There are two things that have prevented Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman completing their proposed Long Way Up tour of South and North America.
There is the fact that Ewan is so busy with Hollywood movies he can’t afford a few months off and there is also the fact that Ewan is ambassador for Moto Guzzi and Charley is ambassador for Triumph.
The pair rode BMWs in their 2004 Long Way Round and 2007 Long Way Down.
Ewan tries the sleeping arrangements on the V85TT!
Now Moto Guzzi has replaced it with the V85TT which Ewan recently rode in Southern Sardinia.
If Triumph and Moto Guzzi could come to an understanding, the pair could team up together again and ride different bikes.
Both companies have much to win from such a joint effort and a lot to lose — remember Charley’s tantrum when KTM pulled their support for Long Way Round!
However, Charley told us last year that Ewan’s relationship with Moto Guzzi would not necessarily foil their plans:
We’ve been talking about it a long time and if the stars align we will do something like a Long Way up from Tierra Del Fuego to Alaska in the next couple of years. It really is close now. Ewan’s always had a loose relationship with Moto Guzzi so there’s no conflict there.
MBW with Charley Boorman
Long Way Back
It’s been a long time between trips for Ewan and Charley.
From 14 April 2004 to 29 July 2004, they rode across Europe and the USA in Long Way Round and from 12 May to 4 August 2007 they rode from the top of Scotland to Cape Town in South Africa for Long Way Down.
With Ewan becoming increasingly busy with Hollywood movies, Charley squeezed in the 2006 Dakar rally for his series, Race to Dakar, and has produced several other travel shows.
To mark the model’s 60th anniversary, this year’s RACQ Motorfest on July 14 at Eagle FarmRacecourse, Brisbane, will honour the enduring charm of the British bike with a special display.
The RACQ is calling on owners to bring in their old and new Bonnevilles.
“Bonne ville” may be French for good city but the model is actually named after the Triumph motorcycles that set speed records on the famous Bonneville salt flats of Utah.
1959 Triumph Bonneville
The Triumph Bonneville legend began in 1959 with a bike based on the Tiger 100. It was powered by a 650cc parallel twin with twin carburettors and a separate gearbox, and was capable of 115mph in standard form.
From 1963, the gearbox was included in the engine in the one unit which made the bike stiffer andthe T120 model even included oil in the frame.
These bikes were rockets in standard trim, but were often stripped down, tuned up and raced around the cafes of London by young leather-clad “rockers” who referred to them as “cafe racers”.
In the 1960s, Bonnevilles were so popular it became hip to be photographed on one.
They were the favourite ride of movie stars such as Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood, James Dean and Paul Newman as well as rock stars Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney and Elvis.
Bob Dylan even famously crashed his Bonneville in 1966.
No wonder Bob crashed riding with his feet off the pegs!
Fading popularity
Despite updates to a 750cc engine, disc brakes and electric start, the Bonnevilles faded in popularity in the 1970s as the more reliable and smoother four-cylinder Japanese motorcycles took over.
In fact, one of the selling tools to get people off Bonnevilles and on to Japanese bikes was to place a glass of water on the seat and start the engine. A Bonneville’s 360-degree unbalanced parallel twin would shake the glass off the seat while the water in the glass would hardly stir on the Japanese bikes.
Triumph suffered a subsequent sales slump through the late ‘70s and went into receivership in 1983 when it was saved by wealthy property developer John Bloor.
He restructured the company, learning from the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, yet the Bonnevilles struggled on for several years with largely unchanged technology.
Bonneville relaunch
Triumph Bonneville T100
Bloor relaunched the Bonneville brand in 2001 with improved technology but with the same retro styling that had made the bike so popular over the decades.
In fact, when the bikes made the quantum leap from carburettors to electronic fuel injection in 2008, they housed the injectors inside dummy carbies to retain the traditional look.
The next major leap in technology was in 2015 when the Bonnevilles became liquid cooled to meet stringent European emissions targets.
Triumph Bonneville T120 and T120 Black
Today’s Bonnevilles are a far cry from the raw and rattly 1959 model, featuring traction control, ABS, selectable engine maps, heated grips, keyless ignition and LED lighting.
