Triumph Bonnevilles for 2016

[Tony oily bike]

It always used to amuse me, when going anywhere with my daughter on her watercooled GPZ600, then when we got in a queue, it was hers that overheated not my aircooled GT550!

So, why radiators?

Radiators are a sign of the times for manufacturers...........  It makes the engine quieter and gives a more controlled and even engine temperature which allows for a more controlled fuel burn from the injector system (which in turn can reduce emissions).
Many new bikes also ran catalysts as part of the clean-air drive......... again, sign of the times.........

[Tony oily bike]

Can't argue with your choice, as that's what I'd prefer
I've had a lot of 'large' capacity twins from BSA 650s up to 1200 HD. While my present 650 Yam is smooth except for a nasty vibration mid rev range, it's also lacks soul. The wife refused to go on the Harley as it gave her tooth ache ! It's the BSA's that I really miss having.

Had an XS650 back in the early 80's and kinda know what you mean, but rode a friends about 5 years ago that had a 750 kit and was re-phased, whoo hoo that made such a difference 

[morrag]

As you know,the universal introduction of balance shafts by the Land of the Rising sun, greatly contributed to the reduction of lost fillings, Dave, and my Suzuki, albeit a "V" twin, is more like riding the Velo's of my past, than the twins of that era! however, I still retain my mid-60's T100, for an occasional reminder of that "white finger" sensation, which I believe is classed as an industrial injury these days! ....ho hum nostalgia attack coming on......Morrag

[Olds]

I still retain my mid-60's T100, for an occasional reminder of that "white finger" sensation, which I believe is classed as an industrial injury these days! ....ho hum nostalgia attack coming on......Morrag

 
This is my last A10. By the time I'd finished, it was dam'n near perfect and I know I will never have another.
Numb fingers, cricked neck, bruised ankle........God how I miss it  
 Sold it to fund a holiday in the states for the kids (Disney etc.). Should have kept it and gone to Mygate instead.

[morrag]

That's rather nice Dave.......................

[morrag]

Along with a couple of my compatriots, I spent a cold and windy Autumn day back in the 60's running in a RGS , after its motor rebuild, at a rather bleak, ex-WW2 airfield, later to become Pembrey Race Course, for a good friend who was campaigning it the following weekend...happy days, and I must say a more comfortable ride, flexibility wise, than the more familiar, to me, "Goldie". As an aside, should anyone wish to advise their "other" whatsit re-Xmas prezzies, I must recommend a book I had last Xmas, 'Classic Motorcycle Race Engines', by an American writer, who knows his stuff, Kevin Cameron. A fascinating compilation of race engines, and their development, a must for all who enjoy the Iron Horse's heart ....Morrag

[Archie]

Thruxton R is ferkin lovely.

They were advertising an aftermarket kit labelled a brat kit.

This obviously had a few people up in arms and a potential lawsuit from the company called brat style, so unsure if they are releasing it now.

[Tony oily bike]

Price - not sure as they're not out till, I think, March-ish, [/quote]

Looks like the prices have been released for the Street Twin models and the T120s. Thruxtons still appear to be approximate.

The Jack Lilley website has some details and official Triumph photos and a link to the brochure  http://www.jacklilley.com/

Street Twins from £7,300 OTR
T120 Black £9,600 OTR
T120 in red £9,720 OTR
T120 in two-tone £9,840 OTR

Thruxton expected to be around £10,500
Thruxton R expected to be around £11,800

If these prices make you go "how much!!", have a look at this site as it'll give you an idea of what a lump sum today was worth in what ever year you choose to select.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-1633409/Historic-inflation-calculator-value-money-changed-1900.html

For instance - £10,000 today   2000 = £6,452   1990 = £4,497   1980 = £2,209    1970 = £680   1960 = £481

Scary huh............

Just out of interest, in 1981, a Yamaha TR1 (1000cc V-twin) would have cost around £2000, which according to the website corresponds to appx £7,674 today - about £300 more than the lowest OTR priced Street Twin.

[Manky Monkey]

Yeah, I still thought brand new bikes were around 4 grand. Way out of my price range now.

[Manky Monkey]

My ex wife keeps finding photos from our youth & posting them on FaceBook.
One of my mates hooning about on one of my Bonnevilles, (a '71 or '73, can't remember). In the days when those lovingly restored British classics you see at shows were just old bikes.
Looks like it's got a tank bag fitted, so may be from our weekend trip to Cologne in Germany, when I was about 19.
In the days of proper photographs too -when you had to take your film to Boots & wait a week for them to develop it. 

[Olds]

While I was at Giffords motorcycles in 1974 we sold the last new T120 we had, at a massive discount just to get rid of it. £650 It had been in the window since late 72 but after the strike and sit in, of 73-74 they were very hard to sell.
 

[Manky Monkey]

My first Brit was a T120. Cost me 500 quid in 1980 & it was falling apart, but I loved it.

[Tony oily bike]

Somehow the link didn't make into the posting, so now added, and here too

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-1633409/Historic-inflation-calculator-value-money-changed-1900.html

Andy - £500 in 1980 is shown to be about £2,264 now

Olds - £650 in 1974 is shown to be about £7,025 now (and you said that was massively discounted!!)

[the coppersmith]

My first Honda 750 was one of the first in the country, think it was back in 69-70, anyway it cost me £529 brand new. Everyone thought I was nuts spending that on a bike.

[Tony oily bike]

Yeah, I still thought brand new bikes were around 4 grand. Way out of my price range now.

  The times they are a changin'

Out of the available new bikes that are around, I reckon the nearest to an XS650 or old Triumph/BSA twin, apart from the modern Triumphs, is probably Kawasaki's W800.

Be interesting to see what you  guys reckon on its styling.

Prices for these appear to be from about £6900 OTR depending on the styling options (around £400 less than the lowest priced Street Twin.
Second-hand models with say 5000 miles seem to go for around £5000

The previous variant, the W650, seems to hold it value fairly well. These can be found from around £3,500.

Pic of W800 (even the tyre pattern harks back to earlier days!)