc
• Engine capacity 61bhp
• Seat height 751mm
• Kerb weight 199kg

The first Hinckley Bonnie and, as you might have gathered if you’ve read this far, it wowed mature riders on looks alone and left almost everyone else saying: “Nice bike, but…”. The original model was built down to a low-spec, entry level price (no rev counter and the centrestand was an extra). The T100 version is better equipped. Triumph have pursued this marketing ploy ever since (the basic Street Twin is similarly specced) and it does make the bike affordable. The real downside is that it’s quite heavy with a lacklustre engine, hence the move to 865cc.

Triumph Bonneville used buying advice

There are the same Triumph weak spots as seen on the other models. Try and buy one that’s been tweaked, say with a Norman Hyde 900cc conversion and/or a floating disc grasped by a four-pot caliper.

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2003-2018 Triumph Thruxton – £4499

The Head-turner

Spec:

• Power 865cc
• Engine capacity 69bhp
• Seat height 790mm
• Kerb weight 205kg

Sadly, the criticisms directed at the original Scrambler could be levelled at the first Triumph Thruxton: all show, little go. It appeared in 2003 as a tarted-up Bonnie (no real go-faster bits, although it revs higher than a standard Bonnie) and named after a race circuit, in the best sportsbike tradition, even if the name was originally applied to a Velocette. “A weak imitation of café racer cool” was what MCN said at the time. “You’d have to be an absolute Triumph devotee to buy this slow, underbraked and uncomfortable motorcycle.” It got fuel injection in 2008 and the SE model sported a red frame and black engine cases.

Triumph Thruxton used buying advice

This bike has poor pillion accommodation and suspension adjustable for pre-load only. Triumph TOR exhausts and Triumph Twin Power remap transform it.

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2013-2017 Triumph Speedmaster – £4791

The Stylish Option

Spec:

• Power 865cc
• Engine capacity 61bhp
• Seat height 720mm
• Kerb weight 250kg

The Triumph Speedmaster 900 was a slightly strange US cruiser-style thing. Along with the Thruxton, it was one of the first to get the new 865cc engine (2002-05 bikes used the 790 lump), retuned with more mid-range torque but a bit less outright horsepower, and it really needed all it could get. The 270 degree crank gives it a V-twin rumble. It’s a heavy brute but, to be fair, it handles and stops remarkably well, looks the part (the solid dish rear wheel is a nice touch), is comfortable (solo) and a lot cheaper than (say) a Harley 1200 Sportster.

Speedmaster used buying advice

Most are sunny Sunday bikes, but those bikes that have been used more frequently may be suffering a bit of corrosion. Stock pillion perch would only suit a budgerigar.