Triumph Motorcycles and British F1 team Williams have received millions in government funding to produce electric motorcycles over the next two years.
The iconic British motorcycle manufacturer has been surveying its customers since 2012 to see if they are interested in them producing electric bikes and sent out an email survey as recently as February.
This was followed in March by a trademark filing for the name “Trident”to be used for “all possible classes” including motorcycling gear, accessories, clothing and “electric machines”.
Now they have announced Project Triumph TE-1 to create “UK electric motorcycle capability”.
Project with F1 team
They will collaborate with UK industry experts, including Williams Advanced Engineering which is the technology arm of the Williams F1 team and the University of Warwick.
The UK government has chipped in £25 million (about $A46m) to develop the electric motorcycle technology and “innovative integrated solutions” over the next two years.
Triumph CEO Nick Bloor says the project is driven by their customers’s need to “reduce their environmental impact, combined with the desire for more economical transportation and changing legislation”.
“Project Triumph TE-1 is one part of our electric motorcycle strategy, focused on delivering what riders want and expect from their Triumph, which is the perfect balance of handling, performance and usability,” he says.
Survey questions
In February, Triumph asked their customers:
Have you ever ridden an electric motorcycle?
How do you rate the experience on a scale of 1-10?
Do you own an electric motorcycle?
What might prevent you from buying an electric motorcycle?
How would you feel about felt Triumph building an electric motorcycle?
It’s refreshing that Triumph asked their customers what they wanted before starting open this TE-1 project.
However, the questions they should be asking their supporters are:
How much would you be prepared to pay for an electric Triumph?
What is the minimum range you would require?
How soon should we launch an electric motorcycle?
What is the maximum charging time you would be prepared to put up with?
Eight Triumph Bonnevilles professionally restored by a Canberra enthusiast are coming up for auction at Shannons Late Autumn sale in Sydney on May 20.
The Bonnevilles are among 18 classic motorcycles in the 55 lot vehicle and memorabilia auction.
Two standout Triumphs on offer are a 1959 first year Pre-Unit Bonneville T120 650cc (pictured above) and a 1970 Bonneville T120R with just 1004 miles on its odometer since its ground-up restoration ($20,000-$24,000).
1970 Triumph T120R
Both motorcycles are in their correct colours.
The 1959 ‘Bonnie’ is understood to be just the 102nd T120 model built early that year.
It has covered just 605 miles since its restoration. Shannon’s says the guiding range for bids is likely to be $45,000-$48,000.
The 1970 T120R is important to collectors as the last Bonneville model built with its oil tank under the seat before Triumph adopted an oil-in-frame system.
Triumph Bonnevilles
Other Triumph Bonnevilles being auctioned in similar fully-restored condition include examples from 1963, 1964, 1969 and 1970, with guiding ranges spanning $18,000-$25,000.
Another earlier Triumph motorcycle in the auction is an older-restored circa-1926 Model P 500cc solo offered as part of a deceased estate.
It is expected to sell in the $8000-$10,000 range.
An alternative for veteran bike enthusiasts is a rare circa-1910 single-cylinder Speedwell early Australian motorcycle.
1910 single-cylinder Speedwell
It would be ideal for a collector or museum and is expected to bring $18,000-$22,000.
Both are being offered with no reserve.
Other interesting motorcycles in the auction include two restored Suzuki RM80 motocross motorcycles from 1978 and 1981.
Suzuki RM80
Both are offered with no reserve and each is expected to sell for $2,000-$3,000.
Also expected to create strong interest among Ducati enthusiasts is a one-owner 2002 Limited Edition 748R from the model’s final year of production.
2002 Limited Edition Ducati 748R
It is believed to be one of only 10 delivered to Australia in red. The bike is expected to sell with no reserve for $14,000-$18,000.
Other motorcycles offered with no reserve include:
A very original ex-military BSA WM21 equipped with pannier bags and other period accessories that would make a great club bike ($8,000-$10,000); and
BSA WM21
A circa-1936 ACME Autocycle that hasn’t been ridden for many years, but is in complete and original condition ($1500-$2000).
