CR Tested | Triumph Bonneville - Portrait of a Legend

Superbly photographed by James Mann, with well-written and insightful text by noted motorcycle expert Mick Duckworth, Triumph Bonneville Portrait of a Legend profiles 22 iconic versions of the Triumph Bonneville.

Starting with the Bonneville’s forerunner, the 1954 Tiger 110, and concluding with the 2010 Hinckley Bonneville Sixty, the large format book covers all of the US, UK and general export variants, including the off-road only TT Special. There’s even a profile of the Harris-built version that bridged the years between the close of the Meriden factory and Triumph’s revival in its current incarnation.

Each bike gets several “beauty” shots with a number of inset details to illustrate that particular model’s unique features, and the authors went out of their way to shoot the best examples they could find. For example, the profile of the high-pipe T120C, which is an extremely rare bike in its own right, features an immaculately restored 1965 East Coast version, complete with the factory optional VDO speedometer. The accompanying text is accurate and entertaining, and provides plenty of detail about the machine, though I’d expect nothing less from Duckworth, a well-known author in vintage circles.

Obviously, the focus of the book is narrow; if you have no interest in vintage Triumphs, it’s not for you. However, if you have the slightest bent in that direction I’d recommend it without reservation.

Price: $49.95
James Mann and Mick Duckworth
Published by Haynes
Rating: *****

CR Tested | Triumph Bonneville - Portrait of a Legend - Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine