Tag Archives: Triumph motorcycles

2023 Triumph Rocket 3 R | Road Test Review

January 27, 2023 mcnews Leave a comment

The first thing you need to know about the Triumph Rocket 3 R is that its inline-Triple displaces 2,458cc (150ci), making it the largest motorcycle production engine by far. Nothing else even comes close.

The Rocket 3 R’s cylinders are like a hippopotamus’ teeth: It doesn’t have many, but the ones it does have are impressive. They have a bore of 4.33 inches – wider than the cylinders in a 707-hp Dodge Hellcat – and a stroke of 3.4 inches. Each one displaces 819.3cc, exceeding the engine capacity of Triumph’s Street Triple 765 sportbike.

Claimed output at the crank is 165 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. You can buy a sportbike tuned to make more horsepower, but no production motorcycle churns out as much grunt. Again, nothing else comes close.

The second thing you need to know is that, despite having such an enormous engine, the Rocket 3 R is not an overweight, bloated machine. With a claimed dry weight of 641 lb and an estimated curb weight approaching 700 lb, it’s as light or lighter than many cruisers and open-class sport-tourers.

Even taking its engine size and output into account, the Rocket 3 R remains a rare breed: a muscle cruiser that handles well and has sportbike-caliber components and electronics. And its design, from its mix of brushed, matte, and gloss finishes to its single-sided swingarm, exhibits incredible attention to detail and top-notch fit and finish.

My, How You’ve Grown

In the late ’90s and early 2000s, there was a displacement war going on among cruisers, with engine sizes growing from 1,449cc on the Harley-Davidson Twin Cam 88 to 1,510cc on the Victory 92C. Then the Japanese OEMs joined the fray, starting with 1,670cc on the Yamaha Road Star, then 1,795cc on the Honda VTX1800, and finally, breaking the two-liter barrier, 2,053cc on the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000, which debuted for 2004.

The following year, Triumph came along and topped them all with the Rocket III, which got its thrust from a massive 2,294cc inline-Triple, albeit with an extra cylinder compared to the V-Twins listed above. The Rocket III was under development in the early 2000s, and with each new displacement benchmark, Triumph’s engineers ratcheted up the engine’s capacity because the company’s primary goal was to be the biggest.

The three-cylinder configuration made sense because the modern incarnation of Triumph, under the direction of John Bloor, had built its reputation and brand image around Triples in bikes like the Trophy, Sprint, and Speed Triple. But the origins of the Triple and the model name came from even further back in Triumph’s history: The 1968 Triumph Trident / BSA Rocket III (the same bike with different badging during a time when both brands were under the same umbrella) was the first three-cylinder motorcycle produced by the British manufacturer. Since the modern Rocket III’s engine would be so large, Triumph arranged its cylinders longitudinally rather than transverse to the direction of travel, as on its other Triples.

It’s been nearly a decade since we tested the Rocket III Touring, which was a conventionally styled cruiser with a single round headlight, driving lights, a buckhorn handlebar, top-loading saddlebags, a passenger backrest, and lots of chrome. At 105 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque, it also had a milder state of tune than the Rocket III Roadster, which made 146 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque at the crank. Both bikes were enormous, scaling in at 906 lb for the Touring and 806 lb for the Roadster.

For the 2020 model year, Triumph hit the reset button. It changed the platform’s name to Rocket 3, favoring the more common and contemporary Arabic numeral to its antiquated Roman counterpart. While that may seem like a quibbling distinction, it represented Triumph’s commitment to building a more modern machine. The engine not only grew from 2,294cc to 2,458cc, it was updated with a new crankcase assembly, balancer shafts, and lubrication system. The Rocket 3 was also equipped with throttle-by-wire, an IMU, ride modes, cornering-optimized ABS and traction control, cruise control, hill-hold control, and keyless ignition.

Compared to the previous platform, the Rocket 3 had gone on a crash diet, shaving off roughly 90 lb. Even though the new engine has more displacement, it is 40 lb lighter than its predecessor. More weight was saved by replacing the steel frame and swingarm with cast-aluminum units, lightening the exhaust system and wheels, and reducing fuel capacity from 6.3 gallons on the RIII Roadster and 5.9 gallons on the RIII Touring to 5 gallons on the Rocket 3.

There are two versions of the Rocket 3: the R roadster tested here, which starts at $23,895, and the GT tourer with a small windscreen, more handlebar pullback, forward foot controls, and a passenger backrest, which starts at $24,595. Triumph also produces some limited-edition versions with special paint, finishes, and details, including the Rocket 3 R 221 Special Edition (which celebrates its 221 Newton-meters of torque), the Rocket 3 R Chrome Edition, and the Rocket 3 GT Chrome Edition.

See all of Rider‘s Triumph coverage here.

Triumph Rocket 3 R: A Beauty and A Beast

Even though the old Rocket III made boatloads of torque, its styling was bland. Its mondo engine, enormous radiator, and 240mm rear tire gave it big-boy presence, but little about the Rocket III said, “Hey, look at me!” A cruiser should not only make generous low-end torque, it should also make a statement, and the Rocket 3 R certainly does that.

It’s a muscle bike with a muscular stance, sitting on fat tires – 150/80-17 up front, 240/50-16 out back – and covered in a wide array of metallic surfaces, as if the entire bike were carved from one big block of metal. The effect is even more pronounced with the Matte Silver Ice paint on our test bike (other color options are Sapphire Black, Phantom Black, Korosi Red, or Silver Ice/Cranberry Red). On the right side is a stunning hydroformed triple-exhaust header that ends in short, matte-black silencers with slash-cut chrome end caps – two on the right side and one on the left.

2023 Triumph Rocket 3 R in Sapphire Black

2023 Triumph Rocket 3 R in Silver Ice/Cranberry Red

There is nothing clunky or out of place – no unsightly hoses or wires, no half-baked compromises. The “Rocket 3 R” and “2500 cc” badges are engraved; the matching fuel, radiator, and oil filler caps are brushed aluminum; and even the bar-ends have custom detailing. The coolest styling element, and the one I bragged about to everyone that asked about the bike (it’s a lookie-loo magnet), are the double-hinged, fold-away passenger pegs.

If there’s one thing that looks a little off to me, it’s the dual round headlights. They’ve been a signature Triumph styling element since the ’90s, most notably on the Speed Triple, and they were on the Rocket III Roadster. But with the more modern look of the Rocket 3 R, just as Triumph did with the Speed Triple about a decade ago, evolving the headlights into a more aggressive shape would make the bike’s overall appearance more cohesive.

Hitting the starter button on the Rocket 3 R elicits an authoritative growl, and blipping the throttle at idle causes the entire bike to twist to the right due to its big, longitudinal crankshaft. Perhaps to make the bike more livable, throttle response is a tad dull below 2,000 rpm, but once the big pistons spin up more, the well of grunt feels bottomless. On Jett Tuning’s dyno, the 2.5-liter beast spun the drum to a peak of 148 lb-ft of rear-wheel torque at 3,900 rpm, with more than 140 lb-ft on tap between 2,500 rpm and 5,300 rpm (redline is 6,500). There’s hardly a ripple in either the torque or horsepower curves, with the latter climbing steadily from 47 hp at 2,000 rpm to a peak of 145 at 6,100 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheel through an enormous driveshaft.

While the 6-speed transmission with torque-assist clutch shifts cleanly without any big cruiser clunkiness, this is not a bike that requires much rowing through the gearbox. Short shift your way up to top gear, and the big mill spins only about 3,200 rpm at 75 mph. On a twisty backroad, just put it in 3rd and forget about it – there’s always enough grunt to pull you out of corner and catapult you toward the next one. And when a long straight stretch opens up, grab a handful and hang on – it’s an experience you won’t soon forget and will be eager to repeat.

The Rocket 3 R is the physical embodiment of badassery. Until you beep the horn. Then it sounds like a Vespa. Even by motorcycle standards, the horn is wimpy.

The Triumph Rocket 3 Can Bend It Like Beckham

Motorcycles with ultra-wide 240mm rear tires aren’t typically known for their cornering prowess because it takes effort to get the bike over onto the side of the tire. But Triumph worked with Avon to develop the profile of the Rocket 3 R’s Cobra Chrome tires to ensure their profiles resulted in fairly neutral handling. For a big, long bike, the R3R goes around corners remarkably well, requiring less steering effort than one might expect.

Helpful in this respect is adjustable Showa suspension with damping that’s more sporting firm than touring soft. There’s enough suspension travel to absorb the worst of big hits, but ride quality generally favors smooth roads over bumpy ones. Slowing things down is a trio of top-shelf Brembo Stylema 4-piston radial monoblock calipers – two in front pinching 320mm discs and one out back pinching a 300mm disc – with hydraulic fluid pumped through steel-braided lines. They’re serious anchors that offer outstanding stopping power with precise feel at the lever.

Gear Up:

Deux Ex Machina

When the Rocket 3 R is keyed on, its color TFT display shows the Triumph logo and a message that says, “Welcome Rider.” Always puts a smile on my face.

I parked the Triumph in the garage at LAX airport during a short trip, and when I returned, I pulled the keyless fob out of my backpack and pressed the bike’s power button. A small red light came on, which means the fob isn’t within range or isn’t working. It was 11 p.m. and raining, and I still had an hour’s ride ahead of me. I held the fob close to the bike and pressed the power button again and again, but no luck.

As panic started to set in, I imagined the Rocket 3 R as HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey: “I’m sorry, Greg, but I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

Turns out I’m a moron. What I didn’t know is that, to save its battery, the fob goes to sleep. And to wake it up, you must press a button on the fob. But there’s not an obvious button, just an embossed Triumph logo.

During my Uber ride home, I sent a grumpy email to Adam VanderVeen, Triumph America’s marketing director, asking for help. I’m sure he laughed to himself as he composed a diplomatic reply informing me that, in fact, the logo is the button, and when you press it, a green light comes on to let you know the fob is sending signals to the bike.

After bumming a ride back to LAX the next day, I pressed the logo-button-thingy, and the Rocket 3 R powered right up. I was relieved that the start-up message did not say, “Welcome Dum Dum.”

Like other Triumphs we’ve tested in recent years, the Rocket 3 R’s electronics package is comprehensive and easy to use, aided by a TFT display with intuitive graphics. Select from one of the three standard ride modes (Sport, Road, Rain) or customize your own (Rider – there it is again, if only they used the Rider logo!), and rest assured that the ABS and TC are lean-angle sensitive, just in case.

Rocket Man

As the saying goes, we buy on emotion and justify with logic. The Triumph Rocket 3 R is all about heart-pumping stimulation. It’s the sort of bike you lie awake at night and think about, triangulating a plan to get one into your garage. Just as Sméagol was corrupted by the Ring, the Rocket 3 will take over your thoughts and make you do naughty things. If you want to be King of the Road, there’s nothing else like it.

2023 Triumph Rocket 3 R Specs

Base Price: $23,895
Price as Tested: $24,425 (Matte Silver Ice)
Warranty: 3 yrs., unltd. miles
Website: TriumphMotorcycles.com

Engine

Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse inline-Triple, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 2,458cc
Bore x Stroke: 110.2 x 85.9mm
Compression Ratio: 10.9:1
Valve Insp. Interval: 20,000 miles
Fuel Delivery: EFI w/ throttle-by-wire
Lubrication System: Dry sump, 5.5 qt. cap.
Transmission: 6-speed, hydraulically actuated slip/assist wet clutch
Final Drive: Shaft

Chassis

Frame: Cast aluminum main frame w/ cast aluminum single-sided swingarm
Wheelbase: 66 in.
Rake/Trail: 28 degrees/5.3 in.
Seat Height: 30.4 in.
Suspension, Front: 47mm inverted fork, adj. compression & rebound, 4.7 in. travel
Rear: Single shock, fully adj. w/ remote preload adjuster, 4.2 in. travel
Brakes, Front: Dual 320mm discs w/ 4-piston radial monoblock calipers, ABS
Rear: Single 300mm disc w/ 4-piston radial monoblock caliper, ABS
Wheels, Front: Cast aluminum, 3.50 x 17
Rear: Cast aluminum, 7.50 x 16
Tires, Front: 150/80-R17
Rear: 240/50-R16
Dry Weight: 642 lb
Load Capacity: 458 lb
GVWR: 1,100 lb

Performance

Horsepower: 145 @ 6,100 rpm (rear-wheel dyno)
Torque: 148 lb-ft @ 3,900 rpm (rear-wheel dyno)
Fuel Capacity: 5.0 gal
Fuel Consumption: 30 mpg
Estimated Range: 150 miles

The post 2023 Triumph Rocket 3 R | Road Test Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

Motorcycle News, News

2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low | Tour Test Review

January 19, 2023 mcnews Leave a comment

The following review of the 2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low comes from Reg Kittrelle, founder and publisher of Thunder Press and Battle2win magazine and author of the Unrepentant Curmudgeon column at Rider‘s sibling publication, American Rider.

“She was tall, beautiful in her own way, and a little intimidating. I knew we’d do things I’d never done before.”

Unrequited love? Nope, not this time. “She” was a new 2007 Ducati Multistrada 1100 S and one of Bologna’s first entries into the growing adventure bike segment. I needed that Ducati.

BMW is credited with creating the adventure – or ADV – motorcycle with the introduction of the R 80 G/S in 1980. The bike’s success pushed other OEMs into offering their versions. What appealed to me then – and continues to do so today – is the versatility of ADVs. Their motors are usually large, quick, and fast. Their long-travel suspensions nicely gobble up less-than-perfect pavement. They’re entirely unafraid of dirt roads, yet they can deal competently with a track day. They are comfortable and can seemingly carry everything.

2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low Deadwood South Dakota — Creekside Campground near Deadwood, South Dakota. The tepee had a cot and a heater.

Read all of Rider‘s Adventure & Dual-Sport Motorcycle coverage here.

By my count, I’ve owned four ADVs, each with a distinct personality. That Multistrada? A pur sang sportbike in an ugly suit. Next was a Buell Ulysses, a fun, torquey brute. Then there was a KTM 990 SM-T, a headstrong beast that did not understand the concept of slow. My current – and favorite – is a 2012 Triumph Tiger 800 XC. Bought new in 2011, it’s the motorcycle I’ve owned the longest. That’s also the year the street-oriented Tiger 800 and off-road-ready Tiger 800 XC shared Rider’s Motorcycle of the Year award.

History aside, what has brought me here is Rider’s offer of a 2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low for a cross-country trip I had planned. Gee, I probably had to think about that for all of 10 seconds.

Too Short for an ADV?

As much as I favor ADVs, they have one significant drawback for us shorter riders. By design, ADVs have tall seats due to their long-travel suspension and 19- or 21-inch front wheels. This presents a problem for me since I’m 5-foot-7 with a 30-inch inseam.

2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low Mount Rushmore — Mount Rushmore never fails to awe, no matter how many times you see it.

My 2012 Tiger had a 33-inch seat height, barely allowing me to put one toe on the ground. I needed a more confident feel than that, so I lowered it an inch in the rear via a “dog bone” link on the shock, and I lowered the front end by 1.5 inches by moving the fork tubes higher in the triple clamp. These changes allowed for the tips of both of my big toes to touch down. Additionally, I installed risers that moved the handlebar up and back to put me in a more upright, comfortable position.

The 2023 Tiger 900 GT Low

The “Low” version of the Tiger 900 GT puts both my feet flat on the ground. To achieve its lower seat height of 29.9 inches, suspension travel has been reduced 1.6 inches in front and 0.75 inches at the rear compared to the standard Tiger 900 GT, which has a seat height of 31.9 inches in its lowest position. Given that the GT Low is a street-oriented motorcycle, the reduction in travel and ground clearance has a negligible impact.

2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low Flaming Gorge — Utah’s Flaming Gorge was just one of dozens of spectacular views my trip afforded me.

Additionally, the handlebar’s rise and pullback place me where I want to be. Further contributing to the comfort quotient are heated grips and a nicely padded and supportive seat that remained comfortable even after long hours on the road. The Tiger Low fits me as if I were that mythical average rider around which motorcycle ergonomics are designed.

The Tiger was fitted with Triumph’s accessory Expedition panniers: 37-liter top-loaders made from 1.5mm aluminum with polymer reinforcements. I particularly appreciated the six brackets on the lids that made it easy to strap on additional gear.

All of this means that the bike fits my simple definition of an ADV: a motorcycle that can comfortably take me to distant places carrying lots of stuff.

A Loose Plan

I picked up the Tiger in Southern California, loaded my gear, then headed east. As I would be camping most nights, my cargo included a sleeping bag, a tent, and an air mattress. I usually like to cook my own meals, but on this trip, I opted for restaurants and just a small stove for making coffee.

2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low St. Joseph Missouri — AOK Campground in St. Joseph, Missouri. It rained that night, so the canopy over the picnic table was welcome. On the back of the bike is SW-Motech’s PRO Rackpack tailbag.

Shop for SW-Motech luggage

My trip followed a loose plan. There were people and things I wanted to see, but my route was more influenced by whim and weather than design.

With only 210 miles showing on the odo, I treated the first several hundred miles as a break-in ride. By the time I hit Las Vegas, the initial bit of engine roughness smoothed out, and I could begin to enjoy one of the sweetest motors found in a motorcycle frame.

From Vegas, I headed north to Interstate 70 in Utah, then east to Colorado. The interstate in Utah has an 80-mph speed limit, so 90-mph traffic flow is not unusual. At one point, I was passed by a semi-truck doing 90-plus. This velocity investigation on my part showed that the top speed on this ’23 model was noticeably higher than my 2012 Tiger 800 XC while having the same claimed 94 hp, perhaps as a result of the 900 GT weighing 50 lb less and featuring a redesigned Triple.

2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low Monarch Pass Continental Divide Colorado — Colorado’s Monarch pass was the literal high point – 11,312 feet – of my trip. Secured on the Tiger’s tank is a SW-Motech tank ring and PRO City WP tankbag.

Mid- to upper-range acceleration was excellent, but initial grunt – as from a stop – was less than I expected. Not slow, just slower. At any speed, the Tiger was perfectly stable, and the adjustable windscreen eliminated nearly all buffeting. An exception to this was in parts of Kansas where the crosswinds tried their damnedest to unseat me.

Continuing east, the Tiger ate up Kansas and Missouri on the way to the Mississippi River, where I turned north to Dubuque, Iowa. Just east of there, I met up with a group of friends in Galena, Illinois, one of my planned stops for a weekend.

2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low Mississippi River — Dam #7 (imaginative, that) on the upper Mississippi River, with Wisconsin on the right, Minnesota on the left.

Electronic Bits on the 2023 Tiger 900 GT Low

Monitoring almost every aspect of my trip was a 7-inch TFT display. Easy to read even in direct sunshine, the dash offers almost too many options and controls. After fiddling with various screens, I chose one that kept my speed and mpg numbers forefront.

I was particularly impressed with the fuel consumption. I consistently saw 54-55 mpg at steady interstate speeds, and mileage on backroads and around town was always above 40 mpg. With a 5.3-gallon tank, that translates to 285-290 miles of range on the freeway and 210-plus otherwise.

One feature I learned to love was the Tiger’s ride modes, including Street, Off-Road, Rain, and Sport. I used Rain more than I wanted to but appreciated its softened throttle response on wet and icy roads, reducing possible tire slippage (cornering-optimized ABS and traction control also help). Sport worked the opposite, giving a noticeably sharper throttle response.

Ambushed by the Weather

Leaving Illinois, I drifted up to Wisconsin and then headed west through Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The weather turned from sunny to cloudy and stormy, but between the rain drops, I was able to get in some great riding in South Dakota’s Black Hills. The worst weather I hit was in Utah between Duchesne and Green River, where rain, hail, ice, and a bit of snow greeted me.

2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low Utah — The lids of the Expedition panniers have useful lash points for securing bulky gear like my tent.

The hailstorm was the most vicious I’ve experienced, with the stones knocking my head around like a cueball. At nearly 10,000 feet elevation, the dash flashed red and displayed an ice alert. That had me questioning just what the hell I was doing! I slowed even slower than the slow I was going and finally made it to Green River only to find that a flash flood had inundated my campground. That night’s motel was a very welcome sight, but to add insult to injury, the restaurant next door had beer but no tequila, my preferred post-ride medicine.

2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low Hoover Dam Lake Mead — Built in 1935, Hoover Dam holds back Lake Mead. Of the many times I’ve been here, this is the lowest water level I’ve seen.

From Green River, the weather improved, and I rode in sunshine south to Quartzite, Arizona, then west to Orange County, California, to return the Triumph. This variety of weather put the Metzeler Tourance Next tires to the test, and I rode confidently on both wet and dry roads. While I did minimal off-pavement riding on this trip, my experience shows they do a decent job on dirt and gravel surfaces.

By the trip’s end, I’d spent 23 days visiting 14 states and logged about 5,500 miles in a full menu of weather, including a couple of flash floods and those ferocious Kansas winds. Temperatures ranged from 31 degrees in Minnesota to a nasty stretch of 106 degrees in Kansas, with altitudes up to 11,312 feet over Colorado’s Monarch Pass.

2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low South Dakota — Dignity of Earth and Sky, a 50-foot stainless-steel sculpture that represents the Native American culture of South Dakota, soars over the Missouri River near Chamberlain. A photograph does not begin to show just how stunning this work of art is.

It’s the Little Things

Not everything about the 2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low was to my liking. The TFT dash screen is a marvel of electronics, but it’s about 2 inches too low, requiring you to look down farther than you should, and the tankbag I used obscured part of the screen. Also, the ignition switch is buried in a hole atop the triple clamp, making it difficult to access with heavy gloves and especially inconvenient with a loaded tankbag.

Triumph persists in fitting DIN-style power outlets. Not many commonly used devices, such as a GPS, heated gear, or phones, come with a DIN plug. One of these outlets is located beneath the dash screen and on the left side just below the saddle. There’s a USB outlet under the seat, but that’s hardly handy.

