Tag Archives: prototype

Triumph Trident makes a comeback

Triumph Motorcycles will return the 1990s Trident name to their fleet in the second quarter of 2021.

The company has revealed their midsized three-cylinder Trident design prototype at the London Design Museum.

In a press release, Triumph says the British-designed bike will have “torque-rich performance”, “class-leading technology” and “agile and confidence inspiring handling”.

So it sounds like it could be based on the drivetrain and tech of their Street Triple RS ($A$17,650).

However, instead of a 765cc engine, it might be a little smaller as they refer to it as a “new entry point into Triumph’s award winning Triple roadster line-up will be competitively priced to deliver great value for a new generation of riders”.

So maybe it is more like the learner-approved 660cc Street Triple ($A12,850) than the original 900cc Trident.

Triumph Trident 900
Triumph Trident 900

The Trident design prototype is the result of a four-year development programme at their Hinckley design facility with input from Milanese automotive designer Rodolfo Frascoli.

Rodolfo has also designed the Moto Guzzi Griso, Breva, Norge and Stelvio, Granturismo Vespa, Gilera Nexus, Ice and Dna, Triumph Speed Triple and Tiger 1050, Moto Morini Corsaro, Granpasso, Scrambler, Suzuki Katana, Triumph Tramontana, VR46 Mya and many more.

Here is part of the official Triumph press release

The Trident design prototype – the birth of a new icon:
The Trident design motorcycle integrates the original design development model with prototype components – built to showcase the style and attitude of the landmark new motorcycle to come.

Introducing an all new contemporary take on Triumph style & attitude, the Trident design presents a pure, minimalistic form, with clean lines and uncluttered features that incorporates Triumph’s design DNA, with signature tank knee indents and key cues from our iconic Speed Triple’s muscular poise. Central to the overall form and brief, the Trident is built around a compact powerful Triumph triple engine, designed to bring all the advantages of a triple to the category for the first time, with the perfect balance of low down torque and top end power.

With a distinctive and confident stance & poise, the Trident will deliver rider ergonomics crafted to bring all of Triumph’s handling expertise, for the perfect balance of an engaged agile and dynamic ride, with an all-new chassis, married to great rider accessibility, comfort and confidence inspiring feel, including a natural upright riding position.

The design prototype also highlights another key aim with the integration of modern digital technology into the design that brings the features which riders in this world value and desire, in an elegant and easy to use way.

Steve Sargent. Triumph Chief Product Officer
”The Trident design prototype marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Triumph, where the brief was all about fun, from the look to the ride. With its pure minimalist form, clean lines, Triumph design DNA and more than a hint of our Speed Triple’s muscular poise, this gives the first exciting glimpse at the full Trident story to come. Ultimately our aim was to bring a new take on character and style, alongside the accessible easy handling and quality Triumph is known for – at a price that’s really competitive”.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Royal Enfield builds electric prototypes

Old-school motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield is getting closer to releasing an electric model after building a couple of electric prototypes.

Last year, company president Rudratej Singh said they had “several projects in the pipeline and the electric platform is one of them”.

“We are in an investment phase in the project where we have a team that is working on different ideas and concepts with a long-term focus. We will disclose our plans at an appropriate time.”

Electric prototypes

Now CEO Vinod Dasari has confirmed that they have developed a couple of electric prototypes.

As suspected, Royal Enfield worked on its electric platform at their new English research and development centre in Leicestershire.

There are no further details on the project, but a prototype means they have something that works and is being tested.

It could have been shown at the world’s biggest motorcycle show in Milan in November, EICMA, but it has now been postponed a year.

So we are not sure when it will be unveiled.

However, we suspect it won’t look too different from the current old-school range.

Electric Royal Enfield Charging Bullet documentary trailer
Fred on his electric Bullet

Perhaps it will look like this electric-powered Royal Enfield Bullet built by British engineer Fred Spaven to travel the length of Britain for a documentary film called Charging Bullet promoting sustainable transport.

Royal Enfield is not the only Indian-owned motorcycle company going electric.

Former Czech motorcycle company Jawa, now owned by Indian company Mahindra, is also developing an electric motorcycle in India.

They say it will have the longest range yet of any electric motorcycle.

There is hardly a motorcycle company in the world that is not developing an electric motorcycle.

However, there is more incentive in India for these two companies and others to produce electric bikes.

India has strict air pollution policies in their major cities that make an electric option very desirable.

The Indian Government has also proposed a deadline for complete electric mobility in the country by 2030 and plans $1.4 billion in incentives for the manufacture and sale of electric motorbikes and scooters while penalising petrol-powered bikes.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com