Triumph Motorcycles is both the oldest brand and youngest motorcycle manufacturer in the UK. The history of the brand began more than a hundred years ago. Today «Triumph» is a well-known motorcycle manufacturer whose catalog includes classic motorcycles, sports and retro models, cruisers, roadsters, touring and other types of bikes.

Triumph logo design changes since 1902

Triumph history

Founders of the company «Triumph» are Siegfried Bettmann and Moritz Schulte. At the end of the 19th century, German merchants emigrated to Great Britain, where the trademark was registered, and the company's office is located to this day. After moving to the Kingdom, Siegfried Bettmann began trading in sewing equipment and bicycles, which were imported into the country from Germany.

Siegfried Bettmann (1863-1951)

Moritz Schulte (1858-1933)

The demand for two-wheeled vehicles and Bettmann's activities gave Schulte the idea of creating his own business. Namely, the production of high-quality bicycle equipment. Thus, in 1887, the Triumph Cycle Company was born, which began producing bicycles in England «Triumph».

Triumph company bicycle

Triumph company tricycle

In the 90s, the idea of converting traditional bicycles into two-wheeled vehicles equipped with a full-fledged motor began to actively develop around the world. The excitement around the newfangled vehicle also affected the residents of Britain, which prompted the founders of the now renamed The New Triumph Co. in 1898. Ltd to develop a new direction - the production of motorcycles equipped with Belgian engines.

The debut of the first Triumph motorcycle

The first motorcycle model «Triumph» the company introduced to English buyers in 1902. During the year, the presented vehicle was sold in the amount of 500 units. In subsequent years, the first bike of the trading park was sold only on the domestic market, but had quite good demand, which allowed the founders to expand production.

The first model of the Triumph motorcycle 1902

Second model of the Triumph motorcycle 1905

In 1906 the company changed its name to Triumph Engineering Co. Ltd, which was used until 1983. In just a year, the brand increased the volume of motorcycle products produced to 1000 units. The popularity of the brand grew, and already in 1908 the Triumph motorcycle participated in motorcycle races held on the Isle of Man. The pilot was motorcycle racer Jack Marshall, who showed on a motorcycle «Triumph» best result.

Motorcycle Triumph Model Roadster 1910

Motorcycle Triumph Model H 1915

This contributed to an even greater increase in production. In 1909, 3,000 motorcycles were already rolling off the company's assembly line. The same year for the brand «Triumph» It is also significant because the manufacturer announced its famous Roadster bike to the public. This is a large-capacity cruiser, which among motorcycle enthusiasts is called Trusty Triumph. During the First World War, the British government ordered 30 thousand units of this bike from the company, thereby supporting the local manufacturer.

Motorcycle Triumph 6/1 1933

Motorcycle Triumph Tiger 90 1937

In 1920, the company continued to develop new directions, opening automobile production, but also continuing the production of motorcycles and bicycles. In 1937, the British manufacturer announced a new bike model - Triumph Speed. The new motorcycle had a 500 cm³ engine and reached speeds of up to 150 km/h.

Motorcycle Triumph Speed Twin 5T 1937

Motorcycle Triumph 2HC 1938

Two years later, the brand introduced a sports version of the Triumph Speed motorcycle, called the Tiger 100. The new product was more powerful and faster, capable of reaching speeds of up to 190 km/h. In 1940, the company's product range «Triumph» is replenished with a new motorcycle that has no competitors on the market. It was the 3TW Military model, equipped with an alternating current generator and intended for military couriers.

Motorcycle Triumph Tiger 100 1939

Motorcycle Triumph 3TW Military 1940

With the advent of the Great Depression in the 1930s, Triumph's fortunes began to deteriorate. The founders of the brand retired. At the same time, car production ceased to be profitable, forcing the brand owners to sell the motorcycle division. Its new owner was Jack Sangster, who was the owner of the company Ariel Motorcycles, which bought the motorcycle division for £41,000. Sangster appointed Edward Turner as general manager and chief designer.

