Triumph 865 BONNEVILLE T 100 50th Anniversary 2009 — Specifications

Who still remembers the salt flats of Utah in 1956, when Johnny Allen pushed a 650 cc Triumph twin to its absolute limits to claim a speed record? It was from this feat that, three years later, a name now legendary in British motorcycling history was born. The Bonneville, first sold in 1959 with its parallel twin and four-speed gearbox, would go on to span the decades cultivating a rare blend of island charm and honest engineering.

In 2009, Triumph celebrates this half-century of existence with an anniversary edition limited to just 650 units. The number is no coincidence — it echoes the original displacement. Built on the T100 platform, this Bonneville 50th Anniversary carries the 865 cc air-cooled parallel twin four-stroke, with a 360-degree crank, delivering 68 horsepower at 7500 rpm and 67.7 Nm of torque from 5800 rpm. Nothing volcanic on paper, especially next to a Kawasaki W800 or a Moto Guzzi V7, but the Triumph doesn't play the horsepower game. It banks on a smooth, willing engine character, perfectly usable in everyday riding. The five-speed gearbox proves precise, the chain final drive remains classic, and top speed caps out at 170 km/h. More than enough to ride in style without pretending to be Valentino Rossi.

What sets this limited series apart from the catalog T100 is above all its livery called "Tangerine Dream." This pairing of blue and exotic orange points directly back to the colors of the very first Bonneville. Triumph lavished attention on the details with chrome rocker covers, a specific seat, a commemorative logo engraved beneath the saddle, and an individual serial number mounted on the handlebar clamps. Each machine is delivered with a certificate of authenticity signed by John Bloor himself. This is clearly collector's piece territory, designed as much for riding as for holding court in a well-lit garage.

On the chassis side, we find the steel double cradle frame, a 41 mm telescopic hydraulic fork with 120 mm of travel, and twin rear shock absorbers offering 105 mm of travel. Braking relies on a 310 mm disc up front and a 255 mm disc at the rear, each gripped by a two-piston caliper. Adequate, nothing more. The 200 kg dry weight demands a measure of respect through tight corners, but the low 751 mm seat height reassures riders of all sizes. The 16.6-liter tank allows honest range for stress-free Sunday rides. At 8,390 euros at the time, Triumph positioned this edition with a slight premium over the standard T100, justified by its exclusivity and dedicated finishing touches.

This anniversary Bonneville is aimed above all at brand devotees, discerning collectors, and riders seeking a machine with strong sentimental value rather than a performance tool. Triumph plays the heritage card to the fullest here, and the formula undeniably works. The Bonnie has always attracted an eclectic crowd, from Hollywood stars to weekend adventurers. Fifty years after its birth, it proves that a well-bred twin, tastefully dressed and produced in measured quantities, is sometimes worth more than all the electronic innovations in the world.