To view all Shannons May 20 Sydney Late Autumn Auction lots, visit www.shannons.com.au
The signature of Triumph Motorcycles boss Nick Bloor comes with each Triumph Bonneville T120 Ace and Diamond limited-edition model arriving in Australia in the next few weeks.
There will be 1400 Ace models at $18,450 and 900 Diamond Edition models at $18,150 (plus on-road costs). That compares with the current T120 retail price of $17,200.
However, each comes with a host of extras to justify the price, apart from Bloor’s signature.
Minimal bullet LED indicators (dependant on market legislation)
Black Triumph 4-bar tank badge.
Each of the 1400 Ace models will be signed by Nick Bloor, the current company CEO and son of John who resurrected the company in 1983.
They will also bear the signature of Ace Cafe boss Mark Wilsmore:
Triumph and the Ace Cafe go hand in hand for me, with decades of riders turning up at the cafe on the latest British Twin to chance their arm on the A406, and be top dog off the lights. This beautiful new Bonneville T120 Ace pays homage to those riders and our glorious shared history in style.
T120 Diamond Edition
The Diamond celebrates the diamond or 60th anniversary of the original Bonneville T120 in 1959.
It was the final motorcycle designed by Triumph’s chief designer Edward Turner and took its name from Bonneville Salt Flats where Triumph scored many world speed records.
The 2019 Triumph Bonneville T120 Diamond Edition features a silver and white tank emblazoned with a subtle Union Jack.
The T120 Diamond Edition also features:
Chrome 4 bar Triumph tank badges
Chrome engine covers and badges
Chrome chain guard
The limited run of 900 comes with a numbered certificate of ownership signed by Nick Bloor, Triumph’s CEO.
Which is your favourite? Leave your comments below.
Only 25 limited-edition 2.5-litre Triumph Rocket 3 TFC (Triumph Factory Custom) models will be coming to Australia, but you better be quick.
Triumph Motorcycles Australia spokesman Dale McBride says they have had “massive interest and most deposits already down for a chance to own the special edition”.
Pricing is yet to be announced.
Thruxton TFC
Meanwhile, the Thruxton TFC has finally been homologated for Australia with 80kW of peak power at 8000rpm, 115Nm of peak torque.
That’s 7.5kW more power and 4Nm more torque than the Thruxton R, while also 5kg lighter at 198kg.
These TFC models are the first of a new line of limited-edition motorcycles from the British manufacturer.
Only 750 numbered models of each will be made worldwide and there is no word yet on when the Thruxton will arrive.
While pricing for these limited-edition models has not yet been released, expect to pay much more than the current Thruxton R ($21,100) and Rocket 3 ($23,990).
Rocket 3 TFC
Triumph Rocket 3 TFC
The Rocket 3 TFC is not a tarted-up current model, but based on the upcoming model with increased engine capacity from 2.3L to 2.5L.
So it’s still the biggest capacity engine of any production motorcycle in the world!
While the previous 2294cc triple delivered 109kW of power and 221Nm of torque, the new 2458cc triple has more than 125kW with the same peak torque.
It will also have Showa cartridge forks and top-spec Brembo Stylema brake calipers.
Some of the other features of the Rocket TFC are Arrow exhaust, full LED lighting, colour TFT instruments, internally wired flat handlebars and loads of carbon fibre in the front guard, exhaust, fly screen, drive shaft cover, heel guards and tank strap.
Tech features include keyless ignition, tyre pressure monitors, cruise control, USB charging socket, cornering ABS and traction control, four riding modes (Road, Rain, Sport and Rider-configurable), up and down quickshiter and hill hold control.
There will also be an optional Bluetooth module to integrate GoPro control, music and phone operation, and Triumph’s navigation system which is powered by Google.
It will come in carbon black and matt carbon black paint scheme with brushed foil decals, gold accents and electroformed 3D Triumph badge, hidden pillion footrests and a leather interchangeable ‘twin or single’ seat.
Once the TFC model is sold out, we expect standard and touring models to follow. We are not sure how many of these features will be included on those models.
Triumph says the 2019 Rocket 3 TFC is more than 15% lighter than its predecessor with a 40+kg saving.
The base and touring models may be a little heavier without all that carbon.
