Triumph 900 Bonneville T 100 Blue Stealth Edition 2024 — Specifications

Who, in the great Bonneville family, can boast such a heritage? The T100 traces its lineage back to the 800 of 2001, making it the elder of the modern Bonnies. Triumph knows this and plays that card skillfully, integrating it into its annual limited-run collection called "Stealth," available for one year only. A clever marketing move that creates scarcity without touching the mechanicals.

The premise of this Blue Stealth edition rests on hand-applied paintwork. On the 14.5-litre tank, a gradient shifts from deep black to reveal an electric royal blue, all covered in a clear coat that changes reflections depending on the angle and light. The result looks more like something out of a custom workshop than off a factory line. It still costs 12,195 euros, a premium of roughly 600 euros over the standard T100. For paintwork, that's a steep entry ticket. But Triumph applies this treatment across eight models in the Bonneville range, from the Scrambler to the Bobber, and each one gains a distinct visual personality.

Beneath that handsomely dressed tank sits the 900 cc parallel twin with four valves per cylinder, set at a compression ratio of 10.55:1. The 65 horsepower delivered at 7,400 rpm won't unsettle anyone, let's be clear. That's not the model's calling. On the other hand, the 80.4 Nm of torque available from just 3,750 rpm provides smooth and pleasant pull in the city as well as on back roads. The five-speed gearbox is more than adequate to exploit this easy-going temperament, even if a sixth gear would have added some comfort on the motorway, where the twin tops out at 160 km/h. Up against a Kawasaki W800 or a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, the T100 plays the card of mechanical refinement rather than outright performance. The Triumph twin runs with a smoothness its rivals struggle to match.

The steel single-cradle frame, 41 mm telescopic fork and twin rear shock absorbers with 120 mm of travel each make up a classic package with no sporting pretensions. The 228 kg wet weight makes itself felt during low-speed manoeuvres, but the 790 mm seat height inspires confidence for average-sized riders. Braking, handled by a 310 mm front disc and a 255 mm rear disc with twin-piston calipers, gets the job done without excessive bite. It's consistent with the machine's character: you ride a T100 with finesse, not with aggression.

This Bonneville T100 Blue Stealth Edition is aimed at lovers of fine machinery who ride for the pleasure of the journey, not the destination. Stylish urbanites, Sunday cruisers, riders seeking a strong aesthetic without the demands of a sportbike or an adventure bike. The premium for the Stealth finish is justified if you value the exclusivity of artisan paintwork. If not, the standard T100 remains a perfectly rational choice. With this limited series, Triumph upholds the prestige of its heritage range, and it must be said that the result, on this T100 in particular, cuts a very fine figure.