2004 Triumph Bonneville Review

Arriving a few years before the nameplate would receive a major facelift, the 2004 Bonneville--nicknamed “Bonnie""--was part of a series of standard bikes that seemed to constitute the flagship brand of British manufacturer Triumph Motorcycles. Adhering to styling of previous Triumph bikes starting from the 1950s, while using 21st century technology, the 2004 Triumph Bonneville was one of the more unique bikes that emerged in the 2004 model year.

Two models are available for the 2004 Triumph Bonneville: the regular, hereafter referred to as “Base,” and the top-of-the-line T100. The term “top-of-the-line” is rather relative, since the additions the T100 bears are largely cosmetic; they include chromed engine covers, a two-tone color scheme on the gas tank, twin exhaust pipes, and a tachometer on the digital dashboard.

Powering each 2004 Triumph Bonneville is a four-stroke, parallel-twin engine, which displaces at 790 cubic centimeters and generates 61 horsepower at 7400 revolutions per minute and 44 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm. Using a double overhead camshaft valve train, the engine has four intake valves on each cylinder. The compression ratio of the engine is 9.2 to 1, and its bore and stroke is measured at 3.39 by 2.68 inches (86 by 68 millimeters). Two carburetors blend fuel and air for the engine, and ignition comes courtesy of an electric starter. Each engine on the Bonnie is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Peak fuel capacity is measured at 4.2 gallons (16 liters).

Using a firm steel frame, the 2004 Triumph Bonneville is available with a Jet Black or Cardinal Red finish, thus staying true to a time when bike color schemes were fewer in number. The 2004 Bonnie has the requisite fenders, handlebars, and kick stand for parking. The digital instrumentation at the front of the bike consists of a trip odometer and speedometer. (As mentioned before, the Bonneville T100 model gets the addition of a tachometer.) Also included on the Bonneville are exterior lights and a pair of side mirrors.

For great stopping power, Triumph installed disc brakes on the wheels of each 2004 Triumph Bonneville. A 12.2-inch (310-mm) disc goes to the front, while a 10-inch (255-mm) disc goes to the back. For smoother and more stable rides, the 2004 Bonneville has a 1.6-inch (41-mm) telescopic fort constituting its front suspension, and a steel twin-sided swing arm, which is accompanied by two rear shock absorbers.

The 2004 Triumph Bonneville has a length of 88.6 inches (2249.4 mm), a width of 33.8 inches (860 mm), a height of 43.5 inches (1105 mm), and a wheelbase of 58.8 inches (1493 mm). The height of the bike’s seat is measured at 30.5 inches (774.7 mm), and it has a dry weight of 451 pounds (205 kilograms).

Later model years would provide more models and advanced features. However, for the price and the retaining of an old-yet-new design philosophy, the 2004 Triumph Bonneville barely misses the mark.