Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes A New 250?

With all this talk of the hopeful 1500ish cc Triumph I thought I go the other way. What about a 250cc, maybe bringing back the Tiger Cub. Cheap reliable transport that gets 60+ miles to the gallon. Now that I would definitely be interested in. Just was curious to see what peoples reaction to a small Triumph would be out there.

I wouldn't be interested in a smaller bike and neither is Triumph.

At talk given to my RAT pack just before Christmas, the financial director confirmed what was mentioned during a factory tour a couple of years ago .. that Triumph wasn't interested in competing in the sub 600cc market.
Now that's been said, you just watch them bring out a 250cc or somesuch!

LOADS of people still like the 250cc class to either start out thier motorcycling 'career' or just because they get caught up in the numbers.

If they made a 250cc bike that was stylish and affordable, I bet people would by it. If for nothing else but to putt around the pits or to jaunt down to the local store.

I cant see much of a market for 250cc in the US. But, for Europe and the Far East 250cc bikes are big business and i think Triumph could do well if they were to enter this market.

What can Triumph offer in the below 600 class that isn't already offered by any random manufacturer? From Harley to honda, they all offer 'little' bikes.

I was told the same as Funkletrumpet at the factory tour,not much profit in the smaller bikes, It costs as much to engineer and assemble a 250 as a 1050 when they are all on the same line.

I'd leave work and get a 250 right now if it was in the 300 lb. range. Throw on knobbies, stud 'em up and I gots me a bike I can ride anywhere all winter.

But really, how much money is there to be made in the small bike market vs how much it would cost to develop one? I believe that market (in the US, where everything is bigger and better!) is too small for a new product entry, and most consumers in that market are beginning bikers looking for a minimal investment; where those shopping for bigger bikes(higher price, volume, and profits) are usually more knowledgeable(hopefully) enthusiasts with deeper pockets.

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But really, how much money is there to be made in the small bike market vs how much it would cost to develop one?

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I still think that depends on what market you are looking at. In the US it would be pointless to bring out a small bike. Very few people ride them. But else where in the world there is a huge market for small bikes. Particually where licensing laws restrict new riders to small cc bikes. In addition, with the level of congestion in places like Europe and the devoloping far eastern markets and the high cost of fuel, small bikes are becoming increasingly populer. The growth of the scooter market in Europe is evidence of this.

With Triumph opening a factory in Thailand it would suprise me if they were not looking at a small engined bike for that 'home' market.

Sorry Mark, but I also don't see any financial advantage for Triumph to enter this smaller displacement market. The Asian manufacturers pretty much dominate it already, and bucking heads with them, as Triumph recently tried in the past with their inline-4 600 was a money loser. That's why they brought to the market the 675 Triple(as I'm sure you know), in order to differeniate themselves from the japanese "Big Four". And I don't see Triumph "re-designing" anything in that size that would be "different enough" OR cheaper in price(which is the reason for most sales in that market to begin with) in order to compete effectively in that market, either.

And BTW, that's to compete effectively worldwide, not in just the "bigger is better-minded" U.S.)

How about cutting a America/Speedy in half and have a one cylinder smaller bike? Just kidding. I agree that the Japanese have filled the market with smaller displacement bikes.

Harley used to make a 250cc bike. I wasn't aware that they make anything small anymore.

I really can't see Triumph building one either for all the replied post and the points they brought out. I would like to get a 250cc sport bike in a year or two. Some thing to commute to work. I like the price factor and the gas mileage. I like the Ningas because of the previously mentioned reasons and that they can go north of 65 miles per hour. Would love to find and old Triumph cub to restore for the same reasons(except for the speed part). It may end up more because of parts and not be fast as a Ninga but would go with that if I could find one.

Even when I was working in downtown L.A. where they would be ideal, I didn't see many small commuter bikes. Currently, at least in the US, the only market for smaller bikes seems to be mini sportbikes and offroad. And both of those markets are saturated and terribly competitive, especially now that China has been declared an official trading buddy of the US. I think it would take a stronger showing for their current line to get more brand recognition first before the risk would be low enough to try competing in such a low profit margin market in countries where the small commuter bike is common. Right now, if they ventured into that market worldwide and failed, it would be a disaster for their entire line, not at all worth the risk.