Rocket TFC tech specs
Engine Type
Inline 3-cylinder, water-cooled, DOHC
Capacity
2458cc
Bore/Stroke
110.2mm x 85.9mm
Maximum Power
Over 125kW (170PS)
Maximum Torque
Over 221Nm
Fuel system
Ride-by-Wire, fuel injected
Exhaust
Stainless 3 into 1 headers with 3 exit Arrow branded silencer / CAT box
Final drive
Shaft, bevel box
Clutch
Hydraulic, slip-assist
Gearbox
6 speed
Frame
Full aluminium frame
Instruments
TFT multi-functional instrument pack with digital speedometer, trip computer, digital tachometer, gear position indicator, fuel gauge, service indicator, ambient temperature, clock and rider modes (Rain/Road/Sport/Rider-configurable) – Triumph TFT Connectivity System can be added with accessory fitted Bluetooth module
Swingarm
Single-sided, cast aluminium
Front Wheel
17 x 3.6in cast aluminium
Rear Wheel
16 x 7.5in cast aluminium
Front Tyre
150/80 R17 V
Rear Tyre
240/50 R16 V
Front Suspension
Showa ø47mm upside-down 1+1 cartridge front forks, compression and rebound adj., 120mm travel
Single 300mm disc, Brembo M4.32 4-piston monobloc caliper, Cornering ABS
Seat Height
773mm
Rake
27.9º
Trail
134.9mm
Dry Weight
TBC
Fuel Tank Capacity
19L
Thruxton TFC
The Thruxton TFC will come with lashings of carbon fibre, Öhlins suspension, Brembo brakes with adjustable lever, Metzler Racetec RR tyres, Vance & Hines pipes, flip-up Monza fuel cap, all-LED lighting and brushed aluminium accents.
A highlight is the hand-painted gold lining.
Thruxton TFC also has a lightweight engine, body and frame components that strip weight.
Be still our beating hearts: the 2019 Triumph Rocket 3 TFC is a drastic departure from the previous Rocket 3. Images courtesy Triumph.
Since its launch in 2004, Triumph’s Rocket 3 has boasted a lot of “mosts”: most torque, most muscle, most…well…for lack of a better word, presence. With its signature three exhaust header pipes curving off the right side of the massive 2,294cc in-line triple, hulking 6.3-gallon gas tank and gaping twin megaphone silencers, nothing about the Rocket 3 has ever been subtle.
It was always essentially an overgrown cruiser, however, and the lone traditional cruiser in Triumph’s 2019 lineup. But now there’s a new Rocket 3 in town, badged as a limited edition Triumph Factory Custom, or TFC model, and rather than being just an accessorized version of the existing bike, the 2019 Rocket 3 TFC is an entirely new machine.
It boasts an all-new 2,458cc liquid-cooled in-line triple, the largest production motorcycle engine in the world, with the highest peak torque at a claimed 163 lb-ft and the most horsepower of any Triumph to date, a claimed 168. Details so far are scarce, but we do know that it features state-of-the-art components like titanium intake valves that allow for quicker, higher revving, and new Arrow silencers.
Lighting is all-LED, including the stubby tail. Single-sided swingarm and rear hugger license plate holder are new.
Final drive is via shaft, housed in a new single-sided aluminum swingarm that, combined with the all-new aluminum frame, engine refinements, carbon fiber bodywork and other lightweight bits, make the new Rocket 3 TFC a whopping 88 pounds lighter than the standard 2019 Rocket 3. If Triumph’s figures are correct, that would put its dry weight in the neighborhood of just 648 pounds.
Helping to make such a beast a bit more rideable, the Rocket 3 TFC includes some modern tech like cornering ABS and traction control, four ride modes (Road, Rain, Sport and Rider-Configurable)–notably these all appear to be full-power and only adjust throttle mapping and traction control settings–Triumph Shift Assist (clutchless up- and downshifting) and Hill Hold Control to prevent the bike from rolling backwards when stopped on an incline.
Other features include full LED lighting, electronic cruise control, keyless ignition, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and a USB charging socket. The display is a new TFT instrument that is rider-configurable and can be optionally set up with Bluetooth connectivity for GoPro integration, turn-by-turn navigation and music/phone operation.
