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Triumph profitable again in 2015

Famed British motorcycles manufacturer Triumph is ending the 2015 business year (which ended on 30 June 2015) on a high note after recording increased profitability compared to its performance in 2014.

Despite the challenging market climate, the British marque raised £10.3 million with its efforts, of which it recorded a £2.3 million in profits alone. This is a healthy recovery following a dismal 2014 performance where it recorded a loss £8 million. Reinforcing this is the fact that the brand also recorded healthy growth in 2015 in areas beyond its finances.

Firstly, the brand set out to enlarge its global footprint this year, and spearheading this was the revised Triumph Tiger 800 model that features six variants altogether. Also fuelling the growth was the introduction of four special edition versions of the outgoing air-cooled Triumph Bonneville classic bike.

The firm also released other special editions this year for models such as the Street Triple, Speed Triple and Speed Triple R, followed by the Thunderbird and the anniversary edition of the Rocket X. It is also worth noting that like the Bonneville, the Speed Triple series is being replaced with the updated new Speed Triple S and Speed Triple R models for 2016.

Beyond its model range expansion, Triumph also recorded a growth in several of its networks overseas such as India and Brazil. Presently, Triumph boasts a healthy India-based dealer network across 12 cities, resulting in the brand’s 13% market share growth there as well, followed by a 10% market share rise in Brazil too. Adding to this was the commencement of its sales and distribution in Thailand starting April this year, further cementing the Triumph brand’s overseas market presence too.

With a sleuth of new models set for market release in 2016, Triumph is expected to perform even better in the new year too. Leading this charge are several core models starting with new liquid-cooled Bonneville family, followed by the revised Speed Triple duo, not forgetting the updated iteration of its flagship Tiger Explorer range as well.

Source: MCN

Rare Brough Superior barn find worth RM2.2 million!

As far as classic bikes go, no other name carries its weight in gold as much as the famed Brough Superior marque. Famed for hand-building motorcycles, sidecars and motor cars for the wealthy elite from 1919 to 1940, the British marque’s motorcycles were dubbed by many as the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles in its heyday.

Founder George Brough, who was a famed British motorcycle racer, had a clientele list that many would envy as it included the likes of Lawrence of Arabia and George Bernard Shaw. In its 21-year history, Brough Superior successfully developed 19 bike models and produced 3,048 units before operations ceased, but reports suggest that only less than a third of those still exists in the hands of collectors today. However, a recent barn find in a village on Bodmin Moor, England, is about to increase that number, albeit slightly.

Dubbed the ‘Broughs of Bodmin Moor’ collection, a series vintage motorcycles were found partly buried under dust and machinery. At least three complete bikes were found including a rare four-cylinder version of the Brough Superior – one of only eight known to be built and the last to be accounted for. Also in the mix was an ultra-rare Brough Superior 750cc BS4 that features a peculiar twin rear wheel layout.

Experts have stated that this is perhaps the greatest motorcycle discoveries of recent times as their existence was thought to be mythical prior to being found. Adding to that is the fact that this could also be the last un-restored collection of Brough Superior motorcycles to be found.

With that in mind, it is easy to see how the ‘Broughs of Bodmin Moor’ collection was given an estimated value of £340,000 in its entirety – that’s roughly RM2.2 million. Leading this is the twin rear wheel model, which has been valued between £80,000 and £120,000 (approx. RM518,000 – RM777,000). Besides its rare layout, this particular bike’s value skyrocketed thanks to the fact that it once belonged to Hubert Chantrey, a friend of George Brough.

The collection is expected to meet its £340,000 estimated total value when each bike goes under the hammer with specialist auction house Bonhams April next year. Additionally, you can view the complete collection and details in this press release issued by the auction house online.

‘Broughs of Bodmin Moor’

Source: Bonhams via Visordown
Images: Bonhams via DailyMail

Updated 2016 Triumph Tiger Explorer

2016 is looking pretty good for British marque Triumph so far.

The famed Hinckley-based brand first got its ball rolling when it introduced the fully revamped Triumph Bonneville range towards the end of October, followed by the refreshed Speed Triple model just weeks before EICMA 2015 opened its doors.

Now, the firm is strengthening itself further for 2016 after it introduced the refreshed range-topping Triumph Explorer model for 2016. This mid-life refresher sees the flagship dual-sport gaining with a series of new kit and features, with much of the updates mirroring what Triumph did with the smaller Tiger 800 range last year indeed.

For 2016, the Triumph Tiger Explorer will be available in six variants altogether – XC, XCx, XCa, XR, XRx and XRt. The range is separated simply by the fact that the XR range is optimised more for road and street whilst the XC line-up boasts more off-road optimisation instead.

All six models share the same 1,215cc inline three-cylinder 12-valve powerplant; all of which standing rather unique in the class thanks largely to the cylinder configuration it boasts, along with the shaft-drive layout as well. The looming Euro4 legislation prompted Triumph to update the Explorer’s engine in order for it to be compliant in two fronts of said legislation: emissions and noise.

Triumph remains rather coy about the mechanical changes, but sources online report that the powertrain has received a completely new exhaust system accompanied by a larger new catalytic converter, ride-by-wire software, as well as a hike in both power and torque figures too.

Like the smaller Tiger 800 range that was updated for 2015, the 2016 Tiger Explorer gains with a host of tech upgrades aimed at improved stability and control. These include Triumph’s first ever semi-active suspension primed in all but the two base XR and XC variants, followed by other features such as cornering ABS and traction control, four selectable pre-set rider modes available plus an additional fifth riding mode which riders can tailor to their own settings.

Also updated is the ABS system with entry-level models offering switchable ABS and traction control whilst the remaining four models gaining further with the aforementioned advanced cornering ABS and traction control suites. These four models are also further primed with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), which uses an array of sensors to measure five axes of movement: including lean angle, acceleration and deceleration ensuring the traction control and ABS suites are at their most optimal level of performance. There is also the option of a Hill Hold Control (HHC) feature that electronically holds the brakes on to stabilise the bike during hill start.

Other notable changes here include a mild exterior styling revamp, the presence of heated grips and seat, an adjustable windscreen, plus a rich choice of luggage as well. Overall, Triumph have indeed granted its flagship dual-sport adventure bike with a much more complete package for 2016, allowing it to stack up well against new and improved rivals such as the new Ducati Multistrada Enduro.