With both past and future in mind, Triumph has organized its 14 models into three major categories: touring, sport, and classic. In the first group are the Sprint and Tiger series, large, long-distance cruisers with an emphasis on speed and comfort. Sport bikes—the Daytonas (600 and 955i), Speed Triple, and Speed Four—are high-tech dazzlers designed to compete head-on with the best from Europe and Japan, while the classics—America, a large cruiser, Bonneville, Thunderbird, and Rocket III—are aimed at riders looking for history combined with modern riding characteristics and
quality manufacture.
In truth, the Rocket III, introduced just last year, deserves to be placed in a category of its own. It bears the largest engine fitted in a modern motorcycle, a 3-cylinder unit that develops a hefty 140 hp from 2.3 liters. A
5-speed gearbox and drive shaft take the power back to a huge 240/50-16 rear tire. Everything on this imposing 704-pound flagship is scaled to suit, from frame and brakes to 6.6-gallon fuel tank.
At the other end of the scale are the Bonnevilles. Appearing delicate by comparison, the Bonnies are nimble, speedy and, in modern terms, simple. Though they retain an old-fashioned appearance and a traditional vertical-twin engine design—twin balance shafts have smoothed out the engines’ firing pulses—their frames, suspension, and brakes are completely up-to-date. A new-for-2004 variant, the Thruxton, is a basic Bonnie modified with low clip-on handlebars, repositioned footpegs, a bored-out (from 790cc to 865cc) and tuned (from 61 hp to 69 hp) engine, and upgraded suspension.
During its first 70 years, Triumph developed a reputation for offering high-quality, high-performance motorcycles. The new Triumph follows the same path, building sophisticated bikes that appeal to a wide range of riders.
Triumph
www.triumph.co.uk
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