Triumph Motorcycles has expanded its Bonneville family with the introduction of the new Bonneville T40 and T40 Black. The two motorcycles bring the traditional Bonneville design to Triumph’s smaller-capacity range, combining a classic silhouette with a modern engine, contemporary electronics and an accessible riding position.
While the styling takes inspiration from Bonneville motorcycles of the past, Triumph has equipped the T40 and T40 Black with features such as a full-colour TFT display, smartphone connectivity, navigation, multiple riding modes, cruise control and lean-sensitive rider aids. Both motorcycles are powered by a dedicated version of Triumph’s TR Series single-cylinder engine.
Design
The Bonneville T40 follows a distinctly traditional design approach, with the overall shape built around the proportions associated with the Bonneville name. The motorcycle gets a sculpted teardrop fuel tank, a round headlight, longer mudguards, twin rear shocks and spoked wheels. The combination gives it a clean, uncluttered profile rather than the sharper styling seen on Triumph’s roadster models.
The fuel tank is one of the most prominent elements of the design. It features a flowing shape, rubber knee pads and Triumph’s three-bar tank badge. Depending on the colour option, the tank also gets two-tone paintwork and hand-painted coach lining, adding a handcrafted touch to the motorcycle.
At the front, the round LED headlight retains the traditional Bonneville appearance while incorporating a modern daytime running light signature. The engine itself has also been styled to suit the motorcycle, with machined cooling fins, finned header roses and brushed aluminium covers adding visual detail.
The T40 rides on an 18-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheel setup. Lightweight aluminium rims are paired with traditional steel spokes, giving the wheels a classic appearance without moving away from the motorcycle's focus on easy handling.
The standard Bonneville T40 will be available in three two-tone colour combinations: Aegean Blue with Fusion White, Meriden Blue with Tangerine Orange, and New England White with Jet Black. The T40 Black takes a more understated approach, using Matt Pewter Grey and Matt Phantom Black along with blacked-out components and gloss-black wheel rims.
Engine And Performance
The Bonneville T40 and T40 Black are powered by a liquid-cooled single-cylinder TR Series engine with a displacement of 350cc in the specification supplied for the India-market model. Triumph has given the engine a dedicated Bonneville tune along with a revised cylinder head, with the focus being on accessible performance and stronger torque lower in the rev range.
The engine develops 29hp at 7000rpm and 31.2Nm of torque at 5500rpm. It is paired with a six-speed gearbox, while electronic fuel injection and electronic throttle control are used for the engine management.
Triumph has also worked on the character of the engine rather than concentrating solely on outright numbers. The single-cylinder layout and peashooter-style silencer are intended to give the T40 a distinctive exhaust note, while the engine tune is designed to provide a relaxed response suited to everyday riding.
The motorcycle gets three standard riding modes: Road, Rain and Eco, along with two customisable modes. These alter the throttle response, ABS and traction-control settings, allowing riders to adapt the motorcycle to different conditions.
Features And Brakes
Despite its traditional appearance, the Bonneville T40 gets a substantial amount of modern technology. One of the key additions is a 4-inch circular full-colour TFT display integrated into a conventional-looking circular instrument housing.
The display can be switched to Heritage Mode, giving the rider an analogue-style interface while retaining the functionality of the modern screen. Information such as gear position, fuel level, ambient temperature and riding-related data is displayed through the instrument panel.
Smartphone connectivity is also built in, allowing riders to access phone functions and music controls through the motorcycle. Triumph Navigation is integrated into the TFT, providing full-map navigation along with speed-limit information, saved destinations and points of interest. Routes can also be planned in advance and imported through GPX files.
The rider-assistance package includes five riding modes, cruise control, lean-sensitive Optimised Cornering ABS and Optimised Cornering Traction Control. The motorcycle also gets full LED lighting, self-cancelling indicators and Emergency Deceleration Warning, which activates the rear light during heavy braking. A USB-C charging socket is included as well.
Braking hardware consists of a 310mm front disc with a twin-piston caliper and a 255mm rear disc. The braking system is supported by cornering ABS, while braided brake lines are used for the front setup.
Weight and Dimensions
Triumph has designed the T40 around an upright riding position, with the handlebar and footpeg placement intended to provide a natural posture. A traditional bench-style seat is used, with generous padding for both the rider and pillion.
The standard seat height stands at 790mm, while an optional low seat can bring this down to 770mm. The motorcycle has a declared wet weight of 195kg and a 14.5-litre fuel tank.
It gets conventional front forks and twin rear shocks. The rear shocks feature preload adjustment, while both the front and rear suspension offer 130mm of wheel travel.
A centre stand comes as standard, making it easier to park the motorcycle upright and carry out routine tasks such as cleaning and chain maintenance. Triumph will also offer accessories including low and comfort seats and classic panniers.
Pricing
Priced at ₹2.80 lakh (ex-showroom), the Triumph Bonneville T40 will go up against established modern classics such as the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Honda CB350. While all three motorcycles follow a similar retro-inspired formula, the Bonneville T40 has a clear advantage when it comes to equipment. Its circular TFT display with navigation and smartphone connectivity, multiple riding modes, cruise control and lean-sensitive ABS and traction control give it a much more comprehensive technology package. In my view, this is where the T40 makes a strong case for itself.
