NEC 2007: The babes are out, Charley Boorman interviewed, 250 pictures!
It's all out there now, the news from KTM, BMW, Ducati, CCM, Royal Enfield, Megelli, Triumph, Hyosung, Benelli and Vectrix. The 990 Supermoto, The Woodsman, CMX, Gorgeous Triumph show specials, 08 BMW's, Charley Boorman and a lot of babes! See it all here!
New 2008 Triumph Street Triple 675 onboard video!
We did the first road test on UK roads. Here's the video including onboard, roadside and more...
Triumph Tiger 1050 after being hit by car from behind!
This Triumph Tiger 1050 belongs to the Triumph marketing department and one of the Hinckley employees got the shock of his life when a reckless car driver hit him from behind whilst at a standstill. The rider was catapulted forward, but luckily survived the accident which must be any bikers nightmare! Raptors & Rockets caught these pictures on mobile phone camera as evidence of how bad some car drivers observation skills are. there is pretty much nothing anyone can do to protect themselves from such an incident apart from always filtering to the front of the queue. Safe riding!
2007 Triumph Bonneville America featuring Billy Bob and Harley XL1200R
Take one 2007 Triumph Bonneville America and add our very own Billy Bob Leyfield into the equation and you get an interesting mix. Apart from the Suzuki 2008 news this last week has been all about America. So we thought we'd add an English motorcycle made in tribute to American consumers to all this. Triumph's whole Classic range will get upgraded fuel injection to replace the current carbs this Autumn so the America is one of the very last new carburettor motorcycles we will ride. The video below is a celebration to America and for good measures we've added another video showing the Triumph America with the Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster as well. TS
The funniest official motorcycle video ever, Triumph Rocket III!
Whatever you are doing today, whichever bike that you might own, watch this video from Triumph about the scientific aspects of creating a Rocket III from scratch. Now naturally, to create a Rocket III from scratch, you need to kick-start the universe first-but Rocket science never was funnier! When Triumph first came up with the idea to make this film they wanted a Harley in the film too. The Harley would sort of merge into this fat American bloke and the Rocket into an average English bloke. Puns intended, but Triumph left it to what you can see below. It's very funny so make sure you watch this video. TS2007 Triumph America test coming...
2008 Triumph Street Triple 675
Triumph have finally unveiled the final design for the 2008 Street Triple. It is a fine mixture between the donor Daytona 675 and the big brother Speed Triple 1050. Take some finely tuned triple power, tune for even more torque at revs where you need it. Then add some stylish S3 underseat exhaust and double round headlights and voila you've got the new Street Triple. Simon Warburton told us in an earlier interview that the Daytona 675 was designed from the beginning with a naked version in mind and here it is. In the UK the new naked will retail at £5.500. Raptors & Rockets will ride the new bike on the road in the UK as soon as the Street Triple is ready on the press fleet. TS
Simon says-short interview with Simon Warburton, Triumph Product manager
New products are more important now than ever. Manufacturers like Triumph and Ducati spend pretty much every penny that they earn on new products and R&D. Triumph have seen instant good results with spectacular new models such as the Rocket III and Daytona 675. What's next?, Tor Sagen asked Simon Warburton:
SW: There have been many rumours circulating about a new middleweight naked bike. At this stage I can only confirm that we will shortly be announcing a bike that has been inspired by both the Speed Triple and Daytona 675. It's a bike that particularly France and Italy have asked for since the big Speed Triple is so popular there.
TS: Being the Product Manager for Triumph you also know all the secrets. Most will remain a secret until you are ready to launch, I know. However, with the 675 being semi-official. Can you give me some trivia or detail about the design/concept period on this bike? And also please confirm the correct name. Speed Triple 675, Sport Triple 675, Street Triple 675 (this is the one isn't it?)
SW: I’m afraid most secrets will have to remain secrets! One thing I can point out is that anyone who looks closely at the way the Dayton 675 engine and frame were designed and made can see that they were always intended to be used in a naked bike at some point. For the name, you’re very close with your guess, but I can’t confirm exactly what it will be.
TS: Can I please have an official statement on:
The Classic range: Fuel injection or not in 2008? Any new additions in the future?
SW: I can’t confirm fuel injection, but obviously we will comply with emissions regulations.
