News From Across the Pond: 2003 Triumphs
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Some website or another wrote that the TT6R had been delayed because the new crop of 600s from Japan sent Triumph designers back to the drawing board. Apparently Triumph wanted to avoid a repeat of the sound thrashing the original TT600 received when it was introduced.
Whether or not this is true, it seems like the only possible outcome when a small company like Triumph shoots at a rapidly moving target like the 600cc Supersport class. By the time Triumph makes the TT6R competetive with the '03 600cc class, the Japanese will be introducing a new crop of 600s that once again eclipses the TT6R.
I wish them well, but frankly, I think it would make better sense for Triumph to focus on niches where they wouldn't be competing against the Japanese head to head.
Whether or not this is true, it seems like the only possible outcome when a small company like Triumph shoots at a rapidly moving target like the 600cc Supersport class. By the time Triumph makes the TT6R competetive with the '03 600cc class, the Japanese will be introducing a new crop of 600s that once again eclipses the TT6R.
I wish them well, but frankly, I think it would make better sense for Triumph to focus on niches where they wouldn't be competing against the Japanese head to head.
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Or if they were to shoot a whole step ahead. That's what Japan Inc does. They have to look at where the next level is, not how to get equal with everyone.
I'd love to see Triumph truly be a front runner for once. But they do have a nice ability to make good looking bikes that are different form the big 4, but keeping inline with the overall idea.
I'd love to see Triumph truly be a front runner for once. But they do have a nice ability to make good looking bikes that are different form the big 4, but keeping inline with the overall idea.
Market planners look for large and developing segments in which to compete. They assume (often incorrectly) that they will be successful by developing products based on existing benchmarks. By the time they enter the market, the segment leaders have raised the bar.
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Don't worry Triumph has deep pockets.
Triumph is privately owned (owner made his billions elsewhere) so they can go at their own time table. The TT600 had only one real flaw, the poor fuel injection. So to me it was a real success. The bike looked nice, handled well and still was comfrontable. I think there is still room for Triumph in the 600 market given that the Japenese bikes seem to have gone hard core. It would be interesting to see a smaller triple rather than a 4 though.
Triumph is privately owned (owner made his billions elsewhere) so they can go at their own time table. The TT600 had only one real flaw, the poor fuel injection. So to me it was a real success. The bike looked nice, handled well and still was comfrontable. I think there is still room for Triumph in the 600 market given that the Japenese bikes seem to have gone hard core. It would be interesting to see a smaller triple rather than a 4 though.
Re: Don't worry Triumph has deep pockets.
Obviously, John Bloor can do whatever the eff he wants with his money -- as he doesn't have shareholders to report to ------
Still, I have to question the business model that has him taking on what is already the most competetive, over-served segment of the market -- ie hyper-sport 600s. Are these comsumers really crying out for more choices?
What I hear are consumers asking for more broadly focused (or at least "different" foci) than the race-replicas (as wonderful as they are for their intended purposes) being cranked out by Japan inc.
If I were advising them, I think I would suggest playing on their strengths -- produce a 600 with more "Triumph" cues -- maybe a triple, as you suggest, or even a twin, that does not look/feel/sound like just another Japan Inc product.
As you point out, there is nothing really wrong with the TT except some F-I glitchs, and you are correct that the ergos are less extreme than the recent trend of the class. I think pursuing this market with the TT certainly makes more sense than trying to produce race replicas and to jump into AMA 600 superbike, as had been speculated about.
Obviously, John Bloor can do whatever the eff he wants with his money -- as he doesn't have shareholders to report to ------
Still, I have to question the business model that has him taking on what is already the most competetive, over-served segment of the market -- ie hyper-sport 600s. Are these comsumers really crying out for more choices?
What I hear are consumers asking for more broadly focused (or at least "different" foci) than the race-replicas (as wonderful as they are for their intended purposes) being cranked out by Japan inc.
If I were advising them, I think I would suggest playing on their strengths -- produce a 600 with more "Triumph" cues -- maybe a triple, as you suggest, or even a twin, that does not look/feel/sound like just another Japan Inc product.
As you point out, there is nothing really wrong with the TT except some F-I glitchs, and you are correct that the ergos are less extreme than the recent trend of the class. I think pursuing this market with the TT certainly makes more sense than trying to produce race replicas and to jump into AMA 600 superbike, as had been speculated about.
Anyone but me feel that their web site kinda sucks? Really have to want to find new models. Seem like the British never have quite got the marketing concept down, like the Japanese, Italians, Germans etc.
I am really happy to see the return of the T-Bird Sport. Hope that it comes here with at least one more color option -- the tangerine ain't bad, but I think it would sell better with some other choices.
