Triumph Trophy 900
Discussion
Has anyone every ridden one of the old Trophy 900 bikes? I'd be interested in opinions on them, what they're like to own and to ride. I know they're hardly 'cool' in the traditional sense but they look like a great all rounder. In it's favour:
I seem to be spending a lot of time looking at tourers at the moment, perhaps without real reason. My commute is short (15 minutes on a decent bike, either way, maybe 20 on my CG125 at the moment). I want a 'big bike' that will be good enough for whatever I wish to do with it; to maybe do some light touring, riding for fun, getting to work quickly and without fuss. I should note that my route to work generally doesn't require any sort of filtering, so a wide tourer is not so much an issue there.
Is the Triumph going to be too big and boaty to enjoy on the local B roads (Northumberland, where they can be quite tight and twisty)? Should I try a few tourers to get it out of my system? I know it's a bit much for the short ride to work and all that, but I like having the best I can afford and these seem like a decent bike on paper. I also work near to a Triumph dealer, so I would have a support network within reach.
Or, because it would be my first big bike, and I'm not yet 30, should I be looking for a sportier steed? Sports bikes do appeal massively to me also, and I tend to lust after tourer's one day and sports bikes the next, but I can't afford one of either at the moment, sadly.
Also, do the panniers on these detach via a turnkey mechanism? The panniers on my mates K1300S come off with about 10 seconds work, so can easily be added for commuting then quickly detached for a weekend ride, which seems a good solution to me.
Some pics for reference:
Typical Triumph owner:
- Wide fairing
- I could remove that awful top box, and use the panniers for carrying my stuff to work and back.
- 900cc triple engine seems to be well regarded
- Competitively priced - compared to a Deauville or a Pan Euro, they look like a giveaway!
I seem to be spending a lot of time looking at tourers at the moment, perhaps without real reason. My commute is short (15 minutes on a decent bike, either way, maybe 20 on my CG125 at the moment). I want a 'big bike' that will be good enough for whatever I wish to do with it; to maybe do some light touring, riding for fun, getting to work quickly and without fuss. I should note that my route to work generally doesn't require any sort of filtering, so a wide tourer is not so much an issue there.
Is the Triumph going to be too big and boaty to enjoy on the local B roads (Northumberland, where they can be quite tight and twisty)? Should I try a few tourers to get it out of my system? I know it's a bit much for the short ride to work and all that, but I like having the best I can afford and these seem like a decent bike on paper. I also work near to a Triumph dealer, so I would have a support network within reach.
Or, because it would be my first big bike, and I'm not yet 30, should I be looking for a sportier steed? Sports bikes do appeal massively to me also, and I tend to lust after tourer's one day and sports bikes the next, but I can't afford one of either at the moment, sadly.
Also, do the panniers on these detach via a turnkey mechanism? The panniers on my mates K1300S come off with about 10 seconds work, so can easily be added for commuting then quickly detached for a weekend ride, which seems a good solution to me.
Some pics for reference:
Typical Triumph owner:
Great bikes, I've had a few.
A bit top heavy and need positive input on mini-roundabouts but they handle much better than they should for the size and age of them. BT-023's work well with them, BT-021's don't.
Engine is lovely if the carbs are balanced properly, great mid-range, very economical. Only real weak spot is the starter clutch but if it hasn't gone and been replaced by now then it probably never will.
Huge tank and great fairing is ideal for commuting, imposing road presence seems to clear people out from in front, top of tank is nice and flat so great for a tank-bag.
Sidestand mount bends and leaves the bike at a funny angle, but never actually breaks. Early main-stands rust through and do break overnight leaving the bike on the deck.
Most owners will have been mature sensible types, so usually good service history, but look for the air-filter having been replaced (carbs out and whole air-box gets done so expensive) and valve clearances being done at 24,000.
Enjoy!
A bit top heavy and need positive input on mini-roundabouts but they handle much better than they should for the size and age of them. BT-023's work well with them, BT-021's don't.
Engine is lovely if the carbs are balanced properly, great mid-range, very economical. Only real weak spot is the starter clutch but if it hasn't gone and been replaced by now then it probably never will.
Huge tank and great fairing is ideal for commuting, imposing road presence seems to clear people out from in front, top of tank is nice and flat so great for a tank-bag.
Sidestand mount bends and leaves the bike at a funny angle, but never actually breaks. Early main-stands rust through and do break overnight leaving the bike on the deck.
Most owners will have been mature sensible types, so usually good service history, but look for the air-filter having been replaced (carbs out and whole air-box gets done so expensive) and valve clearances being done at 24,000.
Enjoy!
I commute on one (well nearly the same bike, sprint 900 executive)
GOOD
They are about the most uncool bike you own which is a good thing as no one will try to steal it or race you.
Good tank range 200 plus mile
Great great engine!
Reliable (mine has 91,000 miles and I've done the last 50K)
Good panniers that easily detach
resists corrosion well
cheap, i bought mine for 900 quid and it was mint
BAD
Not a great looker
Very very heavy, and worse still it's carried high up.
It's like riding a donkey, sort of flops about
All very old tech
It's slow for 100 bhp bike
GOOD
They are about the most uncool bike you own which is a good thing as no one will try to steal it or race you.
Good tank range 200 plus mile
Great great engine!
Reliable (mine has 91,000 miles and I've done the last 50K)
Good panniers that easily detach
resists corrosion well
cheap, i bought mine for 900 quid and it was mint
BAD
Not a great looker
Very very heavy, and worse still it's carried high up.
