Triumph 865 BONNEVILLE T 100 S.E 2014 — Specifications

When Triumph decides to dig through its archives to pay tribute to the T140W TSS, the last Bonneville to roll off the Meriden factory line in 1982, you know the result is going to resonate with two-wheeled history buffs. The 2014 Bonneville T100 Special Edition plays precisely that card. Not the card of raw performance or technical innovation, but that of emotion, a nod to the old guard, the kind of motorcycle you admire as much as you ride. And on that front, Triumph commands its craft like few manufacturers can.

In terms of livery, the SE pushes things a notch beyond the standard T100. The tank and side panels sport a deep black (Jet Black) accented by hand-painted double gold pinstripes, while the mudguards switch to silver (Lunar Silver) with a central black stripe and its own gold lining. The result is classy without veering into caricature. Brushed finishes on the clutch, alternator, and gearbox output covers add a touch of refinement not found on the base model. Black mirrors, a chrome pillion grab rail, a darkened oil cooler — every detail has been considered to reinforce the machine's character. Also worth noting is a reworked silencer that delivers a deeper, more assertive exhaust note. Nothing revolutionary, but the whole package comes together as a cohesive picture that captivates at first glance.

Mechanically, no surprises. You get the parallel-twin 865 cc engine with four valves per cylinder, set at a 9.2:1 compression ratio with a 90 mm bore and 68 mm stroke. The 67 horsepower delivered at 7,500 rpm and, more importantly, the 69.6 Nm of torque available from 5,800 rpm are more than enough to move the machine's 230 kg wet weight. The five-speed gearbox transmits it all via chain drive, a classic choice for the segment. This is no sportbike — top speed caps out at 180 km/h — but that's clearly not the point. The steel double-cradle frame, 41 mm telescopic hydraulic fork with 120 mm of travel, and twin rear shock absorbers with 100 mm of travel ensure predictable, well-mannered handling. Braking, handled by a 310 mm front disc and a 255 mm rear disc with twin-piston calipers, gets the job done without excess. With its seat perched at just 775 mm and a 16.6-litre tank, the T100 SE remains approachable and reassuring, even for smaller riders.

The price tag of 9,990 euros positions this special edition against competitors like the Moto Guzzi V7 and the Kawasaki W800, two machines that also embrace the retro ethos with conviction. Triumph plays the scarcity card here, with only a few dozen units earmarked for the French market. An argument that carries weight for collectors and devotees of the Hinckley brand, less so for anyone simply looking for a classic everyday roadster. Because beneath the meticulous paintwork and crafted finishes, the foundation remains strictly identical to the catalogue T100. The premium buys prestige and exclusivity, not performance.

Ultimately, this Bonneville T100 SE is aimed at a very specific audience: those who know Triumph's history, who understand what Meriden represents, and who want to ride a piece of mechanical heritage without sacrificing the reliability of a modern machine. For everyone else, the standard T100 will do exactly the same job on the road. But it will never have those hand-painted gold pinstripes.