Triumphrat

Trophy4 · 09-15-2004

Here's my quandry -- My wife enjoys riding pillion with me, but she likes to be fairly comfortable. My '96 Trophy 1200 fills the bill pretty well, but someday I'd like another new bike. And I'd really like one w/fuel injection.

When I look at the '05 Triumph line-up -- so far -- nothing there looks like it will fill the bill for us. The Sprint's pillion footpegs appear to be 'way too high for long distance comfort, the Rocket III -- do I really need to say anything here? Maybe if Triumph put it on a diet and ditched the forward controls, but as it is -- it's engine is bigger than my freakin' car's! The Tiger isn't bad, but I really don't enjoy being perched that high, and you really lose a lot of space in the that right pannier to the exhaust can.

What to do? What to do? I like Triumph, and have had Brit bikes -- including BSA's -- since 1970, almost continuously. I'd hate to move over to another marque, but ...

For now, I guess I'll just keep my '96 Trophy running on, and on, and on. It still has a reasonably modern appearance, and it's never let me know, but hopefully, someday there will be a true replacement for it! :???: :???:

jkhaug · 09-17-2004

I can sympathize. The Sprint is just a bit too sporty ergonomically, the Tiger is too high, and I don't want a cruiser for long-distance riding. Good thing I'm happy with the Trophy. Here's hoping they'll replace it someday with something similar. I don't mind a chain, but the industry seems to have moved to shaft drive. I also think the 1200 motor puts out lots of power, but nowadays if you don't have 150hp your bike is considered "medium" size. So I'd be happy if they'd drop the Sprint motor and fuel injection into a touring bike, add a shaft drive, oil pressure and coolant temp gauges, and a comfortable seat. Actually, I'll bet they could use the Sprint frame and mill pretty much as is with a different fairing and pegs as the basis for a new sport-TOURING rig.

SCbonneville · 09-17-2004

Jeff, I don't know what kind of riding you do, long distance touring, local, day rides or whatever?

Have you considered an '04 Tbird Sport? Nice looking on the classic line...900 cc's, good grunt to it and with a king & queen seat would make a good two up ride.

I have an '02 Bonneville that I have a side hack for and it pushes me (large), my two daughters and the hack just fine...cruises at 70+ mph all day.

If you are looking for a tourer for two up riding...well...hmmmm...Triumph seems to have a hole in it's line right now....

jefftarlton · 09-18-2004

The 955 sprint is a little bit more sporty than the trophy was. It can be modified to be pretty comfortable, though. It handles so much better, and vibrates less. It lacks the bottom end grunt, but revs out smoother.
If you were able to keep an old British bike happy, you'll very likely never wear the 1200 out. Was that you on the near perfect TR6 in May?