The new Triumph Bonneville 400 is expected to go on sale in India in a few months and there is a lot riding on the shoulders of that bike.
A look at the recent spyshots of the Bonneville 400 shows that Triumph has the Royal Enfield Classic 350 firmly in its crosshairs. But, should the Classic be worried at all?
A battle of heritage
Some say, what’s in a name? Well, in the case of bikes in the modern-classic segment, there’s a lot. In the modern-classic segment, heritage matters as much as performance. Few names carry as much legacy as the Triumph Bonneville and the Royal Enfield Classic.
Like the Royal Enfield Classic, the Triumph Bonneville nameplate is steeped in history. The Bonneville T100 and T120 are both revered and desired, so Triumph is betting big on the smaller Bonne 400 to build on the legacy.
The test bikes we’ve seen so far indicate that the new Triumph Bonneville will bear a similar design language as the bigger Bonnevilles. From the round headlight, the shape of the fuel tank to the tail section, it’s all Triumph Bonneville. It will be a good-looking motorcycle and also have strong road presence. Not to mention the quality levels that can be expected from a Triumph. The bike will certainly have a lot going for it in the visual department.
The Classic 350’s design pays homage to Royal Enfield’s from the yesteryears, but more importantly, it has created an identity for itself. Actually, let's just say that it has cemented itself in the hearts and minds of the modern-classic motorcycle buyer.
From its curved fenders to its chunky fuel tank and the headlight nacelle, the Classic 350’s design is just timeless. Not to mention that the attractive colours and the dollops of chrome that’s lavished on the bike. It’ll be interesting to see how the Triumph and Royal Enfield will stack up against each other in terms of visual appeal.
Engines are poles apart
The Triumph Bonneville 400 is expected to be powered by a 349cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine. This is the same engine as seen in the Triumph Speed 400, albeit it’ll be in a different state of tune. It will make a lot more power than the Classic 350’s engine, while also being in complete contrast in terms of character. Expect it to be quicker and also propel the bike to a higher top speed. Not to mention the legs for long highway runs.
That’s not to say that the Classic 350 is a slouch. The J-series engine nestled in its cradle frame is an absolute gem. It builds speed steadily and at around 80kmph, it's near-vibe free. It is not the quickest off the block but we can say with conviction that there is a certain sense of calm and ease when you are trundling down the highway at 80-100kmph on a Classic 350. And let's not forget that the Classic 350’s engine sounds beautiful, which again is one of its biggest draws.
The might of the Classic
Which brings us to the power of the Royal Enfield Classic 350 nameplate. Royal Enfield sells huge numbers of this bike, not only because it is a good motorcycle, but also because it bears an unmatched desirability quotient. That is something that is hard to replicate.
The Classic’s legions of followers have and perhaps always will carry the brand forward, irrespective of the competition that emerges.
Triumph’s challenge
Which brings us to the Triumph Bonneville 400’s challenges. There is no doubt that baby Bonne will be a well-made, good-looking bike, with enough power and road-presence to satiate the demands of modern-classic buyers.
However, the Triumph Bonneville 400 will not be as widely available as the Classic 350, given the sheer scale of Royal Enfield’s dealership network against that of Triumph.
Secondly, the Classic 350 is an established motorcycle and also commands good resale value. How well a Triumph Bonneville does in this regard is something that only time will tell.
Lastly, the Classic 350 rules the roost because it simply feels wonderful to ride. That is something that the Triumph Bonneville 400 ought to evoke, because this is one of the most important aspects that influence the purchase of a modern-classic motorcycle.