Tail of the Tape

It’s no surprise that this newest Tiger 900 is more than a worthy successor to my 2012 model. The changes have been evolutionary, taking the best of the original and honing it to a world-class level. It is narrower, lighter, and more capable and has a host of features unavailable on my bike. The highest compliment I can pay the 2023 Triumph 900 GT Low is that it would be more than welcome to again take my old self to distant places carrying lots of stuff.

See all of Rider‘s Triumph coverage here.

2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low Specs

Base Price: $14,700

Price as Tested: $16,365 (Expedition panniers w/ mounts)

Website: TriumphMotorcycles.com

Warranty: 2 yrs., unltd. miles

Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse in-line Triple, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.

Displacement: 888cc

Bore x Stroke: 78.0 x 61.9mm

Horsepower: 94 hp @ 8,750 rpm (factory claim)

Torque: 64 lb-ft @ 7,250 rpm (factory claim)

Transmission: 6-speed, hydraulically actuated slip/assist wet clutch

Final Drive: Chain

Wheelbase: 60.8 in.

Rake/Trail: 24.1 degrees/5.1 in. (Low version)

Seat Height: 29.9/30.7 in. (Low version)

Dry Weight: 425 lb

Fuel Capacity: 5.3 gal.

Fuel Consumption: 46.4 mpg

Estimated Range: 246 miles

The post 2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low | Tour Test Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

Motorcycle News, News

Best Small Motorcycles with Seat Heights Under 30 Inches

January 6, 2023 mcnews Leave a comment

2021 Harley Davidson Sportster S Best Small Motorcycles

Choices for smaller, affordable motorcycles are growing, and that’s good news for riders looking for a fun bike that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re new to riding and want something easy to handle or an experienced rider looking for a lighter or shorter bike, you have more options now than ever when it comes to finding the best small motorcycles!

Below is Rider’s 2022-2023 list of Best Small Motorcycles, an update of the popular post from 2019. Our new list includes motorcycles with seat heights up to 30 inches with an MSRP of $17,000 or less.

We’ve also curated lists of the best bikes with seat heights between 30.0 and 30.9 inches, as well as a list of bikes with seat heights between 31.0 and 31.9 inches. We’ll include links to those lists soon.

When possible, we’ve included a link to our test ride reviews so you can get a sense of how each bike performs in action. We’ve also included the 2022-2023 model year’s U.S. base MSRP (as of publication), seat height, and claimed wet or dry weight. On models with options to lower the seat height or suspension, we’ve listed the standard and lowered seat heights. You can also click on a model’s name to go to the manufacturer’s webpage for a full list of specifications and details.

The models in this list are arranged by seat height, with the first model having the shortest seat height and the last model having the tallest seat height in the list.

Can-Am Ryker

$8,999

23.6-inch seat height

594 lb dry

Read our 2019 Can-Am Ryker First Ride Review

Indian Scout Bobber Sixty

$10,749

25.6-inch seat height

548 lb

Indian Scout Rogue Sixty

$11,249

25.6-inch seat height

540 lb

Read our 2022 Indian Scout Rogue First Ride Review

Indian Scout Sixty

$11,749

25.6-inch seat height

543 lb

Read our 2016 Indian Scout Sixty Road Test Review

Indian Scout Bobber

$12,249

25.6-inch seat height

553 lb

Read our 2018 Indian Scout Bobber First Ride Review

Indian Scout

$13,249

25.6-inch seat height

561 lb

Read our 2019 Indian Scout Tour Test Review

Indian Scout Bobber Twenty

$13,249

25.6-inch seat height

563 lb

Harley-Davidson Iron 883

(2022 is the final year for this model)

$11,249

25.7-inch seat height

564 lb

Harley-Davidson Softail Standard

$14,399

25.8-inch seat height

655 lb

Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114

$16,599

25.8-inch seat height

631 lb

Honda Shadow Phantom

$7,999

25.8-inch seat height

549 lb

Read our 2010 Honda Shadow Phantom 750 Road Test Review

Honda Shadow Aero

$7,799

25.9-inch seat height

560 lb

Read our 2013 Honda Shadow Aero Review

Indian Chief

$14,999

26-inch seat height

670 lb

Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight

(2022 is the final year for this model)

$12,299

26.2-inch seat height

556 lb

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic

$8,999

26.8-inch seat height

620 lb

Read our 2013 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic Review

Honda Fury

$11,449

26.9-inch seat height

663 lb

Read our 2010 Honda VT13VX Fury Road Test Review

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom

$9,499

27-inch seat height

611 lb

Yamaha V Star 250

$4,699

27-inch seat height

324 lb

Harley-Davidson Nightster

$13,499

27.1-inch seat height

481 lb

Read our 2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster First Ride Review

BMW R 18

$14,995

27.2-inch seat height

761 lb

Read our 2021 BMW R 18 First Edition Road Test Review

Honda Rebel 500

$6,449

27.2-inch seat height

408 lb

Read our 2020 Honda Rebel 500 ABS Road Test Review

Honda Rebel 300

$4,749

27.2-inch seat height

364 lb

Triumph Bonneville Bobber

$13,495

27.6-inch seat height (optional lower seat of 27.2 inches)

553 lb

Read our 2017 Triumph Bonneville Bobber First Ride Review

Yamaha Bolt R-Spec

$8,899

27.2-inch seat height

542 lb

Honda Rebel 1100T DCT

$11,299

27.5-inch seat height

524 lb

Read our 2023 Honda Rebel 1100T DCT First Look Review

Honda Rebel 1100

$9,499

27.5-inch seat height

487 lb

Read our 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 First Ride Review

Suzuki Boulevard C50

$8,609

27.6-inch seat height

611 lb

Suzuki Boulevard C50T

$10,059

27.6-inch seat height

644 lb

Read our 2007 Suzuki Boulevard C50T Road Test Review

Kawasaki Vulcan S

$7,349

27.8-inch seat height

492 lb

Read our 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S Road Test Review

Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe

$8,099

27.8-inch seat height

496 lb

Read our 2016 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe Road Test Review

Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster

$13,495

27.8-inch seat height

580 lb

Read our 2018 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster First Ride Review

Harley-Davidson Sportster S

$16,399

28.9-inch seat height

502 lb

Read our 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S First Ride Review

The post Best Small Motorcycles with Seat Heights Under 30 Inches first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

Motorcycle News, News

2024 Triumph Street Triple 765 Range | First Look Review

November 3, 2022 mcnews Leave a comment

Triumph Motorcycles has announced the new 2024 Triumph Street Triple 765 range, featuring a significantly updated Street Triple R, a new Street Triple RS, and an exclusive limited-run Street Triple 765 Moto2 Edition, which Triumph says is “the closest you can get to a Moto2 race bike for the road.” Only 765 of the Moto2 Edition bikes will be made.

At the Oct. 18 virtual press conference unveiling the new bikes, Triumph’s head of brand management, Miles Perkins, said the Street Triple, which was originally developed from the company’s race-winning Daytona 675, has had distinctive character ever since its introduction in 2007.

“From the start, the bike played a part in redefining what a middleweight sports bike should be about,” Perkins said. “Over the years, there have been a number of significant updates from Triumph, all of which have been about making the bike better, faster, more powerful, and lighter. And I think I wouldn’t be too demonstrative to say there are not many bikes in the world of motorcycling that have gotten better, lighter, more powerful – particularly names as well-regarded as the Street Triple.”

All three models in the new 2024 Street Triple 765 range will still feature a liquid-cooled 765cc inline-Triple, which was bumped up from 675cc with the 2017 Street Triple lineup, but Triumph says engine upgrades derived directly from the Moto2 race engine program have resulted in a significant step up in performance on the range.

Triumph’s most powerful Street Triple range to date, the 2024 Street Triple R engine makes a claimed 118 hp (up from 116 hp) and 59 lb-ft of torque at 9,500 rpm (up from 57 lb-ft at 9,400 rpm). The Street Triple RS and Moto2 take it up another notch, making 128 hp.

Other lessons from the Moto2 race engine program that have been applied to the 2024 Street Triple range include a compression ratio that has been raised from 12.65:1 to 13.25:1 – an increase of 4.7%. Additionally, new pistons, con-rods and gudgeon pins are matched to new, optimized combustion chambers for an increased cylinder pressure limit and ultimately, more power, and the new valves and camshafts are said to give increased valve lift for improved intake, combustion, and exhaust efficiency. The gearbox has also been revised to include shorter gear ratios for faster acceleration.

2024 Triumph Street Triple 765 Range: ‘The Perfect Performance Naked Bike Set-up’

In the media statement announcing the new Street Triple range, Triumph said that new technology and high-specification components, combined with an updated chassis, make the range “the best handling ever and the perfect performance naked bike set-up.”

At the press conference, Triumph’s global product marketing manager, James Wood, said the specifications of the chassis and suspension have “always been about agility, precision, and having a bike that you really connect with intuitively … and give the best possible ride for each of these three models, with the R being more road focused, the RS adding even more advanced performance and track-focused capability, and the Moto2 Edition, which has the most track-focused capability ever for a Street Triple.”

The 2024 Street Triple 765 R and RS both benefit from the new generation’s more focused and commanding riding position, the result of a new handlebar that is 0.47 inch wider. The race-inspired Moto2 Edition goes one step further with clip-on handlebars that are 3.15 inches lower and 1.97 inches farther forward than the R and RS. This change, combined with the bike’s unique high-specification Öhlins fork, is said to deliver even more race bike poise and front end feel. Both the RS and the Moto2 Edition also feature revised geometry with a steeper rake and a raised back end for nimble, faster turning.

2024 Triumph Street Triple 765 Moto2 in Triumph Racing Yellow with an Aluminum Silver rear subframe

Seat height is 32.52 inches on the Street Triple R, 32.91 inches on the Street Triple RS, and 33.03 inches for the Moto2 Edition, and a new accessory low seat option with 3D net technology for enhanced comfort can be fitted to further reduce the height by 1.1 inches on all models. For the Street Triple RS and Moto2 Edition, Triumph dealers can additionally lower the seat by 0.39 inch if required through the implementation of a dedicated rear suspension linkage adaption, which when delivered in combination with the accessory low seat provides a very accessible height of 31.42 inches on the RS and 31.54 inches on the Moto2 Edition. 

Check out more of Rider‘s Triumph coverage here

Braking is linked on the new Street Triples, with the Street Triple R featuring Brembo M4.32 4-piston radial monoblock calipers at the front and a Brembo single piston sliding caliper at the rear. The Street Triple 765 RS and Moto2 Edition are fitted with Brembo Stylema 4-piston radial monobloc front calipers with twin 310mm floating discs. A matching Brembo MCS span and ratio adjustable lever reportedly gives even more control and finesse, and a Brembo single piston sliding caliper keeps things in check at the rear.

As far as suspension, components from Showa and Öhlins are fully adjustable for preload, compression, and rebound.

The Street Triple 765 R comes fitted with a Showa 41mm inverted, separate-function Big Piston fork and a Showa piggyback reservoir rear monoshock. The Street Triple RS is equipped with a Showa 41mm inverted Big Piston fork and an Öhlins piggyback reservoir rear shock, and the Moto2 Edition reflects its track-ready capability with a 43mm inverted Öhlins front fork and an Öhlins piggyback reservoir rear shock. Front wheel travel on all models is 4.53 inches, with 5.17-in rear wheel travel on the RS and Moto2 Edition, and 5.26 inches on the Street Triple R.

