Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Rumors About Triumph's New Cruiser???

Has anyone heard anything about Triumph's new (1200ccrange) cruiser?
At first it was rumored that the America would be upsized and we'd see a big twin. The last I heard was probably a downsized RocketIII due to it's versatile format.
I would love to hear any news.

Dennis

Nope, I haven't heard anything and I imagine Triumph is going to play this pretty close to the vest. IMO a 1200cc cruiser would cause those that liked Triumph but wanted something bigger (not RIII big) to take a 2nd look.

The latest rumor from the factory is that it is slated for 2006 production. Unknown what engine configuation. I don't see the point in a mini rocketIII. I may be going to Cleveland this weekend to the show. I'll see what Triumph is saying, and let you know.

Tommy

Well, I gotta tell ya. If there's an America with a bigger engine, I'd definitely try to convince Jenny that a SECOND bike payment is also a "fact of life". Thing is though, I've developed such an attachment to the one I have, I think I'd suffer almost insurmountable guilt walking past it to get on another. Like cheating on your best gal.

I heard something here about a mid-size cruiser coming out in 2006 also. I'm hoping it will have shaft drive or a belt. It would be nice if it kept the old Triumph look along with the cruiser styling. After test riding the Rocket it just doesn't make it for me, styling and heft are little over the top. Now "Power" that's a different story.

-PS

Hi Tad,

Good to see you posting again. The Rocket III is mine if I want it. After the Kitchen remodel. The Rocket III is OK but like you said,

Quote:

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...If there's an America with a bigger engine...

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I too would have to consider a second motorsickle. Heck the 2006 models will most likely have fuel injection. This is the way of the EPA.....

I told my bride (Raynea, a.k.a. Chairman of The Board) about the rumors of a bigger cruiser, and told her "even though I love my BonnieAm, I'd have to get that bike if it's configured like the RocketIII". She surprized me by saying, "OK, then I can have your America". Love that woman!

Paul,
I agree! Belt or shaft will determine my next purchase. For God's sake, it's 2005. Triumph has been building motorcycles for 103 years, And still using chains? I look at the chain on my bike and I see over 200 moving parts. No one ever has wear problems with belts. We'd have to POP wheelies every gear at 10,000 miles a year for 3 years to break a belt. This is my only problem with Triumph beside the big difference in tire size on the SM/TBA - and that is, it ruins handling when your trying to zap harleys and keep up with Daytonas & Speed 3s in the twisties. MY BACK TIRE RULES THE TURNS & PREVENTS KNEE DRAGGIN'! Oh well, My next bike buy will have a belt or shaft, and it won't be a RocketIII. Maybe the "Triumph 1200cc triple MissleIII".
Dennis

tad -

" there must be 50 ways to lose your lover"

someone at ratnet said this week that you never get over getting rid of any Triumph to get another . i thought it well put.

where,where, where, ....????

earlier this week on some site (was gona post immediately but forgot) i saw 2 photos & some detail about what was going on. the photos were spy shots taken at the Triumph test track as well as them wheeling the bike back into the factory in a big hurry. the bike was disguised with a bunch of cardboard (appeared as) & other camo type junk. the author claimed info through his sources was that this bike was powered by a new 1300 cc engine & that rumor claimed this a future power plant for a number of Triumph models.

1300 cc's ? floats my boat in a speedy inspired cruiser!

if i run into it again i'll post.

jeff, check your browser's history. maybe the link is there.

New cruiser? 1200 cc's?? BRING IT ONNNNNN!!!!
Oh yes..
Roadie

I would hope shaft instead of chain or belt drive. You do notice that the only bikes with belt drive are under powered cruisers. All sport bikes still have chain final drive and all other power bikes have shaft drive (like the Rocket III).

Tom

only 120? thats nothing hahahaa. doesent the roadwarrior have a belt to?

Frank

I just got back from the Cleveland show. It seems everyone from Team Triumph is very tight lipped about this new cruiser. The only statement I got was that something will be announced this coming fall. It will be announced in this country, so it makes sense that it will be what the American market is asking for. Keep our fingers crossed.

will they make a v twin ?maybe like the one that vincent used?

i for one really hope that they don't make it a v twin..i for one hope that they keep it a in line twin.. in my eyes that is what makes it a triumph..

biker

For what its worth my dealer says that a bigger twin crusier is a done deal for 06, as well as a drive shaft touring model. Like all rumors take it with a grain of salt, but these guys have been pretty accurate over the years, regarding rumors that pertained to the other Euro-brands they carry.

