Triumph Motorcycles

About Triumph

Triumph Motorcycles Ltd is the largest UK motorcycle manufacturer. It was established in 1984 by John Bloor after the original company Triumph Engineering went into receivership. The new company (initially Bonneville Coventry Ltd) continued Triumph's record of motorcycle production since 1902.

In 1884 Siegfried Bettmann starts an import-export company. He imports German sewing machines and also sells bicycles badged with the name “Bettmann.” In 1887 Bettmann changes the name of his company to New Triumph Co. Ltd. (Later it will be changed again to Triumph Cycle Co. Ltd.)

First Triumph is produced in 1902 – known as No. 1. This is basically one of the company’s bicycles, fitted with a 2-hp Minerva engine made in Belgium. In 1905 Triumph produces its first motorcycle completely in-house. It’s powered by a 3-hp engine and has a top speed of 45 mph. Triumph makes a big advance in 1910 with the ‘free engine’ device (basically, the first practical clutch), which allows the user to start the engine with the bike on its stand and ride away from a standing start. There are two models in the lineup, and sales hit 3,000 units!

In 1920 Triumph produces the 550cc Type SD, the company’s first bike to feature a chain-driven rear wheel. SD stands for Spring Drive – it’s an early version of a cush drive. Bicycle-style rim brakes are replaced by drum brakes. The new bikes in 1921 need better brakes, as they now make a lot more power – especially the prototype 20-hp Model R, with four-valve head. It is known as the “Riccy” after one of its designers, Frank Ricardo. The 350cc Model LS (from 1923) is the first Triumph with an oil pump driven by the motor. (Until then, the rider had to pump oil by hand.)

In 1932 the noted engine designer Val Page joins the firm. Page quickly creates several new motors, including a 150cc two-stroke and 250, 350 and 500cc four-strokes. In 1935 a foot-change gearshift is available as an option on 650 Twins.

In 1936 Jack Sangster, who had owned Ariel, buys the motorcycle business and immediately hires Edward Turner (who had previously created the Ariel Square Four) as chief designer. Sangster reinstitutes Bettmann as the company chairman. In 1937 Turner unveils the 498cc Speed Twin (T100) that has a top speed of over 90 mph. It is the definitive British motorcycle and establishes a pattern for Triumph bikes that will last more than 40 years.

With the return of peace in 1945, the company focuses on three models, the Tiger 100, the Speed Twin and the smaller touring 349cc 3T. All models feature a telescopic front fork. In 1946 Ernie Lyons wins the Manx Grand Prix on a redesigned Tiger 100, using a lightweight all-alloy motor that Triumph designed for use on aircraft during the war. (The motor powered a radio generator.) In 1947 a rear “sprung hub” is optional. In 1949 the off-road 500cc TR5 “Trophy” and big-bore 649cc Thunderbird are released.

In 1951 Jack Sangster sells Triumph to BSA for £2.5 million. The 149cc OHV Terrier is released in 1953. The Tiger 110 is released in 1954, which is basically a tuned (40+hp) version of the Thunderbird, with a rear swingarm. The exquisitely styled 350cc “Twenty one” of 1957 may be an aesthetic success, but it proves a commercial failure.

The very popular T120 Bonneville 650 is introduced in 1959. It’s an evolution of the Tiger, fitted with twin carbs – something American dealers have long been asking for. It will remain in production until 1983. Bert Hopwood moves from AMC to Triumph in 1961, where he conceives a three-cylinder motor. The T120C “TT” (starting 1963) will become one of the most sought-after Triumphs of the period.

The 750cc Triple finally makes an appearance in 1968, powering both the Triumph Trident and the BSA Rocket 3.

The BSA group, which includes Triumph, posts a huge financial loss in 1973. The decision is made to shut down BSA and focus resources and energy on Triumph. Craig Vetter’s freelance “American hotrod” design for the Triple, which was to be a BSA model, is produced as the Triumph X75 Hurricane. By the end of the year, Triumph merges with Norton.