The Street Triple R is shod with Continental ContiRoad tires, and the RS and Moto2 Edition get Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tires.

Triumph said the Street Triple’s gullwing swingarm has been developed for “excellent torsional stiffness with lateral flexibility, maximizing stability at higher speeds for enhanced rider confidence while the pivot position provides natural resistance to compressing the rear shock absorber under hard acceleration.”

The company said this translates into tight corner exits and precise, predictable chassis behavior, and results in class-defining performance when combined with the bike’s lightweight chassis and incredible power-to-weight ratio.

The Street Triple R has a wet weight of 417 lb, with the RS and Moto2 Edition coming in at 414 lb. Wood said the power-to-weight ratio has “always been key.”

“The attributes that make this such a great, precise bike for the track also make it an easy and intuitive bike to ride on the road, for any rider and any skill level.”

Read the 2015 Rider interview with Stuart Wood here.

2024 Triumph Street Triple 765 Technology

The new Street Triple 765 range features the latest generation of optimized cornering ABS on all three new models. The system features a new ABS modulator with an integrated IMU for more refined ABS control. Tailored settings integrated into each of the riding modes alter the level of ABS intervention, while a track-focused tune is also present for riders seeking minimal ABS intervention.

Optimized cornering traction control supported by an IMU that continuously calculates the lean angle to ensure the optimum slip rate and torque control is also now standard on all three Street Triple 765 models. Four independently adjustable levels of intervention can be selected to suit riding styles and road conditions, including a track-focused tune with minimal intervention as well as the ability to turn it off altogether for experienced riders in high-grip racetrack situations.

The new Street Triple 765 R features four ride modes – Road, Rain, Sport and Rider-configurable – while the RS and Moto2 Edition have an additional Track mode designed to be as unintrusive as possible while still providing the reassurance that the electronic systems are there to help in unexpected situations.

The Road, Sport, and Track modes have new, more dynamic throttle maps that Triumph says provide an even more responsive feel. Rain mode restricts the engine power to 98.6 hp while increasing the level of ABS and traction control intervention for better feel and control in wet conditions.

The new Street Triple 756 RS and Moto2 Edition feature 5-inch full-color TFT instrumentation with ergonomically optimized switch cubes and a five-way joystick. The MyTriumph connectivity system is pre-enabled and provides turn-by-turn navigation, phone control, and music operation via the accessory-fit Bluetooth module and free My Triumph app. A lap timer is included on the RS and Moto2 Edition for track use.

The 2024 Street Triple 765 range also features the latest generation of Triumph Shift Assist. Upshifts can be made without closing the throttle, and downshifts can be made without the use of the clutch or the need to blip the throttle to match the gear and engine speeds. A slip/assist clutch and front wheel lift control are also standard on all three models.

2024 Triumph Street Triple 765 Styling

The 2024 Street Triple generation features new racing-derived ‘765’ sporty graphics and all new bodywork.

The new 3.96-gal. fuel tank has integrated side panels with an angular design that aligns with the sharper radiator cowls, further complemented by a new headlight finisher that also incorporates the air intake. Additionally, there’s a new color-coded belly pan for the RS, which is available as an accessory option for the R.

The rear end of the new Street Triple has a sporty, upswept design lending to a focused, nose-down attitude. The RS features a color-coded seat cowl with an interchangeable passenger seat. The new silencer shape adds to the Street Triple’s aggressive stance.

The Moto2 Edition features lightweight carbon fiber bodywork, including the front fender, side panels, headlight finisher, and belly pan, and each of these limited-edition motorcycles has a machined top yoke with its number etched onto it.

The Street Triple 765 R will be available in two colorways: Silver Ice with Storm Grey and Yellow graphics or Crystal White with Storm Grey and Lithium Flame graphics. The Street Triple 765 RS will have three schemes: Silver Ice with Baja Orange and Storm Grey graphics, Carnival Red with Carbon Black and Aluminum Silver graphics, or Cosmic Yellow with Carbon Black and Aluminum Silver graphics.

Finally, the Moto2 Edition comes in two race-derived liveries: Triumph Racing Yellow with an Aluminum Silver rear sub-frame or Crystal White with Triumph Racing Yellow rear subframe. The official Moto2 branding will appear on the tank, wheel, tail unit, and silencer.

The 2024 Street Triple 765 R and RS are expected to arrive in U.S. dealerships in April 2023 and will be priced starting at $9,995 and $12,595, respectively. The Moto2 Edition is expected to arrive in June 2023 starting at $15,395.

For more information, visit the Triumph Motorcycles website.

The post 2024 Triumph Street Triple 765 Range | First Look Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

Motorcycle News, News

2023 Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro | Road Test Review

November 1, 2022 mcnews Leave a comment

The 2023 Triumph Tiger 1200 lineup, which includes five variants – three aimed at street riders and two at those who like to get dirty – represents the high-water mark of Triumph’s 30 years of experience building adventure bikes. When John Bloor, the deep-pocketed real estate developer who bought Triumph after it went bankrupt in 1983, resurrected the iconic British brand, he wanted to compete on the world stage. That meant a broad range of contemporary models, not just rehashed Bonnevilles.

Back to the Future

In the early ’90s, modern-era Triumphs that rolled out of the new factory in Hinckley, England, included Trophy sport-tourers, Daytona sportbikes, Trident roadsters, and Adventurer cruisers powered by inline three- and four-cylinder engines rather than the parallel-Twins Triumph had been known for. In 1993, Triumph introduced the Tiger 900, an adventure bike powered by an 84-hp 885cc inline-Triple designed to compete with the BMW R 100 GS, Honda Africa Twin, and Yamaha Super Ténéré.

The “Tiger” name first showed up on Triumphs in 1936 when company director and chief engineer Edward Turner renamed the 250cc, 350cc, and 500cc OHV Singles the Tiger 70, Tiger 80, and Tiger 90, respectively. Three years later, the Tiger T100 was introduced as a high-performance version of the 5T Speed Twin 500.

Other roadgoing Tigers came and went over the years, but it wasn’t until the early ’80s that the name was used on dual-sport models like the TR65T Tiger Trail and TR7T Tiger Trail.

By the turn of the millennium, the adventure segment had grown in popularity. Manufacturers were broadening their lineups of big “dualies” to make them even better at long-distance touring. In 2001, Triumph introduced the Tiger 955i, which had a 955cc Triple boasting 104 hp, a small fairing with a windscreen, a 6.25-gallon tank, and hardshell saddlebags.

Other models followed, including the Tiger 1050 sport-tourer in 2007, the middleweight Tiger 800 and Tiger 800XC in 2011 (co-winners of Rider’s Motorcycle of the Year), and the big daddy: the 571-lb 1,215cc Tiger Explorer in 2012.

Over the past decade, Triumph’s Tiger lineup has evolved and expanded, and the company now offers 11 different models: the Tiger Sport 660, the Tiger Sport 850, the Tiger 900 range (GT, GT Pro, Rally, and Rally Pro), and the Tiger 1200 range (GT, GT Pro, GT Explorer, Rally Pro, and Rally Explorer).

See all of Rider‘s Triumph coverage here.

Triumph Tiger 1200 2.0

Triumph gave its range-topping Tiger a major reboot for the 2023 model year, starting with the engine. Replacing the 1,215cc Triple on the previous-gen Tiger Explorer is the 1,160cc Triple from the 2022 Speed Triple 1200 RS. Despite losing 55cc of displacement, the Tiger gained grunt. On Jett Tuning’s dyno, the 2023 Tiger 1200 GT Pro sent 130.2 hp at 9,100 rpm and 81.8 lb-ft of torque at 7,000 rpm to the rear wheel through its shaft final drive – an increase of 12.4 hp and 7.4 lb-ft over the last Tiger Explorer we dyno’d in 2016.

Engine character is also decidedly different thanks to the Triple’s “T-Plane” crankshaft with a 1-3-2 firing order. After cylinder 1 fires, the crank turns 180 degrees, and cylinder 3 fires. It turns another 270 degrees, and cylinder 2 fires. It turns another 270 degrees, cylinder 1 fires again, and so on. The irregular firing sequence gives the engine the feel and tractable response of a Twin down low and the sporty character of a Triple from the midrange to redline.

Not only is the Tiger 1200 more powerful than its predecessor, it’s also significantly lighter. Its tubular steel main frame with forged aluminum lower sections saves 12 lb, and it’s connected to a lightweight bolt-on aluminum subframe with removeable passenger peg brackets. A new “Tri-Link” cast aluminum conventional swingarm saves another 3.3 lb over the previous single-sided unit. Overall, at 540 lb ready to ride, the Tiger 1200 is 55 lb lighter than the previous model.

Triumph hosted a global launch for the 2023 Tiger 1200 in Portugal earlier this year, and our First Ride review includes details about the five variants. Like other road-oriented GT models, the Pro model tested here has a 5.3-gallon tank, cast aluminum wheels in 19-/18-inch sizes with Metzeler Tourance tires, and 7.9 inches of suspension travel front and rear. It also has an adjustable rider’s seat (33.5/34.3 inches), handguards, a small skid plate, LED auxiliary lights, a centerstand, heated grips, a 12-volt socket in the cockpit, a USB charger under the seat, and keyless ignition, steering lock, and fuel filler lock.

As expected for a top-of-the-line adventure-touring machine, the GT Pro is equipped with throttle-by-wire, an IMU, and a full menu of electronic rider aids. It has five ride modes (Sport, Road, Rain, Off-Road, and a customizable Rider mode) that adjust throttle response, cornering ABS, cornering traction control, and suspension damping. The Showa semi-active suspension system has On-Road and Off-Road damping modes, with nine settings ranging from Sport to Comfort within each mode, as well as automatic rear preload adjustment. The GT Pro also has cornering lights, a quickshifter, cruise control, hill-hold brake control, and a 7-inch color TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity that includes multimedia, navigation, and GoPro control.

A Tiger – in Africa?

No, no, we didn’t test the Tiger 1200 GT Pro in Africa. We wish. That’s just one of my favorite lines from Monty Python’s Meaning of Life, a British comedy from 1983, which happens to be the same year the old “Meridien” Triumph went belly up. But I digress. Let’s start again…

A Tiger in California

There’s something about testing a motorcycle on familiar soil, on roads we’ve ridden so many times that we know exactly where a particularly nasty pavement crack is around a blind corner or where to expect rockfall from dynamited road cuts towering above the pavement. It’s not quite the same as turning dozens of laps on a track, but you know where you can get on the gas, where to proceed with caution, and where certain bikes seem to unlock a hidden “hero” mode.

One of those roads is East Camino Cielo (“Road of the Sky” in Spanish), which follows a high ridgeline in the Santa Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara, California. Running roughly parallel to the Pacific Coast, on a clear day it provides incomparable views of the ocean and the Channel Islands on one side and the Santa Ynez Valley and San Rafael Mountains on the other. After climbing the steep, twisting grade of Gibraltar Road, East Camino Cielo unfurls an obstacle course of undulating gradients, convoluted corners, and pavement of varying quality with plenty of dirt and debris to keep riders on their toes. In other words, an ideal road for an adventure bike.

