Triumph 300cc Thumpers?!?!?

[Rincewind]

Triumph building a new 300cc naked single!

Rumours are flying out of Thailand at the moment that Triumph is developing and due to start testing an all new 300cc or 350cc single cylinder naked bike.

According to Motorcycle Sport & Leisure, on sale now, a new Triumph is being lined up as an affordable entry-level bike for developed markets (US/Europe) and as a prestige model in growing markets (Asia, Africa and South America). News of the bike first emerged last month in the Brazilian magazine Motociclismo, which reports that it will be assembled in Brazil from kits sent from Thailand to a new Triumph assembly plant in Manaus.

As we already know, Triumph wants to expand its line up to 23 models across 7 categories by the end of 2012 and are keen to tap in to the rapidly expanding Asia markets. Currently, Triumph has 21 models across 6 categories; so with this model rumoured to be formally announced in 2012 there is speculation that there will be 2 variants and a new category - could this be a new Triumph Cub?

The liquid cooled four-valve single cylinder engine is rumoured to measure between 267cc and 350cc depending on the country in which it will be sold. If correct, then this would position it against KTM's 200cc Duke for India, Brazil and other developing markets.

Triumph's 800 Thailand employees are under the direction of locally based British management and outweigh the 600 strong workforce at its Hinckley HQ. The Thai operation manufactures a significant proportion of both engine and chassis components for all current models. Triumph is rumoured to be building a volume production plant in Thailand to enable it be compete in the Asian export markets to other countries throughout the region.

Naturally, Triumph have not commented on any speculation regarding the development of any new models.

Posted: 05 May 2011


http://www.triumphtorque.com/news/32/Triumph-building-a-new-300cc-naked-single.aspx

[JReazor]

Nice. I want a Speed Single!

[Rincewind]

With Honda pumping out new Global models from Thailand such as the CBR250, and KTM pimping a new 125cc Duke, this sounds like potentially very good news for Triumph, who sorely lack a beginner-friendly bike.  

The sidestory of the above mini-article is the new Triumph factory in Manaus, Brazil, where Harley established it's first foreign factory in 1998.  Manaus is also home to Kawasaki, Honda and Chinese brand factories.

[bomber]

I think Triumph addressing the world transportation market is a great thing -- it could mean a huge revenue stream, ensuring the health of the company.

The sidestory of the above mini-article is the new Triumph factory in Manaus, Brazil, where Harley established it's first foreign factory in 1998. 

Just a data point, HD had a factory in Japan in the 30s -- er, make that 1930s ;-}

[Rincewind]

Just a data point, HD had a factory in Japan in the 30s -- er, make that 1930s ;-}

A brief google-search indicates the Japanese factory was not HD, but was licensed by HD, who also provided some tooling.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rikuo_Motorcycle

[sammyseaman]

Gonna be too small to sport-tour properly. Defeinitely won't have enough h.p. either. Probably no shaft drive. Way too tiny for windy days. I'll bet my Irish ass that it won't have an adjustable windshield. Hard bags? Traction control? Automatic tranny? Highly doubtful.

Sorry Triumph, I'll be waiting for the 1800cc Trophy.

[Croak]

If I were Triumph, I'd make you keep waiting for a new Trophy.

Triumph does best by creating or finding a niche to serve and serve well, they don't do so good in head-to-head unless it's in a niche they created first like the Speed/Street line, or to a lesser extent the Rocket and D675.    Sprint, head to head with the other ST rides, has lackluster sales at best, so does the Tiger 1050, and so did the last Trophy.  Doesn't help that the big ST market has ALWAYS been soft.

[sammyseaman]

If I were Triumph, I'd make you keep waiting for a new Trophy.

Big meanie  

[falconati]

Very cool.  Excited to see if this comes to fruition or not...

[pushr0d]

Hmmmm.

A single-cylinder Sprint.  What would you call that?

A "Dash"?



But seriously, if they build a 'cute' 250cc standard; like a small-ish Bonneville with decent power and stupid good fuel economy, I think they'd sell them by the truckload.

But they've got to avoid 'cheesy' design and low-quality components.  And they must make sure to put good chrome plating on it.

Nothing worse than watching your pride & joy rot in front of your eyes.

[Roadscum]

Maybe it's time for Triumph to break into the scooter market?

Regards, Paul

[JReazor]

Maybe a Daytona 325R? Light weight, super narrow, modern engine, real suspension. Don't cut corners and price it in line with the Yamaha WR-X.

[pushr0d]

Here ya go!  "Blazer"!

This, from www.triumph.im:

[sammyseaman]

Here ya go!  "Blazer"!

This, from www.triumph.im:

Mmmm.... air-cooled drum brakes

[bomber]

A brief google-search indicates the Japanese factory was not HD, but was licensed by HD, who also provided some tooling.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rikuo_Motorcycle

I sit corrected -- thank you sir!

[bomber]

Mmmm.... air-cooled drum brakes

Water cooling added too much avoirdupois.

[sammyseaman]

Water cooling added too much avoirdupois.

Smarty-pants  

[bomber]

Smarty-pants  

Ta DA!

[Rincewind]

This further article states that the new Honda CBR250R is being benchmark tested as part of the R&D on the new Trumpet-Thumpers.


Triumph's small bike – rumours won't go away

Lower capacity machines spotted on test
Posted: 11 May 2011
by Visordown News

TRIUMPH might not be admitting it but the suggestion that it's working on a new small-capacity bike just seems to be getting ever-stronger.

The firm has already been spotted testing a small machine, around the size of a 125 although some have suggested it's actually bigger than that. More recently a Honda CBR250R has been seen testing in the company of some Triumph prototypes – presumably as the firm gets a grip on what its rivals are up to.

The appearance of the CBR is particularly important, it's built in Thailand and targeted largely at the ever-growing markets in Asia and India.

Triumph, which has its own Thai factory, is in a position to compete when it comes to manufacturing cost, and must surely be keen on grabbing a slice of the world's fastest-growing bike markets.

More rumours suggest that the firm could be working on a single that's closer to 350cc – perhaps not coincidentally the size of one cylinder from the firm's 1050 triple – although at that size it might be too big to be able to capitalise on the Indian/Asian markets where 250cc is still considered “superbike” size.

Read more: http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-new-bikes/triumphs-small-bike--rumours-wont-go-away/17981.html#ixzz1M3w2Q8r4

[Papa Lazarou]

Just to mention that the baby Indian built KTM is rather good...