Triumphrat

roadkill · 10-10-2005

I am curious, i dont know where to find the info. But how can you gauge how successful triumph has been? Anyone know what triumphs plans are?

Now that the new 675 daytona is coming out, i actually saw it on a local squid board being compared with the r6,cbr600 etc.. I am wondering if triumph is ready to face the japanese head on.

I don't dislike any bike company, but id like to see triumph succeed. My speed triple has brought me more joy than any other previous bike, and would like triumph to step out of the shadows into the main stream.

Pig9r · 10-10-2005

I have recently read that Triumph's sales have increased steadily somewhere around 25% per year making it one of the fastest growing companies. Considering they had a fire that shut down production a few years ago and have since doubled the factory, thats not too shabby for a privately held company.

I think Triumph is pretty reactive to the market for the size of company they are. They were pretty quick to realize a failed attempt at a mid weight four cylinder and strike back with what seems to be a decent bike in the 675. It is obvious that the amount and variety of new models they are introducing they have some sort of plan and are being fairly aggressive.

ELP_JC · 10-10-2005

I always thought it was stupid for Triumph to try to compete head-on with the Japanese. They can compete just fine providing a DIFFERENT alternative, and am happy to finally see that with the 675 triple; that's what many folks wanted IMHO, even if it's down 10 hp or so.
Have you read the latest specs on the new R6? 17,500 rpm redline, and 140 hp or so. Triumph would have to be replacing their supersport bike every year to keep up.

I also think they need a shaft-driven ST, since practically all its competitors have such a machine. They're much more profitable than a supersport. I don't know about its current reliabilty, but many owners I know say they're built like a tank, and they look the part. I think it's more reliable than a Ducati, and that's why I'm going to buy an S3, but it's still viewed behind the big Japanese 4, and that's what they should try to change.
I think that after the fire disaster, they're doing pretty good. Let's see what others comment.

Diego · 10-10-2005

> but it's still viewed behind the big Japanese 4, and that's what they should try to change

That's the one thing they are least likely to change as long as Mr Bloor owns the company. The idea is to build interesting, user-friendly bikes that are a good value for the money... not the fastest, not the most feature-laden, not the most expensive... and where possible, not much like anyone else's at all... then let the company grow at a pace it can sustain profitably for the long term. That's worked pretty well for them so far.

Up until last year, the target was only about 25,000 units a year and the factory only had capacity for 32-35 thousand. With the Rocket III, production capacity expanded significantly, and so did demand as name recognition finally reached a critical threshold. According to a CNN financial news story last year, Mr Bloor now is willing to gradually grow the company over this decade to possibly 80-some thousand bikes. But he's in no hurry.

roadkill · 10-10-2005

so how many triumphs are made every year? How about the japanese bikes, how many are made a year?

What company is bigger, KTM or Triumph?

qc415 · 10-11-2005

in the street bike market triumph is definately bigger than KTM although I'm not sure how it'd come out if you added in their dirt bikes. as for the direction of the company I think they are spot on in terms of the new 675. Just looking at the specs and pictures I have a feeling that after next season that may very well be my next bike.

ELP_JC · 10-11-2005

Diego, I made the Japanese reference to 'reliability' not volume. I agree with everything you said, by the way.

AlaskaS3 · 10-11-2005

KTM is the second largest motorcycle manufacturer by volume in Europe (after BMW.) I was holding out for a superduke before this, now I feel bad for waiting.... this bike ROCKS!

Diego · 10-11-2005

> Diego, I made the Japanese reference to 'reliability' not volume.

Ah, OK. Actually, in that area, they're starting to get very close... more so than any of the Italian makers, and even superior to some BMWs.

> so how many triumphs are made every year?

I don't have current numbers for the Japanese, but in the November Motorcyclist, Triumph's Ross Clifford is quoted as saying they will make 32,000 this year and 38,000 in 2006.

This represents a good, steady growth for such a small company, and should place them around sixth or seventh among motorcycle manufacturers in the non-third world. Honda is still the big cheese. Harley is second with roughly a quarter million units, only about an eighth of Honda's numbers in most years. The next three of the big four Japanese makers follow H-D, with a rather steep rolloff of numbers as you go down the list. Triumph and the other European makers generally vie for standing in the next tier right under them.

Raynewb · 10-12-2005

I am on my forth Triumph now and I can honestly say that the Japanese bikes don't interest me one bit. What I have are bikes with character not bikes that have been produced to be as light as possible and faster than can be used on any road in the UK. (this applies to all bikes I know).
My Trophy has done 40500 miles and it has had 2 shims replaced apart from normal servicing so as someone else said the engines are bullet proof.
What I am a little disapointed about is that Triumph has no alternative to the Trophy.

My suggestion is that they should have a version of the Sprint ST that has side exiting exhausts not under seat which could lower the backend and raise the bars. Shouldn't be to dificult and you have an alternative to the Trophy. Shaft drive would also be a good move.

I test rode the S3 & ST back to back and came away with the S3. The ST is more sport than tourer so for an old guy like me with a wife with a bad knee it was a matter of keeping the Trophy.