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Jay Leno Brings Out His 1964 Triumph Bonneville For A Spring Ride – Check This One Out!


Jay Leno Brings Out His 1964 Triumph Bonneville For A Spring Ride – Check This One Out!

Modern motorcycles are engineering triumphs…pardon the pun. They hit speeds that should honestly terrify the holy hell out of a sane rider, grip like a vice in a corner, and accelerate with a barely-contained violence. 200 miles an hour isn’t out of the question for a good handful of newer bikes. But does it seem that in the sea of brightly colored fairings, names that require a quick Google search to double-check, shrieking exhaust notes and such, that something was lost with the sport bike? Don’t look at Jay Leno’s 1964 Triumph Bonneville as what should be…you will be disappointed. What was hot in 1964 could get worked over by a hot 250cc motorcycle from today. Look at it instead for what it is: classically beautiful, perpetually British in every sense (only 7,500 miles between head-off services, don’t you know!) and capable of providing a riding feeling that you simply can’t get with a newer bike: analog, light, and tossable without being fear-inducing.


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4 thoughts on “Jay Leno Brings Out His 1964 Triumph Bonneville For A Spring Ride – Check This One Out!

  1. gene lauve

    I have owned 4 Triumphs, the tr6r, tr6c, 250 trophy and a Bonneville, each had its own personality. They to me look like a work of art, the way the tanks are shaped, the badges and everything was cast or metal. The old 60s and 70s Triumphs are still easy to get parts for and not that costly compared to a lot of older bikes. The prices of the old Triumphs are still within reason for the average motorcycle rider to buy.

  2. Rod Coulter

    Thank you Jay…1964 Bonneville is a very personal bike to me. November 5, 1964(My Birthday) my Dad pulled up in the drive on a brand new one. Exactly like the one you have. My Dad lovingly kept it garaged and covered until 1982.
    As my folks were retiring to their home in Ormond Beach, FL, my Dad was selling the bike just as I can home from college graduation. I was sick to see that bike, which my brother, my Dad, and I rode sparingly all through those years leaving the family. He would of not let if I go had insisted. But it would of rusted, even in the garage, 3 blocked from the beach. i still wish i had said ” No-keep it.” It had 3463 miles on it. Pristine would be an understatement. Jay’s right on the mark. It was superb ride in sound, feel, and human connection.

  3. John Sanderhoff

    I agree Jay, I raced a 53 Triumph 500 back in the late 50’s. It was basically a bobber with no battery, just a mag. It was a hardtail and the only springs were in the seat. I would remove the headlite, brake cables and install my number plate and go racing @ Hayward CA. We raced on a flat track. And yes I did say remove the brakes as in those days 500cc and down raced with no brakes. To stop we would down shift and then do a Fred Flintstone with our feet.

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