TFT instrument is new and looks to be lifted from the new Speed Triple. Display is rider-configurable and can be upgraded with Bluetooth connectivity.
Suspension is by Showa front and rear, with an adjustable 47mm cartridge-style USD fork and adjustable single shock with piggyback reservoir. Brakes are high-spec Brembo M4.30 Stylema 4-piston radial-mount calipers gripping 320mm discs up front and a Brembo M4.32 4-piston caliper in back squeezing a 300mm disc, and new wheels are twenty-spoke cast aluminum with a beefy 240mm rear tire.
As a TFC model, premium details abound, including plenty of carbon fiber, a leather interchangeable solo and twin seat, and TFC badging with gold accents.
Only 750 Rocket 3 TFCs will be produced worldwide, with 225 slated for North America. Each will be individually numbered and will include a letter signed by Triumph CEO Nick Bloor, a personalized custom build book, a leather TFC rucksack and a Rocket 3 TFC branded indoor bike cover.
The 2019 Rocket 3 TFC won’t be available until December, but orders are being taken now at your nearest Triumph dealer. One can be yours for an MSRP of $29,000 ($33,000 in Canada).
Keep scrolling for more images:
Twin LED headlights with DRL are new, as is the carbon fiber flyscreen.The new Rocket 3 TFC is sleeker, meaner and sportier than before…and we like it!Left side of the massive engine has premium badging details.Every Rocket 3 TFC will come with a numbered plaque and gold detailing.New aluminum single-sided swingarm houses the driveshaft.
The Brough Superior outfit used in the hit British comedy TV shows George and Mildred and Dad’s Army has sold at a record auction along with a bike owned by stunt rider Bud Ekins who did the famous fence jump in The Great Escape.
Proving its star power, the 1933 Brough Superior 1096cc 11-50hp and Cruiser Sidecar sold for £71,300 ($130,675) in the Bonhams annual Spring Stafford Sale at the International Classic MotorCycle Show in Stafford over the weekend.
Record auction
Bud’s Triumph Trophy
Yet it was not the biggest seller at the record auction where three motorcycles set new world record auction prices.
The 1962 Triumph 649cc TR6SS ridden by Ekins sold to an American bidder for a world record auction price of £97,750 (almost $A180,000) – over three times its top estimate.
A rare 1925 Coventry Eagle 981cc Flying-8 set a new auction record for the marque with £218,500 (about $A400,000).
A third world record was set for a 1935 Vincent-HRD 498cc Series-A Comet which sold for £97,750 (almost $A180,000).
Dad’s Army
The Brough outfit was used in 1972 in season five, episode 12 of Dad’s Army titled “Round and Round went the Great Big Wheel”.
Other bikes used in the series from 1970-77 include a Matchless G3L in the same episode as above and a BSA M21 in season seven.
George & Mildred
When the 1933 Brough Superior outfit was finished fighting off Mr Hitler’s invading forces, the bike was then featured heavily in George & Mildred (1976-79).
Its biggest starring role was in the opening credits.
Before the Brough wound up on the “idiot box”, it started life as a works entry for the formidable ISDT (International Six Days Trial) in 1934, winning a coveted gold medal.
It is one of only 308 built and has been owned by a family for more than 50 years.
Bud Ekins Trophy
Ekins rode the Triumph 649cc TR6SS Trophy to a gold medal in the 1962 International Six Day Trials (ISDT) in Europe.
The Trophy was sold along with the actual trophy he won for his individual class win.
Bud’s trophy
The off-road racer, bike restorer and stunt rider was a close friend and riding partner of actor Steve McQueen as well as a good friend of actors Clint Eastwood and Paul Newman.
Bud and Steve
He famously doubled for Steve in the jump stunt in The Great Escape on a Triumph TR6 instead of a German BMW.
The movie was being shot in Germany in 1962 and Bud thought it would be a good idea to combine his film work with participation in that year’s ISDT, held at Garmisch Partenkirchen.
Triumph agreed to supply a suitable factory-prepared machine, which was flown to Germany and registered there.
After the event, in which Bud not only gained a Gold Medal but also won the Unlimited Capacity Class, the Triumph was flown back to his home in California where it was registered as ‘CAL 142080’.