I've never heard anyone mention a v twin. I sure hope we keep the conventional Triumph look.
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Tommy

I've said it before. If they were to extend the left side of the engine out by the amount it was offset to the right, there would be room to bore it to around 1000 - 1200 CC's *AND* there would be room in the gearbox to add the 6'th gear that everyone tries to shift. A bigger engine, an extra gear, and there would be true balance in the universe.

I'm starting my own rumor. Take 2 of the new for next year 650 triples and make a 60 degree, 1300cc V6: belt drive and under 500 lbs. wet. Make the exhaust sound like a 4.2 XKE. Mine will be BRG with a tan leather bum cushion. Make sure it gets in the next James Bond film.
Mike Sr.

Hi Greybeard,
I agree! That made me wonder. Why did they hang our engines to the right in the first place. Could the countershaft not be extended by 25mm (one inch).
I like Mikesr's idea too for a tour bike, but a cruiser needs to be 2 or 3 cylinders. I would love to see a mid size Rocket3, maybe a "Missle III" or "Bullet".

Hiya Dennis
I haven't read all the posts here so sorry if I repeat anything.
When the Rocket came out, a Brit magazine ran the usual 'drawing board to finished bike' story. During the article, they mentioned different engine sizes (1200, 1500, 1800cc) but, because Honda had just anounced their 2000cc machine, Triumph wanted to top it.
Well, I was lucky enough to go on the factory tour a couple of months ago and, during some Q&A, I asked the tour manager about the possibility of an 'in-fill' between the 790cc and 2300cc.
He got VERY edgey and said ".. I couldn't confirm or deny .." the possibility of a 1200 - 1800cc cruiser model.
I take that to mean and new mid-size cruiser will be with us soon!!
The other reason for my thinking is that during the tour, he mentioned the special track built to suit the heavier Rocket engine. He said it ".. could be used for other engines..".
OK it could be for ANY engine - but it could also be for other engines too big for the standard track, eh?
Lets wait and see.
Ride safe

greybeard -

it still would need a kick starter !

Thanks Adrian,
I'd love to hear any news. I've toured the Harley final assembly in York, Pennsylvania and was fascinated. I never wanted a Corvette (real men don't drive plastic cars with no trunk), until I toured the Corvette factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Now I love Corvettes.
My daughters are going to Ireland at the end of March this year, so I'll have to wait about seeing the Triumph plant until 2006.
Thanks,
Dennis

"He got VERY edgey and said ".. I couldn't confirm or deny .." the possibility of a 1200 - 1800cc cruiser model."

Interesting that he would mention a specific displacement range, isn't it? If they had nothing in the works at all, I would think he'd simply say a mid range cruiser or something of the like.

If I had to make a bet, I'd say it'll be a 2 cylinder version of the Rocket III. I'm hoping for a twin like ours though. Lop off one of the Rocket's cyclinders and displacemnet would be around 1,532cc. That's smack dab in the middle of the 1200-1800cc range.

Motorcycle News in the UK ran an article last week which seems to confirm your thoughts. They said that there would be a new cruiser in 2006 and it would be a smaller version of the Rocket, 2 cyclinder instead of 3. That would fit in with the comments about the production line.
Take it easy

Thanks Greybeard,
I knew the bearing load would be up considerably, but didn't think of keeping cost down versus success of model.
Or were they minimizing future costs, for when the larger parallel twin was finished???
Do other companies try to minimize cost? LOL! That's all we've heard for 5 years - The entire universe is expanding, and we're cutting back.

Hmmm... an inline 2

Speed Twin!

I've got it. What about building a cruiser around the 955 triple engine with belt drive and all the other cruiser goodies calling it the....uh oh... my brain just shut down Good thing im not in charge of R&D at Triumph inc.

Hmm a true cruiser (long low frame with forward controls), triple 955, with belt...sounds like what the Thunderbird should have been, or should come back as...

Hello...anyone at Triumph listening?

Man us crazy americans, we're just never satisfied.