When Triumph Engineering went into receivership in 1983, John Bloor bought the name and manufacturing rights from the Official Receiver. The new company's manufacturing plant and its designs were not able to compete against the Japanese, so Bloor decided against relaunching Triumph immediately. Initially, production of the old Bonneville was continued under licence by Les Harris of Racing Spares, in Newton Abbot, Devon, to bridge the gap between the end of the old company and the start of the new company. For five years from 1983, about 14 were built a week in peak production. In the USA, owing to problems with liability insurance, the Harris Bonnevilles were never imported.

Bloor set to work assembling the new Triumph, hiring several of the group's former designers to begin work on new models. The team visited Japan on a tour of its competitors' facilities and became determined to adopt Japanese manufacturing techniques and especially new-generation computer-controlled machinery. In 1985, Triumph purchased a first set of equipment to begin working, in secret, on its new prototype models. By 1987, the company had completed its first engine. In 1988, Bloor funded the building of a new factory at a 10-acre (40,000 m²) site in Hinckley, Leicestershire. Bloor put between £70 million and £100 million into the company between purchasing the brand and breaking even in 2000.

Bloor has previously created two subsidiary companies, Triumph Deutschland GmbH and Triumph France SA. In 1994 Bloor created Triumph Motorcycles America Ltd.

A range of new 750 cc and 900 cc triple-cylinder bikes and 1000 cc and 1200 cc four-cylinder bikes were launched at the September 1990 Cologne Motorcycle Show. The motorcycles used famous model names from the glory days of Meriden Triumph and were first made available to the public between March (Trophy 1200 being the first) and September 1991. All used a modular liquid cooled DOHC engine design in a common large diameter steel backbone frame. The modular design was to ensure that a variety of models could be offered whilst keeping production costs under control.

The first models, known generically as the 'T300's, all used a common piston diameter (76mm) in a common wet cylinder liner. Basic engine variations were achieved through the use of two specifications of piston stroke: 65mm to create individual cylinder capacity of 300cc, and 55mm to create a 250cc individual cylinder. Two 750cc models were released - and the Daytona and Trident 750 triples (3 x 250cc). There was one 1000cc model - the Daytona 1000 four (4 x 250cc). Two 900 cc models were the Trophy 900 and Trident 900 triples (3 x 300cc). The Trophy 1200 four was the largest model (4 x 300cc). All were remarkably smooth running. The three cylinder models were equipped with a contra-rotating balance shaft mounted at the front of the engine. The four cylinder models benefitted from twin balance shafts - unique at the time - mounted beneath the crank shaft. Contemporary road tests noted the solidity and smoothness of performance as positives but the weight of the machines as negatives.

Revisions to crankcases for the three-cylinder models in 1993, together with a move to high pressure casting, reduced engine weight considerably. All painting and plating operations were brought in house in 1993, as the Hinckley factory benefitted from further investment after the initial success of the range. The result was improved quality and durability of finish, added to the basic engineering integrity of the engine and chassis, made for a long-lasting and robust motorcycle.

The range was largely revised in 1997 with the release of the T500 range, followed by a light-weight four-cylinder 600 cc sports TT600. The Triumph Thunderbird 900 exploited the styling cues of the 'old' Triumph's legendary designer, Edward Turner whilst retaining the modern triple engine. The 790 and 865 cc versions of the Triumph Bonneville and Thruxton look and sound original but internally they have modern valves and counterbalance shafts.

The 2,294 cc (140.0 cu in) triple Rocket III cruiser was introduced in 2004. In 2009 1,600 cc (98 cu in) Thunderbird twin-cylinder cruiser was announced.

Triumph's best selling bike is the 675 cc Street Triple. In 2010 they launched the Triumph Tiger 800 and Tiger 800 XC, dual-sport motorcycles, which uses an 800 cc engine derived from the Street Triple, and is designed to compete directly with the market leading BMW F800GS. In 2012, the Tiger 800 was joined by the shaft-driven Triumph Tiger Explorer.

Moto blog

EICMA 2013: 2014 Triumph Thunderbird LT

As we expected after reading California Air Resource Board documents, Triumph revealed a new LT version to its Thunderbird family, alongside the also-new Thunderbird Commander at the 2013 EICMA show in Milan. Follow the rest of our 2013 EICMA show coverage The 2014 Triumph Thunderbird LT adds a windscreen, additional lighting, removable leather saddlebags and a passenger backrest to the Thunderbird platform to provide light touring duties. The ergonomics are also different, with a new seat design that offers more lumbar support.

