For the more mature among us?

[Pinstripe]

Looks good, but confused. seat cowl and velo paint job especially unbonnie-like. Suppose it's a golden anniversary of sorts, which makes sense i guess.

[eliot-ness]

Who cares? Its all about marketing to the unwashed masses. The original Bonnie couldn't cut the ton stock when released IIRC but was marketed as being able to do so.

Wrong. Electronically timed at 113mph at the MIRA test track, 1959. later models were a bit slower 111mph.
Tacho's were an optional extra in the UK apart from the 64 model
Black and gold has been used by Triumph at least 3 times in the past. Mid 1930s singles. 1952 TRW sidevalve twin and 1979 T140D.
I've owned 7 Bonnie's 59 61 63 67 68, all from new, plus 04 and 05. The 1968 was, IMHO the best, an excellent handling light weight (165kg claimed) This was the model that in 1969 lapped the IOM at 101mph, the first production bike to do it ,and won at an average speed of 99.99mph. The last time Bonnie's won anything major was the 1978 production bike championship in the UK, 1978. Not bad for a pushrod engined designed in 1949.
Again IMHO the latest models are too heavy, more power, but lugging around an extra 45kgs makes them cumbersome in the twisties, more of a cruiser than the sporty sixties bikes.
The Kwaka W650 was a good copy of the 650 Bonnies, They kept to the style and appearance of the era more than Triumph have, and with big improvements to the engine. I actually went to buy one last weekend but was half an hour too late so I'll have to wait for another one to come on the market before I can compare the two, but I won't be surprised if it's better.

[tri boy]

I think the Black n Gold paint work is in tune with Belstaff being involved.
They could of done something special, rather than a coat of slops, and a marketing campaign. (904cc kit with hot cams, CR carbs, exhaust, and Ohlins, and Berringer brakes)

[tri boy]

Heres my pick for a Belstaff Bonnie.
Just what a gamekeeper would prefer to check the foxes out with.

Belstaff originally designed the jackets for pheasant/duck shooting.
(large pockets for shotty cartridges).

[RentaTriumph]

Ah come on if the W650 had come out with a Triumph badge on it it would have been embraced as the best thing to happen to Triumph for years.

I saw a Kawaiumph at this years BEARS in Chch. Bloody beautiful she was too and here is the proof.

[wickle]

I like it. But why not twin dials? Any comparisons with the original Bonnie are mute though as it is not the same thing nor the same company .

i agree twin dials and personally a set dunstall type pipes

[fridayflash]

i agree twin dials and personally a set dunstall type pipes

too right! and a hand beaten alloy tank,and..and..and..

[AllanB]

Only one of the pictures below is a Triumph - the rest are Kawasakis.

[tri boy]

Rode a W650. Powered up like a CB400N, and handled even worse than a standard Bonnie.
Oh, and the bevel drives arn't the best either. But whatever floats ya boat.........

[Coyote]

Only one of the pictures below is a Triumph - the rest are Kawasakis.

I assume it's the one with the Triumph sticker on the tank?

[KiwiRat]

Looks a bit too much like a Commando. Nice paint, but wrong make bike to put it on.

Triumph paint jobs should always have the "Swoosh" (Up yours Nike)

It should be compulsory.

[Big Dave]

Only one of the pictures below is a Triumph - the rest are Kawasakis.

and I could pick it without enlarging the thumbs.

Speshial treasure:

Few pages from the 1967 brochure.

I got after we did the KR photo shoot - it couldn't have been a better match. Even to the style.


I'm currently taking some old images and repairing them - that's the screen shot.

Then I'm sticking them on tee shirts.

http://www.cafepress.com/davidcohen/3132793

[AllanB]

I like the old T120TT - don't need no stinking mufflers!

Hmmm just imagine going for a WOF on one of those today - "but it meets the code, this is the factory original exhaust system......"

[HenryDorsetCase]

I have a Trialmaster Professional suit on a hanger out the back. Out where that peculiar smell is less noticeable. Trying it on now could be a source of deep personal humiliation so it just hangs there.

Ed Hertfelder (sp?) summed it up, "They come standard with seven different colours of mold and a smell that has you followed around by packs of horny dogs..." )If the quote isn't quite right forgive me, that's from thirty odd years ago.)

sell it on egay: its a prestige brand and you will get heaps for it....

I used to love "The Duct Tapes" in Cycle magazine..... Ive still got a bunch (OK, every one I ever bought) from 1982 on...... still funny as.

He had a thing for malted milk balls and milk crates, too. and vans.

[pritch]

I used to love "The Duct Tapes" in Cycle magazine.....

His "Clint Eastwood Invitational Enduro" piece was one of *the* funniest things I ever read. Brilliant!