Triumph has teased four new motorcycles ahead of an October 6 reveal, and the Bonneville 400 is set to take its Bajaj-built range into the traditional retro roadster class.
Triumph has released a teaser showing four new motorcycles ahead of a reveal on October 6. Of the four, the Bonneville 400 is probably the one riders are most keen to see.
The modern retro has been spotted testing several times in recent months. It will join Triumph’s ‘400’ family, which Bajaj builds. Test mules suggest it will look the most different of the lot.
Old-School Hardware Underneath
Images of the test bikes show a clear break from the rest of the range. The Speed 400, Scrambler 400, Thruxton 400 and Tracker 400 all share upside-down forks and a single rear shock. The Bonneville 400 has conventional telescopic forks with rubber gaiters, plus twin rear shocks.
That matters more than it might seem. Twin shocks and gaitered forks are part of the classic roadster look. Triumph appears to have chosen that look over sharing parts with its other 400s. The chassis and swingarm also look new rather than carried over.
A Familiar Bonneville Look
The styling closely follows the larger T100 and T120. It has a teardrop fuel tank, swooping mudguards, a flat bench seat and a round headlamp. A peashooter-style exhaust finishes it off.
In other words, it has the shape and stance of a Bonneville in a smaller package. Nice.
A Gentle Tune for a Relaxed Ride
In India, the bike will use the 349cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. Triumph has not confirmed outputs yet. The engine is likely to be detuned to suit a more relaxed bike, much like the Speed T4’s 29hp and 31Nm.
If that turns out to be right, the Bonneville 400 would be built for easy everyday riding rather than outright speed. That fits the laid-back character the design suggests.
Taking Aim at the Retro Establishment
The bigger story is where the Bonneville 400 will compete. It will be the first Bajaj-Triumph model to go straight after the traditional retro roadster segment.
That segment is already crowded. Honda recently updated its CB350 range, and Royal Enfield’s Classic 350 and Bullet 350 are the biggest names in it. Until now, Triumph’s 400s have offered sportier, scrambler, café racer and flat-track styles instead.
What We Still Don’t Know
Plenty is still under wraps. Only the Bonneville 400 has been identified from the teaser. The other three bikes have not been named, and there is no word on pricing yet.
Full details are due on October 6, but Triumph’s plan is already clear. It is giving its cheapest range its most traditional look, and pointing it straight at the bikes Royal Enfield is best known for.
