Go retro with an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Bud Ekins Triumph
If you love the look of the 1959 Triumph Bonneville and want a modern take on the iconic machine then consider getting a 2021 Triumph T100 Bud Ekins Special Edition.
This 900cc twin celebrates AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ekins, who was a top desert racer and Triumph’s largest dealer in the 1960s, based in Sherman Oaks, Calif. He was one of the first Americans to compete in the World Championship Motocross Grand Prix circuit in Europe during the 1950s. Ekins also earned gold medals in the ISDT (now International Six Day Enduro).
After his racing career, Ekins went on to become one of Hollywood’s leading stuntmen. His most famous stunt was the climactic motorcycle jump scene in the 1963 movie, “The Great Escape,” starring another famous motorcyclist and future AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer: Steve McQueen.
“With its beautiful California-inspired paint scheme and a range of dedicated special details and touches, this unique Special Edition T100 Bonneville celebrates the enthusiasm, attitude and dedication of one of the world’s greatest motorcycling icons,” Triumph says.
Special touches include a distinctive two-color fuel tank, classic Triumph logo in aluminum silver from some 30 years ago, a unique California “flying globe” tank logo, along with Korosi Red front mudguard and gloss black side panels with Bud Ekins Sherman Oaks California Triumph branding.
The bike includes wide-view bar-end mirrors and diamond knurl-textured grips unique to the Bud Ekins edition.
The 900cc T100 Bud Ekins Special Edition is powered by a liquid-cooled, eight-valve, single overhead cam, 270-degree crank angle parallel twin. It pumps out a claimed 55 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 59-foot pounds of torque at 3,230 rpm. The bike is chain drive with a five-speed transmission.
The modern classic has a tubular steel twin cradle frame and twin-sided tubular steel swingarm, spoked wheels that are 18 x 2.75 up front and 17 x 4.25 in the rear.
Braking duties are handled by a single 310 mm floating disc and Nissin two-piston caliper ABS in front and a single 255 mm disc and Nissin two-piston floating caliper ABS in back.
Seat height: 31.1 inches. Wheelbase: 57.1 inches. Gas tank capacity: 3.8 gallons. Dry weight: 470 pounds. MSRP: $10,950.
For more information, go to triumphmotorcycles.com.