I would really like to see a sport version of the Bonnyville -- really tie into the traditional cafe-racer vibe. Guess I am just an old fart, cause that look is still what I think when I think "sportbike" -- don't get me wrong, I love the new sportbikes, but they don't stimulate quite the same emotional response.
I am really happy to see the return of the T-Bird Sport. Hope that it comes here with at least one more color option -- the tangerine ain't bad, but I think it would sell better with some other choices.
I would really like to see a sport version of the Bonnyville -- really tie into the traditional cafe-racer vibe. Guess I am just an old fart, cause that look is still what I think when I think "sportbike" -- don't get me wrong, I love the new sportbikes, but they don't stimulate quite the same emotional response.
They should have concentrated on making triples, which made them unique. Imagine a 675 triple (assuming the same size break as the 900 triple gets) that would have more torque than the Japanese fours, a different sound, with approximately the same hp. Just a thought.
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The Triumph website is pretty bad. At least it isn't a flash monstrosity though like some other manufacturers. Mostly, it feels very understated. I'd really like to see more images of the motorcycles on their site. When you only have one or two shots of a bike, it doesn't give you the full appreciation of the design unless you see one in person. (Which with the factory fire might be awhile with some models...)
I agree with those advocating a smaller bore triple (than 955). The rule makers could consult engineers and work out what would theoretically be a capacity to provide equal performance to the 600 fours- thus giving them the chance to race successfully in supersport racing.
The big four put huge resources into that class and 600's are a huge seller for them.
The triumph Daytona is a unique product among the litre class sport bikes.
It's not chasing ultimate lap times, but still has plenty of performance, a loved engine character and unique sound.
Why not the same in the smaller class ???
My guess is: ineligibility to compete in SS competitively and possibly research indicating racing success critical to sales in that class.
Not that the TT was a great success..........
Maybe a non-SS smaller bore wasnt seen as worthwhile financially. A 750 might be too close to the 955, a 600 to costly for it's outright performance.
Dont know really.
A friend has a 2nd generation TT (different cams, crank etc) and has constantly been getting new downloads from Triumph. She says each has been an improvement and now she can choose b/w one that gives extra top end but some low down fluffiness, or slightly less outright power but perfect fuelling everywhere. She absolutely loves the bike.
Cheers,
Stormcloud
The big four put huge resources into that class and 600's are a huge seller for them.
The triumph Daytona is a unique product among the litre class sport bikes.
It's not chasing ultimate lap times, but still has plenty of performance, a loved engine character and unique sound.
Why not the same in the smaller class ???
My guess is: ineligibility to compete in SS competitively and possibly research indicating racing success critical to sales in that class.
Not that the TT was a great success..........
Maybe a non-SS smaller bore wasnt seen as worthwhile financially. A 750 might be too close to the 955, a 600 to costly for it's outright performance.
Dont know really.
A friend has a 2nd generation TT (different cams, crank etc) and has constantly been getting new downloads from Triumph. She says each has been an improvement and now she can choose b/w one that gives extra top end but some low down fluffiness, or slightly less outright power but perfect fuelling everywhere. She absolutely loves the bike.
Cheers,
Stormcloud
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is it me or does it appear from triumph's website that the daytona is going back to the single sided swingarm of the previous model (or last year's CE)? also featured is a very red daytona with the sssa. does this shine some light on the few of those released last year?
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2003 Triumph Bonneville T100
It's a good thing the Bonneville T100 is making a come-back, since so few actually got to the US in '02, due to the fire.
However, the colors for '03 are nowhere near as arresting as the Lucifer Orange of '02 ..... sad ! It seems the '02 T100 will remain pretty pricey all of it's life now, given it's rarity.
It's a good thing the Bonneville T100 is making a come-back, since so few actually got to the US in '02, due to the fire.
However, the colors for '03 are nowhere near as arresting as the Lucifer Orange of '02 ..... sad ! It seems the '02 T100 will remain pretty pricey all of it's life now, given it's rarity.
I'd heard somewhere that there was a lot of demand for the SSSA, and that it may have been made available as an option.
I'd also heard that the red CE edition was going to be very, very rare due to the fire in the factory and a decision not to start the red option again. Going by how Triumph seems to respond so quickly to buyer feedback (are you listen ing Japan inc. ??) things may have changed since then.
I'd also heard that the red CE edition was going to be very, very rare due to the fire in the factory and a decision not to start the red option again. Going by how Triumph seems to respond so quickly to buyer feedback (are you listen ing Japan inc. ??) things may have changed since then.
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