Jack Sangster (1896-1977)

Edward Turner (1901-1973)

During the Second World War, the company was partially repurposed for the production of military equipment. This allows the brand «Triumph» receive a large government order for the production of aircraft engines and motorcycles - the company produced 300 motorcycles weekly.

In the post-war period, the brand continues to produce motorcycle models that were popular in the pre-war period. During the same period, new products rolled off the Triumph assembly line:

3T De Luxe in 1946
Grand Prix 500 and TR5 Trophy in 1947
6T Thunderbird in 1948
TRW in 1950

Motorcycle Triumph 3T De Luxe 1946

Motorcycle Triumph Grand Prix 500 1947

Motorcycle Triumph TR5 Trophy 1949

Motorcycle Triumph 6T Thunderbird 1949

In 1951, the concern became the owner of the Triumph trademark BSA.

Since the 60s of the last century, the company's position «Triumph» The motorcycle market is getting worse. Consumers all over the world are becoming familiar with the products of Japanese manufacturers Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha. New market players have managed to offer motorcycle fans in the USA and Europe stylish, high-quality and affordable bikes. This led to a significant decrease in demand for motorcycles «Triumph», which led to a production crisis, an employee strike and a complete shutdown of production by 1980.

Motorcycle Triumph Twenty One 1957

Motorcycle Triumph T140 Bonneville 1973

In 1983, Triumph was declared bankrupt. English billionaire John Bloor is purchasing all of its intellectual property. He invested more than £170 million and spent about 7 years getting the company «Triumph» re-entered the world market and took a leading position.

Manufacturing Triumph motorcycles in the 21st century

Motorcycles of a British company «Triumph» has always differed from other products on the motorcycle market in that it belongs to different eras and subcultures. All major motorcycle models, including retro bikes, were successfully accepted among motorcycle fans. Whatever motorcycle the brand produced, be it classic or sports motorcycles, tourists and enduro tourists, roadsters or cruisers, it had a special design and specific technical characteristics. Thanks to this, English Triumph motorcycles were worthy competition for products presented on the market by American and Japanese manufacturers.

Motorcycle Triumph Daytona 750 1991

Motorcycle Triumph Trophy 900 1991

Since the early 90s of the last century, a huge number of motorcycles of various styles and classes have rolled off the Triumph Motorcycles assembly line. The new items featured an improved modern design and a unique design based on the style of Japanese brands. The British motorcycle manufacturer's assortment now includes super-active tourists and sports tourists, and the following motorcycle models have become in demand:

Daytona 675
Speed Triple
Sprint ST

Motorcycle Triumph Daytona 675 2007

Motorcycle Triumph Sprint ST 2002

The public of motorcycle fans recognized both retro motorcycles created in the style of cafe racers and models equipped with a powerful engine and brutal design. Particularly popular and loved among fans of motorcycle products «Triumph» got:

Triumph Rocket III
Triumph Thunderbird 2 ABS
Triumph Thunderbird Storm ABS

Motorcycle Triumph Thunderbird 900 1995

Motorcycle Triumph Adventurer 900 1996

In 2022, Triumph Motorcycles presented a prototype electric motorcycle TE-1[1], created jointly «Triumph», Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain Ltd and the University of Warwick.

However, no matter how well the new motorcycles are received, the company’s assortment «Triumph» there are iconic motorcycles bikes. These include:

Bonneville

The Bonneville series features middle-class road motorcycles. Triumph has produced them from 1959 to the present day. The first model of the line was a modification of the Triumph Tiger T110 motorcycle. The bike of the last century was equipped with an engine that allowed the vehicle to accelerate to 115 mph. In 1963, the company modified the motorcycle. The updated version features a stiffer frame, revised steering angle and improved forks. The last restyling of the model occurred in 2001.

Motorcycle Triumph Bonneville T120 2022

Motorcycle Triumph Bonneville Bobber 2017

Rocket III

Model Rocket III is a three-cylinder motorcycle model that Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. introduced in 2004. The first bike was equipped with the largest displacement engine of any existing production motorcycle. The company equipped the new product with a 2294 cm³ engine. In this version, motorcycles were produced until 2017.