TS: Rocket III: In how many directions can you go with different platforms for the Rocket III. The luxury touring option seems to be the one everyone wants to talk about, but how about an extreme performance (I know, the R3 is already pretty extreme, but with 200bhp big displacement Yamaha Vmax rumblings in mind...) version that would take the world by storm, 2004 re-visited? I know from what I have learned on the tour and from other sources that the current Rocket III engine is very unstressed. Why don't Triumph "stress" it up a bit?
SW: You’re right in that there are several possibilities with the Rocket III. Looking at our range as a whole, there are lots of possibilities for us and we have to prioritise which projects we do. At the moment plenty of people around the world are using our Rocket III as a basis for their high performance projects, and maybe one day we’ll do something like that. Not just yet, though.
TS: Litre class Daytona 675 concept: You said to me that Triumph could go about it in the same way as with the 675 and produce an equally stunning concept in the litre+ class. Most likely the best concept would be litre+ rather than litre, similar in concept to the Ducati 1098 (as in narrow, stunning with big bore displacement, brilliant handling but not necessarily more horsepower than the big four). But that there is no such bike on the table now. Such a bike would take years to develop.
Give me your ultimate big Daytona statement please?
SW: I don’t think anything I can say will stop the speculation – I have tried! Either people try to find a way to work around my words, or they say I’m not telling the truth! The best answer I can give is that maybe we will do it one day, but we have other priorities at the moment.
TS: Can you envision a Triumph "Hypermotard" featuring the 1050 triple in Tiger tune? The way I see it the Tiger is in concept the same as Ducati's Multistrada. It has done Ducati a world of good to launch the Hypermotard. Can you see the same thing happening for Triumph if you also chose this direction for another 1050 (or even 675) platform?
SW: Ducati have certainly received a lot of publicity for the Hypermotard, and it looks like a very nice bike. We have projects in development that will be just as interesting for motorcyclists, but currently do not have a “hypermotard” version of the Tiger planned.
Primal scream from Triumph Tribal!
More about our Triumph Rocket III Tribal longtermer coming... It's all action this time and motorcycle triple sounds to die for!
Triumph Rocket III Tribal longtermer update
We have soon spent two months on the Triumph Rocket III Tribal. Lately I have documented (pictures and video) how to remove the catalyst, upgrade the ECU and add performance pipes. I have spent one rear tyre, splashed a whole stretch of the M6 Toll road clean of snow and slush and built up enough material to do a big, big feature on the Rocket III including history, performance upgrades, tests (Rocket III standard, Rocket III Tribal with loud exhaust, Rocket III Classic with touring accessories and soon a standard Rocket III Classic.) and more at the end. More about the performance upgrades soon, but the result is a completely changed bike. To the better I would say, better more free acceleration, more top end, better fuel consumption (!) and a better general feel. And what a great noise from those new pipes! You can hear how it sounds like by checking out the video below. TS
The ultimate power cruiser: Triumph Rocket III pulls with 1.2G!
Triumph launched its flagship model, Rocket III, in 2004. With 200Nm of peak torque available at 2.500rpm it pulls with a force of 1.2G during acceleration! Not enough with massive torque, Rocket III have also got 140bhp that is transmitted through the enormous 240 section rear tyre. The Rocket III is the Rockets in Raptors & Rockets so we have published a little tribute video on YouTube. The orange Rocket III Tribal is also our current longtermer and you can read what we're up to in the blog. Soon we will add some performance pipes and there will no doubt be another video with the new sound. Triumph also recently reported of a 18% sales growth in 2006. Mainly due to the new Daytona 675, but also modern classics such as the Scrambler 900. We suspect 2007 could be another Rocket year for Triumph. The Tiger 1050 can only help further growth whilst we hear of new Rocket projects and perhaps further usage of the 675 triple engine in other platforms. Triumph have got some great engines and have shown that the triple format is highly competitive. With Paul Young racing Triumph are now also offering racing kits to Daytona 675 owners. TS
2007 Triumph Tiger 1050, 115bhp makes for an angrier Tiger!
The 2007 Triumph Tiger 1050 has not been the best kept secret in the business this year. After countless magazines have rotted together against Triumph's wishes (in effect breaking embargos and trust) Triumph today chose to release the Tiger pictures and info. And since we didn't have the chance to either show the pictures first or ride the bike first we are giving you a nice big picture that shows all the details better than anywhere else until now. But we will have one of the first proper road tests (not just a day's impressions) on UK soil this year. The bike will be officially launched to the world press in Las Vegas in November.
