The Triumph Bonneville America is a British motorcycle

Motorcycle

A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...

 designed and built in Hinckley

Hinckley

Hinckley is a town in southwest Leicestershire, England. It has a population of 43,246 . It is administered by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council...

, Leicestershire

Leicestershire

Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...

 by Triumph Motorcycles Ltd

Triumph Motorcycles Ltd

Triumph Motorcycles Ltd is the largest surviving British motorcycle manufacturer, which was established in 1984 by John Bloor after the original manufacturer Triumph Engineering went into receivership...

.

Development

Compared with the standard Bonneville, the Bonneville America is very different to ride with the wheelbase extended 6.4 inches (162.6 mm) to 65.2 inches (1,656.1 mm), making it 6.8 inches (172.7 mm) longer overall. The saddle was lowered 2.2 inches (55.9 mm) and the steering head rake angle increased by 4.3 degrees giving a 33.3 degree rake. The America had the Bonneville's 12.2 inches (309.9 mm) front disc but the front wheel was reduced to 18 inches (45.7 cm) diameter and the rear wheel to 15 inches (381 mm) with a larger 11.2 inches (284.5 mm) disc brake. The America also had a larger fuel tank with a 'chromed' plastic console to house the filler, 4.5 inches (114.3 mm) diameter speedometer and warning lights. The side panels were extended with sheet-metal covers over the passenger-peg brackets and perforated chrome fittings behind the carburettors to provide the 'retro look' of the air-filter covers from the 1960 Triumph twins. The rider's footrests were also moved to the front of the engine to create a 'cruiser' riding position.

2007

In 2007, the engine capacity was increased to 865 cc (carburated) delivering peak power of 54 bhp at 9,800 rpm, with maximum torque of 129 N·m (95.1 ft·lbf) available at 8,800 rpm. Fuel economy is approximately 45 miles per US gallon (19.1 km/L) city and 50 miles per US gallon (21.3 km/L) highway. The update included new 'reverse cone' chrome silencers, a new design of cast alloy wheels, adjustable clutch and front brake levers and a new all black engine finish with chromed covers. The chrome chain cover, pillion footrest hanger and upper fork shrouds were restyled and a more comfortable pillion seat fitted.

2008

In 2008, the Bonneville America was further updated with an electronic fuel injection

Fuel injection

Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....

 system to meet the European emission legislation

European emission standards

European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.Currently, emissions of...

, with the fuel injectors concealed by dummy carburettors.

External links

• Review of 2003 model