Triumph Claims Record Profits

What I don't want to see Triumph do is sell their bikes at premium prices. If their prices stay on par with the big four mabye they will sell a lot more bikes. For example, I'm the kind of buyer who would prefer the relaxed ergo's of a Daytona 955i or 650 over the full on race ergo's of the big four repli racers. I'm not concerned over the 10 - 15% (just numbers I pulled out of my arse, don't know what the actual difference is in performance of a Daytona 650 compared to an R6) less performance you get from the Triumph and that I'd be paying the same amout as say for an R1 or R6. I won't be willing to pay $1000 or $2000 more though. Again, not because of the performance (they have plenty for me and for the majority of street riders) but I just simply don't want to pay more when the competition sells for less (that being said I don't know if the economies of scale allow Triumph to price their bikes on par with the Japanese manufacturers).

Harley, BMW, and Ducati already do that and successfully so. But, maybe Triumph would do good to continue it's unique approach to making and selling motorcycles by being the little manufacturer who makes bikes unique to the competition but prices them the same as the competition.

I bought the green one in 2002 when they were expensive. It is a great bike. The snorkel covers can be removed. What you can do is roll some insulation foam around the inner black snorkel tube and stuff it into the frame hole. The insulation holds the snorkel in place nicely. I also cut the nub off the front of the snorkel and taped the hole. It's not too bad looking - better than I describe. I also fabricated footpeg perches to lower the pegs about 1.5 inches, which are more comfortable. My right foot rests on the pipe, but I'll insulate it. You can do these kinds of dodges with this machine without it looking out of character.



I don't know that this 680 triple is, but here is what I would hope they build.

Wet weight - 420lbs (absolutely no more than that!)

Chassis like the Speed 4 (single-sided swingarm please).

50 ft/lbs of torque, 90 hp, 70mph at 4600rpm, No vibration!

Priced at less than $8000.

That sounds ideal.



Do you use your Speed Four for the streets mainly (i.e. any track days on it?)? I'm thinking of picking up an '03 new and can probably get it for...well you know the discounts they are offering. It's the tangerine color. I'd like black but that can't be found, only the mini oranges.



Sounds like you like it. How is it on the streets? How's the clutch okay, dose it have enough torque (we always want more so enough is relative). Can you do wheelies without popping the clutch?



I think the styling kicks butt and I like the snorkels! Everyone on triumphrat.net seems to love their Speed Fours.