It’s here, finally. Almost three years after the very first Triumph 400s debuted (Speed and Scrambler X), we have a Bonneville for the class, and it’s looking to redraw the boundaries for the retros. However, the 350cc class is silently one of the fiercest segments in India, with Royal Enfield leading it, predominantly with the Classic 350. We have Honda trying to eat away at that dominance with the CB350 and Jawa with its 350, but sales-wise at least, Royal Enfield has so far remained unassailable. Can the Hinckley-based manufacturer finally make its Indian-UK counterpart feel the heat? Let’s see.
Triumph Bonneville T40 vs Rivals: Engine and output
Triumph is off to a great start
Triumph is looking to distinguish the Bonneville T40 in every way possible, starting with the engine itself. Its 350cc unit is one of two liquid-cooled mills on the list. This bike also makes the most power and torque. The T40’s peak power is followed at a distance by the Jawa 350, and it’s the Honda CB350 that makes the nearest comparable amount of peak torque. Honda’s 348cc engine also delivers both power and torque much earlier in the rev range.
Triumph Bonneville T40 vs Rivals: Dimensions and weight
Honda strikes a fine balance
In this section, the Honda CB350C immediately stands out because of its kerb weight. It is the lightest motorcycle in this comparison, and that’s despite being the heaviest version in the CB350 line-up; the CB350 weighs 181kg and the CB350RS 180kg. Yet, it has the largest fuel tank capacity, along with decent seat height and ground clearance. The T40’s second-shortest wheelbase should make it an agile bike, but it remains to be seen how it rides in the real world. The Classic 350 – with the shortest wheelbase – isn’t exactly known for its agility, not that it’s expected in this segment to begin with.
Please note that Jawa/Yezdi report dry weight on the website, so you’ll find the Jawa 350’s weight to be 184kg there, but with 90 percent fuel and other fluids, its kerb weight should be closer to the others in the list.
Triumph Bonneville T40 vs Rivals: Tyres, brakes and suspension
Old vs new retros
The differences are a bit confusing, mainly because there are barely any. The only major distinction among these four motorcycles is that two have a 19-inch front wheel, whereas the other two have an 18-inch one. The same goes for the rear wheel: two of them have an 18-inch unit, and the other two get a 17-inch one. Elsewhere, there are minor variations in the disc rotor sizes, but by and large, they fall in the same ballpark, all things considered.
Triumph Bonneville T40 vs Rivals: Features
Triumph’s biggest flaunt
The Bonneville T40 is the newest entrant in this retro segment, and that contrast is most visible in the features department. It offers ride-by-wire and a 4-inch TFT display with five ride modes (Eco, Road, Rain, Rider A and B), turn-by-turn navigation powered by Triumph, cornering ABS, traction control and cruise control, all as standard. For context, here’s what the second most feature-packed motorcycle, the Honda CB350C, offers: dual-channel ABS, a slip-and-assist clutch, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC, traction control) and Honda RoadSync connectivity on the higher variants through the LCD screen.
Triumph has waited to debut a much-needed new instrument cluster with the Bonneville. It’s a decision you can raise questions about (like, why not on the Tracker 400?), but it’s a change that’s wholeheartedly welcomed nevertheless. If you prefer your retros to straddle the line between the old and new, the Bonneville T40 is hard to beat.
Triumph Bonneville T40 vs Rivals: Price
Most expensive modern classic
Triumph is also the most expensive of the lot. An Indian-specific T4 has also been revealed at a lower price point of Rs 2.55 lakh, but that is still Rs 29,000 more expensive than the Classic 350’s top variant. If you find these to be too expensive and would rather have a more retro experience, Royal Enfield’s very own Bullet 350 starts at Rs 1.67 lakh and tops out at Rs 2.11 lakh.
Triumph’s own Speed T4 is the closest modern classic from the brand, coming in at a more palatable Rs 2.10 lakh, although it doesn’t have the decorated name. All things considered, the Bonneville’s arrival has been anticipated for quite a while, and it’s finally here, ready to swing. We now have to see how convincing its swing ends up being.
Vishal Venugopal
Ved Janve