In the period from 2004 to 2010, the Rocket family was replenished with such models as:

Rocket III Classic in 2006
Rocket III Roadster in 2010
Rocket III Tourer in 2007
Rocket III Touring in 2008

In 2019, the company introduced Triumph Rocket 3.

Motorcycle Triumph Rocket III 2019

Motorcycle Triumph Rocket III 2005

Scrambler

Triumph Scrambler is a series of road motorcycles that best implement the style of the 60s of the last century. A distinctive feature of the line is the absence of plastic elements and the high location of the exhaust. Externally, the motorcycles in the line are similar to off-road bikes with spoked wheels.

The engine in Scrambler motorcycles is placed in the power structure of a durable frame, which is why its structure was made more rigid, which also improved the quality of control. The braking system has also been improved by installing disc brakes on models of the Scrambler family, providing safe braking and clear feedback.

Motorcycle Triumph Scrambler 2012

Motorcycle Triumph Scrambler 2022

Speed Triple

Speed Triple is a line of motorcycles produced by the company «Triumph» since 1994. All motorcycles in this family are characterized by a combination of elements of sports and racing bikes. The first models of the series were equipped with an 885 cm³ engine. Gradually, Triumph improved its model range, increasing the engine capacity and increasing the power of the vehicle.

The latest addition to the Triumph Speed Triple family arrives in 2021. The bike has become truly revolutionary, combining power, performance, handling and technology. The new model was equipped with a 3-cylinder engine developing up to 180 hp, an instrument model with a 5-inch TFT screen.

Motorcycle Triumph Speed Triple 2023

Motorcycle Triumph Speed Twin 2023

Street Triple

Street Triple – the company’s line of sports motorcycles «Triumph». A distinctive feature of the bikes is a stylish and bright design, excellent aerodynamics. It is provided by a special aluminum alloy used by the manufacturer to create the frame of the bike. In addition, when developing the Street Triple models, body kits and welds were minimized, which allowed them to maintain a streamlined shape.

Street Triple motorcycles received four-stroke engines with an injection system. Despite its small volume, just 0.6 cm³, the bike is capable of developing up to 106 hp. The braking system features hydraulic disc pads that provide effective braking in all conditions.

Motorcycle Triumph Street Triple 2021

Motorcycle Triumph Street Twin 2017

Thruxton

Thruxton is a series of motorcycles with a sporty design, which were equipped with parallel twin-cylinder engines. Serially produced by the company «Triumph» from 2004 to 2016 However, the first representative of the Thruxton family was introduced by the Triumph brand back in 1965 and was called Thruxton Bonneville. It was a limited edition racing motorcycle.

Serial production of Thruxton bikes began in 2004, when a new product rolled off the manufacturer’s assembly line - the Thruxton 900. The bike was equipped with a 2-cylinder air-cooled engine. In 2016, the company releases Thruxton 1200.

Motorcycle Triumph Thruxton 1200 2020

Motorcycle Triumph Thruxton 900 2015

Tiger

Tiger is a series of touring enduros, but designed for riding on asphalt and dirt, and not off-road, like classic enduros. Distinctive features of this line of bikes «Triumph» are:

low curb weight;
ease of control;
on-board electronics to prevent control errors;
long travel suspension;
versatility for drivers of different heights and weights.

In addition, models in this line allow for various settings, from the location of the windshield to the operating mode of the transmission.

Motorcycle Triumph Tiger 900 2023

Motorcycle Triumph Tiger 1200 2022

Trident

The Trident series is a line of steel, powerful and affordable motorcycles. All models in this family have a high level of equipment, technology and advanced characteristics in their class. Key features include:

engines with rapid acceleration and excellent feedback;
technologies for greater safety and controllability of the bike.

The appearance of Trident motorcycles also deserves attention. It's a compact yet muscular bike with minimal cladding to maintain a sporty silhouette.

Motorcycle Triumph Trident 660 2023

Motorcycle Triumph Trident 660 2021

Models of Triumph

Aprilia BMW Ducati Harley Honda Kawasaki Suzuki Triumph Yamaha