Triumph 865 Bonneville édition Belstaff 2008 — Specifications

Fifty units. Not one more. In 2008, Triumph decided to pair its Bonneville 865 with Belstaff, the venerable British outfitter whose waxed jackets had clothed everyone from Che Guevara to Steve McQueen before pivoting toward high-end ready-to-wear. The result is more collector's item than mere production motorcycle, and that's precisely what makes this limited edition so special.

Mechanically, we're on familiar ground. The 865 cc parallel twin, with a 90 mm bore and 68 mm stroke, delivers 68 horsepower at 7500 rpm and 67.7 Nm of torque available from just 5800 rpm. Nothing aggressive, nothing spectacular either. The Bonneville has never claimed to be a sportbike. Its five-speed gearbox and chain drive get the job done without fanfare, topping out at 170 km/h. This is the realm of unhurried pleasure, of rides where the speedometer matters less than the scenery. Compared to a Kawasaki W650 or a Moto Guzzi V7 Classic from the same era, the Triumph Bonneville 865 offers a similar temperament, but with that extra touch of soul that the Hinckley badge bestows.

Where this Belstaff edition stands apart is in its livery. Deep black enhanced by gold accents on the rims, the tank, the seat cowl and the front mudguard. The Belstaff phoenix sits enthroned on the side panels like an aristocratic coat of arms. The whole package exudes a restrained elegance, far from the flashiness of certain special editions that mistake exclusivity for an accumulation of chrome. Here, every gilded detail has its place, every black surface serves as a showcase. British sobriety at its finest.

The Bonneville, let us remember, carries within it nearly half a century of history. Born in 1959, produced through the 1980s, then put to rest during a long spell in the wilderness before being reborn in 2001 with an 800 cc engine. The 865 version represents the evolution of that renaissance, a slightly bored-out engine that brings a hint of extra flexibility in the lower rev range. The steel double-cradle frame, the 41 mm fork with 120 mm of travel and the twin rear shock absorbers with 105 mm of travel make up a classic package. At 227 kg wet and with a seat height of 775 mm, it remains accessible to most riders. The braking, with its single 310 mm front disc squeezed by a two-piston caliper, requires anticipation. This is not a machine built for attacking corners.

Priced at around 11,250 euros when it launched — the equivalent of 8,999 pounds sterling — this Bonneville Belstaff was aimed at collectors as much as lovers of fine machinery. Triumph had taken the partnership all the way by offering a matching Belstaff jacket, also in a limited run. A one-of-a-kind version linked to actor Ewan McGregor was even auctioned off for the benefit of Unicef. Today, with only 50 units produced, this edition represents a rare find on the used market. For anyone seeking a Bonneville that's different, a machine meant for storytelling as much as for riding, it remains a choice full of character. Provided you can find one.