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Fresh from recording record sales in 2011, Triumph Motorcycles will celebrate its 110th anniversary in 2012 with its strongest ever line-up, boosted by three new models which will be officially unveiled at the EICMA show in Milan, on November 8.

Triumph Tiger Explorer

Brand new for 2012 is the Tiger Explorer, a flagship model for Triumph’s Adventure range.

Following on from 2011’s phenomenally successful Tiger 800 models, which have become Europe’s best selling sub-800cc adventure tourers, the Tiger Explorer is powered by an all-new, shaft-driven, three-cylinder engine in excess of 1200cc, delivering class leading performance to the adventure touring class.

Featuring a high-specification as standard, the Tiger Explorer debuts Triumph’s new ‘ride-by-wire’ throttle system and includes cruise control, switchable ABS and traction control as standard. The high specification continues in the chassis department with a strong steel chassis and cast alloy wheels, 19” front and 17” rear, the latter showcased thanks to the stylish single-sided swingarm.

A suite of bespoke accessories have also been developed for the Tiger Explorer’s launch with hard and soft luggage, low and high seat options and a wide range of heated and electrical accessories which can be run simultaneously thanks to the Tiger Explorer’s best-in-class 950w generator.

Triumph Speed Triple R

Following the success of the uprated versions of the Street Triple and Daytona 675, Triumph is introducing a premium version of its iconic Speed Triple, the Speed Triple R.

Working in close collaboration with Swedish suspension brand Öhlins, the Speed Triple R sports the latest specification NIX30 43mm forks at the front, with a jewel like TTX36 unit at the rear. To minimise unsprung weight as much as possible, the lightweight five-spoke forged aluminium wheels from PVM are over 1.7kg lighter than those on the standard machine, delivering even more precise and agile handling. Stopping the Speed Triple R are top specification four-piston radial monoblock calipers from Brembo, the leading brand in MotoGP racing, with a switchable version of Triumph’s electronic anti-lock system available as an option. Together, the brakes and wheels offer a 5% increase in braking performance over the standard Speed Triple.

The Speed Triple R’s choice of metallic Phantom Black and Crystal White colour options are complemented with red coloured subframe and detailing, as well as the iconic gold forks, to create a sportier and more exotic look that confirm its status as Triumph’s premier naked sports model.

Triumph Steve McQueenTM Edition

Triumph has joined forces with the estate of Hollywood icon Steve McQueen to create a limited edition motorcycle that pays tribute to the late actor’s love of the British brand’s products.

Based on the classic Bonneville T100, just 1,100 of the Steve McQueenTM Edition will be sold worldwide. Featuring a host of modified parts, the design is inspired by the Triumph Trophy TR6 that McQueen insisted on riding during the famous stunt scene in The Great Escape, and features a military-style Matt Khaki Green livery, stencil-style Triumph decal on the tank and the actor’s signature on the side covers.

Featuring a solo seat and black luggage rack, the McQueen bike has also been fitted with a rugged skid plate and small black-bodied headlamp. The Triumph Steve McQueenTM Edition features a host of other blacked out components, including wheel rims and hubs, handlebars, rear springs, mirrors and front mudguard supports. To confirm the bike’s provenance, each machine is individually numbered with a plaque placed on the handlebar clamp, while owners will also receive a certificate of authenticity with their machine.

Full details of Triumph’s new-for-2012 models will be announced at Triumph’s press conference at EICMA, held on stand H26 at 12:30 local time on 8 November.
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That shaft-drive on the new Tiger Explorer should help take a bigger bite out of BMW R1200GS sales, not to mention the Yamaha Super Tenere sales too.

So, it DOES look as if Triumph is gonna wait until 2013 to bring out a shaft-driven Sport-Touring Trophy model version of it afterall, eh?!

So I guess the Explorer is a replacement for the Tiger 1050? Yeah I'm somewhat disappointed the New Trophy wasn't one of the new bikes to be introduced.

I believe the Tiger may very well be my next bike, I now lust after it more than an RIIIT

I can't believe anyone would be seriously negative about the Steve McQueen bike. Personally my reaction is a bit, "meh." I'll have to look for the rant I saw on one of the bike blogs.

That's pretty much how I feel about this McQueen Bonnie too John..."meh", it's okay I guess. Actually, I think I'd prefer having a Scrambler and maybe just add a few accessories to it so that it resembles more the Triumph McQueen rode in the 1964 European Trials than this one, which I suppose is supposed to resemble the Triumph in "The Great Escape", but really doesn't all that much.

(...btw John, I'd like to see that rant you were talkin' about in that bike blog)

I can't seem to find the rant, but I like this much better...



(fake kickstart and all)

Oh yeah! Now THAT is just about as close as anyone is ever going to come to makin' a new Triumph look like the Great Escape bike.

Even the exhaust system is pretty much right-on.

Yeah now that is an amazing looking bike. It's is hard to say at this point though since there isn't yet good pic of the 2012 model.

Or maybe my McQueen manlove is just getting the best of me...

I did a feature on it a while ago.

http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/462/great-escape-bonneville-from-italy/

The new 2012 bike just looks like a mashup between a matte khaki Scrambler and a T-100. There's nothing really unique about it. In fact, the rant I can no longer find whines about Triumph just raiding the parts bins to cash in on McQueen's cult of personality.

I do like it, but I wouldn't pay extra for it. I'd rather have a matte khaki Scrambler and "Mad Max it out."

Thank you. Very inspiring machine.

I was hoping for a new Trophy. Took a ride on a BMW R1200RT about a year ago and have wanted one since but I wanted to see a sport touring bike from Triumph first. Yesterday, I was near the Escondido BMW dealer and the owner made me a deal I couldn't pass up, so now I'm a two bike owner. I love my America but for long distance riding two up, the RT will be my bike choice.

Bill

I'd be stoked to be able to get my leg over one.

Seat height was one thing that delayed my purchase but the Sprint is just as bad and I don't expect the Trophy to be much better. One thing that helped is the seat options. I found that with the standard seat in the lower position, I could almost flat foot and that the mid controls make single footing much easier and better balanced than forward controls. I understand that less preload on the rear shock (ESA confort position) also lowers the bike. BTW, I have a 30" inseam. My biggest problem is that at 65, I'm not as flexible as I once was so getting on is worse than riding.

Anyway, both my wife and I enjoy riding it. The performance and handling is outstanding, both at low and high speed; however, I probably would not have bought it were we not planning longer road trips.

Bill

I've been eying BMWs as well while waiting to see if a Triumph trophy comes back. There's no BMW dealer near me, but I am interested in more of a sit up serious tourer and don't see myself as a GW kind of guy.

As long as I can ride, I'll have my America - no way I'm getting rid of it.