The new Tiger features a tweaked 1050cc 115bhp version of the Speed Triple engine and it develops 100Nm of torque at 6250rpm. Dry weight is a claimed 198kg and the bike will also be available with ABS (dry weight is then 201kg). The new bike features an all new fairing following in the footsteps of the D675. It is now much more road biased than before and is aiming at the touring and commuting market. With the new engine, wheels, USD fork and radial brake calipers it should be a blast for sports riding too. Speed Triple features a double silencer option whilst the new Tiger keeps only one high silencer on the right hand side. A true all-rounder. The 2007 Tiger will be available in Jet Black, Caspian Blue, Scorched Yellow and Fusion White.
Tiger 1050
Sprint ST
Speed Triple
Rocket III Classic
Thruxton/Scrambler 900
2007 Sprint ST, now in black and panniers included!
2007 Triumph America
2007 Triumph Speedmaster
2007 Triumph Rocket Classic Touring
From the S dealers convention: Pictures looming.
America
-New 865cc engine, black finish
-Newly styled cast aluminium wheels, now uses tubeless tires
-Adjustable Brake and Clutch levers
-Styling changes to chain cover, passenger footpeg hangers, and upper fork shrouds
-Larger rear passenger seat
-Reverse cone exhaust silencer to greater separate the identity of the America
Speedmaster
-Newly styled cast aluminium wheels; more aggressive styling to match the image of the bike
-Styling changes to chain cover, passenger footpeg hangers, and upper fork shrouds
-Slash cut silencers to greater separate the identity of the Speedmaster
Bonneville/Bonneville Black
-Larger capacity 865cc engine
-Adjustable Clutch lever
-New black finished engine on Bonneville and retains polished covers
Scrambler
-Black engine finish with black covers
Thruxton
-Black finished engine and retains polished covers
-New solid white centre stripe in place of chequered flag on seat cowl and tank
-Colour matched front and rear fenders
Rocket III Classic Touring (NEW MODEL!!)
-Based on R3C, comes standard with floorboards, saddlebags and roadster screen and tall sissybar/backrest; US$2000 worth of accessories for only and additional US$700
-Silver engine finish with new two-tone colour options only available on this model
Tiger 1050/ABS (NEW MODEL)
-1050cc fuel injected engine
-115 PS and 100 NM of TORQUE!
-Improved ergonomics and lower seat height than the 955i Tiger
-ABS option available early 2007
-Radial brakes, inverted forks, Daytona 675 style swingarm, high mount exhaust
Sprint ST/ABS
-Newly styled side panels to reduce heat on rider legs
-Taller screen, improved seat and higher handlebars for better long distance comfort
-Colour matched panniers are now INCLUDED with the bike, with NO PRICE INCREASE!!
That was the official 2007 revision list. Other news includes the following
-Roulette green as a colour option for the 2007 Seed Triple
-Arrow full 3-into-1 Exhaust for Speed Triple; 4 PS gain at peak and reduces weight by 8kg
-Arrow system is a low mount, much like the new GSX-R and YZF-R models
-Carbon fiber body work for Speed Triple.
2007 Triumph Bonneville & T100
Triumph is releasing its first 2007 update early this year in the brand new Bonneville Black and colour updates on the rest of the Bonneville range. All Bonnevilles now get the 865cc engine. The latest models now also have a black engine with polished, lacquered engine covers and a span adjustable clutch lever. The 2007 Bonneville comes in Jet Black, Goodwood Green and Aluminium Silver. The on the road prices for the 2007 Bonneville Black is £4,999, the Bonneville is £5,199 and the T100 is £5,899. The bikes are available now. TS. Read the first 2007 Triumph Bonneville test here.
At a recent visit to the Triumph factory this blue Daytona 675 was spotted. Triumph employees can chose whichever colour they want on their private machines and it is also a way for Triumph to judge which colours they should chose for next years range. Blue and black are two of the colours that we might see on the 2007 Daytona 675. TS More pictures here.
Good news for fans of the new Triumph Daytona 675 triple. It has been an instant success for Triumph and the bike is pretty much on backorder worldwide", Trevor Barton from Product development states. Barton also told us that Triumph will build more than 7500 675s for the 2007 model year. That’s a staggering 17% of the overall production of Triumph motorcycles at Hinckley. No doubt the 675 has been a big hit! Expect one or two new colours, like the Jet black pictured, and not much else on the 2007 Daytona 675 Triple.