Having tested several variations of the Tiger Explorer in the past, some of which weighed more than 600 lb, the Tiger 1200’s newfound lightness is immediately apparent. It looks svelte when perched on its centerstand, and it feels slender between the knees, especially when standing up on the footpegs. The Tiger 1200 employs a new twin-radiator design that allows the engine to be mounted farther forward for better weight distribution while also reducing the amount of engine heat felt by the rider. Just ahead of the rider’s knees are vents with plastic shrouds that pull heat out and away from the cockpit.

The Tiger’s seat is narrow in front to make it easier to get feet on the ground and wide at the back to provide a broad base of support. Except for full-dress touring bikes, the Tiger’s seat is one of the most comfortable stock seats we’ve tested in a long time. Being long of arm and leg, the seating position is nearly ideal for me – not too much bend in my achy knees and a just-right reach to the wide handlebar that allows me to sit up straight.

Like most adventure bikes, wind protection is sufficient but leaves the rider’s lower legs and upper body partially exposed. Handguards keep wind off the mitts, and the adjustable windscreen does a decent job of deflecting wind blast around the rider. For maximum visibility and airflow into the cockpit, I preferred the lowest position and wasn’t bothered by buffeting, even with an ADV helmet with a peak visor. A light pull on the bar above the TFT display ratchets the windscreen up in small increments over a 2.4-inch range.

The Tiger 1200 exhibited poise and balance on East Camino Cielo, responding quickly to steering inputs and maintaining confident contact with the road. The Skyhook algorithm for the semi-active suspension minimizes unwanted chassis pitch under hard braking or acceleration, and the various damping modes delivered a softer or firmer ride as desired. When taking sharp corners at speed, however, the pegs dragged earlier than expected, especially for such a tall bike. Rear preload is adjusted automatically based on the weight of the rider and, if applicable, that of a passenger and luggage. I would have liked to crank up the rear preload a bit to increase cornering clearance, but there is no provision for doing so.

Attacking technical backroads and rowing through the gearbox is made easier with Triumph’s Shift Assist up/down quickshifter. And scrubbing off speed is handled by strong and precise brakes that are top of the line – a pair of Brembo Stylema monoblock radial front calipers pinching 320mm discs, a Magura HC-1 radial front master cylinder (a second one is used on the hydraulic slip/assist clutch), a Brembo rear caliper, and cornering ABS.

Equally impressive is the rumbling character and right-now response from the T-Plane Triple. As the dyno chart on the previous page shows, power builds linearly with no dips or hiccups, and more than 60 lb-ft of torque is available from 2,600 rpm to redline. The tuned exhaust emits a delightful growl, but as we noted in our First Ride review, engine vibration creeps in above 6,000 rpm and can be felt through the pegs and grips. At 70 mph in 6th gear, the engine spins smoothly at 4,000 rpm, which makes for relaxed highway riding. The only glitch is some driveline lash in the lower gears that makes it difficult to smoothly transition on and off the throttle.

The Tiger’s 7-inch TFT display has bright, vivid graphics. The mode button and small joystick on the left switchgear, along with the home button on the right switchgear, make it easy – with a little practice – to navigate modes, menus, and settings. There are a few idiosyncrasies, however. When the tripmeter is displayed, it is shown in a large, easy-to-read font, but it also shows average speed and trip duration – two pieces of info that I don’t find important.

And in the tripmeter mode, the digital tach/speedo is cocked to the side, which irks my desire for symmetry. The joystick must be toggled and pushed three times to bring up the fuel status display, and in that mode, the tach/speedo is displayed normally. Where’s the odometer? It’s buried in the service menu. While I certainly appreciate the desire to create a clean, uncluttered display, offering some customization options would satisfy riders with different preferences.

GEAR UP:

Modern Times

Years ago, the sportbike segment was the competitive equivalent of Fight Club. Model updates rolled out every two to three years, and because they duked it out on racetracks, differences in power, weight, and handling were parsed to the most minute degree. Nowadays, the adventure bike segment is the main event. The market is crowded, and bikes are specialized to fill specific niches. The Tiger 1200 alone is available in five different configurations to meet different price points and needs. But the sophistication of today’s open-class adventure bikes means that even the base GT model rings in at $19,100.

Next up the ladder at $21,400, the GT Pro we tested has most of the features that road-biased adventure riders want. For those who want to go all-in, the GT Explorer ($23,100) adds blind-spot radar, tire-pressure monitoring, engine-protection bars, and heated rider and passenger seats. Triumph also makes more than 50 dedicated accessories for the Tiger 1200 range, including luggage, lower seats, and much more.

The lighter, more powerful, and more advanced 2023 Tiger 1200 lineup shows how committed Triumph is to refining its motorcycles and making them as exciting, capable, and well-appointed as they can be.

2023 Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro Specs

Base Price: $21,400 (Snowdonia White)
Price as Tested: $21,600 (Lucerne Blue)
Warranty: 3 yrs., unltd. miles
Website: TriumphMotorcycles.com

ENGINE

Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse inline-Triple, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 1,160cc
Bore x Stroke: 90.0 x 60.8mm
Compression Ratio: 13.2:1
Valve Insp. Interval: 20,000 miles
Fuel Delivery: Multipoint sequential EFI w/ throttle-by-wire
Lubrication System: Wet sump, 3.5 qt. cap.
Transmission: 6-speed, hydraulically actuated slip/assist wet clutch w/ quickshifter
Final Drive: Shaft

CHASSIS

Frame: Tubular steel mainframe w/ forged aluminum lower sections, bolt-on cast aluminum subframe, & Tri-Link cast aluminum swingarm
Wheelbase: 61.4 in.
Rake/Trail: 24.1 degrees/4.7 in.
Seat Height: 33.5/34.3 in.
Suspension, Front: 49mm inverted fork, electronic adj. w/ 7.9 in. travel
Rear: Single shock, electronic adj. w/ automatic preload adj. & 7.9 in. travel
Brakes, Front: Dual 320mm floating discs w/ 4-piston monoblock radial calipers & ABS
Rear: Single 282mm disc w/ 1-piston caliper & ABS
Wheels, Front: Cast aluminum, 3.00 x 19 in.
Rear: Cast aluminum, 4.25 x 18 in.
Tires, Front: Tubeless, 120/70-R19
Rear: Tubeless, 150/70-R18
Wet Weight: 540 lb
Load Capacity: 489 lb
GVWR: 1,029 lb

PERFORMANCE

Horsepower: 130.2 @ 9,100 rpm (rear-wheel dyno)
Torque: 81.8 lb-ft @ 7,000 rpm (rear-wheel dyno)
Fuel Capacity: 5.3 gals.
Fuel Consumption: 38 mpg
Estimated Range: 203 miles

For more information, visit the Triumph Motorcycles website.

The post 2023 Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro | Road Test Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

Motorcycle News, News

Evo Sportster | End of an Era

October 25, 2022 mcnews Leave a comment

2022 Harley-Davidson XL883 Sportster left side — Is this 2022 Harley-Davidson XL883 Sportster one of that last air-cooled Evos? (Photo courtesy Harley-Davidson)

Few motorcycle brands are as legendary as Harley-Davidson. You won’t find the Hells Angels on Gold Wings or Panigales, after all. Within the brand, the Evolution (Evo) Sportster is truly iconic.

Born in 1957, XL Sportsters were the smaller performance models for more spirited riders. Originally equipped with 883cc and 1,000cc Ironhead engines, they were updated in 1986 to the Evo that produces the sound that many associate with Harley.

1957 Harley-Davidson XL Sportster right side — 1957 Harley-Davidson XL Sportster (Photo by Jeff Bowles, lic. CC-A 2.0 G)

Development on the engines started during the notorious AMF years in the 1970s, and the original Evo was a 1,340cc variant, which replaced the aging Shovelhead in 1984. They are air-cooled with push rods, overhead valves, and enough vibration to remind you that it’s no Japanese cruiser. There’s nothing quite like an Evo.

Sportster: Old School with a Cult Following

2022 Harley-Davidson XL1200 Sportster right side — 2022 Harley-Davidson XL1200 Sportster (Photo courtesy Harley-Davidson)

The 1986 Sportsters got 883cc and 1,100cc Evo engines that hardly changed over the next 36 years. The 1,100cc Evo got bumped up to 1,200cc in 1988, fuel injection was added in 2006, and a 5-speed transmission replaced the 4-speed in 1991. And that’s about it. We live in a very different world today where European emissions standards are strangling anything that runs on gas.

Harley’s old-school Evo rumblers just aren’t clean enough, so a new breed of Sportsters is taking their place. The Sportster S and Nightster (a recycled Evo Sportster name) have the latest Revolution Max engines first seen on the Pan America adventure bike, while the Milwaukee-Eight powers the Softail and Touring models.

Sportster 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S right side — 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S (Photo courtesy Harley-Davidson)

The Revolution Max is a liquid-cooled V-twin with a lot more power, but it lacks the character of the admittedly obsolete Evos. Harley has finally axed the last two traditional Sportsters – the Iron 883 and Forty-Eight (1200) – with production slated to end in 2023. They were discontinued in Europe in 2020 due to Euro 5 regulations.

Evo Sportsters have a cult following for a reason – they have infinite character. Riding an Iron 883 in 2022 is similar to riding its 1957 counterpart, which is truly special. They’re also incredibly customizable – you can build an entire Sportster from scratch with aftermarket parts. It’s a tinkerer’s dream, and few Sportsters end up alike. So many have been punched out of the factory that they’ll seemingly live on forever in the preowned market.

Sportster 2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster right side — 2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster (Photo courtesy Harley-Davidson)

Are there any equivalents from other brands? Can you buy a new bike that’s comparably old-school? You certainly can, and we’ll start with a brand that’s even more old-school than Harley.

Royal Enfield

Harley-Davidson was founded in 1903, but Royal Enfield started in 1901. In fact, it’s the oldest motorcycle brand with continuous production. Originally an English company, it produced a model as iconic as any Sportster: the Bullet. Launch in 1948, it beats the Sportster as the oldest motorcycle design in history. Both the Bullet and Royal Enfield names come from the same place, as the original company was a subcontractor to the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield, London, which produced military rifles and swords.

Sportster 2002 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 right side — 2002 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 (Photo by Samihasib, lic. CC-A 2.0 G)

Like Harley, Royal Enfields were instrumental in World War II, used extensively by the British Army and Royal Air Force. The Indian Army began using Royal Enfield Bullets in the late 1940s and opened a factory in Madras. By 1955, 350cc bullets were sent as kits to Indian factories and production of complete motorcycles soon followed under license. The legendary 1955 Indian Bullet remained relatively unchanged, unlinking itself from the British counterparts that were updated in the late 1950s.

