Triumphrat

Lehbs

http://www.passionperformance.ca/mot...articles/7005/


"the British marque says it plans to expand into categories where it does not currently compete" Can anyone say ...Heavyweight Supersports...

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May is going to be a busy month. Race school the 8th, Redline party on the 16th, first round of races 22nd & 23rd, and track night the 26th. Better order a couple sets of tires.

L007

Fingers crossed...

bradtx

Lehbs, It's a sure sign that the litre class sportbike market is in trouble when Suzuki isn't going to import any 2010 GSXR 1000s to the US until the majority of '09 units are sold off.

The only litre class sportbike shining at the moment is the new BMW, which Triumph is likely monitoring.

Brad

k2col

It's true that the Japenese are in a bit of trouble and have been holding back their investment into new sports bike models. Truth is there's very little changed between the '09 and '10 gixxers, and buyers know this too.

I wonder why the '09s didn't sell so well in the US? (economy, cultural differences, too many imported, competition?)

From my British perspective I couldn't disagree more. What about the Aprillia RSV4, Ducatti 1198 and KTM RC8R - all giving the Jap's a bloody good run for their money!

It's never been such a good time for litre sports bikes!

Lehbs

I am hoping that people are realizing that the litre class is much more exciting when they have unique bikes included and that is why the Jap bikes are suffering a little, yet new models such as the S1000R have made an impact on the market. I would hope that everyone who rides a litre bike is humble enough to know that they could never ride it to the full potential of the machine (save for those who have a fully sponsored ride in top superbike racing), but enjoys the power, and comfort of not having to ride around at 9000rpm (R6 anyone). The Japanese bikes recently seem to have progressed to the point of stuffing the 1000cc into the same basic dimensions of the middleweights, and I don't know about any of you, but I hopped on an R1 at the end of the season last year for a quick ride, and the thing felt tiny. Lots of fun, but for me the ergos were just wrong. The RSV-R on the other hand was fantastic, but just couldn't justify the 18K the dealer is looking for for the 08 they have in stock as a replacement for the 955i. Something about the European bikes really appeals to me over the Japanese. Don't think I would ever go back except for a dedicated track bike soley for the avalbility and cost of parts for when they break.

__________________
May is going to be a busy month. Race school the 8th, Redline party on the 16th, first round of races 22nd & 23rd, and track night the 26th. Better order a couple sets of tires.

L007

Couldn´t agree more! If the high-production japanese bulldozers are not filling the market competently, then it´s a good opportunity for the lower production, higher quality brands to deliver some value to their exigent clients and getting their share in the market!

Go Triumph! I wanna a new bike in 2012

peterk

Love to see a new Daytona thou., but i will believe it when i sees it...

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'98 955i / t595 Daytona

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MarkShelley

Personally I think it unlikely that Triumph will go for the litre sportsbike class. I think it is a contracting market. If they did I just can`t see them coming up with anything to compete with the BMW which is not only proving to be the best, but also the best value superbike.
I suspect it is more likely to be something that may upset the die hards, a smaller bike or bikes to suit the learner market. We all know they have manufacturing partners in the Far East and if they brought some quality control to some of the rubbish offerings that come from that part of the world it could make a lot of sense. It would also make sense from a brand loyalty viewpoint to get new bikers on a Triumph as soon as possible.
Whatever it is, let`s hope it is as successful as pretty much everything else they have come up with so far.

JohnM

What about the persistent rumour that there may be a shaft drive Trophy with a big triple in the pipeline?

Bloor is known for his savvy strategies and he has the cruiser market covered, the retro twins, the stripped streetfighter, the Super Sports 600 class and the ST class. That sort of leaves the Litre Sport (with every man and his dog competing in), the Hyper Sport (where he would be up against some pretty big and established heavy hitting 1300 - 1400).

So, whats left? The Hypermotard, the street drag VMax thing (stripped and lightened Rocket Three anyone?), the beginner LAMS 650 or the "different" big fast tourer that was left vacant with the demise of the Trophy. The big Trophy was a great bike and with a big 1200 triple and shaft (already available ) and modern fueling it would be very interesting alternative to BMW et al.

Just a thought.

JohnM

Lehbs

With the 7 new models that it says they plan, why not all of those?
1.Litre Class Supersport
2.Hypermotard based on the 675 engine
3. Street Drag (although if you lighten the rocket is there any chance you could keep the front end down with that much tourque?)
4. A small beginner bike somewhere around 500cc,but syled after the thunderbird, or American (and why not try a twin in a beginner sports bike for that matter)
5. as you said reintroduce the Trophy for a new shaft drive tourer.
6. Sure why not try and throw in a huge sports machine, and for that matter why nor try and put it at over 1500cc
7. The cruiser market sells so why not take the american or speedmaster, and offer something in a 1200 or 1300 range for a mid sized cruiser.

At any rate if they truly are working on 7 new models, if the rocket roadster is any indication of what is to come. I want more.

__________________
May is going to be a busy month. Race school the 8th, Redline party on the 16th, first round of races 22nd & 23rd, and track night the 26th. Better order a couple sets of tires.