Triumph

Triumph’s recently launched Trident 660 has set the cat amongst the pigeons in the middleweight naked sports category. Its main rival could be said to be the Yamaha MT-07 and, while they are similar in what they do, they go about it in completely different ways. But which is better? Is it even possible to choose?

Triumph has a long history of off-road competition success but that was a very long time ago. Since the company was resurrected by John Bloor 30 years ago, it has succeeded in every category of road and adventure bike it has entered. The only avenue left open to Triumph was true off-road Motocross and Enduro bikes and, while rumours have been swirling for a while, today it became official; Triumph will build proper off-road bikes. There are few details but Triumph has said that the bikes will be new from the ground up, which could be taken to mean there will be no outsourced engineering other than suspension, brakes and electronics.

With the release of the Trident 660, Triumph has hit the jackpot right out of the box and matched, if not beaten, all the competition in in one fell swoop. With a brilliant engine and chassis, stunning build quality and great looks, it may be small and compact and carry a competitive price tag, but has so much character and ability that you have to wonder how Triumph has done it.

Triumph announces a new essential component of motorcycle safety equipment. The Triumph SOS app, specifically tailored for motorcyclists, and monitors sensors in your smartphone to detect and validate an accident and then request emergency services, even if you can’t.

A 1,200 cc plant pushes the classic-looking frame on the new-from-2017 Triumph Bonneville Bobber. Much like Harley-Davidson’s Softail, it comes built to look like an old hard-tail. The result is a modern ride with very deep roots traceable back to the Speed Twin 5T of the late ’30s. There are plenty of other little historical touches here and there, and though this is no replica piece, it can serve as a sort of rolling museum.

Triumph revised its Street Triple R ahead of MY2020 with a number of improvements across the board. A more extreme nose-down look adds to its racing credentials, and it all comes powered by a new three-banger that generates 11.3-percent more oomph than the superseded model. It’s also available in a “Low” configuration that drops the seat almost two inches closer to the deck.

Triumph updated its Bonneville Bobber platform ahead of MY2021 with a number of improvements. Brake and suspension components were spruced up, along with a larger fuel tank and the extra range it brings. The engine itself is cleaner than ever and it spools up faster than ever for a double whammy in the drivetrain, plus the suspension and brake components come off a higher shelf to finish the practical changes. New paint packages and expanded blackout treatment gives this year-model a unique look, in spite of Triumph’s efforts to channel the soul of a decades-old design.

Since the dawn of time, mankind has tried to go as fast as possible. In terms of the Land Speed Record, outright motorcycle speeds might lag far behind those of four- and three-wheeled vehicles, but the bravery of the pioneers of motorcycle speed is no less than that of their four-wheeled counterparts. From the beaches of Florida, to Europe and back to the Bonneville Salt Flats, the story of the pursuit of speed on two wheels might be relatively unknown but it’s still a story of ingenious engineering solutions and some pretty wild characters.

For folks new to two wheels, one big consideration is what to buy. Do you want a cruiser? I’ve put together my pick of cruisers available for 2021 that offer new-rider friendly features.

Triumph rolls into MY2022 with a new High-Power Bonneville Twin for its multi-surface Scrambler 1200 XE. The “XE” maintains its design as a proper crossover model melding turf- and tarmac-capability with a homespun look that brings to mind the earliest scrambler models built on UJM platforms, or in this case, most likely some old Bonneville model. Spartan in its appointments but rich in power with top-shelf suspension and electronic ride-quality features, the XE is a real sleeper that should prove to punch above its weight.

Triumph spruced up its interminable Bonneville lineup for 2021 with a fairly major update to its T120 platform. The newest version of the interminable T120 and T120 Black both roll with lighter components, an updated Bonneville powerplant, and tweaked chassis components to make these the quickest and most nimble specimens to date. Even the electronics took a whack from the buff-hammer with new standard equipment and enhancements to the Riding Modes feature. Modern performance and control mate with old-school British charm to make this pair worthy of their rich pedigree.

Triumph tuned up its Bonneville 900 High Torque plant that powers the modern-classic T100 ahead of MY2021. The new version is both cleaner and stronger with snappier throttle responses than ever before along with a higher red line. New forks float the lighter chassis with new top-shelf Brembo brake components to make the T100 more fun to ride and safer to boot.

Triumph subjected its Speed Triple 1200 to a ground-up reimagination to turn out the 2021 RS variant. This is it folks, the most powerful Speed Triple to date with more cubes, grunt, and power than ever before. It’s also lighter and narrower to get the most out of that extra juice, and comes complete with a well-rounded, performance- and convenience-driven electronics suite. Tuned up lines and an all-new look finish out the package in style.

Triumph cleans up its act ahead of MY2022 with a newly-adjusted, lower-emissions Bonneville powerplant for its “all-road” Scrambler 1200 XC platform along with improved heat distribution with no loss in power. The genuine classic scrambler looks remain the same this year, as does the custom panache that serves as a common thread with scramblers the world around. Clean lines and an old-school finish meet with modern tech under the hood to make this model a capable contender on the world stage.

Triumph beefed up its Bonneville lineup ahead of MY2021 with an updated Speedmaster model. This popular variant on the Bonneville Bobber platform comes with a cleaner engine this year, along with higher-spec suspension components, and improved pilot/passenger comfort features for longer spells in the saddle. A robust accessories selection stands ready to help you get set up just how you like whether you’re into touring, commuting, or just cruising and grocery-getting.

Triumph generally spruced up its Bonneville-powered models ahead of MY2021 with special attention paid to the Street Twin model. This year, the 900 cc twin is cleaner so it qualifies for the Euro-5 emissions rating, and the seat was padded with deeper foam for better long-distance comfort. New bodywork and detailing sets this bike apart from its forebears, but under the hood, the Street Twin carries ride-quality and safety electronics to rival that of many larger machines currently on the market.