Sportster 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 right side — 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 (Photo courtesy Royal Enfield)

The British company fell into disarray in the early 1960s and was shut down by 1970, but India’s arm endured and produced the 1955 Bullet for domestic riders. Success was not infinite, as superior Japanese bikes almost wiped out the brand in the 1990s. India’s Eicher Motors bought the near-bankrupt company, and the long-running Bullet received significant quality improvements, while additional models were also developed.

Sportster 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 right side — 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 (Photo courtesy Royal Enfield)

Today, there are two primary engine displacements – 350cc Singles and 650cc Twins. Smaller than the outgoing Evo engines but with no less character. All have fuel injection and emissions equipment to pass Western regulations. In fact, the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 became the best-selling 125cc-and-above motorcycle in the U.K. In the American market, the Bullet name was recently dropped in favor of the Classic (and Meteor) 350, while the Continental and INT 650s, Scram 411, and Himalayan 411 adventure bike are relatively new models.

Sportster Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 right side — Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 (Photo by the author)

All of them remain old-school and true to their roots, and you won’t find anything closer to bikes from the 1950s and 1960s. I dare say the Classic 350 is even more “vintage” than the Sportsters, while the new 650cc parallel-Twins are classically designed as well. Royal Enfields are designed in England and built in a state-of-the-art factory in India, and they’re half the price (or less) of new Sportsters. For old-school enthusiasts, they’re tough to fault.

BSA and Norton

BSA stands for Birmingham Small Arms Company, which began manufacturing firearms in the 1860s. in 1905, a bicycle with a small Minerva engine was built and motorcycle production became inevitable. The versatility of BSA was very evident during World War II when 67 factories supplied millions of rifles and machine guns, along with 126,000 M20 motorcycles.

Sportster 1956 BSA Gold Star Daytona 500 right side — 1956 BSA Gold Star Daytona 500 (Photo courtesy Yesterdays Antique Motorcycles, lic. CC-BY-SA-4.0)

By 1950, BSA was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. From 1938 to 1963, BSA’s Gold Star became an icon for the brand and was among the fastest bikes in the 1950s. It was called “Gold Star” after a Gold Star badge was awarded to Wal Handley in 1936 for running the Brooklands racing circuit at over 100 mph on a BSA Empire Star. Gold Star bikes had single-cylinder, 4-stroke engines in 350cc or 500cc displacements, and each came with dynamometer results to confirm horsepower.

BSA merged with Triumph and Norton to form Norton-Villiers-Triumph in a desperate attempt to save all three in the 1970s, but none could overcome the rising dominance of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha. Triumph made a successful comeback in the 1990s with models reentering the U.S. market in 1995. The rights to Norton were bought in 2008, and the famous Commando was again produced in England, but the company fell into bankruptcy in 2020.

Sportster 2023 Norton Commando 961 right side — 2023 Norton Commando 961 (Photo courtesy Norton)

India’s TVS Motor Company subsequently bought Norton, and expensive hand-built performance bikes are now being produced. A pair of 2023 retro Commando models were also just announced, the 961 SP and 961 CR (the latter with clip-ons), which follow the very limited 2019 Commandos. Prices are high, starting at nearly $19,000, and the 961cc parallel-Twin only pushes out 76.8 hp. That leaves BSA, which is currently under Indian ownership (sound familiar?) and reintroducing the Gold Star.

Sportster 2022 BSA Gold Star right side — 2022 BSA Gold Star (Photo courtesy BSA)

The 2022 Gold Star has a 652cc single-cylinder engine that provides old-school character as thumpers tend to do. It makes 45 hp and can reportedly do the ton (100 mph), which is the same as the original 500cc model. Thankfully, the bike remains basic without ride modes, other electronics, or a fancy digital display. Like the 650cc Royal Enfields and even the new Commando, there are twin analog gauges for us Luddites. It’s ultimately a modern-ish bike with an old look and feel (like contemporary Triumphs) and certainly a very classic badge.

Wild Cards

Sportster 2022 Janus Halcyon 450 right side — 2022 Janus Halcyon 450 (Photo courtesy Janus Motorcycles)

There are some niche brands selling old-school designs that are genuinely intriguing. Janus Motorcycles is an American company based in Indiana, but it doesn’t have a historic pedigree. These are simply new bikes with old-school charm. There are three models, but the Halcyon 450 has the biggest engine (445cc) and is the one to get. It reminds me of a 1920s James Flat Tank 750, minus the V-twin, and the single-cylinder thumper is sure to have character. Most onlookers will also think it’s a 100-year-old antique. With a top speed of 90 mph, it’s viable for highway rides, although I’d keep them short. The bikes are only available in the U.S. (but not California), and prices start at $14,995 for the Halcyon 450.

U.K.-based Wardill Motorcycles is similar to Janus, but it has a history going back to 1927. The modern incarnation is owned by Mark Wardill, grandson of the original designer, so there’s direct family involvement as well. The new Wardill 4 is based on the 1927 Wardill 3, which was revolutionary at the time with a patented 2-stroke supercharged engine (Kawasaki’s H2 wasn’t the first).

Sportster Wardill 4 Prototype left side — Wardill 4 Prototype with Mark Wardill (Photo courtesy Wardill Motorcycles)

Although a lot of positive attention was received, Wardill only produced prototypes and was soon forgotten. The Wardill 4 looks even older than the Janus Halcyon 450, with triangular girder forks, a longer tank, ridged frame, and 250cc single-cylinder engine. It puts out a paltry 17.3 hp but will allegedly hit a top speed of 90 mph. There are also drum brakes front and rear, so those looking for something old-school have struck oil with this one.

Brough Superior is a French brand with an English history going back to 1919. This was a luxury brand through and through, not unlike Duesenberg or Rolls-Royce, and was a favorite of Thomas Edward Lawrence, aka Lawrence of Arabia. In fact, he died riding one in 1932 (model GW 2275). The brand ceased production in 1940 to focus on the war effort and was unable to resume operations afterward.

Sportster 2021 Brough Superior Lawrence right side — 2021 Brough Superior Lawrence (Photo courtesy Brough Superior)

It was founded by visionary George Brough and recently revived by Thierry Henriette, and the first new model based on the famous SS100 from 1924 was unveiled at the EICMA show in Milan in 2013. There are several models to choose from today, from the SS100 to the Lawrence Original, and all are hand-built luxury bikes with price tags to match. They really capture the early style of the originals while employing state-of-the-art engineering throughout. The 997cc V-twin of the new SS100 looks a lot like what Indian has in the Scout models, but these are very different beasts. It’s respectable in the power department, with 102 hp and 64 lb-ft of torque.

Triumph and Kawasaki

Technically, all the bikes mentioned are modern classics, but brands like Royal Enfield and BSA maintain classic designs that compare well to the Evo Harleys. Bigger, more popular brands have capitalized on this vintage trend as well with thoroughly modern, retro-styled bikes. Triumph is the most recognized with the 1960s-inspired Bonneville line. Named after the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, the original model launched in 1959 and had a 650cc parallel-Twin, while later models were upgraded to 750cc.

Sportster 2023 Triumph Bonneville T100 Meriden Blue right side — 2023 Triumph Bonneville T100 in Meriden Blue (Photo courtesy Triumph)

Although shuttered in the 1970s, Triumph made a triumphant return in the 1990s. Yes, pun intended. Today’s Bonnevilles look very similar to the mid-century originals but are modern, high-performance machines. The 1990s bikes started with 800cc parallel-Twins, later upgraded to 865cc, and today there are speedy 900cc and 1,200cc models. Performance is superior to Harley Sportsters, but that Harley character is missing with the smooth liquid-cooled engines. Bonnevilles have better starting prices than Sportsters, however, so enthusiasts can get a retro British thrill with money left over for accessories.

Sportster 2023 Kawasaki W800 right side — 2023 Kawasaki W800 (Photo courtesy Kawasaki)

Triumph isn’t the only brand pushing out modern classics. Kawasaki has the W800, based on the 1966 650cc W1 (and even the 1949 BSA A7), Moto Guzzi has the 850cc V7, based on the 1971 V7 Sport, and Ducati has the Scrambler, loosely based on the 1962-1976 models. And so on. However, when comparing modern bikes to Harley, one brand can’t be overlooked.

Indian Motorcycle

Harley and Indian were the two great American brands during the first half of the 20th century. The first Indian prototype was finished in May 1901, beating Harley by a couple of years. Public sales began in 1902, and a year later, Indian’s Chief Engineer Oscar Hedstrom set a motorcycle speed record at 56 mph.

Sportster 1953 Indian Chief 80 right side — 1953 Indian Chief 80 (Photo courtesy Mecum)

The first V-twin debuted in 1905 as a factory racer and hit production models in 1907, and Indian was producing 32,000 bikes annually by 1913. During World War I, the company focused on the war effort and exhausted its civilian supply, which drained inventory and forced many dealers to abandon them. Indian never fully recovered, and Harley became the bigger, more popular brand. The Scout and Chief V-Twin models, introduced in the early 1920s, are iconic and live on today as modern interpretations. Competition and mismanagement led to Indian’s demise in 1953, leaving Harley as the primary U.S. motorcycle manufacturer, but the brand came back a couple of times in the late 1990s and early 2000s, only to repeatedly falter.

Sportster 2022 Indian Scout Bobber right side — 2022 Indian Scout Bobber (Photo by Kevin Wing)

In 2011, Polaris acquired Indian and successfully revived the brand. There’s a smorgasbord of models today, including the performance-oriented, flat-track inspired FTR 1200. The Scout models are the closest to Harley’s Evo Sportsters but equipped with modern, more powerful liquid-cooled V-Twins. The new Revolution Max Sportsters are now appropriate comparisons. Under Polaris, Indian has become a modern performance-oriented motorcycle manufacturer, but the bikes still provide an old-school, nostalgic ride thanks to classic looks and outstanding V-Twins.

Evo Sportster: The King is Dead, Long Live the King

Sportster Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 — Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 (Photo by the author)

This is not an exhaustive list of Evo Sportster alternatives, but it demonstrates a broad commitment to classic designs for those of us that prefer vintage-inspired rides without lots of angled plastic, bleeding-edge technology, and race-ready performance. Traditional Sportsters are a rare breed, a throwback to the past, but they’re certainly not alone. Although they’re soon to be dead, new kings will rise. Royal Enfield, BSA, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Norton, and even Kawasaki remind us that a host of brands have very interesting histories and aren’t ready to close the door on vintage models. And that’s a very good thing.

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2023 Triumph Chrome Line Editions | First Look Review

October 25, 2022 mcnews Leave a comment

Last year, Triumph launched the exclusive Bonneville Gold Line collection: eight limited-edition models available for one year only and showcasing the hand-painted gold lining skills of Triumph’s paint shop. Following the success of the Gold Line editions, Triumph announced it is launching a Chrome Line collection, featuring 10 limited-edition models that will also be available for one year only. Triumph says the Chrome Line brings a “unique, bold, and beautiful new take” on the latest generation of Triumph’s modern classic Bonneville lineup and the Rocket 3.

The Chrome Line collection is inspired by the classic custom look that has been a significant part of Triumph’s iconic history, from the original chromed tank of the 1937 Speed Twin to the 1960s Tritons and up to the birth of the custom classic generation.

