Triumphrat

Trophy4 · 10-13-2012, 10:26 PM

I was in the Triumph booth today @ the Barber Vintage Festival. They were displaying both the blue and the silver Trophy SE "in the flesh". I must say, both colors look sharp. The overall shape of the fairing looks like it was lifted directly from a BMW R1200RT. The bags reinforce the BMW semblance, too.

I had the opportunity to throw a leg over the bike, and found it quite comfortable, just setting there (I'm 5' 9"). The windshield was unobtrusive. I didn't try to raise/lower it, so don't know what setting it was on. The controls were a bit intimidating, and the control panel had lots of info on it. I'm sure the controls would quickly become second nature.

Would I buy one? The jury is still out on that question. I keep asking myself if I need another 650 lb+ tourer. And, even tho' the service interval is long, I don't think I'm going to be serious considering a Trophy without test riding one, and without a local dealer in Birmingham, I'd have to think long/hard before trading in my 450lb BMW F800ST (which is a fine little touring bike, especially for hauling around just 1 person.)

RT · 10-14-2012, 08:50 AM

Did they indicate if we are going to see demo bikes in US before next year?

Trophy4 · 10-14-2012, 09:14 PM

The staff @ the booth said these two were the only Trophys in the US right now, and they were keeping them pretty close to the vest. The T-USA staff did get a chance to ride them @ the festival, but AFAIK, no potential customers were allowed to ride them. You were at least allowed to throw your leg over one or both of them, make "Vroom, Vroom" sounds (occasionally, someone would start one of them and you could make Vroom, Vroom for real!).

Look for them @ the nearest Cycle World Show.

Jamo · 10-19-2012, 12:15 PM

As much as I want to like the new Trophy, I'm not buying a new motorcycle without self-cancelling turn signals. That leaves BMW and Harley. I'm inclined towards the Roadking.

Wells · 10-19-2012, 03:15 PM

Wait... the turn signals aren't self cancelling? But... Triumph HAS that technology! It is installed on the Thunderbird! It is a simple technology that basically just cancels the signal after the bike has rolled X amount of distance...

Where does it say that this bike does not have that feature?

DeanRider · 10-19-2012, 03:20 PM

Self-cancelling indicators aside there is a HUGE difference in technology between the Trophy and the Roadking. Actually light years ahead about sums it up...

Wells · 10-22-2012, 03:38 PM

Went down to Biketoberfest this past weekend and asked at the Daytona BMW/Triumph dealer if they had one on display, figuring "Hey! It's Biketoberfest! Surely Triumph would have one here at least to show off to people!"

Nope.

They did, however, have an email that they showed me that basically stated they won't be seeing one of these until mid 1st quarter next year. February-March time frame.

So at least one rumor is now out that it has been delayed.

Trophy4 · 10-22-2012, 11:10 PM

I've never read anything other than an "early '13" availability date. And the 2 bikes @ Barber's Vintage Festival were the only 2 in the US @ this time. They (Triumph) had their annual dealer meeting last week (Sunday night - Wednesday) in Birmingham (at Barber's). Didn't leave much time to get their bikes down to Daytona's "Harley/Biketoberfest". I was in the area (St Augustine) last weekend, and the H-D (and clones) outnumbered the other marques by something like 10:1.

I'd still expect that Triumph will show the Trophy at the Cycle World shows (first one in Atlanta next month, Nov 2-4), then at some of the other shows. I'd think that dealers that believe there is a market for an upscale touring sports bike will bring in a few Trophys as soon as possible, to entice their best customers.

[Note: At the Barber's festival, I overheard several dealers wonder if the Trophy would "fit" their customer base. Several weren't exactly thrilled with the bike, not because there was anything wrong with the bike, but rather wondering if Triumph might be chasing a market that was pretty well already filled by BMW's RT, Yamaha's FJR, Kawa's Concours 14, and Honda's ST1300 -- none of which are exactly rolling out of dealerships in droves.]

Wells · 10-23-2012, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trophy4

[Note: At the Barber's festival, I overheard several dealers wonder if the Trophy would "fit" their customer base. Several weren't exactly thrilled with the bike, not because there was anything wrong with the bike, but rather wondering if Triumph might be chasing a market that was pretty well already filled by BMW's RT, Yamaha's FJR, Kawa's Concours 14, and Honda's ST1300 -- none of which are exactly rolling out of dealerships in droves.]

I think it depends on the dealer. If the dealer is selling the Japanese bikes, then it is probably not going to seem like the right fit for them. However, if they are selling the European bikes like BMW and Ducati, then it will seem more in line to them.

I know the guys in Daytona/Orlando see it as a nice option compared to the 1200RT, though they feel that it will not have the same amount of power or capability... we'll just have to see.

epynt1050 · 10-23-2012, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wells

I know the guys in Daytona/Orlando see it as a nice option compared to the 1200RT, though they feel that it will not have the same amount of power or capability.

Has significantly more power than the 1200RT (132hp vs 110) In fact it is not too far behind the 1600GT (160 hp).

Similar uncertanty had been expressed has to how well it would sell vs BMW was raised at the launches of both the Tiger 800/XC and the Explorer. Both have been tremendous successes in UK and Europe.
Expect Triumph will have a similar success with Trophy.