EICMA 2013: 2014 Triumph Thunderbird Commander

Triumph revealed a new variant to its Thunderbird family with the all-new Thunderbird Commander. Revealed alongside the Thunderbird LT at the 2013 EICMA show, the Commander offers a brawnier, more chromed-out model to the line. Follow the rest of our 2013 EICMA show coverage Like the LT, the Thunderbird Commander is powered by the 1699cc parallel-Twin engine used on the Thunderbird Storm.

Q3 2013 US Motorcycle Sales Results

Motorcycle and scooter sales in the U.S. in 2013 remain consistent with last year’s figures, according to data released by the Motorcycle Industry Council. Several manufacturers blamed poor weather for the poor start this year, and the rebounding sales in the third quarter helped to negate the slow sales from earlier in the year.

Triumph Raced Virtually Everything In 2013 – Video

You may not have realized it, but Triumph North America raced in everything from AMA road racing, AMA flat track, and FIM land speed racing in 2013. And because that wasn’t enough, it also teamed up with Ernie Vigil and Nick Apex to produce some of our favorite stunt riding videos, too. Couldn’t catch it all?

2014 Triumph Thunderbird Commander, Thunderbird LT Models Outted in CARB Documents

An executive order released by the California Air Resources Board reveals two new additions to the Triumph Thunderbird cruiser lineup. Joining the base Thunderbird and the Thunderbird Storm (both of which have already received CARB certification for 2014) are two new versions, the Thunderbird LT and the Thunderbird Commander. According to the executive order, both new T-birds will be powered by a 1700cc engine designated as the ETDXC1.70KMM, the same engine family designation assigned to the parallel-twin engine powering the Thunderbird Storm.

What’s Old Is New Again – Video

There’s something distinctly cool about old British motorcycles. From the wire wheels, the minimal bodywork, and the exposed engines which give off a thunderous bark, I’ve always loved looking at old Triumphs, BSAs and the like from the 60s.  I’ve never owned one though. The reason is simple: old British bikes are needy little maintenance machines notorious for the odd oil leak.

Bonhams To Auction Wayne Pierce Family Collection Of Motorcycles Jan. 9, 2014, In Las Vegas

On January 9, 2014, during the fourth annual Las Vegas Sale of motorcycles at Bally’s Hotel and Casino, Bonhams, the world’s largest auction house for cars, motorcycles and memorabilia, will be auctioning off over 50 motorcycles from the extensive Wayne Pierce family museum collection, all offered at no reserve. Among the machines is a first-year Harley-Davidson Sportster believed to be the 10th XL883 produced in 1957, a 1933 Harley VLE police bike that saw actual duty on the streets of Chicago before being cast in the 1987 Kevin Costner gangster movie, “The Untouchables,” and an authentic and unrestored 1947 Harley Knucklehead wearing period aftermarket accessories. Wayne “Pappy” Pierce started his Harley-Davidson dealership in 1957, run out of a one-room tin shed in DeKalb, Illinois.

Dainese Made To Measure Tour Starts This Weekend

In the fashion world, nothing fits quite like a well tailored suit. Dainese is applying this same ideal to the moto world by once again offering its custom tailored services to North America. The tour, called Fitnet, will start this weekend and make its way to six locations throughout the country, finishing on October 19.

Triumph Unveils 2014 Modern Classics for North America

Triumph is introducing updating its line of Modern Classics, which in 2014 includes not only the Bonneville, T100, Thruxton and Scrambler, but a new blacked-out T100 and a Bonneville Special Edition. The freshened bikes feature new color schemes, machined cooling fins and new mufflers. Bonneville - With a 17” cast front wheel, the 2014 Triumph Bonneville sports a rider-friendly seat height of just over 29 inches.

Öhlins USA Suspension Cirkus of Speed Tomorrow, September 28

Rain or shine, the second annual Öhlins USA Cirkus of Speed will take place tomorrow, Saturday, September 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Did we mention it’s free?