Wednesday 27th June 2012

PH2: New Triumph Trophy 1200

Triumph unveils the 2013 version of its Trophy touring bike

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Triumph has just unveiled the first of its 2013 models - the new Trophy 1200 and its pimped brother, the Trophy 1200SE. Both of which, like the latest Explorer, bear more than a passing resemblance to their closest BMW competitor.

Like the Explorer, the Trophy uses the new 134hp, 89lb ft, three-cylinder 1,215cc engine. This means 'ride-by-wire' is included, as is a huge generator to power all your electronic gadgets - oh, and traction control and cruise control are standard. The only physical differences between the motors are a slightly taller sixth gear on the Trophy. Both bikes use shaft drive, a necessity for a touring bike, and have long 10,000-mile service intervals. The tank is a fairly decent 26 litres.

A stand-out feature of the SE is Triumph's first electronic suspension system. Like the current generation of BMWs, the Trophy has electronically adjustable suspension with three modes and the ability to alter to suit a pillion and luggage - though it isn't semi-active like the next generation of BMW R1250 models are expected to be. The stock Trophy has conventional fully adjustable suspension.

While ABS is on several Triumph models, the Trophy adds to it with a new linked brake function, something that's fairly common on rival touring models.

There are also toys aplenty on the new Trophy - and a new dash is just the start of things. The Trophy has an electronically adjustable screen that can 'remember' its previous height position, as well as electronically adjustable headlights. Heated seats, heated grips, tyre pressure monitors, GPS and all the usual touring extras can be added and are sold by Triumph in its official extras catalogue.

The SE version also comes with a formidable sound system that's Bluetooth and iPod compatible and has 2x20w speakers, speed-adjusting volume control, a USB slot, radio, auxiliary input and incoming call support.

With the BMW R1200RT costing £12,595, it is likely that the Trophy will be there or thereabouts when it comes to price. No figures have been released, but it is fair to expect the stock bike to be just over the £13,000 mark, with the SE nearer to £15,000.

The only catch could be the new 2013 generation of water-cooled R1250 models that BMW is developing. They will certainly have more power than the air-cooled Boxer engines, and also some high-tech gadgets such as semi-active suspension. Mind you, the Triumph Explorer has already proven that, given the choice, many buyers will plump for a British bike.

[off_again]

Cracking engine and it seems that the rest of the package in a Dora is good. Triumph are not expecting to sell millions of them, just to start the ball rolling and tempt a few customers away from BMW. And I think they will succeed - currently Triumph are on a roll and its likely this will continue for the moment.

Not too impressed by the looks - but it seems that they are colour dependent. Lets see one in the flesh, but its not "great".

[Tango13]

How many times in recent weeks has a thread popped up in BB and been discussed at length only for an 'Official' PH2 story to make it onto the home page a few days later?

Writing the PH2 features must be one of the easiest jobs going. Read BB, see what's new, write an article about what's new.

[J B L]

Thing is, lots of people are saying it looks like a BMW. Well, yes, how many ways are there to design a proper tourer... I mean:

Pan


BMW RT


BMW 6 cyl


Trophy



GTR1400


Guzzi Norge


It's all about wind protection and gizmos. Good on Triumph

[garypotter]

Good looking bike and why not buy a triumph?? They are producing some good bikes and seem to be on a roll.

I keep getting followed up the A3 by a new BMW tourer with silly looking horse shoe day lights! yuck

[sprinter1050]

It will sell judging by the reactions to the Tiger 800s, the Explorer & initial response to this one but I can't help think it could do with another 20 or so hp &/or a shed load of torque.

[Richard A]

Good-oh. This is really reaping the benefit of the new double jointed shaft drive. Shaft drive is an absolute deal maker in this sector nowadays.

[em177]

Looking forward to this, should be a cracker!

[filski666]

"Triumph unveils the 2013 of its Trophy touring bike"

..is there a word missing there?

[Hooli]

Heated seats eh? I keep thinking of doing that to my Pan with a cheap ebay kit. Might even manage it this year as the seat needs recovering.

[walkke74]

It's a BMW clone, come on Triumph, what happened to your individuality after the Rocket 3 it's all went downhill, try designing something original I am sure you have enough talented people to design something different.

[Pothole]

Hang on, since when has shaft drive been 'a necessity' for a touring bike?

[creampuff]

I like the look of it. Would like to know how much it weighs. There are a few things I don't really like about my Pan; it's not that good at low speed and it's not that good at high speed either! 40-70mph is really the Pan's happy range.

Electronically adjustable suspension is nice and the fairing is a bit less extensive too which may make the insides marginally easier to mess with.

[Mike_C]

sprinter1050 said:

...but I can't help think it could do with another 20 or so hp &/or a shed load of torque.

Really? Have you ridden one? Having ridden the Explorer 1200 I was bowled over by how impressive the engine was, absolutely stonking! OK the Trophy might carry a little more weight, but it isn't likely to blunt the performance much...

[diff lock]

Mike_C said:

Really? Have you ridden one? Having ridden the Explorer 1200 I was bowled over by how impressive the engine was, absolutely stonking! OK the Trophy might carry a little more weight, but it isn't likely to blunt the performance much...

Iv ridden one. No shortage of power or torque. No shortage in the handling dept. either

[sprinter1050]

Oh well, I guess that's OK then. I was only anticipating it being worthy of more compared to my ST1050 which has about 10 bhp less but also weighs a damn sight less.

[diff lock]

sprinter1050 said:

Oh well, I guess that's OK then. I was only anticipating it being worthy of more compared to my ST1050 which has about 10 bhp less but also weighs a damn sight less.

Triumph have got the weight distribution sorted and with the new electronic suspension, it can hustle along surprisingly well for a big old bus. BHP is down circa 3bhp on the Explorer.

I was on the dealer launch, and it surprised all of us, how good it was. I allways rated the 10my GTR1400 as one of the best handling tourers, backed up by the increasing use from police forces (well those that still run a bike division!!) But the Trophy really does walk all over it.

Only way to find out is to have a demo ride on one. It's like anything really, one mans superbike is another mans Donkey!!

[sprinter1050]

Ah but, but..... the truth is I don't need anything that size. In fact the ST is plenty big enough for what I need.
.....and "I'm bored, indecisive with an itch"

(old thread of mine)

[Silver993tt]

Quite a lot of reports of big engine rattles in Explorers (cam chain tension/ cam bucket wear problems) appearing after a few thousand kms which is unacceptable on any new bike. I was considering one of these but have now delayed another year and wait at least until 2014 by which time there'll also be plenty of other bikes to consider.