Bonneville America stirs up strong feelings

Triumph’s new 2002 Bonneville America has got the chatboards buzzing. Despite some negative comments from sports-bike-loving Brits, it seems the UK firm has got it right as far as Americans are concerned.

Cugel spoke for many British riders when he posted: ” So what? It’s just a Triumph styled cruiser thing. Big deal. ” But his prediction that he couldn’t see many Americans wanting them proved unfounded.

U.S-based Grumbler said he wasn’t surprised there was so much negativity from British motorcyclenews.com users.

But, he added: ” The Bonneville America will sell like crazy here in the States. One thing is certain, it doesn’t look like anything else on the road. A non-conformist in a sea of conformity, a rebel surrounded by mindless minions. ”

And yank offered: ” I like it, it’s different and a bit nostalgic. It’s not a Harley clone, it’s an original retro. ”

You can add your comments by following the appropriate link, right.

Triumph unveiled the Bonneville America officially for the first time… in America.

The air-cooled DOHC parallel twin has a 790cc capacity, a tubular steel frame and a tubular steel twin-sided swingarm.

It is claimed to make 61bhp and around 44ftlb of torque. It will weigh 205kg (451lbs) and has a relaxed 29-degree rake with 11.7cm of trail.

Compare it to the standard Bonneville by going to our BIKES section and seeking out the Triumph list, or clicking on the link, right.

See our other link, right, for our original scoop pictures of the Bonneville America when it was undergoing tests in Australia.