Whereas the Gold Line collection was recognizing the skills of the paint shop, Triumph says the Chrome Collection celebrates the company’s state-of-the-art chrome-detailing facility and the “expert teams of specialist design and manufacturing engineers who have perfected the process over many years, across hundreds of accessories, beautiful badges, and detailing.”

Each of the ten new limited editions feature a unique Chrome Edition scheme, chosen specifically to reflect each model’s rich heritage and accompanied by new Chrome Edition accessory kits. Available to order now, these exclusive limited editions will be coming into dealerships worldwide in early 2023.

2023 Triumph Rocket 3 R Chrome Edition

The new Rocket 3 R Chrome Edition features a full chrome fuel tank with a Jet Black accent complemented by Jet Black fenders, headlight bowls, fly screen, radiator cowls, side panels, and rear bodywork. The Matte Aluminum upper radiator cowl and fork guards contrast the black engine and bodywork.

A dedicated Rocket 3 R Chrome Edition Accessory Kit features a specially selected set of custom accessories including bar-end mirrors. Pricing starts at $24,300.

2023 Triumph Rocket 3 GT Chrome Edition

The Rocket 3 GT Chrome Edition shares the same full chrome tank with a distinctive Diablo Red as the stock Rocket 3 R.

Jet Black headlight bowls, fly screen, fenders, radiator cowls, side panels, and rear bodywork complement the lustrous red and chrome, while Matte Aluminum Silver fork guards and upper radiator cowls highlight the lines and tie-in with the matching exhausts and intakes. Pricing starts at $25,000.

2023 Triumph Bonneville T120 Chrome Edition

The Bonneville T120 features a chromed fuel tank with the iconic Meriden Blue painted surround offset by the contrasting Jet Black fenders, headlight bowl, and side panels. A matching Meriden Blue fly screen is also available as an accessory to complete the look. Pricing starts at $13,195.

2023 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Chrome Edition

In contrast to its blacked-out style, the new Bonneville Bobber Chrome Edition features a chrome fuel tank finished with a Jet Black overlay and detailed Triumph triangle badges. This monochrome makeover is complemented by Jet Black fenders and side panels featuring the distinctive Bobber logo. A matching Jet Black short front fender is available as an accessory option. Pricing starts at $14,295.

2023 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE Chrome Edition

The Scrambler 1200 XE Chrome Edition offers a full chrome fuel tank featuring a Brooklands Green painted stripe that incorporates the Triumph triangle tank badges. Brushed aluminum fenders and silencer heat shields complement the tank, and the headlight bowl and side panels are finished in deep Jet Black. A hand-picked set of accessories form the Scrambler 1200 XE Chrome Edition Accessory Kit, all of which are available to view on the Triumph configurator. Pricing starts at $16,645.

2023 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster Chrome Edition

Triump called the new Bonneville Speedmaster Chrome Edition “beautifully bold.” The limited-edition chrome tank has a Diablo Red surround. Jet Black fenders, side panels and headlight bowl frame the bike and offer a rich contrast to the chrome. A short front mudguard, in matching Jet Black, is also available as an accessory for added custom style, as well as a dedicated Bonneville Speedmaster Chrome Edition Accessory Kit featuring a hand-selected set of chrome accessories. Pricing starts at $14,295.

2023 Triumph Thruxton RS Chrome Edition

The Thruxton RS Chrome Edition features a full chrome tank in the timeless signature shape, finished and highlighted with a Jet Black painted seam.

In addition to the Chrome Edition’s two-tone style, Jet Black fenders, side panels, seat cowl, and headlight bowl contrast the bright chrome while Matte Silver Ice fork protectors add shape and form to the bike’s front end. A matching Jet Black accessory cockpit fairing is available in the dedicated Thruxton RS Chrome Edition Accessory Kit. Pricing starts at $17,445.

2023 Triumph Bonneville T100 Chrome Edition

The Bonneville T100 Chrome Edition features a contemporary Cobalt Blue fuel tank with unique Chrome Edition metal stripe detailing. The fenders, side panels, and headlamp bowl are all finished in Jet Black, and a matching Cobalt Blue fly screen is available as an accessory option. Pricing starts at $11,295.

2023 Triumph Speed Twin 900 Chrome Edition

2023-Triumph-Speed-Twin-900-Chrome-Red-Hopper

For 2023, two Triumph models were rebranded – including the Street Twin – in a move that Triumph stated was to “better represent the family connections across Triumph’s iconic Bonneville lineup and their specific engine capacities.” Now known as the Speed Twin, the new 2023 Speed Twin 900 Chrome Edition is set apart by its Red Hopper scheme across the tank with Jet Black stripe and Chrome Edition metal knee pad infills, matching its new Triumph triangle tank badges with metal detailing.

The Speed Twin 900 Chrome Edition also features Jet Black side panels with new red and silver graphics and Jet Black fenders. A matching Red Hopper accessory fly screen is available to complete the custom classic look, which also features in the dedicated Speed Twin 900 Chrome Edition Accessory Kit. Pricing starts at $10,195.

2023 Triumph Scrambler 900 Chrome Edition

2023-Triumph-Scrambler-900-Chrome_Brooklands-Green

Formerly the “Street Scrambler,” the Scrambler 900 is another Triumph motorcycle that got a new moniker for 2023. The Scrambler 900 Chrome Edition offers a Brooklands Green fuel tank with a classic Jet Black tank stripe and Chrome Edition metal knee pad infills. Triumph triangle badges with metal detailing provide the tank’s finishing touch, while the fenders, side panels, and frame cowl are finished in Jet Black. A Jet Black high fender and a Brooklands Green fly screen are both available as matching accessories, as well as a dedicated Scrambler 900 Chrome Edition Accessory Kit. Pricing starts at $11,795.

For more information, visit the Triumph Motorcycles website.

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Triumph Unveils Speed Triple 1200 RR Bond Edition

October 4, 2022 mcnews Leave a comment

The most recent James Bond film, No Time To Die, starring Daniel Craig, featured Triumph Scrambler 1200 and Tiger 900 models in action sequences. To celebrate 60 years of Bond, Triumph has unveiled an ultra-exclusive Speed Triple 1200 RR Bond Edition, limited to just 60 units worldwide.

The Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR Bond Edition features a custom three-color paint scheme in Black, Granite Grey, and Storm Grey with the official “60 Years of Bond” commemorative logo on the tank sides.

All 25 James Bond movies, in their original title fonts, are present in the striking Bond Edition tank top design, including No Time To Die, which marked the beginning of Triumph’s role as official motorcycle partner of Bond. Other exclusive highlights include the iconic James Bond gun barrel design on the RR cockpit fairing, as well as gold badging and logo detailing that matches the gold Öhlins fork tubes.

Each of the 60 units is individually numbered on the unique new handlebar clamp badge, and they include an exclusive 007 indoor bike cover featuring custom James Bond design detailing and a certificate of authenticity hand-signed by Triumph CEO Nick Bloor.

The Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR is the British manufacturer’s top-of-the-line sportbike and is powered by a 1,160cc inline-Triple that makes a claimed 178 hp and 92 lb-ft of torque. It features state-of-the-art electronic rider aids, Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension, Brembo Stylema monoblock front calipers, Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tires, and a full-color TFT display with My Triumph connectivity.

The Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR Bond Edition is priced at $24,995 USD. For more information, visit TriumphMotorcycles.com.

No Time To Die Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE Sold at 60 Years of James Bond Charity Auction

A Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE stunt bike used in the filming of No Time To Die sold for £138,600 GBP ($154,317 USD) to benefit the Severn Hospice in a charity auction held at Christie’s to celebrate 60 years of James Bond films.

Among the items auctioned, Triumph Motorcycles provided the Scrambler 1200 XE that was ridden by Daniel Craig as James Bond and also ridden by stunt riders Paul Edmondson and Martin Craven during production of the latest 007 film, No Time To Die. With an estimated value of £20,000-£30,000 ($22,000-$33,500 USD), the Scrambler 1200 XE was sold to an online bidder for £138,600 ($154,317 USD).

“Riding the Scrambler in No Time To Die was a privilege and certainly brought a smile to my face every time I rode it,” Paul Edmonson said.

Martin Craven agreed, calling the Scrambler “an incredible beast.”

“The Scrambler did everything we threw at it,” Craven said. “We raced it to an inch of its life.”

The proceeds raised from the auction of the Scrambler 1200 XE will go to the independent charity Severn Hospice, which gives specialist care and support free of charge to families across Shropshire, Telford annd Wrekin, and Mid Wales who are living with an incurable illness.

The live auction featured 25 lots comprising vehicles, watches, costumes, and props, many of which related to No Time To Die, with the final six lots offered representing each of the six actors who have played Bond. An online sale featuring 35 lots spanning the 25 films continues until James Bond Day on Oct. 5, 2022 – the 60th anniversary of the world premiere of the first James Bond film, Dr. No, in 1962.

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Triumph to Compete in 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship

September 30, 2022 mcnews Leave a comment

On Sept. 23, Triumph Motorcycles confirmed plans to compete in the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship, organized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme and divided into two distinct classes: MXGP and MX2.

Triumph also announced that the company would have a factory-supported race program under an all-new Triumph Racing banner, which will now cover all of Triumph’s racing-related activities, including Moto2 and Supersport racing. This new Triumph Racing Team represents a partnership with successful team owner Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni, who will field two of Triumph’s all-new 250cc 4-stroke MX bikes in the 2024 MX2 class and will add an entry into the 450cc MXGP class in 2025.

In addition to partnering with Chizat-Suzzoni, Triumph also announced that his long-standing team manager, Vincent Bereni, will lead the team, backed by Triumph’s in-house motocross design engineering department. Chizat-Suzzoni and Bereni’s past racing record includes more than 80 MXGP World Championship victories and a reputation for technical and preparation excellence. As a part of Triumph Racing’s portfolio of commitments, the team will focus on the FIM Motocross World Championship – in MX2 and MXGP, together with development of technology and talent to build Triumph’s future strength in international motocross racing.

See all of Rider‘s Triumph Motorcycle coverage here.

In a media statement accompanying the announcement, Triumph CEO Nick Bloor said the new partnership with Chizat-Suzzoni demonstrates the company’s “long-term commitment to competing at the highest levels of racing,” and he called Triumph’s entry into the FIM Motocross World Championship a “landmark moment.”

“We share a passion for delivering world-class performance, and the experience Thierry and his team bring will prove invaluable in our ambition to make our mark on a very competitive championship,” Bloor said.

Triumph-Racing FIM Motocross World Championship — Triumph CEO Nick Bloor and Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni mark the occasion of Triumph’s announcement of plans to compete in the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship.

Triumph Racing is based at Triumph’s Global Headquarters in Hinckley, UK, where the brand’s research, design, engineering development, and prototype build are located, and the Motocross World Championship team will be based at Thierry’s race facility near Eindhoven in Holland, where race team personnel, operations, and competition development will be housed.

Triumph stated that engineering groups at the Triumph factory and the race team are working closely together on continuously enhancing chassis and engine performance through an intensive testing schedule underway in the U.S., UK, and mainland Europe, building toward the first MX2 Grand Prix of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship.

Chizat-Suzzoni stated that he was happy with progress on the bike.