All current colour options will remain the same for 2007 and Triumph is right now deciding whether to add another option such as Jet Black. Simon Warburton, Triumph Product Manager, admitted that Jet Black is a nice colour. A surprise for Triumph has been the popularity of the graphite colour option. Triumph only planned 5% of the 675 production with this colour option. Expect this option to be more readily available in the dealer network next year. The 2006 batch has already been sold out so the 2007 production batch will be on sale already from this autumn.
Triumph overall sales has increased by 29% during the last year where the figures are expected to be even higher this year where the 675 has contributed heavily. Other best sellers are the Sprint ST and Speed Triple. As a matter of fact Speed Triple and the original 1997 595 Daytona are the only two other models to have made such a big initial impact on the market as the 675 Triple. Triumph is expecting the 675 to exceed these in sales and make history for the old English motorcycle manufacturer. When we spoke to Tue Mantoni (Commercial director) last year Triumph expected to build 38.000 motorcycles in 2007. This number has now, after the Daytona 675 and ahead of new 2007 model launches, been increased to 45.000. Sales were expected to rise 25% each year. Of the 7500 675s planned for 2007 2500 of them are earmarked for the US market-33% of all the Daytona 675s in other words. Whilst other European manufacturers are struggling Triumph can’t seem to do anything wrong at the moment.
Simon Warburton, Triumph Product Manager, comments on impact: “In terms of impact, it’s hard to say which bike had the biggest impact when first launched – Daytona 595, Sprint ST, Rocket III, Speed Triple 1050, Daytona 675…. They’ve all made a big impact, but we expect the 675 to be our biggest selling bike ever next year. The Speed Triple won’t be far behind, though.”
Triumph is in usual fashion not willing to comment on future models. But the signals we are getting from various sources tell us about a brand new Tiger and a faired touring version of the Rocket III. An obvious new model will be the replacement of the Speed Four as Triumph no longer makes in-line four engines. You don’t need to be “in the know” to understand that the 675 Triple engines will form the base of a new middleweight naked to replace the Speed Four. And the poor old Daytona 955i is the subject of never ending speculation. When will Triumph launch a new big Daytona? Well, if we get a new Tiger, new Speed Triple 675 and another Rocket III then it certainly won’t happen next year. 2008 will be a big year for litre+ sportsbikes designed for road and racing. Aprilia will have a road biased RSV 1200, Ducati will have an 1148 for the road and world superbike and KTM will launch the RC8 1150 already this autumn. A new breed of litre + sportsbikes for the roads is coming and surely this will be an irresistible segment for Triumph to place its triple magic? No, says Warburton on a big Daytona: “If we were going to bring out a big Daytona, I’d know about it. Take it from me – if you want a Triumph sports bike, get a 675. You won’t be disappointed!” Words: Tor Sagen/CGs: Robert O'Brien Check out this link for the World Cup England Bonneville
Triumph has had endless success with the Daytona 675 this year. The Speed Four has no speed left in it and the 675cc triple engine is ideal for a naked, much more so than Yamaha R6 for the new FZ6. Which means less work for Triumph to create a baby Speed Triple, or baby Tiger for that matter-popularly called the Tiger Cub. I instructed our designer to add a half fairing to the Speed Triple 675 just to see how it worked out. I have no information from Triumph to suggest it actually will come as a S version, however just looking at the design makes me think that this could be just as great a bike as the naked. This Tiger Cub is also just a rumour but with the new road-biased Tiger in mind such an idea does not seem too far fetched anymore. The 675 engine is a great engine that deserves several platforms and maybe our S version is not too far from how Triumph is thinking. That half fairing seems to be very important in markets such as in the US where people cover great distances regularly. In the core market for nakeds in central Europe where most people live in big cities a naked makes both sense and a statement at the same time. That is why most of the Japanese manufacturers sports both a naked and an S version. Anyway, whatever Triumph has planned to do next with its 675 engine will be welcomed by most people as it has all the right ingredients both for sports and leisure riding. Torque and power. Tor Sagen/CGs: Luc1 and Robert O'Brien 2007 Triumph Daytona 675