Trophy history
Triumph adopted the Trophy model name on their off-road 500cc TR5 and 650cc TR6 twins following success in the ISDT in the late 1940s.
For 1962, the final year of the traditional ‘pre-unit’ Triumph twins, the Trophy was designated ‘TR6SS’ which is one of the rarest of all post-WW2 Triumphs, being produced for the ’62 season only.
It was powered bya 34-46hp an air-cooled OHV parallel twin with a single Amal carburettor, a 4-speed transmission, twin rear shock absorbers and telescopic forks, weighing 166kg dry.
Triumph has issued the sixth recall on models in the new Bonneville liquid-cooled range with a safety notice for the Speed Twin over coolant leaks.
The official safety recall notice issued through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the coolant hose between the radiator and expansion tank may have been misrouted during assembly.
“A misrouted hose may come into contact with the exhaust header pipe, potentially causing damage to the coolant hose,” the notice says.
Coolant hazard
“If the coolant hose is damaged, it may lead to a loss of coolant in the area of the rear tyre. The rear tyre may lose traction without warning, resulting in an accident and causing serious injury to the rider and other road users.”
Owners have been advised to contact their dealer to make an appointment “as soon as possible” to have their motorcycle inspected, and if necessary, repaired free of charge.
The Speed Twin was only hit the showroom floors last month and already 60 have been sold.
The Vehicle Identification Numbers of affected bikes are listed at the end of this article.
Bonneville recalls
Triumph Bonneville T120 and T120 Black
The Bonneville range has now been the subject of six recalls since they were introduced in 2016:
Even though manufacturers and importers usually contact owners when a recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.
Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle and scooter recalls as a service to all riders.
If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.
To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:
Thailand has become one of the powerhouses in the automotive world, manufacturing motorcycle brands as diverse as BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Triumph and Royal Enfield.
It’s now the largest automotive manufacturer in South East Asia and the 12th in the world, thanks to protective tariffs, corporate tax breaks and a central location wth several ports for export.
Powerhouse
Every dual-cab ute and Honda car, plus small Mazdas, Fords and MG sold into Australia are made in Thailand.
There are also more than 1800 automotive parts manufacturers in Thailand including the premium Swedish Ohlins suspension and BMW batteries for electric cars, scooters and future motorcycles.
BMW’s Thai EV battery factory
Motorcycle manufacture is also growing in leaps and bounds with Royal Enfield the eighth to announce it will open a factory in the country.
In 2015, Thailand made 1.8 motorcycles, with domestic sales of 1.6 million and exports of 350,000 units.
At the moment, the only motorcycles exported to Australia from Thailand are 80% of the Triumph range and some small- and medium-capacity Japanese bikes and scooters.
“As we explained when we announced this project in 2017, we intend to utilise it to make more of our products accessible to customers and targeted international market,” he says.
However, Harley-Davidson Australia spokesman Keith Waddell says the company has confirmed to them that “motorcycles for Australia will not be assembled in Thailand”.
That could change in years to come.
Thailand skeptics
Troy Bayliss tours the Ducati factory in Thailand (Image: Ultimate Motorcycle
When Honda announced it would be importing most of its cars from a new factory just outside Bangkok about a decade ago, there was some skepticism among Australian motoring journalists that they would be accepted by Aussie motorists.
So Honda Australia organised a tour of their factory which I attended.
I was surprised to find a state-of-the-art facility built on a greenfield site with supervisors walking around wearing white gloves and a floor so clean you could eat your dinner off it.
One supervisor told me the quality was strictly controlled, but the humid environment actually cured plastics and rubber better for a longer life than in vehicles made in Japan.
However, another manufacturer told me the humidity destroys some rubber very quickly.
To Aussie drivers, there now seems no problem with Thai-made cars. In fact, our top-four-selling vehicles are all Thai made.
The vehicles are good quality and the Thai-Australian free trade agreement makes them good value.
Likewise, there should be little concern with Thai bikes.
However, some say the recall problems Triumph has suffered in recent years are a result of Thai production.
Rather than a lack of quality production facilities, it’s more likely the rush to get new models on to the market as is the case with most motorcycle manufacturers.