It's like riding a donkey, sort of flops about
All very old tech
It's slow for 100 bhp bike
The old 'uns are chain.
You have to remove the fairing, remove the seat, remove the side panels, remove the battery, remove the air ducts, remove the tank, remove the carbs, remove the air filter. All that effort, and it's not even a proper filter, just a crappy piece of foam.
I used to have a GPZ1000RX and I still have the Clymer manual. To change the air filter on a GPZ900 (similar spine frame to the Triumph) all you have to do is remove the side panel, remove the air filter cover (2 screws), and pull the filter out.
Rubin215 said:
... look for the air-filter having been replaced (carbs out and whole air-box gets done so expensive) ...
I'd like to meet the guy who was responsible for the air filter design. You have to remove the fairing, remove the seat, remove the side panels, remove the battery, remove the air ducts, remove the tank, remove the carbs, remove the air filter. All that effort, and it's not even a proper filter, just a crappy piece of foam.
I used to have a GPZ1000RX and I still have the Clymer manual. To change the air filter on a GPZ900 (similar spine frame to the Triumph) all you have to do is remove the side panel, remove the air filter cover (2 screws), and pull the filter out.
Do you need panniers and a full size touring bike for a 15 minute commute? If you can cope on a CG125 you can cope with a smaller bike. I'd get an SV650 or something, they'll do 50mpg, sound interesting and will be a much nicer weekend bike than a big Trophy. The SV skirts a good line between sporty enough for a laugh, but practical and comfortable enough to use every day.
If you're going to be covering big distances the Triumph makes sense, but buy the bike for the riding you're going to do l, not just the riding you'd like to imagine yourself doing, or you'll end up wanting to change.
If you're going to be covering big distances the Triumph makes sense, but buy the bike for the riding you're going to do l, not just the riding you'd like to imagine yourself doing, or you'll end up wanting to change.
I've got the 1200 version (97) and have used it for everything from commuting (30 miles per day) to a 500 mile blast in one day down to Lands End and it has been superb throughout. It is fast - has plenty of poke when you need it. Some don't like the 'cammy' noise they make on tickover but I can live with that. And I can live with the outdated looks. Apparently these Triumphs are over-engineered as Mr Bloor knew they had to shake off the old Triumph reliability problems for the new stuff to stand a chance of succeeding.
Assuming it all checks out ok I think you'd love that 900.
Mine is in really good nick, has done 34k and had the airbox replaced and the valves done. I'm well happy with it - especially as I only paid £800 for it in the first place.
As an aside, I was sat on a new CrossTourer the other day whilst nosing around the local Honda dealer and out of curiosity asked the dealer what he would give for the Trophy for part ex. He reckoned £300. And that's against a bike priced at £12,300. Sure the Honda is better and newer. But not £12,000 better.
I can't see a reason for me to change it just at the moment.
And no, I haven't got a beard.
Assuming it all checks out ok I think you'd love that 900.
Mine is in really good nick, has done 34k and had the airbox replaced and the valves done. I'm well happy with it - especially as I only paid £800 for it in the first place.
As an aside, I was sat on a new CrossTourer the other day whilst nosing around the local Honda dealer and out of curiosity asked the dealer what he would give for the Trophy for part ex. He reckoned £300. And that's against a bike priced at £12,300. Sure the Honda is better and newer. But not £12,000 better.
I can't see a reason for me to change it just at the moment.
And no, I haven't got a beard.
Mastodon2 said:
Do you need panniers and a full size touring bike for a 15 minute commute? If you can cope on a CG125 you can cope with a smaller bike. I'd get an SV650 or something, they'll do 50mpg, sound interesting and will be a much nicer weekend bike than a big Trophy. The SV skirts a good line between sporty enough for a laugh, but practical and comfortable enough to use every day.
If you're going to be covering big distances the Triumph makes sense, but buy the bike for the riding you're going to do l, not just the riding you'd like to imagine yourself doing, or you'll end up wanting to change.
I don't, but I like to be practical on the bike where I can be. I can manage my commute with just a backpack, carrying my work slacks, shirt, lunch and a towel for showering. Storage space isn't a deal breaker but it would be nice to have (I could do a big shop with just the bike then). If you're going to be covering big distances the Triumph makes sense, but buy the bike for the riding you're going to do l, not just the riding you'd like to imagine yourself doing, or you'll end up wanting to change.
Regarding the SV650, I've been somewhat put off by a friend who had one and speaks rather disparagingly of it, citing it as the ultimate beige bike, workmanlike but not exciting. I have to say, that just looking at them I struggle to really feel any sort of want for one other than the old bugeye model in yellow with clip ons and the extra belly pan fairing, and they seem pretty rare.
I take on board the points above about the Triumph being a big, top heavy bike. It would be my first 'big' bike and I'm concerned that my technique just wouldn't be up to managing it on tight, low speed stuff. I'm sure I could get to the level where that sort of thing would be routine, but I'd rather be there before I drop my pride and joy on it's side!
I've tried out a CBF600 and I liked that to a degree, but it's my mate's bike and I don't really want to copy him by getting the same bike. That had a nice riding position, nice feel to the controls. My ultimate fallback is Thundercat or an FZR600R. The Thundercat seems to be well regarded as a bike suitable for doing everything on.
I suppose then you should just go with your heart and not your head, motorcycling isn't a sensible or rational thing in many ways, so get the bike you want the most. You'd probably be ok on a big Triumph as you'll have done a few miles on your 125 by then, so balancing a bike won't be anything new, and getting through your test will help you bridge the gap from featherweight to heavyweight bikes.
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