“It looks great, has speed on the track, and Vincent and my staff are working with the engineers at Hinckley on building it into a competitive package,” he said. “MXGP continues to grow around the world. I am very happy to be back and looking forward to going racing with Triumph.”

David Luongo, CEO of Infront Moto Racing, which manages the exclusive television, marketing, and promotional worldwide rights of the FIM Motocross World Championship, said the announcement from Triumph was “probably one the most important in recent years,” and he supported Chizat-Suzzoni’s assertion about the popularity of MXGP.

“With an average of 19 events per year, it gives the best platform for manufacturers to develop their bikes, components and to advertise them worldwide,” he said. “From Asia to South America, going through Europe, MXGP is covering all the different markets and is touching most of the off-road fans in the world.”

While breaking into FIM Motocross is new for Triumph, Triumph engines are not new to FIM. Since the start of the 2019 season, Triumph has been the exclusive engine supplier to the FIM Moto2 World Championship, providing all teams with race-tuned 765cc triples based on the Street Triple RS. The success of the Triumph engines in Moto2 was evident by a top speed record and 11 all-time lap records. In 2021, Triumph announced that it renewed its contract as the exclusive engine supplier for FIM Moto2 for three more years.

Triumph said testing of the new motocross and enduro bikes is well underway and that information on the specifications, performance characteristics, and components of each model will be released soon.

For more information about Triumph Racing, visit Triumph’s website.

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

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2022 Motorcycle of the Year

September 15, 2022 mcnews Leave a comment

For the past 32 years, Rider has selected a Motorcycle of the Year. With the exception of two years when we made a People’s Choice selection by popular vote among readers (the Honda F6B in 2013 and the BMW R 1200 RT in 2014), it has been up to the Rider editorial team to choose a winner based on our collective experience with the year’s eligible contenders.

We ride as many of the new or significantly updated motorcycles released over the past year as possible, and we evaluate them within the context of their intended use.

Since we announced last year’s winner, we’ve tested cruisers, baggers, sportbikes, adventure bikes, naked bikes, minibikes, sport-tourers, luxury-tourers, cafe racers, standards, dual-sports, and even an electric dirtbike for kids.

Narrowing down such a diverse range of motorcycles into a single “best” isn’t easy. Our goal is to identify the one that best fulfills its intended purpose and advances the state of motorcycle design, performance, and function.

We haven’t always hit the mark. The BMW K1 we selected as our first MOTY in 1990 proved to be a flop, and the forkless Yamaha GTS1000 we selected in 1993 was the answer to a question no one asked.

Even if some of the selections we’ve made don’t stand the test of time, we stand by them because they were impressive motorcycles within the context of their eras. Others are easier to defend, like the 2001 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing, the 2002 Suzuki V-Strom 1000, the 2005 BMW R 1200 GS, and the 2017 Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight Touring lineup.

For 2022, there were more than 60 eligible contenders. We narrowed them down to 10 finalists and one ultimate winner.

2022 Motorcycle of the Year Finalists

1. BMW K 1600 GTL

2022 Motorcycle of the Year BMW K 1600 GTL — 2022 BMW K 1600 GTL. Photo by Kevin Wing.

Winner of Rider’s 2012 MOTY award, BMW’s top-of-the-line luxury-tourer got its most significant update yet for 2022. Its ultra-smooth 1,649cc inline-Six makes 160 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque, its full suite of electronic rider aids was upgraded, and it has a huge 10.25-inch TFT, an air-conditioned smartphone compartment, and other new comfort and convenience features.

2. CFMOTO 650 ADVentura

2022 Motorcycle of the Year CFMOTO 650 ADVentura — 2022 CFMOTO 650 ADVentura. Photo by Gary Walton.

Competing head-to-head with the Kawasaki Versys 650LT, the all-new 650 ADVentura is powered by a 649cc parallel-Twin that makes 60 hp and 41 lb-ft of torque. It has an adjustable windscreen, a TFT display, LED lighting, a slip/assist clutch, standard ABS, Pirelli Angel GT sport-touring tires, and hard-shell saddlebags. At $6,799, it undercuts the Kawasaki by $3,200.

3. Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak

2022 Motorcycle of the Year Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak — 2022 Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak. Photo by David Schelske.

The range-topping Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak’s 1,158cc Grandturismo V4 cranks out 170 hp and 92 lb-ft of torque, and its apex-strafing game gets elevated with a new Race mode and revised quickshifter. It’s equipped with a full electronics package (including adaptive cruise control and blind-spot detection), Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension, Brembo Stylema calipers, and more.

4. Harley-Davidson Nightster

2022 Motorcycle of the Year Harley-Davidson Nightster — 2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster. Photo by Kevin Wing.

The spiritual successor to the air-cooled Evo-powered Sportster, the all-new Nightster is a performance cruiser built on Harley’s modular liquid-cooled Revolution Max engine platform, in this case with a 975cc V-Twin with variable valve timing that produces 90 hp. Classic styling cues include a peanut “tank” (actually an airbox cover), a round air intake cover, and exposed rear shocks.

5. Honda Navi

2022 Motorcycle of the Year Honda Navi — 2022 Honda Navi. Photo by Drew Ruiz.

Toeing the line between a twist-and-go scooter and a step-over motorcycle, the all-new Honda Navi borrows the fan-cooled 109cc Single and CVT transmission from the Activa 6G scooter and the Grom’s popular design language. The 8-hp Navi weighs just 236 lb, has a 30-inch seat height, and is priced at just $1,807, making it an ideal gateway to the world of motorcycling.

6. Indian Pursuit Limited

2022 Motorcycle of the Year Indian Pursuit Limited — 2022 Indian Pursuit Limited. Photo by Kevin Wing.

Indian’s Challenger bagger, powered by the liquid-cooled PowerPlus 108 V-Twin that makes 108 hp and 113 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheel, was Rider’s 2020 MOTY. Touring capability gets a boost on the Pursuit Limited (or Dark Horse), which adds fairing lowers, a tall adjustable windscreen, a Touring Comfort seat, heated grips, and a trunk with an integrated passenger backrest.

7. KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo

2022 Motorcycle of the Year KTM 1290 Super Duke Evo — 2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke Evo. Photo by Kevin Wing.

Known as “The Beast,” the 1290 Super Duke R added “Evo” to its name and was updated with WP Semi-Active Technology (SAT) suspension available with six modes and automatic preload adjustment, a revised throttle-by-wire system, and more. Its 1,301cc V-Twin cranks out 180 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque, and its electronics allow riders to tame or unleash The Beast as they see fit.

8. Royal Enfield Classic 350

2022 Motorcycle of the Year Royal Enfield Classic 350 — 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350. Photo by Brandon Bunch.

The Classic 350 brings back the styling that made the Royal Enfield Bullet – built from 1931-2020 – such an iconic bike and pairs it with a 349cc air-/oil-cooled, SOHC, 2-valve, fuel-injected Single with a 5-speed gearbox. Available in nine color-style combinations and priced as low as $4,599, the Classic 350 is the embodiment of simple, fun, affordable motorcycling.

9. Triumph Tiger 1200

2022 Motorcycle of the Year Triumph Tiger 1200 — 2023 Triumph Tiger 1200. Photo by Kingdom Creative.

Triumph completely revamped its Tiger 1200 adventure bike platform for the 2023 model year, shaving off 55 lb of weight, bolting in a 147-hp Triple from the Speed Triple, and equipping it with a new chassis and upgraded electronics. Five variants are available: the street-focused GT, GT Pro, and GT Explorer and the off-road-ready Rally Pro and Rally Explorer.

10. Yamaha MT-10

2022 Motorcycle of the Year Yamaha MT-10 — 2022 Yamaha MT-10. Photo by Joseph Agustin.

At the top of Yamaha’s Hyper Naked pecking order is the MT-10, a descendent of the FZ1 that was Rider’s 2006 MOTY. This “Master of Torque” is powered by a 160-hp crossplane inline-Four derived from the YZF-R1. It was updated for 2022 with new R1-derived electronics, upgraded brakes, revised styling and ergonomics, a new TFT display, and more.

And the 2022 Motorcycle of the Year Winner is…

SUZUKI GSX-S1000GT+

Here at Rider, we’re big fans of performance. That’s an often overused and general term, but it encapsulates so much of what we love about motorcycles. Powerful, thrilling engines. Strong, responsive chassis – everything from the frame to the suspension, brakes, and tires. And these days, electronic rider aids that allow responses to be tailored to different conditions or rider preferences.

We’re street riders. We may do the occasional track day or school, but it’s usually to help us sharpen our skills so we can ride more confidently and safely on the street. We want performance that is exciting yet still manageable on public roads.

At the same time, we like to go the distance. Rider was started in 1974 just as the touring segment was taking off, and motorcycle travel has been one of the magazine’s hallmarks. We’ve tested thousands of motorcycles over the years, and we gravitate toward bikes that are comfortable, reliable, and versatile yet still get our performance juices flowing.

Our 2021 Motorcycle of the Year was the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT, an adventure-style sport-tourer that’s lighter and more affordable than traditional heavyweight sport-tourers like the BMW R 1250 RT, Yamaha FJR1300, and Kawasaki Concours 14 – every one of which has worn Rider’s MOTY crown at some point. In fact, eight of our 32 previous MOTY winners have been sport-tourers.

And now, make that nine. The Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ (the ‘+’ denoting the model with standard saddlebags, whereas the base GT model goes without) delivers all the performance a street rider needs in a refined, comfortable, sophisticated package at a reasonable MSRP of $13,799. It checks all the right performance boxes while also being practical and providing – as George Carlin would say – a place for our stuff.

The GSX-S’s 999cc inline-Four is adapted from the GSX-R1000 K5, a bulletproof, championship-winning engine. Tuned for street duty, it churned out 136 hp at 10,200 rpm and 73 lb-ft of torque at 9,300 rpm on Jett Tuning’s rear-wheel dyno.

As we said in our road test in the July issue, “The GSX-S engine is a gem with no rough edges. From cracking open the throttle above idle to twisting the grip to the stop, power comes on cleanly and predictably.”

The GSX-S1000GT+ is equipped with the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System, which includes three ride modes that adjust throttle response, power delivery, traction control, cruise control, and other systems. It has the best up/down quickshifter we’ve ever tested, and thanks to its street-tuned, sportbike-spec chassis, the GT+ offers predictable handling, unflappable stability, and impeccable smoothness.

Touring amenities include comfortable rider and passenger seating, 25.7-liter side cases that can accommodate most full-face helmets, and a 6.5-inch full-color TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity via Suzuki’s mySPIN smartphone app. With its angular sportbike styling, the GSX-S1000GT+ looks as fast as it goes, and the side cases can be easily removed for an even sportier look.

As we concluded in our road test, “The GSX-S1000GT+ strikes an excellent balance between performance, technology, weight, comfort, and price. Life is good when the scenery is a blur.”

Congratulations to Suzuki for the GSX-S1000GT+, Rider’s 2022 Motorcycle of the Year!

To find a Suzuki dealer near you, visit SuzukiCycles.com.

The post 2022 Motorcycle of the Year first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com