REVIEWS
Gavin Foster
Triumph Bonneville, R59 995 BMW K1200 RS, R107 600
Remember the days when the valve-caps were the only plastic bits on a motorcycle? When only ducktails had tattoos, and the 115mph (183kph) Triumph Bonneville was king of the bonies?
Today things are different. The mechanicals of modern superbikes are all enclosed in acres of plastic, so they all look the same, and anything that can’t reach 280kph is considered “slow”. The bikes are slick, quick, and so similar that they’re very often soulless.
But not always. Enter the new Triumph Bonneville. The British factory has finally produced a 21st century version of its most famous parallel twin.
Since the famous marque was reborn at Hinkley in the United Kingdom in the early 1990s Triumph has produced only three- and four-cylinder machines, but nostalgia’s had its way and the Bonneville is back.
Ironically, where the Bonneville used to be the performance machine in the lineup from the old Meriden factory, the latest version is the new factory’s slowest.
But although it looks, sounds and feels like its venerable ancestor, it’s still quicker than its namesake ever was.
It’s also much more civilised, without the oil leaks, excessive vibration, poor electrics and mandatory breakdowns that plagued the Meriden Triumphs.
Still air-cooled, the 790cc vertical-twin engine now boasts twin overhead camshafts, but the mill has been styled to resemble the pushrod twin of the Edward Turner-designed originals, and the frame utilises twin rear shocks and wire spoked wheels to emulate the earlier models.
Top speed is reputed to be around 185kph, and acceleration up to 160kph or so is better than most cars you’re ever likely to come across on our roads.
So far the Triumph Bonnevilles that have landed in this country have been priced at a very reasonable R59 995.
Only problem is, the entire first shipment’s already been sold out and nobody knows what the next batch’s going to go for.
l For a company that used to make their motorcycles in black only, BMW’s sure had a change of heart. The facelifted K1200 RS is available in a rather loud red and silver combination, or a simple dark blue. Black? Sorry sir, not at the moment.
BMW stresses that the four cylinder K1200 RS is a sports tourer, designed for long stretches of two-up high-speed touring in comfort.
With a top speed of 250kph and the ability to cruise all day at 200kph-plus, there was no obvious need to push up performance so the engine and frame of the earlier model, launched in 1997, have been left untouched. A new fairing with a bigger windscreen, and higher handlebars allied to lower footrests help improve the “tourer” half of the equation.
New hand-adjustable rear suspension and the latest version of BMW’s latest semi-integrated front and rear disc brakes with ABS make the new model handle and stop better than the model it replaces.
During the Mpumalanga launch we travelled over 1 100km on the new Beemer, mostly at a pretty brisk pace. Through the lovely winding passes we managed to get the footpegs on the ground at ridiculous speeds without a hint of misbehaviour by the bikes, and on the long fast stretches the BMW proved it could do what it was designed for, and well.
The electrically heated handlebar grips kept our hands warm, and the stunning braking converted more than one rider to the ABS philosophy. At R107 600 it’s not a cheap motorcycle, but there are plenty of other machines costing as much or more that don’t offer a shaft drive, comfortable seating, heated handgrips and ABS in a 250kph package.
@This month’s biggest sellers
Gavin Foster
New vehicle sales for June this year improved by 6,6% compared to last year, and the first six months of this year reflected a 10% increase over the corresponding period a year ago. Compared to May 2001 there was a 14% improvement in sales of cars and bakkies, with 20 971 cars and 11 765 commercial vehicles rolling out through dealers’ doors in June.
Top selling passenger vehicles for June 2001 ModelVolume
1.Toyota Tazz 2 372
2.Toyota Corolla 1 577
3.BMW 3 Series 1 490
4.VW Golf/Jetta 1 460
5.VW Citi Golf 1 405
6.VW Polo Classic/1 401
Playa
7.Ford Tracer/ 1 247
Mazda 323
8.Opel Corsa 1 019
9.Daimler Chrysler 828
(C Class)
10.Opel Astra 597
Top selling light commercial vehicles for June 2001 ModelVolume
1.Toyota Hilux 2 119
2.Isuzu KB 1 845
3.Ford Ranger/ 1 323
Mazda Drifter
4.Daimler Chrysler Colt 1 132
5.Nissan Hardbody 1 013