Why doesn't Triumph make a proper two-up bike?

[Clint]

Although it'll be awhile before I actually buy another bike, I've been thinking about what will replace my '02 RS. I've pretty much settled on another sport-touring bike, though anyone who's seen how slow I ride knows I'm much more touring than sport. Also, my wife has been riding with me more and more. I've got a Corbin seat with a back rest which helps with her comfort, but I can't fit my soft saddle bags with a rider aboard.

Let's see, ST choices: Honda ST1300, Yamaha FJR, BMW R1200RT, Kawasaki Concours 14, or Triumph...

Well, Triumph doesn't really have an equivalent. First of all, I don't understand their marketing plan with the Tiger. I scored a demo ride on an '07 at Americade and I really, really liked the bike. But there's not much to differentiate it from the Sprint. In my view, they should've made the Sprint more tour worthy and the Tiger more dual sport. As it stands, they're the same bikes. They share the same hard cases which, frankly, looked rather chintzy. Neither seems very inviting to a passenger. There's no adjustable windscreen, power outlets, storage compartments, etc. like the other brands.

I love my RS and I'd really like to buy another Triumph, but they need to fill a hole in their lineup.

Clint

[bizarro]

Well, they used to have the Trophy and hopefully they'll put out a new version of that bike. Personally, I don't need all the electrical options and a back rest for a passenger (think Corbin Gunfighter/Lady) would do the trick, I would think.

[garry]

I suspect a touring version of the Rocket III will be the mile muncher in the Triumph lineup.

[trophycup]

Not sure if or when they will have a bike in the touring but not too heavy class.  However they sure do have a great bike on the used market because 5 of us from our local Two Wheeled Texas group bought used Trophys last year.

[Clint]

Actually, that's a good point. Wonder why they discontinued it? I haven't heard any rumors of a future replacement, have you?

[Tony T]

Wonder why they discontinued it?

Probably because everyone else was coming out with shaft-drive, fuel-injected, bikes that had adjustable windshields for about the same price Triumph was selling the Trophy for. You know, the FJR, ST1300, ect . .

[Clint]

Yes, buy why not continue with an updated model? Triumph is the only mfr without a 1300cc or larger ST. Obviously, they're a niche mfr. Honda probably sells more ST1300s than Triumph's entire lineup. So I could understand if Triumph had decided not to enter a category where they had no presence, but to just drop out altogether is baffling. So now they have both the Sprint and the Tiger vying for the same customers and nothing higher in the lineup. What's the point of fragmenting your own market?

OK, keep this to yourselves. Triumph has a super double secret plan to re-introduce a new Trophy. The 1050 is too small for such a bike so they'll use the Rocket III engine. The seats will look like twin Lazyboy recliners. It'll look like a car from the back. You'll see them on the highway carrying couples with matching gear and stuffed bears hanging off. There will be a big aftermarket for chrome bits, cupholders, and LED lighting. Trike versions will be forthcoming. SHHH!

 

[Stripes]

Triumph is the only mfr without a 1300cc or larger ST.

Really??? What about the Ducati ST3 or the Aprilia Futura?

[kendenton]

Moto Guzzi Norge!

[Clint]

Really??? What about the Ducati ST3 or the Aprilia Futura?

I stand corrected. Maybe they've all conceded to the Japanese.

[GS1100GK]

Moto Guzzi Norge!

+1  I've had 2 test rides on a Norge and it is a great bike.  If I do not like the new Concours 14 then this will be my next ride.  Sorry for the thread hijack Triumph folks!

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

...Triumph is the only mfr without a 1300cc or larger ST...

Aside from the aforementioned Ducati and Aprillia, the following manufacturers don't make 1300cc+ ST machines:

Moto Guzzi
BMW
KTM
Victory
Harley Davidson
MV Augusta
Kymco
Hyosung
Ural
Bimota
Benelli

I could argue Suzuki as well.  The Hayabusa makes a good ST machine, but that isn't really the niche Suzuki was going for.

I'm sure there are others.

They probably quit making the Trophy because it didn't sell as well as they'd hoped.

Maybe they'll fill the "hole", but they have a bigger hole to fill in the litre sportbike class, now.  I'd guess that sportbikes greatly outsell ST machines, so I bet we get a new Daytona first.

[basco]

Probably because everyone else was coming out with shaft-drive, fuel-injected, bikes that had adjustable windshields for about the same price Triumph was selling the Trophy for. You know, the FJR, ST1300, ect . .

Trophies where 12-14k? I don't think the Trophy lost sales because of the ST1300 or the FJR. Triumph don't have much market share. BTW, what was the last year on the Trophy, 02 or 03. It doesn't seem that if the last year on the Trophy (03) corresponds with the 03 ST1300 or FJR. I think it was discontinued because of the new Sprint. They do overlap some.

[Snowdog]

Triumph stopped making the trophy for one simple reason - they didn't sell enough. Competition from the ST1300 and FJR was certainly a factor - at least according to one Triumph employee I spoke to.

[BBB]

Actually, that's a good point. Wonder why they discontinued it? I haven't heard any rumors of a future replacement, have you?

Simple. The Trophy range could trace its ancestry back to 1991 when Triumph returned to the market and all their bikes were built using the modular concept, using the same frames but with different engines and bodywork to distinguish the 3 models (Trident, Trophy and Daytona). By 2002/3 when they discontinued the Trophy, the concept was very dated and had been left behind by the competition.